It’s not what most people think
By Jon Liebman
October 3, 2024
What exactly does it mean when someone says they’re a “jazz” player?
For a bass player, does it mean they specialize in walking bass lines, syncopated hits, and improvised soloing?
Maybe. But there’s a lot more that seldom gets mentioned.
In my experience, people who are trained in jazz are able to play pretty much any style. A “jazz” player wouldn’t bat an eye or break a sweat if they were asked to play a rock groove, a pop feel, reggae, bluegrass…
In this week’s video, I share a few stories… and make a few points. Check it out and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway. I’d like to know your reaction.
Let’s play bass!
Jon
Jazz players swing, which is good for all kinds of music.
Thanks, Stephen!
I was hoping you were going to give me a definition of what jazz is 🙂 – To me it’s a style of music where the musicians explore the music, harmonies etc. and take it on a journey ‘outside the box’ away from convention. They work together with different instruments and bounce off each other into improvisation – sometimes modern jazz is ‘weird and wonderful’, sometimes I just don’t get it and it’s a strain on my brain. But I get the feeling that if you really understand how music works you can appreciate it – I’m not quite there yet, I’m more into 12-bar Blues.
Spot on, Celia. Jazz itself can be hard to define. You either get it or you don’t — and you obviously do! 🙂 Thanks for weighing in. Always great to hear from you!
Jon, if my Dad was still here I would play this for him and go See Pop??!!??… I will be just fine! For a time it was only classical music for him. Everything thing else was ” that other stuff”. Recently I was asked to do something for a young guy and then he had some other long time musician hear the playback. I was on the zoom call. The old guy says…that’s not a youngster playing bass is it? He said he could tell because ” jazz players have this sort of feel”. That’s what I was telling my Dad..in 1968. Great video Jon.
Beautiful. Thanks, John!
Hi Jon!
I agree with you on your thoughts on what a jazzmusician is! And thanks for emails, they are useful!🙂
You’re welcome, Curt. Thanks for your kind words.