I would LOVE it if you made a book about walking language. Just an expansion of the first chapter of iconic line and deep dive into the language you gravitate toward when supporting a traditional jazz gig.
Happy birthday man! You've changed our world. You are a poet on the bass. I look forward to your future projects and to seeing more of your music in the years to come. 🎂🎉
What a superb performance. Your line was totally non-intrusive and supportive to the piano and sax, yet it way more than stood on it's own as a performance in and of itself. This is the very definition of pure musicianship: Embodying and transcending your instrument and the tradition at the same time.
I agree with what you said in the description about it being possible but not really a first choice. One player that always comes to mind for me on this topic is Steve Swallow-he really carved out a style, technique and equipment niche that I rarely hear from anyone else, and that I think is especially suited to playing swinging feels.
Great call on steve swallow. I’ve always loved the fact he had a totally unique take not just on improvisation but on the bass specifically. No one else even tries to copy him.
This comment is spot on! Totally love Steve's playing and his sound. I'm going to wager that most electric bassists in the jazz space are following their idols who are largely fingerstyle players. 25 years ago I'd never touch a pick for jazz or even consider it, but nowadays I will reach for one when I feel the song demands it.
As someone else already stated, any bass guitarist who's spent time playing a little bit of upright in a straight ahead context can swing. However, there are plenty of examples of bass guitarists who spend or have spent a majority, if not all their time playing exclusively bass guitar who still swing like crazy (Laurence Cottle, Steve Swallow, Gary Willis, the late Jeff Andrews, and many more). I think boils down to listening, acting and reacting to the other musicians' beats as best you possibly can, rather than the aesthetic of what bass you play whether it's electric or upright. There are going to be exclusively upright bass in straight ahead jazz purists out there, but I believe the bass guitar has its place in the music too - it's just different and that's perfectly ok.
Of course it's possible to "swing" on electric bass guitar, just as it is possible to completely fail at swing on an acoustic double bass. Swing is entirely up to your fingers, not the instrument. I think the problem with electric bass for many people is that they play with anemic dynamics, using the tips of their fingers and barely disturbing the strings, instead of digging in.
Love your feel Janek! your body position looks really natural with that bass! Are there any other bases that you like that you can get that position with? Thanks!
Absolutely electric bass can swing! As an electric-only bassist, it has kind of bummed me out how the conservative wave of "traditional" jazz in the '90s swept electric bass to the sidelines… my first jazz record back in high school was Michael Brecker's Don't Try This at Home, and Jeff Andrews definitely was swinging on electric bass on "Suspone": ruclips.net/video/e7RXUFKljKI/видео.html Even though I was primarily playing tenor sax at the time (only playing electric bass in a rock context), I loved the sound of the bass on that track!
Are you still using high action? , I'm using an insane string height and I enjoy a lot the sound of the bass. I wonder if I get a 6 String, the low b can be raised so the tension gives it more definition. Can you please give us a word on that?
This walking bass sounds very good, I like the harmony, you probably don't consider yourself as a master of walking but how about some lessons in that regard? Btw - you very using two amps? Spliting the line or just as a backup?
I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but tbh I almost always prefer the sound of electric bass over acoustic, even in a straight-ahead swing context. Call the jazz police! 🚔👮🚨
I think the feel (time) is great. But, that modern 5-string with the strong fundamental has never worked for me in a jazz setting. P or J with foam mute feels more at home for me, & has a little of that fast decay of the taut upright strings. That said...once I had 2 gigs in 1 night & played my Stingray with a big band. The sax players in particular loved it. Not sure why, but OK! 🤷♂️
Killin'! That's a rhythm section clinic right there.
It sure can! I remember listening to Chelsea swing on the Fbass she received a few years ago.
THIS. She was swinging so hard...
I would LOVE it if you made a book about walking language. Just an expansion of the first chapter of iconic line and deep dive into the language you gravitate toward when supporting a traditional jazz gig.
I would definitely be interested in this type of book as well.
For me it's spot on 'oh-so-close to swinging'. Fantastic playing and what a great drummer and interaction between the two of you.
