JapanAxe Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 About 18 months ago I decided to branch out and play as widely as possible. The sax player in my new functions band has asked me to dep with her 7-piece trad jazz band, and that's happening tomorrow night! I had kind of written off trad jazz as trite music played by old fellas in stripey jackets and boaters, with lots of widdly clarinets, but I am finding myself really enjoying this. I have played some swing stuff before in a dance band and a big band, and in fact there is a certain amount of swing in the set at the client's request, but I have had my eyes opened by the trad material - great up-tempo tunes, lovely chord progressions, and a very satisfying musical result when it all comes together. At the first rehearsal I was somewhat wrong-footed by the sheer speed of the music I was trying to sight-read - 4-beat at 230bpm anyone?! - but a bit of wood-shedding has sorted that. I have also found that I can do a passable walking bass when playing the swing material from chord charts, mainly from my knowledge of chord construction. So wish me luck - I will report back on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Sounds like you're having a blast already - I'm sure all the practice will pay off. Go get 'em cowboy ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballstomonty Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Good luck. I always enjoyed playing jazz in the past even though apart from bebop, birth of the cool and some funk/jazz fusion (H Hancock) it's not something I listen to much. I love the atmosphere in a jazz ensemble and the bass role is such a different discipline to rock/pop stuff. Enjoy it. Record the gig if you can, it'll give you real insight into what's going well/ what could be improved in your jazz chops. Do you have to solo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 [quote name='ballstomonty' timestamp='1452928559' post='2954756'] Record the gig if you can, it'll give you real insight into what's going well/ what could be improved in your jazz chops. Do you have to solo? [/quote] Record the gig? - Now there's an idea (although a frightening one)! I have a couple of written solos, which will be getting some extra attention this morning. I have never had any interest in soloing on bass in the way that, say, Scott Devine seems to enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/7919-how-was-your-gig-last-night/page__view__findpost__p__2955507"]Result[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Were they ok about having a P bass instead of an upright ? I was offered a dep gig with a swing band but they withdrew the offer when I said I would be using an electric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 The band leader had only ever seen me play a P bass, and in discussing technique I had made it clear that I didn't play upright, so no it wasn't a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I think nowadays they expect electric bass rather than double. I seriously can't remember the last time I went to a jazz gig and saw someone playing double bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 And good luck with the gig. Trad jazz is great fun, I did a few trad gigs 4 or 5 years ago. In the summer they seem to be ran in conjunction with beer festivals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 It was last night - see link in post above. It would have been a bit nonsensical to insist on double bass when the pianist was playing an electronic keyboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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