Bass — DjangoBooks Forum

What to do with pianist/good bass tone

EliPorter — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 05:28:14 +0000

Hey I'm just getting into gypsy and me and a few friends wanna get to together and jam, There is a guitarist, pianist (also sings) and me on electric bass (also sings). I have 2 questions, since I don't play upright, what should I do to get the best bass sound for gypsy jazz, I know a few strategies for getting a tone similar to upright (https://goo.gl/SwM75s) (https://goo.gl/KM1UJD) I could also have the pianist do left hand bass with me which leads me to my next question. What should I pianist do? Would left hand bass and right hand melody might work. Since me and pianist both sing what should the right hand do when one of us is singing? Wouldn't standard comping get in the way of guitarist? Thanks in advance!

Kala U-Bass

jonpowl — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 03:15:33 +0000

Is anybody using the Kala U-Bass for a GJ band or jamming? They supposedly have a nice acoustic bass sound and are certainly reasonably priced. I have a nice Mexican/American Fender P-Bass, but nobody ever uses them in GJ. The only time I've heard one in a professional setting was the fantastic Dutch bass player, Adinda Meertins playing a Kala U-bass Koa 5 string fretless with Monsieur Perine, and it sounded very nice, super low on the B string. Here is a link for Adinda and Kala: https://kalabrand.com/pages/ubass-artist-adinda-meertins

I may be in the market if somebody has an acoustic-electric, preferably fretless, for sale.

What's your favorite bass rosin?

AndrewUlle — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 19:32:37 +0000

Hi all you bassists-

I was recently watching one of Denis Chang's first videos on Gypsy Jazz where he recounted the story of how if a young gypsy boy isn't doing sufficiently well on the guitar, they assign him the bass.

So needless to say, I'm going to try the bass.

I went out and found an inexpensive used Romanian laminate bass, complete with a bow and a nice gig bag; however, it didn't come with any rosin. So, in 500 words or less, please share your opinions on what brand of rosin I should buy.

1 2 3 Go.

Andy

intro. to gypsy jazz bass course

Greg_L — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 14:20:35 +0000

Hey, everybody! Greg Loughman here. I've been playing gypsy jazz for a few years now, primarily with the Rhythm Future Quartet. I created a "Gypsy Jazz Bass 101" course on soundslice; it's an introductory course that explores ways to play gypsy jazz with a modern approach. It includes tutorials on basic bassline construction in various styles (2 feel, walking, ballads, gypsy bossa, waltz, rumba, and rumba waltz) and transcriptions of walking basslines for standard repertoire pieces. The course comes from my experiences and approach as a modern jazz musician exploring this style, as well as a lot of listening to my favorite bassists in the genre, including William Brunard (bassist with too many artists to list), Jérémie Arranger (with Adrien Moignard and many others), Diego Imbert (Birelli), Nonnie Rosenberg (Rosenberg trio), and others. Shoutout to Max O'Rourke for helping me on guitar.

Here's the link, feel free to check it out, share it around, etc. Thanks!

https://www.soundslice.com/store/gypsy-jazz-bass-101/

Just to confirm... this is impossible, right? (NHOP)

Bob Holo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:55:56 +0000

I just saw a vid on YouTube which appears to be Joe Pass & NHOP playing the Donna Lee in unison at about 150BPM.

I mean, he's playing the upright bass like a fingerstyle guitar.

Holy sh**

If you like this, listen to the Pass/NHOP version of Oleo - which you should find near this one on Youtube.

Prominent bass players in gypsy jazz

GypsyBassGuitar — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 11:12:38 +0000

Hey!

I'm a bassplayer, who like 1 year ago fell in love with gypsy jazz. I know that bass is not a leading instrument in the genre, but can you name any prominent bassplayers in the gypsy jazz for me? Who to listen to?

Thank you!

