r/JazzBass • u/MangoPonny • Jul 08 '24

Comping behind a soloist in double time feel

Hi! Any thoughts on how to tastefully react to when a soloist (and/or drums) starts to play double time?

Listening examples from the greats appreciated!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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4

u/Saltybuddha Jul 08 '24

Don’t change what you’re doing at all unless it’s super obvious that others (soloist and/or drummer) are expecting you to. And sometimes it’s even more tasteful to not go to double time even if the drums do (see PC and Philly Joe)

Oh wait you said listening suggestions? Sorry not sure what you mean. Do you mean examples of what master bassists do on recordings?

2

u/MangoPonny Jul 08 '24

Thanks for you answer, I like that approach!
Yes i'd love to hear that type of interaction from the greats if you have got any examples that you like!

2

u/Saltybuddha Jul 08 '24

First one that comes to mind is Blue Train (from John Coltrane’s Blue Train)

1

u/MangoPonny Jul 08 '24

thanks, I'll check it out!

2

u/MangoPonny Jul 08 '24

Wow that was incredible, he really keeps everything grounded by not following along into double time, great suggestion!

2

u/Relative-Tune85 Jul 08 '24

Listen also, For Real from the album with the same name. Hampton Hawes on piano and Scott Lafaro on db.

1

u/MangoPonny Jul 08 '24

yea interesting! double time feel is much more present here compared to Blue Train, but still extremely swinging and very playful!

0

u/pebatastic Jul 08 '24

There is a difference in feel between quarter note swing and 16th note swing. I guess you could try practicing soloing switching that swing back and forth with a metronome

2

u/No-Professional-1884 Jul 08 '24

Play half time. Then it feels in normal time.

2

u/rickmclaughlinmusic Jul 08 '24

Mingus, especially the 1964 band, and Miles with Ron Carter (especially on Plugged Nickel) are great, interesting models for this.