Dixieland playing

[David Richoux]

Way to Go Neptune!
I also agree with J.C. on the chord structures. one of the fake books this group has put together has at least two different choices for most pieces.

Many years ago (around 1984) Alan Jaffe invited me to sit in for a few songs at Preservation Hall - this was when many of the "founders" were still playing. I thought I did OK - no major flubs, songs I really knew - but when the set was over, the banjo player, Navin Kimball leaned over and said: "All you West Coast guys play the same wrong notes!"

[J.c. Sherman]

(you must find a cat of your own, they are essential, and should have a goatee or soul patch, and smoke menthols over-hand)

Heh. Mine was John Carisi. Used to play at the Yankee games.
quote]

Good choice!

[Wyvern]

One other question about Dixieland. I understand the group I played with normally use a string bass, and I got called in because the gig was outside with no power supply for his amplifier. Is string bass the 'preferred bass' for this sort of group, or is it optional?

Jonathan "who thought tuba worked well"

[UDELBR]

Is string bass the 'preferred bass' for this sort of group, or is it optional?

Certainly not back in the day, as tuba was / is eminently more audible and portable (aka: strolling). No accounting for what goes on in modern 'trad' gigs though...

[Z-Tuba Dude]

No expert am I, but I believe that tuba (Sousaphone) was the preferred instrument in the early days of jazz. Portability and volume were probably both factors.

I think that the tuba got bumped, more or less, when swing made it's appearance. I am guessing that people felt that the walking bass lines lent themselves more to double bass, than to tuba.

Any thoughts?

[scottw]

Bloke, your link is not working for the album. 404 message.

[UDELBR]

I think that the tuba got bumped, more or less, when swing made it's appearance.

The story I've always heard is that it had everything to do with audibility. A string bass just couldn't compete with a front line until amplification and tolerable mics came along. Ever wonder where the term "recording bell" came from?

[Donn]

The story I've always heard is that it had everything to do with audibility.

Well, for sure, that was the advantage tubas, and even bass saxophones, had over the string bass in the early days of jazz. But when amplification evened the score a little, did the music change because of that, or did the bands switch to string bass because the music was changing? I guess to know for sure, you'd have to do some real research, but in the tradition of online pontification I'm going to guess that the (amplified) string bass was the egg, and the music was the chicken.

It certainly was not because the string bass players were better musicians. Many of the string bass players were the tuba players - Walter Page, Joe Tarto, etc. played both during their careers. That dance band tuba chair was a pretty good job in its day, and if you didn't know your stuff, someone else did and you were back in the bread line.

I've seen "Dixieland" bands with electric bass. Bleah. I don't think I've seen one yet with an electric keyboard bass. I've also seen somewhat classic style jazz (like late '30s style) played with a string bass - unamplified, behind several horns and a light drum set (snare & high-hat, if I remember right.) Lot of work. At one point, the bass player (also a tuba player) yanked a (gut) string off the bridge, playing too hard.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

When did amplification become available to bassists?

I had assumed it was the late 40's/early 50's, because I have some original recordings of the Glenn Miller band, on which I could barely hear the bass.

[Donn]

Recording technology has gotten better, too. (Cf. comment above about "recording bell".) As anyone will attest who's heard casual recordings of their own bands, played on cheap little speakers, etc., the bass is the first thing to go.

[David Richoux]

If this thread has about played itself out, may I branch off in another related direction?

I just noticed that our best-ever (imho) L.P. is for sale "used" on amazon.com for (gulp!) $30.

polite snip

I have that LP and played the heck out of it on my radio show (The Jazz Parade KFJC) for many years! A lot of great tracks on that recording and your style of playing definitely influenced me in my own efforts - thanks for reminding me - I will play it again tomorrow for my personal plaesure! (I don't have a regular show anymore but I do fill-in every once in a while...)

[windmill]

I'm really quite impressed with the David Gage "Realist". I've got one on my bass and also on my cello. One can go back and forth pizzicato to bow with a very nice sound for both. Not cheap but I like them for both instruments. They fit under one foot of the bridge. No preamp required.

Steve.