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Today, I got together with Rob and Greg, both of whom happen to also be students of Anthony. Rob and Greg have been playing together as a duo for some time, and today they invited me out to sit in with them.
After cooking out some rather large steaks, we started to play. The way we played was that one of us would start a groove (it tended to be Greg) and then another one of us would start some kind of supporting melody structure -- chords or sich (that tended to be me) and then the other would start soloing over top of the other two (which was usually Rob). Then we would hold things steady for a bit and take turns soloing, with the previous soloist dropping back to leave room.
Playing like this is completely different than any other kind of playing that I do. There are no other instruments, and we each produce the same basic frequency range and sound. So, the challenge is to find space around the others while still playing the right part.
For example, towards the start of the jam, Greg laid down a groove and Rob started playing a little syncopaited riff in the same key (just a slightly different mode). The two of them have been playing together for some time, so they were able to feel their way through each other's playing fairly easily. When I started to play, I couldn't go low (that's where Greg was) and I couldn't go high on the neck (where Rob was). So, I tried to play in the middle range, keeping my notes above Greg's lines and underneath Rob's.
Greg pretty much stayed steady, but Rob would move around. When Rob would move his line down the neck, I had to react, chaning my line so we wouldn't be interfering with each other. I'm starting to understand why Anthony tells me over and over that playing bass with another bassist is one of the harder things to do.
I also noticed that I really need to work on my soloing. I've been doing more and more soloing when I play with Canvas, but I pretty clearly have a long way to go. I felt like I was really working to get anywhere. By contrast, Greg's solos were effortless and Rob's flowing.
Speaking of Rob, I have to say that I'm really impressed. It's been a while since I've played with him in any context other than some rock stuff. He's very clearly been working at it -- head and shoulders better than I expected. I've thought for some time that he has better technique than I do, but his feel for jazz tunes is pretty darn good, too.
In any case, it was a new experience playing with just three bassists. Perhaps a preview of the Bass Extremes show.
Posted by Casper at August 28, 2004 06:14 PMYo, Slap 'Masta Chuck (SMC),
Thank you very, very much for the kind words. I just try to 'focus on my practice regimen', and whatever it turns me out to be, as a player, it turns me out to be.
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed shed 'in with you, 'an Mojo Groove Master Haynes, of course and as always. I very much look forward to shed 'in with you again; anywhere, at anytime 'Bro. 'Jus call it Dude!
I'll talk to ya, and hopefully see you relatively soon. Ciao Bro-
G'fish
Later Dude 'star!