Jimelliottbassist Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Hi I'm a self taught bassist, currently learning how to read music, but would like to get into playing Jazz. Any tips books, video etc. Gonna take lessons this year but thought i'd ask the question. Cheers Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Buy a copy of Jazzwise or Jazztimes, follow the reviews/articles/adverts/websites and get onto Spotify to put some names in. Miles Davis: Kind of Blue, Workin', Steamin', Cookin', Relaxin', Miles Ahead, Birth Of The Cool, Nerfertiti, Miles Smiles, Sketches of Spain, Porgy & Bess John Coltrane: Blue Train, A Love Supreme, Giant Steps Sonny Rollins: [color="#ff0000"]Saxophone[/color] [color="#ff0000"]Collosus[/color], Tenor Madness Duke Ellington: almost anything Count Basie: The Atomic Mr. Basie Wynton Marsalis: Standard Time, Live At Blues Alley, Citi Movement Chris Potter: Gratitude Joe Lovano: Landmarks Dave Holland: Anything Marc Johnson: Bass Desires Chick Corea: Trio Music That'll keep you entertained for a few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMech Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Firstly, get yourself a copy of the realbook, has loads of jazz standards in: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Book-Bass-Clef-Books/dp/184609478X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324842124&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Book-Bass-Clef-Books/dp/184609478X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324842124&sr=8-1[/url] Secondly the four albums I told a mate to listen to, who hadn't really given jazz a chance were: Miles Davis: Kind of Blue John Coltrane: Giant Steps Charles Mingus: Mingus Ah Um Bill Evans: Waltz for Debby they should be a good starting point for further exploration, although of course everyone will give their own selection Thirdly, check out some youtube lessons about walking basslines. BC resident Scott Devine has a great selection if you search for him on youtube, he's also got a new website. Lastly, find an open jam session if you can. Throw yourself in at the deep end if you're brave enough. Many songs are just a 12-bar blues e.g. All Blues, Mr PC, Watermelon Man. When I did the same, at the jam night I went to in Bristol I always requested songs that were essentially a 12 bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Admiral Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Jim You may want to check out this thread, which I started some time ago - looking for a steer from fellow BC'ers on some good jazz albums for a non jazzer. I've subsequently bought a few, and there are some good recommendations in there, particularly the Herbie Hancock stuff and Sony Rollins, which I picked up cheap online. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/98426-good-jazz/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url] And don't forget - Jazz is for life, not just for Christmas! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Might be worth your while checking out some of the Jamey Aebersold Playalongs from Jazzwise. Great CD & book packages that cover a lot of ground where "the standards" are concerned. Another avenue for learning walking bass lines would be the first two Ed Friedland books "Building Walking Bass Lines" & "Expanding Walking Bass Lines". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 begin by forgetting jazz and play something exciting. ho-ho ho, merry xmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 (edited) Check out Ray Brown... if he appeals to you you're off because you'll be transcribing his lines in no time! [b][u]NB.[/u][/b] listening is as important as studying how to make walking bass lines Edited December 25, 2011 by jakenewmanbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimelliottbassist Posted December 25, 2011 Author Share Posted December 25, 2011 Many thanks lads and ladies. Merry Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 [quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1324846649' post='1478111'] Might be worth your while checking out some of the Jamey Aebersold Playalongs from Jazzwise. Great CD & book packages that cover a lot of ground where "the standards" are concerned. Another avenue for learning walking bass lines would be the first two Ed Friedland books "Building Walking Bass Lines" & "Expanding Walking Bass Lines". [/quote] +1 on the Abersold books, particulary helpful to a beginner is their 'Maiden Voyage' book & CD, which will get you looking at 12-bar jazz blues, modal blues, Latin, etc. Next, 'Approaching the Standards, vol. 1' Very good stuff, and good prices, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) I'd politely disagree with a lot of these, they're just a tad advanced for a beginner although are great to listen to. To get into jazz you've got to know your standards - not all of them of course but their form and how jazz evolves from them. Get to know the 12, 16 and 32 bar forms. Get that sorted and you can see how Miles, Coltrane et al are so different and yet you can compare and contrast with the standard form. Rather than Bill Evans (a great fave of mine) listen to anything by Oscar Peterson. Almost all of his stuff is based on the standard form and you will hear him play the tune and then go off into improvisations. Most of the time he will have Ray Brown with him on bass and you will hear his great walking lines - I agree with Jake there! Now don't laugh, but I can go far back to when My Fair Lady came out. All the tunes were quite catchy and easy to get in your head. Soon after Andre Previn brought out a jazz version LP of all the tunes. He was on piano with Shelly Mann on drums and the very under-rated Leroy Vinegar on bass. Leroy is one of the very best walkers and that LP taught me how to improvise on a tune that I knew already and it was all I needed to get a good start on jazz bass that never left me. Good luck, with Spotify you'll get there. Edited December 26, 2011 by bassace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 [quote name='bassace' timestamp='1324892399' post='1478242'] I'd politely disagree with a lot of these, they're just a tad advanced for a beginner although are great to listen to.[/quote] I agree with this. As well as the Ed Friedland "Building Walking Basslines" already mentioned, this book (see link below) is also great for getting you off to a good start with jazz. It comes with a cd containing the exercises, and also has some standards to play along to. You can isolate the bass if you wish, or on the other channel have just drums and piano and provide the bass lines yourself. A good investment IMO. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass/dp/0786659963"]http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass/dp/0786659963[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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