Happy birthday man! You've changed our world. You are a poet on the bass. I look forward to your future projects and to seeing more of your music in the years to come. 🎂🎉
What a superb performance. Your line was totally non-intrusive and supportive to the piano and sax, yet it way more than stood on it's own as a performance in and of itself. This is the very definition of pure musicianship: Embodying and transcending your instrument and the tradition at the same time.
Happy Birthday, Janek!!🎉
I agree with what you said in the description about it being possible but not really a first choice. One player that always comes to mind for me on this topic is Steve Swallow-he really carved out a style, technique and equipment niche that I rarely hear from anyone else, and that I think is especially suited to playing swinging feels.
Great call on steve swallow. I’ve always loved the fact he had a totally unique take not just on improvisation but on the bass specifically. No one else even tries to copy him.
This comment is spot on! Totally love Steve's playing and his sound. I'm going to wager that most electric bassists in the jazz space are following their idols who are largely fingerstyle players. 25 years ago I'd never touch a pick for jazz or even consider it, but nowadays I will reach for one when I feel the song demands it.
Janek you rock! I mean you swing :)
Coye and Gwizdala, conjuring groove bliss and pungent dopesauce...Beautiful, really. 💓
As someone else already stated, any bass guitarist who's spent time playing a little bit of upright in a straight ahead context can swing. However, there are plenty of examples of bass guitarists who spend or have spent a majority, if not all their time playing exclusively bass guitar who still swing like crazy (Laurence Cottle, Steve Swallow, Gary Willis, the late Jeff Andrews, and many more). I think boils down to listening, acting and reacting to the other musicians' beats as best you possibly can, rather than the aesthetic of what bass you play whether it's electric or upright. There are going to be exclusively upright bass in straight ahead jazz purists out there, but I believe the bass guitar has its place in the music too - it's just different and that's perfectly ok.
Of course it's possible to "swing" on electric bass guitar, just as it is possible to completely fail at swing on an acoustic double bass. Swing is entirely up to your fingers, not the instrument. I think the problem with electric bass for many people is that they play with anemic dynamics, using the tips of their fingers and barely disturbing the strings, instead of digging in.
Love your feel Janek! your body position looks really natural with that bass! Are there any other bases that you like that you can get that position with? Thanks!
Great sound. Just enough low end floof, but just a bit of that Jaco-y edge too.
sounds good cheers from Toronto.
Absolutely electric bass can swing! As an electric-only bassist, it has kind of bummed me out how the conservative wave of "traditional" jazz in the '90s swept electric bass to the sidelines… my first jazz record back in high school was Michael Brecker's Don't Try This at Home, and Jeff Andrews definitely was swinging on electric bass on "Suspone": ruclips.net/video/e7RXUFKljKI/видео.html Even though I was primarily playing tenor sax at the time (only playing electric bass in a rock context), I loved the sound of the bass on that track!
awesome! why do you need 2 tonehammers?
I was running a stereo rig that night. You can’t see the second cabinet in the shit.
Apparently oh hell yeah
Its not the bass that swings, its the player.
Are you still using high action? , I'm using an insane string height and I enjoy a lot the sound of the bass. I wonder if I get a 6 String, the low b can be raised so the tension gives it more definition. Can you please give us a word on that?
This walking bass sounds very good, I like the harmony, you probably don't consider yourself as a master of walking but how about some lessons in that regard? Btw - you very using two amps? Spliting the line or just as a backup?
Short answer, yes!
That’s a yes
Did you tune your bass 1/2 tone up or did my eardie?
Which song is this please ?
Where’s the new bass amp?
This was filmed in 2022...
Why and what do you mean an electric bass can't swing? What makes is harder to 'swing'?
With Gene playing, it’d still swing with no bass!
Pastorius answered this question 50years ago 😅
Two names: Steve Swallow, Bob Cranshaw…yes, you can swing on electric bass.
I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but tbh I almost always prefer the sound of electric bass over acoustic, even in a straight-ahead swing context. Call the jazz police! 🚔👮🚨
I think the feel (time) is great. But, that modern 5-string with the strong fundamental has never worked for me in a jazz setting. P or J with foam mute feels more at home for me, & has a little of that fast decay of the taut upright strings. That said...once I had 2 gigs in 1 night & played my Stingray with a big band. The sax players in particular loved it. Not sure why, but OK! 🤷♂️