Bass Masterclasses

Monday – Genevieve Rose

Bassline Styles and Technique

We will explore the fundamentals of harmonic construction and playing techniques necessary for effective basslines in a variety of common jazz styles.

 

Tuesday – Marcus McLaurine

Elements of developing a walking bass lines – Ron Carter Blues, part 1

The first time I heard Ron Carter live was in 1974 with The New York Quartet. He was playing with a magnificent band with Frank Wess on flute and Tenor saxophone, Ben Riley on drums, Roland Hanna on piano. I approached Ron on their break and told him how much I admired his playing. I asked him what book should I get to help me with learning the acoustic bass and he said get Simandl. Many years later I was able to take some lessons with Ron; we worked out of Simandl and he showed me how to construct a walking bass line on the blues. I will demonstrate the basic elements of this in my master class.

 

Wednesday – Cameron Brown

An In-Depth Look at the Blues Bass-Lines of a Master – Ron Carter Blues, part 2     

Ron Carter has famously said that the bassists who are waiting around for their solos are missing all the fun. I could not agree more. The interplay of the rhythm section and the collective listening and spontaneous improvising are what jazz is all about for me. Ron was my first teacher – mid-sixties – when he was the anchor of one of the most remarkable ensembles in the history of jazz. Our class will take an in-depth look at 12 choruses of blues which Ron recorded with Sonny Rollins in early 1964. This is a “Reader’s Digest” performance, under 4 minutes. We will analyze and discuss his harmonic concepts, note choices, his deep swing and rhythmic interplay. As reference we will use Todd Coolman’s transcription of Ron’s lines from “The Bass Tradition,” and my one and two octave scale studies.

 

Thursday – Linda May Oh

Fundamental Practice/Performance Concepts as a Side-person and Composer/Leader

Fundamental Practice/Performance concepts. Will also show some scores and demonstrate how the bigger picture is really musicianship.

 

Friday – David Picchi

The Use of the Electric Bass in a Jazz Context

The electric bass is a serious jazz instrument, just check out Anthony or Paul Jackson, Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke or Marcus Miller (to start). We will discuss how and when to commit to the instrument, the importance of your sound, doubling (bringing both electric and acoustic axes to the gig), how to practice, transcribing, playing Charlie Parker lines on the electric bass and other valuable tips.