Search - Jazz Upright Bass DVD on DVD

Good, for what it is

Michael J Edelman | Huntington Woods, MI USA | 05/01/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First things first: If you're looking for instruction on how to walk or construct a bass line- you won't find it here. If, however, you can already play lines- perhaps you're coming from playing bass guitar- and you can find your way around the upright, and you're looking for specific jazz technique- jazz pizzicato, playing drops, that sort of thing- this is a good resource.

Eds shows you these techniques in detail, and then demonstrates them. He shows how different fingering can result in different tonal qualities. There's a small included booklet with transcriptions of some of these examples, too, so you can play along and compare your technique and tone with Ed's. So if you can already play jazz, but you're looking for a good explanation of some of the techniques jazz upright player use- this DVD may be for you."

A wealth of good information

Jack H. Clark | Idyllwild, California | 04/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ed's DVD doesn't start out as if you just bought your bass today--for that you'd be better off with Todd Phillips' DVDs. And Rufus Reid's DVD gives you a little more on walking bass lines. But Ed covers some basic stuff in detail that Todd and Rufus don't. For example, right-hand pizzicato techniques, drops, pull-offs, producing "growl," working in an ensemble with other musicians, basic intros and endings, and much, much more. He doesn't waste any time searching for words; Ed's presentation is well-scripted and efficient, and he delivers it very well. The result is a DVD that is packed with information and good demonstrations.

Actually, I have Todd's , Ed's, and Rufus's DVDs, and I find them all valuable (and fun) for different reasons. For learning walking bass lines, Ed has a couple of good books with CDs devoted just to that subject--and other bassists have good ones, too."