Lesson with Deminicus

So Deminicus what is it you wish to study?

Good Morning Will Kirk! Am I able to study "Jazz Bass - sight reading, hand training, and bass theory" or are each of those three seperate lessons? If so, I would like to study "Jazz Bass - bass theory" please,

Originally Posted by Deminicus

Good Morning Will Kirk! Am I able to study "Jazz Bass - sight reading, hand training, and bass theory" or are each of those three seperate lessons? If so, I would like to study "Jazz Bass - bass theory" please,

Ok, well as for bass theory here's what we're going to start on

The bass is the big foot of the sound of any Jazz band. Anything you play on the bass is going to change everything else about the sound.

For instance, if the band and I are playing through a very quick progression

Bb E C6 C7 D

As a jazz bassist my job isn't to simply "play root notes with authority" My job is to add more to the music. For example, if the piece is a rather happy one, I would try to play bass lines that would add to the atmosphere. For instance...

While the band plays this progression above me

Bb E C6 C7 D

I would try something along the lines of...

F# C A Bb D

See what I did? I harmonized for the first few movements, then at the very end resolved in D with the rest of the band.

That's a first start, there's other things but let me know if you grasp this concept first ok?

I think i understand what you are saying so far. So basically, instead of the bass simply playing the root note in a progression, the bass plays different notes that add to the overall feel of what the other band members are playing and at the end the tension (i hope i haven't misused that word) is resolved by the bass playing the same note as the other band members?

Originally Posted by Deminicus

I think i understand what you are saying so far. So basically, instead of the bass simply playing the root note in a progression, the bass plays different notes that add to the overall feel of what the other band members are playing and at the end the tension (i hope i haven't misused that word) is resolved by the bass playing the same note as the other band members?

Exactly!

Any note that the bass plays will change the overall sound and feel of the entire band. This is quite advantageous to the bass player because it allows him to contribute to any type of feeling with the band and still do his job well.

Let me know when you're ready to continue

Great, so I understand so far,

I think I'm ready to continue now.

Please forgive my delayed response, I'm going to have to put the lesson on hold until school let's me have some time to work on it

It's okay, I'm totally okay with waiting (I completely understand, i've had a lot of school work and band-related things that have made getting online rather difficult lately as well).