Introduction Hi, I don't play sax

[Throckmorten]

:?

I play electric bass guitar. Well, "play" may be a bit of an overstatement. I practice a lot. A parennial 50-something noob.

I ran into this site looking for help on b5 substitutions and snooped around. What a great site!

Sax is an instrument I've long been curious to learn more about (just how does it work!) and I'm getting an education by evesdropping here. Besides, investigating another instrument is a great way to bring a fresh perspective to one's choosen ax.

For waht it's worth I can tell you that we (bass and sax players) share many of the same problems (practice methods, adapting to the physical demands of the instrument, note choice, soloing, learning the theory, griping about or praising other players...) Some technical detais aside, you could replace the name of the instrument and transplant yourself to a bass forum, though it's often the upright, double bass guys that share most of the interest in jazz expressed here.

Thanks to Pete for hosting and providing a wealth of information and a sense of humor.

John

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi John and welcome to the Breakfast Room. Where not everybody plays the saxophone so no problem at all.

 

[Bobby G]

Hi John and welcome to the Breakfast Room. There are a few guitarists around here, but you may be our only bassist, although I played bass in various bands for ages before taking up sax.

Cheers, Bob

 

[saxismyaxe]

Well get yourself a sax and start blowing. As a bass player, at least you know you'll have the timing/rhythm down from the get go. 😉

Welcome the the forums.

 

[fecklesseric]

Pete Thomas wrote:
Hi John and welcome to the Breakfast Room. Where not everybody plays the saxophone so no problem at all.

The word "massacre" comes to mind in my case....
:cry:

 

[Tenor Sax]

Throckmorten wrote:
:?

I play electric bass guitar. Well, "play" may be a bit of an overstatement. I practice a lot. A parennial 50-something noob.

I ran into this site looking for help on b5 substitutions and snooped around. What a great site!

Sax is an instrument I've long been curious to learn more about (just how does it work!) and I'm getting an education by evesdropping here. Besides, investigating another instrument is a great way to bring a fresh perspective to one's choosen ax.

For waht it's worth I can tell you that we (bass and sax players) share many of the same problems (practice methods, adapting to the physical demands of the instrument, note choice, soloing, learning the theory, griping about or praising other players...) Some technical detais aside, you could replace the name of the instrument and transplant yourself to a bass forum, though it's often the upright, double bass guys that share most of the interest in jazz expressed here.

Thanks to Pete for hosting and providing a wealth of information and a sense of humor.

John

Welcome to the room John.

 

[disco_volante]

Hi John

I don't play the sax either- sure is an interesting forum for me never the less. Hope you find the same.

Rob

 

[saxismyaxe]

BTW,
I don't play Bass, but nice to see you two here! 😉

 

[pauloalto]

Hello from High Peak.

Paul

 

[Pjonah]

Hi Throck,

I have "played" saxamaphone for the best part of 33 years (still average) and have just taken up the "eclectic" bass, its a little different isn't it?

The fingers on my left hand get quite sore if I practice too long, but I have a question for you.....If the TAB says to play an open e string, in a series of four notes played quickly, mid way through the four notes fret 4(G#), how do I stop the string resonating when I bring the string down on the fret and causing a false note? There was no mention of this in the book or cd rom!

Maybe Bobby G could throw some light on this one too.

But hey, I love twelve bar blues, its a real sense of achievement getting it right even with a corny ending.

Da da da da da....I'm lovin it!

 

[frank_johnson]

It sounds to me like you need a bit of RIGHT hand damping: using the fleshy part of your right hand just in front of the bridge.
Blind Lemon(Frank) Johnson

 

[Bobby G]

Right hand damping is good but will cut down the sustain of the note; also try fretting and plucking at the same instant so it sounds clean. Are you using a pick or your fingers to pluck the strings?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pjonah]

Fingers only I'm afraid, I can't get on with the pick!

coordinating both hands at the same time? Yikes :erm:

My poor brain is pushed to the absolute limit tonguing a note and keeping time with my fingers!

But I shall keep at it as its great fun when something comes off.

Cheers for the advise guys

Simon

 

[Bobby G]

Apart from when I were a poonk, I always played bass with fingers rather than a pick. It helps if you can find a good place to rest your right thumb, assuming you play right-handed; this will give you better control with the plucking fingers - some basses have a thumbrest, others it's a matter of finding somewhere comfortable, even if it's only the bevelled edge of the scratchplate or the top edge of a pickup. Be prepared for the ends of your fingers to get sore for a while, followed by the development of some really top-notch calluses. A lot of bassists use two, or even three right-hand fingers for plucking (occasionally all four!), but two should be enough to start off with. Also, the nearer the bridge you pluck, the stiffer the strings will feel, and the sound will be a bit more toppy.

Cheers, Bob

 

[tengu01]

Hey there John,

Welcome to the forum. Always nice to get a different perspective on things.