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Jazz bass lines

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:18 am
by MikeMason
I have a trumpeter friend who wants me to form a duo playing mostly standards for brunch gigs. Working band name-high low standards. I have a couple real book volumes with enough tunes to get it done. I do not at all improvise, though I’m a fan of standards and will probably be doing the singing too. We know this won’t be profitable, if it really happens at all. So things I’m looking for: pre made suggested bass lines for standards, a drum machine, maybe a synthesized piano or guitar software or iPad app that could comp. The trumpeter will handle most of the soloing and can do basic comping on piano if I’m singing or soloing. I know many of you will tell me to suck it up and learn to improvise. I don’t have time to devote to that, though I suspect I will get ok at it over time. I’m not afraid to throw some money at this. I think it will be fun. I’m also considering a sousaphone. I own an old fiberglass that’s been in storage over 10 years. It feels leaky. Aren’t there some sort of rubber gaskets that go bad on old fiber sousas? Replaceable? I also have a way to acquire a very old but good playing 20k. I’m afraid it may be too loud and too heavy to schlep around,but may still do it. All advice and opinions welcome, even Bloke.if nothing else, hopefully this will be a good conversation starter. My miraphone 190 still waiting in line at shop. I told them to take care of more urgent school band horns first. Ill be reporting on that when done.

Re: Jazz bass lines

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 5:46 pm
by Davy
For comping/drum machine type things, you could look into the iReal pro app. Plays a rhythm section background for practicing, and you can mute voices for the purposes you are looking for. As far as bass lines go, you maybe able to find some transcriptions of bass lines to start out, but the more you do it, you will find what works and what doesn’t.

Re: Jazz bass lines

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 6:09 pm
by jbaylies
> Aren’t there some sort of rubber gaskets that go bad on old fiber sousas?
Maybe.. Wrapping the joints with electrical tape works well, too.

There are probably some brass band recordings of the standards you're playing.

Rebirth - All Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AZoOU1NTCc
Hot 8 - Royal Garden Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooDu3JbFJ9I
Dirty Dozen - Kidd Jordan's Second Line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHI9pZz7poQ

Consider NOLA standards instead of Real Book standards. They're generally much easier for tuba.

Re: Jazz bass lines

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 2:53 pm
by benvas
I gave a presentation for VTEC on learning how to walk lines and it isn’t too tricky. If you can get past the long winded-ness of the presenter, you may find it useful!

https://youtu.be/cH2bvzdCS48

Re: Jazz bass lines

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 5:48 pm
by Michael Grant