Naetharu Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Hi folks, I'm interested in giving listening (and hopefully playing) some Jazz a serious go and I'm a little daunted as to where to start. I've always been into rock and electronica before and so it's kind of new to me. Could anyone suggest a few artists/albums/songs that would make a good place to start? Preferably something accessible to a Jazz newbie like me (I already tried Jaco and bounced right off for the time being). Anything that features interesting bass-lines would be fantastic. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Freddie Hubbard - straight life Miles Davis - kind of blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Herbie Hancock Headhunters Actually, saying that it might be worth spending some time reading up on the sub genres. Verve history of jazz website would be 20 minutes well spent. Edited December 22, 2015 by AntLockyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Miles Davis' kind of blue is a good starting point. So is Dave Brubeck's time out. Some good vocal jazz from the likes of Diana Krall or Kurt Elling is a good place to get into jazz without wondering why everyone's playing a different song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 The best bass lines to start with (regardless of genre) are for songs you already know. Browse online for compilation jazz albums and pick out songs you could sing right now, learn them first. Suggestions? Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me Dusty Springfield - The Look Of Love Etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Kind Of Blue is one of the essential records in any genre. Jazz is such a huge genre that it's difficult to know where to begin. You could do a lot worse than getting a few compilations, working out what styles you like and then going from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I ventured into jazz recently when an offer came up to be in a jazz band. It was doing old standard type stuff that I can't remember the name of. All I know is I thought I'd prepared myself well by learning chord tones and the key of the song with the progressions. I crashed and burned and now I never want to play it again. For me, it was too much thought - i couldn't just play without processing what I was doing next and after that and that too. I know comfort would come from experience in that aspect, but the 10 years I have of playing mostly funk/rock etc was of little use to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Easy to get into Wes Montgomery... Modern stuff - Brian Culbertson and Joyce Cooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) @Machines - Out of interest, how long did you give it? I found just the same, but sometimes it is good being (well) outside one's playing comfort zone. I tried a couple of time and didn't really stick at it. Edited December 22, 2015 by MoonBassAlpha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man (especially this close to the season of goodwill) how about trying a forum search - this subject has been covered several times, once pretty recently: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274641-god-help-me-think-im-starting-to-like-jazz/page__hl__jazz"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274641-god-help-me-think-im-starting-to-like-jazz/page__hl__jazz[/url] which includes a link to Bilbo's God, I Love Jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyd Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) As others have said, I'd listen to some recordings. Although there are loads of varieties of jazz, for many people the place to start are the classic recordings of the late 50s and early-mid 60s from the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard etc. Most stuff on the Blue Note label is very listenable, plus, unlike many earlier recordings, the sound quality is great and it's easy to hear the bass. Once you've found some stuff you like, the next thing to do is to figure out how to play bass to these tunes. There are loads of books available. I've got something from each of these:- [url="http://www.amazon.com/Building-Walking-Bass-Lines-Builders/dp/0793542049"]http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/0793542049[/url] [url="http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass/dp/0786659963"]http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/0786659963[/url] [url="http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Bassics-Ed-Fuqua/dp/1883217504"]http://www.amazon.co...a/dp/1883217504[/url] but there are loads of others. Then you can do some more reading and have a look on the forums here and on TalkBass. Hope that helps Edited December 22, 2015 by tinyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I reckon John Coltrane is about as accessible as it gets, his Blue Train & My Favourite Things albums are as good a place to start as any. Personally I prefer smaller ensemble jazz stuff to big band because you can really hear each musicians contribution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 If you want to be serious about playing jazz then you need to make sure you know your music theory stuff very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1450774411' post='2935622'] @Machines - Out of interest, how long did you give it? I found just the same, but sometimes it is good being (well) outside one's playing comfort zone. I tried a couple of time and didn't really stick at it. [/quote] Oh I put a serious amount of time into it - 2 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1450778403' post='2935691'] If you want to be serious about playing jazz then you need to make sure you know your music theory stuff very well. [/quote] Yep, I'm pretty much