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Jazz Studies With Bill Harrison: Play-Along Tracks Lesson 6 – Learning Tunes

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Meet Bill Harrison –

This month’s column is a bit of a departure from past entries. I’m going to describe a method I’ve successfully used to add tunes to my repertoire. As bass players, our primary functions are to supply rhythmic forward motion and to clearly define the root motion from chord to chord. So learning new songs poses a couple of challenges that other instrumentalists don’t have to reckon with:

1) Most of us play an accompaniment role most of the time, so we rarely get the opportunity to play melodies (after all, the saxophone player doesn’t want to stand idly by as we play the majority of the in- heads).

2) The bass is primarily a single line instrument, so it is not ideal for providing chordal accompaniment.

Here’s a method for learning tunes that addresses these difficulties, and won’t take you ten years to master. It’s not fast but it is thorough.

Pick a tune with a melody that you’re already familiar with or that moves slowly enough for you to be able to learn by ear. (All The Things You Are would be a much better choice than Donna Lee). DO NOT use sheet music or a fake book to begin with. Music is an aural art; you want to involve your ears as much as possible in this process. While reading is an excellent skill, it is not the best way to internalize material that you want to master as an accompanist and improvisor.

1) Learn the melody and form by playing along with a recording. Sing it, play it, whistle it in the shower, rinse and repeat until you’ve really committed it to memory. (It helps to pick a tune you like to begin with). Notice what sections repeat and where the bridge (if any) occurs. When you start getting sick of it, that’s how you know you’ve got it.

2) Go back to the recording and learn the roots of the chords, again by playing along with the track until you to get it. I suggest doing this in 4 or 8 bar chunks. Much of this may have sunk in subconsciously while you were learning the melody; now make it conscious.

3) SING the melody and play the roots of the chords simultaneously. This will help you cement the relationship between the top line (melody) and the root motion that it’s connected to. You don’t have to sound like Sinatra to do this – just sing as best you can.

4) If you are able to transcribe the harmonies, do it. The melody notes will point you in the right direction a lot of the time but you will have to go back to the recording to listen to what the pianist or guitarist is playing. If you can’t hear the chord qualities, now’s the time to break out an accurate fake book (Chuck Sher’s books are excellent).

5) Use a play-along track without the bass part and play everything you know: the melody, the roots, arpeggios, walking lines, solo lines. SING the melody to yourself whenever and however you play the tune – that’s the best way to keep your place in the form.

The idea is to depend on your ears, not your eyes, for as much of the process as possible. I guarantee that you will never forget a tune you learn with this technique.

To help you get started with this process I’m including a PlayJazzNow play-along track for Sonny Rollins’ classic tune Doxy.
Doxy Pno_Dr

If you don’t know the melody, spend 99 cents and download Sonny’s recording: http://tinyurl.com/39qeqz8. I doubt you’ll need a chord chart, but if you do you can grab a free pdf here: Doxy

Bass Videos

Interview With K3 Sisters Band

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Interview With K3 Sisters Band

K3 Sisters Band Interview…

It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.

Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music,  music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.

Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.

Here is the K3 Sisters Band!

Photo, Bruce Ray Productions

Follow Online:

k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook 

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Bass Player Health

What is a Pinched Nerve? with Dr. Randy Kertz

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Dr Randal Kertz - Bass Player Health - Oct 2022

What is a Pinched Nerve?

In this month’s video, we will cover how to tell if you have a pinched nerve and when to seek professional help.

Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!

The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention & Better Health

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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram

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TOP 10 Basses of the week

Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…

Click to follow Bass Musician on Instagram @bassmusicianmag

FEATURED @colibriguitars @adamovicbasses @brooksbassguitars @lecomptebass @mgbassguitars @mauriziouberbasses @jcrluthier @biarnel @officialibanezguitars @chris_seldon_guitars

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Gear News

New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

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New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Designed to accommodate global touring, the Original-EVO-C112T features auto-protect voltage support and an adaptive temperature-controlled fan for optimal performance in any environment.
 
In summary, the Original-EVO-C112T is a game-changing amplifier that combines power, portability, and precision. It’s a testament to innovation and quality in the world of bass amplification, deserving attention from musicians looking to take their music to the next level.

Product Specification-

Power Output: 300 Watts
Power Requirement: 115-230 Volts
Speaker Configuration: 1 x 12” + Horn
High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9m Ohms, Input range 150mV – 20mV p-p
Low Instrument Input: Impedance -1M Ohms, Input range 150mV to 10V p-p
Line Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, Input range 300mV – 40V p-p
DI Output: 600 Ohm balance / Level -20dBu nominal
Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohm
Headphone Output: Yes and safe for silent practice
EQ: Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz, Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz, Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz, Hi Mid +/-15 dB @1.5kHz, Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz
Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Dimensions (H x W x D in mm): 470 x 606 x 381
Weight: 13.5kg

For more info please visit www.ashdownmusic.com

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Gear News

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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30th Anniversary Limited Edition SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary…

The SansAmp Bass Driver DI has been an arsenal staple for players and studios almost since the day it was introduced in 1994. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Tech 21 is issuing a limited edition with an anodized precision-machined aluminum billet housing and all metal knobs.

This all-analog multi-function, multi-application pedal dials up big vintage tube tones, bright modern slap sounds, gnarly distortions, and all in between. There are three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers, or simply enhance your current rig. Controls include Presence for definition and upper harmonic content; Blend to combine the ratio of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry; and active 3-band EQ with 12dB of cut or boost.

The 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology encompasses the entire signal chain, from pre-amp to power amp to speaker simulation. An integral part of the circuitry, the individually-tailored SansAmp speaker simulation will complement any type of bass speaker cabinet system.

It is rare an electronic music-related product can withstand such a test of time. The SansAmp Bass Driver has been used for every kind of music style from death metal to commercial jingles, in countless studios, and on tours around the globe. In fact, many mammoth stage rigs you see are actually driven by a SansAmp nestled behind the backline. It has defied the odds and to this day, SansAmp remains the standard of the industry.

Anticipated Availability:  May/June 2024

For more information, visit online at tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bass-driver-30/

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