Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Should Non-Bass Players Learn Bass Lines?


Listen Later

In this episode, Brent answers a question from Kevin Pritchett about the importance of bass lines for non-bass players. Kevin, a piano player, wonders if learning bass lines can benefit his playing and improvisation. Brent explains that understanding bass lines is valuable for all musicians, not just bass players because it helps in grasping chord tones, time feel, and melodic resolutions. He emphasizes that playing bass lines can enhance one's overall musicality and time-keeping skills.

Brent shares his personal experience of learning bass lines and how it helped him during his early gigs with a piano player. He discusses the importance of practicing quarter notes, which are foundational in jazz, and how bass players' focus on chord tones and rhythmic patterns can benefit other instrumentalists. Brent also highlights that learning bass lines can improve a musician's sense of pulse and time, essential for any jazz player, whether they are accompanying or soloing.

In addition to learning bass lines, Brent encourages musicians to explore solos and techniques from other instruments, broadening their musical perspective. He concludes by urging listeners to try learning a bass line, regardless of their primary instrument, to gain new insights and improve their jazz playing. 


Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Learn Jazz Standards PodcastBy Brent Vaartstra: Jazz Musician, Author, and Entrepreneur

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

448 ratings


More shows like Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

View all
Left, Right & Center by KCRW

Left, Right & Center

5,021 Listeners

In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond by Ken Laster

In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

374 Listeners

Guitar Music Theory by Desi Serna

Guitar Music Theory

822 Listeners

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast by Marc Maron

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

28,985 Listeners

Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway

Song Exploder

5,934 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,001 Listeners

You'll Hear It by Peter Martin & Adam Maness

You'll Hear It

446 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

12,493 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,295 Listeners

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

10,290 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

3,170 Listeners

The News Agents by Global

The News Agents

985 Listeners

System Update with Glenn Greenwald by Rumble

System Update with Glenn Greenwald

1,094 Listeners

Main Justice by MSNBC

Main Justice

7,121 Listeners

The Tucker Carlson Show by Tucker Carlson Network

The Tucker Carlson Show

14,591 Listeners