Cello Bass

cbwim — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:38:13 +0000

Am having fin converting a cheap $225 Chinese-made cello (solid wood amazingly - just plain looking) to a mini bass. Am waiting for the tuning pins a friend sent to arrive for the final iteration. The holes will be re-reamed, then the pegs fitted. Am using medium weight smooth wound Electric Bass Guitar strings with the bottom string either a .105 or .125 depending upon the sound and tension. A little bit of increasing the notches in the bridge and nut as necessary for the increased string diameters. Same for the tailpiece and pins where the strings anchor. It may not be as loud as a 5/8 or 3/4 bass but that is what amplification is for. Given my arthritic knees I am happy to play it sitting down - though I plan to put a longer and more robust end pin in this eventually. The nicest thing about it is its light weight and portability.

The electric guitar strings have about the same tension as cello strings so I am told. It will be tunes to the standard tuning in 4ths with the top being a G. Already in its preliminary set up I am having a blast with it.

Gypsy jazz resources for bassists?

Adam Crofts — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 05:43:57 +0000

I never see any method books, tips, instructional material or even youtube videos geared towards helping bassists get the right feel for jazz manouche. Given that the bass is notoriously hard to hear on some old Django recordings, I often wonder if there is a bit more help out there for us low-enders wanting to play this style. Thanks for any input!

Gypsy Jazz Bass video instruction course on Soundslice

adrian — Thu, 12 May 2016 12:15:43 +0000

Hi all,

Here's a new instructional course I helped put together -- Gypsy Jazz Bass, taught by the great Arnoud van den Berg (Robin Nolan Trio, Hot Club d'Europe, Jimmy Rosenberg).

There's not a ton of instructional material specifically for playing bass in a gypsy jazz band. Lots of bassists just wing it, or play in a more straightahead style. This course is intended to be the solution to that. Arnoud talks about the differences in this style, along with providing many sample bass lines/etudes.

More info here: https://www.soundslice.com/lessons/gypsy-jazz-bass/

Adrian

double bass magnetic pickups XLR

surdopickups — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:07:48 +0000

DOUBLE BASS Pickups

steel structure

• low z pickups

• XLR outuput (cannon)

• impedance 600 ohms

• humbucker

• 4 coil (1 coil for string)

• split - structure of 2 units for easy balancing of the strings

• steel structure

• shielded

• weight 50 g

• easy installation (dual look 3m )
sound more natural than to offer a magnetic pickup

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WGYkGg6GyA0

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mD6zbiXoYTQ

http://surdopickups.blogspot.it/p/double-bass-pickups.html

double bass magnetic pickups low impedance

surdopickups — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:55:11 +0000

double bass magnetic pickups low impedance

Selmer bass

kungfumonk007 — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 19:50:52 +0000

Bass lines for common gypsy jazz tunes

Ando — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:52:14 +0000

Are bass players better at reading bass clef than guitar players are reading any clef? This is a genuine question. If so, maybe this would be a good place to post some stock bass lines for common gypsy-jazz tunes. Maybe more people will be then tempted to pick up a bass and provide some bottom end...

Cheers,
Ando

this is so cool

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:34:21 +0000

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... go&pl=true

Gut vs. Steel?

tzadik — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:13:52 +0000

What kinds of strings are people using? Which ones do you like best for the genre?

Electric Bass in Gypsy Jazz??

jonpowl — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 15:16:31 +0000

I know this might be sacrilege, but I'm wondering how working GJ performers think about electric bass instead of stand-up bass. It sure would be easier to lug around a Fender P-bass than a double bass, even with a small amp. Plus, since I play bass, I might get to jam with better players sooner than I would on guitar. I'm betting that if Jaco Pastorius asked to sit in with the Rosenbergs with his Jazz bass, they would probably have loved it.

More transcriptions

Ando — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:57:05 +0000

No post since 2011! Must be a record.

There being no bassist where I live, and there being a very posh gig for the taking, I've taken up bass to play in trio with a guitarist and clarinetist.

So if there's anyone left who is interested in bass lines for the GJ repertoire, I'm guessing more will be on the way. For example, Nonnie Rosenberg has a nice line for "Duke & Dukie" which he repeats for the entire tune. Nice to have that one in the pocket.

