Playing Style Archives
Talking Style: Prince’s “Uptown”
It has now been one week since my hero passed away. Like everyone else on the planet I am still in great shock and disbelief. Even though I had another episode “in the can” and ready to go I thought that it would be most fitting to share with you the first bass line that I ever learned, “Uptown” by...
Making Your Own Latin Jazz Bass Lines
Q: I’m sitting here listening to your Trios CD, which has become one of my favorite discs – if it is at all possible to wear out a CD, I’m doing it with Trios! For “Mambo for Tajrid”, “Costa Del Sol”, Corea’s “Spain”, et al, on the CD, what suggestions do you have for getting a handle on Latin jazz...
The Bass Debate: Pick vs Fingers
Q: I prefer playing the bass using my fingers, but I see a lot of bassists these days using a pick. What’s your take on that? A: As with all things that come down to taste and music, I say: “follow your ears!” If you don’t like the sound of a pick, or it just doesn’t feel right, don’t bother...