Page 1 of 1

Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:43 pm
by barry grrr-ero
I once heard an older Dukes of Dixieland disc where the tuba player played just the most incredible walking bass lines. Any idea which of their many tuba players over the years it might have been?

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:49 pm
by UDELBR
Gotta be Rich Matteson. https://youtu.be/F5LZj5TkHHk

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 9:08 am
by UDELBR
GregTuba79 wrote:
UncleBeer wrote:Gotta be Rich Matteson. https://youtu.be/F5LZj5TkHHk
This is why I bought an electric bass, so there wouldn't be those huge gaps in the music where you gotta breathe.
I think Rich handled this as well as anyone can. I actually like the rhythmic impetus the resulting pickup 8ths (after a breath) give the line.

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:31 pm
by UDELBR
GregTuba79 wrote: I know, it's fun music and doesn't have to be as precise as classical chamber music..and most often drunks listening to this at a bar wouldn't care either. All the musicians hear that gap...circular breathing perhaps?
It's not meant to be 'precise'. And "drunks"? :shock:

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:08 am
by David Richoux
There are tricks (besides circular breathing) to play almost continuous walking bass lines on tuba. It takes knowing the song and also depends on what else is going on at the time, but there are opportunities to sneak a breath in most phrases here or there. If you use the gap as you breathe as a rhythmic boost (instead of an awkward pause) in the patter it can work. Hard to describe as text, but it just takes experience doing it.

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:54 am
by Three Valves
Drunks??

We prefer "Inebriants" thank you. 8)

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:45 am
by Three Valves
Not only do I sound better, (to me) but I speak more intelligently and get better looking!!

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:08 am
by Tabor
I have heard that the trick to getting a good sound is to get a good buzz.

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 10:58 am
by DaveWright
David Richoux wrote:There are tricks (besides circular breathing) to play almost continuous walking bass lines on tuba. It takes knowing the song and also depends on what else is going on at the time, but there are opportunities to sneak a breath in most phrases here or there. If you use the gap as you breathe as a rhythmic boost (instead of an awkward pause) in the patter it can work. Hard to describe as text, but it just takes experience doing it.
It's easy to do. I did for years with the Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, 1988-2004.

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:04 am
by mcfolks
Along this same line: Does anyone know what make/model Helicon Rich used when playing with the Dukes on the 1960 recording? BBb/Eb?

Re: Dukes of Dixieland - walking bass lines on tuba

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:07 pm
by Stephen Shoop
I believe the helicon is a Boston Wonder currently owned by Marc Dickman.