Playing with others

[eddue]

Hope this topic hasn't been discussed in a previous thread:

I was wondering how many of you here play differently depending on who you are playing with. As a bassist, I try to fit in with the other players and sometimes play more or less depending on the situation.

For instance, when playing with a large group, especially with brass I try to just stick to the fundamentals unless the song requires more. I stretch out more in a trio setting but try to stay out the space of the others, like sometimes avoiding playing thirds and the extensions to let the guitar define the chord and have the option to omit the roots and fifths and use other inversions while still having a full sound. When playing without a drummer I try to compensate by playing with a more percussive style. Currently I am playing in a duo, with a singer/guitarist. While I now have the freedom to play more and when it works it is great, it is harder to me than playing solo or with 3 or more players, mainly because any errors become more obvious with only 2 players. While playing a little off might sound good when played while 3 other guys are in sync, when there are only 2 of you there it can turn out very bad.

I also notice some players seem to play exactly the same way regardless of who or how many they are playing with.

So the question is:

How well do you play with others?

[mangotango]

I play differently with other from how I play sitting at home with BIAB. With others, I'm more supportive, doing my best to play something that makes the music flow better and all of us look good. For example, with the workshop band, when comping behind one of the trumpeters, who's an older, more mainstream kind of guy, I will go into Freddie Green mode. Behind one of the more modern saxophonists, I will play sparse chords, picking out the pivot points of the tune. With my own quartet, I'm the only harmony instrument, so I will mostly play a "holding things together" kind of role with the tenor as the lead instrument.

Soloing; I try to play for the song more than anything else, though at home with just my PC as both band and audience, then anything goes - that's where you can try crazy stuff out and not worry about looking stoopid, after all.

[Tom Karol]

Interesting question! An example comes to mind: I play 'Tenor Madness' in two different groups. In a duo with a tenor sax player, I'm the entire rhythm section, so I play a lot more. With the same sax player, but with bass and drums added, my comping is a lot more sparse, and for one chorus (2nd to last) we actually solo at the same time.

[eddue]

I think it's the interaction between players that makes jazz so interesting. Listening and responding to what's going on and at the same time staying true to the song. There can be certain ways players will relate to each other that can create grooves, moods and/or dynamics. Drummers and bass players have to bond together, rhythm sections have to be able to swing in the pocket, horn players blend into a wall of sound.

You have to go beyond just playing the chords changes and thinking about just playing your part, Sometimes I notice when 2 guitars (or 2 of the same instrument) play together they both seem to play the same part. Then you have 2 lead or 2 rhythm guitars playing on top of each other. I know it can be difficult to just sit in and find your place in a group without and rehearsal and we all have a safety zone when it comes to how we play a tune. I try to keep in mind that there is a lot of ways to play a song and try not to be locked into a certain arrangement.

I remember listening to old motown songs, or the wrecking crew (Tommy Tedesco, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Jay Graydon etc) or jazz records with 3 guitars and not realizing that there were 3 guitars playing together like that. Much later I found out that it was guys like Barney Kessel, Howard Roberts, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jim Hall, etc that were adding so much to the music. Each playing different parts blending together so smoothly. I wish I could hear more of that today with the guys I play with.