walking bass lines and the ensemble

[richb2]

Is it OK to play a walking bass line while comping if playing with an ensemble? If figure that the bass is already playing those notes. No?

[Reg]

Usually, almost always NO... Sometimes written out lines are doubled by bass, piano and Guitar to help pound out a groove out or maybe a contrapuntal section... Occasionally rhythm section players play certain standard approach chord or approach chordal sequences which have standard lines which work together, which might include a walking bass line figure. But most of the time will suck, if any ones listening... Best Reg

[Susan Palmer]

I agree but must add the obligatory, "if it sounds good, it is good" rule of music.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

The ensemble examples that come to mind are usually like this: the guitarist (Joe Pass, say) plays an intro, often chord melody style with some single note runs and walking bass lines thrown in, then the rest of the group joins in and the guitarist settles down.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Susan Palmer

I agree but must add the obligatory, "if it sounds good, it is good" rule of music.

Thanks Susan... I do believe this is a group effort. Your lessons appear well thought out... very nice.
As a general note to those who read my threads or replies... I try and give information from actual gigging experience, not just theoretical or from a teaching point of view, unless the topic is specifically dealing with theory, methodology or something analytical in nature. BDLH's ensemble example of intro. is great example....I would think maybe one tune a set at most. And obviously the intro would be setting up what's to follow and more commonly from the tune. I personally would have bass player and drummer,(I'm assuming there is bass and drums), accompany in one of the many standard variations of intro's... there are many, and improvisation is part of jazz. This all depends on gig and audience... and more importantly on your volume and how many instruments. The louder you play the less chances are you'll be using walking bass lines. Quiet or simi-acoustical gigs you can get away almost anything... Volume tends to go up with more instruments... A good rule of thumb might be; the more instruments, the less you would play walking bass. And as susan said, " if it sound good, it is good ". Best Reg

[richb2]

OK. Then I will expand my question. How about comping with an ensemble? With all the volume caveats already mentioned, should I be playing chord voicings only on the highest 4 strings, or lowest 4 strings or some subset of these?

[Reg]

Hey Richb2... moving on to actual comping techniques...If we just use rule of thumb style of answers;
1)Context always defines what and how you should play. The better your aware of that context, the simpler comping becomes.
2) There are different comping styles for different styles of music.
3) If your overshadowing what your comping for, your playing to much. (That can be rhythmically,harmonically and also with your voice leading and lead lines)
4) The majority of jazz tunes have grooves, (specific accent patterns, which repeat, they are rhythmic, harmonic and melodic), The typical repeating patterns are, one, two, four or eight bars, if what your playing doesn't lock or complement the groove... stop playing, silence is much better than sucking.
5) Be able to play inside... or actual changes implied before you try and re-harmonize, use approach chord and chord sequences or what ever hip comping techniques. By playing inside I mean, be aware of complete harmonic or vertical structure for all melodic or horizontal melodic notes.
6) This should probably be up higher on the list... Be aware of what the form of tune is and how it develops and works.
I'm stopping here even though I'm sure the list will go on, I'll start breaking down with more details and examples next post... Best Reg

[cosmic gumbo]

Originally Posted by richb2

Is it OK to play a walking bass line while comping if playing with an ensemble? If figure that the bass is already playing those notes. No?

Skip the bass line if you have a bassist. It's just common sense. When comping, work in a register that gives you your own space without muddying up the sound.

[Gramps]

"A good rule of thumb might be; the more instruments, the less you would play walking bass."

You could even leave off the last two words.

[richb2]

Very profoundly said by an elder.

you can leave off the last 3 words.