Cheers

Info on learning gypsy-style bass

bumkneez — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 20:38:45 +0000

Where does one find basic info on playing gypsy -style bass?
There is plenty of data and interest in guitar. I haven't heard anyone mention they wanted to play bass. Is there anything available, or does one just study the music and apply thier bass knowledge to it?
Musically yours, bumkneez

KRIVO Handcrafted Magnetic Pickup for Upright Bass

MichaelHorowitz — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:50:15 +0000

KRIVO Handcrafted Magnetic Pickup for Upright Bass

Bass - gear thread

Ando — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 12:24:28 +0000

What basses do people play? Strings (Spirochore vs. Obligato)? Bows? Pickups? Amplification?

From what I can see on the net, a good, new, entry-level upright bass clocks in around $1500. A decent bow (mandatory for csardas!), $50. Plus pickup system for another $300. So for under $2000, you could get a good setup, minus any amp. Is that the standard drill?

What are the best low-end solutions for guitarists who just want to moonlight? Renting one is a dead end in my town: no one will do it, citing cost concerns. My local university won't rent me one, either. So I'm giving some thought to buying a fretless neck for my cheapie Yamaha electric bass.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Ando

Heads

Joli Gadjo — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:15:26 +0000

Dear Upright Bass players,

I was wondering if some of you play the head of some tunes sometimes ?
If so, which tunes ? With the bow or not ?
Anything regarding your experience in this matter is of interest for me.
Thanks !
-JG

bass player/ GJ newbis in Worcester/ prov area

seanc — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:37:47 +0000

Hi all,
I am a newbie to the world of GJ but have been playing bass for a lot of years. Just starting to take a bit of interest in the whole world of GJ. And would be interested in hooking up with people to see what happens.

I have done rock bands for 20+ years, playing off and on in clubs and so forth. But, have no experience (so far with the swing scene). PM me if there is any interest.

Thanks!!

Selmer Bass!

MichaelHorowitz — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:35:42 +0000

http://www.marche.fr/petite_annonce_mus ... 67951.html

minor swing

Ersad — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:06:37 +0000

hello looking for notes on the bass.
track is a minor swing (Django Reinhardt)

Hot Club of Hungary - bass

Ando — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:28:19 +0000

I love the bassist here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZ8l1u2 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCv4tkKY ... re=related

Totally swingin'.

bass newbie girlfriend

blindjimmy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:43:22 +0000

Hello everyone, well, i've managed to find a girlfriend who not only loves gj, but wants to play it on the bass. Her grandpa, Maestro, played upright bass as his main instrument many, many moons ago, and i think she wants to carry on the family tradition. well, for now, were using an electric bass guitar, and before i start searching the web for relevant sites, i was hopeing someone here could hook us up with some good websites . Thank you !

Realist Pickup

Adelaarvaren — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:14:35 +0000

I just got one of these for the upright, and I have to say it sounds damn good. I don't have an amazing amp, but plugging straight into my board it sounds lovely!

I don't bow, so I don't know how it works there, but for pizz, it sounds clean and has few artifacts.

Here's a link:

http://www.davidgage.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28&osCsid=acf7d53f4a3293e389e31c44a0e1b169

upright bass amps

pfeifmusic — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:21:54 +0000

Hi all,
I'm in the market for a new bass amp for my acoustic upright. I play mostly GJ in 50-200 person venues with a head and cab that are too powerful and too heavy.
Is there a good combo amp under 300W that won't break my back or the bank and gives a solid sound?

thanks

Pickup for Tacoma Thunderchief?

TenorClef — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:37:30 +0000

I have a US Tacoma Thunderchief all acoustic bass guitar with no electrics. It has a great sound and a nice low end but not enough volume to compete with more than one acoustic certainly not a gypsy guitar! I want to amplify it but am not prepared to start drilling holes into it. Any suggestions?

Bossa Dorado, Bei Mir Bist Du Schön

Phantas Manouche — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:06:22 +0000

Hi everybody

Does anybody know the bass lines of Bossa Dorado and Bei Mir Bist Du Schön?
I would be very happy if someone could help me because we want to play it in our band.
Thanks in advance.

Phantas Manouche