onto that. Been grinding away at theory and sight reading for the past few months and love it. To be honest that is what got me onto it. I've been doing the Rockschool grades which have forced me to learn my scales, chords, arpeggios, chord-extensions etc. It's really opened up my ear to music and I'd love to get into playing some stuff that I can really use these things with. To my surprise the stuff I have found the most fun to play has been the funk and jazz stuff for the exams. I'm really keen to learn properly and get my theory nailed - I want to become a proper musician rather than just someone who can noodle a few tunes on a bass. Cheers for all the pointers folks: looks like I have some serious listening to be doing today! Edited December 22, 2015 by Naetharu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Jazz is sub divided a thousand times. . . . which one? I'm listening to these guys at the moment: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNb9k4JoyOc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNb9k4JoyOc[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) I think the key thing is to ask yourself - 'Do I really like Jazz?' Because if you don't its a lonely place. In my formative years on bass I studied Jazz, worked a lot on music theory and listened to many artists and played in some intense local Jazz projects, but I have never 'got' Jazz - and other than a John Coltrane or Eric Dolphy solo non of it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end Edited December 22, 2015 by No lust in Jazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbass Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Any slowish version of autumn leaves will get u started, there are hundreds of versions out there on the tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1450774631' post='2935625'] At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man (especially this close to the season of goodwill) how about trying a forum search - this subject has been covered several times, once pretty recently: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274641-god-help-me-think-im-starting-to-like-jazz/page__hl__jazz"]http://basschat.co.u.../page__hl__jazz[/url] which includes a link to Bilbo's God, I Love Jazz. [/quote] You sound like a grumpy old man. I'm happy for a new thread to happen, happy to participate and read it. Even if I wasn't it isn't causing anyone any harm other than maybe costing an extra 0.0001p in server space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I agree with advice to find out what you enjoy and search out the chords and then play along. You need to feel jazz like any music and it's also useful listening to upright bassists phrasing. They tend to play lots of leading notes and ghost notes to add to the sound/song. The relationship with the drummer is slightly different too with the bassist taking a more rhythmic lead and the drummer creating dynamics and tension rather than straight rhythm. Whilst there is much to learn. Listen and enjoy first, then you will achieve your goal. Peace Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1450780658' post='2935746'] You sound like a grumpy old man. I'm happy for a new thread to happen, happy to participate and read it. Even if I wasn't it isn't causing anyone any harm other than maybe costing an extra 0.0001p in server space. [/quote] I did try a search but found loads of stuff about Fender Jazz bass so decided to simply ask Edited December 22, 2015 by Naetharu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1450774631' post='2935625'] At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man (especially this close to the season of goodwill) how about trying a forum search - this subject has been covered several times, once pretty recently: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274641-god-help-me-think-im-starting-to-like-jazz/page__hl__jazz"]http://basschat.co.u.../page__hl__jazz[/url] which includes a link to Bilbo's God, I Love Jazz. [/quote] I did try searching but found so much about Fender Jazz bass guitars I decided to simply ask: also I was looking for advice on entry points rather than just general discussion of Jazz as such Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blamelouis Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Start with the blues....get comfortable walking over basic changes. Then start studying walking basslines in depth, get to know your chord tones apply them over 3-5-2 chord progressions and then start using the "wrong notes" to colour and make your lines interesting. A bit of a basic response but a good way to go and go on Todd Johnsons site and check out his dvds. Seriously good value... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blamelouis Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 P.s......People say all the time "I want to play jazz I'm going to study Jaco" Should be the other way round.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 [quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1450782467' post='2935774'] I did try a search but found loads of stuff about Fender Jazz bass so decided to simply ask [/quote] [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1450780658' post='2935746'] You sound like a grumpy old man. I'm happy for a new thread to happen, happy to participate and read it. Even if I wasn't it isn't causing anyone any harm other than maybe costing an extra 0.0001p in server space. [/quote] Touche! And yes, the above is probably a fair defence. But there is a lot of great information on the forum and it just seems a shame if it doesn't get used when people need it. Got a supermarket trip looming - time to get seriously grouchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.