Playing Bass in a Big Band

Ari Roland shows you how to get a fuller, more percussive sound on your bass in order to project fully when playing in a big band's rhythm section. Learn more about how to listen closely to properly balance your volume, and how to keep the music swinging!
Learn more by visiting our Jazz Academy: academy.jalc.org
James Chirillo - Guitar
Ari Roland - Bass
Alvin Atkinson - Drums
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Jessica Paz - Sound Engineer
Richard Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded June 14, 2013

[@robroy4058]

man, why can't Jazz still be the most popular form of music... Love it

[@CrackSmoker420]

because jazz is for babies and losers

[@madturklad]

Why are you there ?

[@DavidAllgaier_]

Maybe most consumers have false perceptions of jazz that make them believe that jazz is to "orthodox," "fancy," "upper class," or "too hard to play" for casual music fans and listeners. 😔

[@DavidAllgaier_]

At least the Billboard has charts for top jazz albums, top contemporary jazz albums, top traditional jazz albums, and top jazz songs. So we know now that some music consumers haven't turned their backs on jazz entirely.

[@robsgirl6465]

Robert Noble Music : It is in... in my book.

[@PabloCardonaMusic]

To me, no matter how jazzy you can play the guitar, or the piano, or any melody leader instrument, it is always gonna sound better with a bass, The bass is a base on jazz

[@robsgirl6465]

Pablo Cardona : Amen to that!

[@nds5796]

I love you Pablo cardona... you know I love you PABLO

[@iBetoHD]

Bass is the base on any genere

[@milkwater1204]

Yeah, learning to play even simple walking bass lines on the guitar gives me a lot of appreciation for what bassists do.

[@d_dyll8913]

Personally, I think that the double bass is a crucial part of a jazz band. It's the glue that holds everything together

[@Thatguy-yw4yb]

Great work I love how happy the drummer looked

[@DrinxD]

This is one of the best youtube channel

[@antoinefortin6269]

OH my god man I felt that hit on the side of the cimbal. 4:50

[@yagoovirus2751]

Antoine Fortin in guitar the equivalent of it called "harmonics" its my first time to know that thing exist on drums

[@pemerich2989]

Harmonics on guitar < harmonics on drums

[@michaelroach4219]

And,it came to pass that Leo Fender brought forth the precision bass,and all marveled at its volume.

[@kingfigs7902]

Thanks! I am an upright bass player, and I needed to here advice on how soft and loud I should play. Thanks so much!😄

[@jameswasil8961]

All I know is if you don't have an amp playing against a drummer you might get drowned out. I respect your attention to the need to blend in.

[@willg8742]

Man I love the drummer in these videos, just having so much fun

[@ridesharebiz5317]

Great presentation. I use my old Polytone amp and a pickup on my double bass for big band performance. I play between the piano (guitar) and drums which is the traditional setup to hear both instruments. In big band or other music ensemble, the bass is the key instrument in keeping the rhythm section tight. A good bass player would complement a piano player's style and listen to the beats of the percussion for a good overall music performance.

[@Slynell1]

I LOVE music. its just one of those things which bring us all together.

[@hcnitterband]

Thank you. Great. Your are three charming guys. Good teachers and performers. Can you please make a video about being emotionally connected and how that effect the rhythm feel and how it effect being glued together? Also I guess it is not possible to swing if you don't feel the same - thinking / feeling about the same. Also the emotions lead the way for sounds. High on bass can make a more happy and light sound. Light sounds on the drums say much in a more happy song. Same with the guitar. Three examples would be great. One slow and sad, one more happy and light, and one angry and aggressive. Thanks and greetings.

[@PrepoznatljivBrend]

I send greetings from Serbia. 👋🏻 I like this little music school of yours. 🎧🎶 Your content is high quality. Just keep up the good work. ♥️

[@PootaurStuff]

GREAT SOUND!!!! Love it, thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@alexandergallant6444]

Excellent instructions thank gentlemen

[@enricooler1433]

I love these 3

[@lucasgrant2]

Thanks, that's a great help!

[@aarontanco6200]

Play more strong… or stronger? Thanks for this awesome instruction on the d-bass.👍

[@RHINOPLASM]

Nice work

[@pz.fxp7]

I really love bass

[@shiaominglee]

Genius!

[@vinnypinetree8708]

thanks!

[@gilliandaemon1788]

I thought they way they plucked he double bass is because they were so into the groove

[@EleazarOctavioRuizSpreafico]

So true 1:17

[@hipukema1964]

Vaya big band!

[@diegoricketts595]

Is that Honeysuckle Rose? Btw, great playing! :)

[@CelsoEduardo]

TOP!!!

[@Plotani]

Does anyone here know the bass’s brand used in this video?

[@lartensgrill6106]

How does the bassist know what chords to play?

[@nathanshigley9431]

Learning the tune beforehand or looking at lead sheet

[@lartensgrill6106]

@@nathanshigley9431 seems obvious now haha, thanks!

[@pd-kx4qw]

Besides having the music in front of them or having a pre set playlist, w.e key they are in or the song is in is also determined beforehand, given the tempo you’d already have prior knowledge of a bunch of different ‘walks’ or bass lines so you could ‘walk around the block a few times’ with the other guys in a worst case before it all falls apart if you didn’t hear the song name or something b/c it was loud. These guys being professional in absolute worst case say they music blows away in the wind outside if they are at a wedding can do it by ear and with their level of knowledge could go for hours and switch up the songs. I don’t personally play bass but it would be the same for a guitar that front. Sorry for long answer but hope that helps also!

[@altie29]

why am I here? I don't even play bass

[@nemo227]

I didn't have amplification in the fifties, sixties, seventies but wished it was easily available.

[@finbarlyons4042]

i really hope these guys are best friends in real life

[@fuzzonthemountain6272]

Can i buy these songs?

[@nicolaslarcoforero]

If you have a 3/4 upright bass you will need an amp? Or a 3/4 will cut through?

[@jazz_bass_lick]

I don't think the size of the bass matters. Basses are designed to achieve the best quality possible for any size. I play on 3/4 and still need an amp, but you should listen to how you sound with a band and determine whether you want to be louder or not.

[@nicolaslarcoforero]

@@jazz_bass_lick Thank you very much! Interesting, I need a pickup anyways

[@jordanthecat8126]

What is that in the pocket of the double bass?

[@yannikhofmann]

a bow

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

That Honeysuckle Rose was so pretty

[@comeorshine]

3:47

[@levi7086]

Amazing! whats the song name?

[@federalmogul3092]

😊

[@patbrennan6572]

You dudes are kooooool.

[@TarnTarn-zv6cp]

If anyone watching this can deny that from the moment JC counted the Bass and Percussion in magic happend, then go find One Direction or Miles Cyrus

[@NevertahnProduction]

Ive always found the bass to be too soft alone. I can never hear it, even when I play my loudest

[@say-cred]

bassist's voice has the same cadence as Elijah Wood lol.

[@rigobertosolorzano8568]

Is that a cello?

[@loafofsecrets4748]

It's a double bass

[@lukasryska9791]

the low tension strings are not really worth the lack of pain in exchange for the sound that a higher tension would have :/

[@jameswasil8961]

Lukáš Ryška add a little amplification and enjoy yourself! Eventually you might end up with arthritis in your fingers if you push them too hard. That's what I used to do. Hope this is helpful.

[@jjdunlap5599]

Of course only 2 minutes was actually jazz

[@inlove2057]

No good....4 minuti only word....Just a minut You playing? Play please..tank You.

[@onemoremood2761]

0:15 cringe...

[@-tetrachloro-dibenzo-para-diox]

Huh