Foreword hen first met Keith Rosi before a blues show ‘on Catalina Island, he was wearing Bermuda shorts anda fedora, puffing ona big old stinky stogie, and turing up 2 holowbodie, cowhie-covered Ferrington bass that was strung with the fattest tape- wounds Fé ever seen. At that time tought, "This guy S either a tue blues dog or 2 total nut. Or maybe both Fortunately, the later was correct. Keith can ley down a greasy blues groave that's so ‘Simale and soulful that you dt realze the finesse and the knowledge that went into making it. Hes 3 ‘blues bass schoay, fr sure, but Keith aso practices what he teaches. He knows youl never get deep into blues unless you study the history, but he also knows that sometimes-mast ofthe timeyou just have to ‘rab your ax and play. Tha’s why this invaluable vol- ume includes words you can read and music you can actually hear. Think of Jump in’ Blues Bassas your own persona blues bass encyclopedia and instant jam ses sion. Then pick up your bass and ly down a groove The hat and cigar are optional Richard Johnston Ector, Bass layer magazineIntroduction Locieoabesatenctas ts om cof many of todays bassist. Most players start out by istenng to vintage blues reorainas hopefully learsing and absorbing the style and the basslines and applying them to tei instrument. Jump ‘n'Blues Boss has done the homework for you~provding “eal, in~ tage-stie jumplswing bass ines in the style of leg- endary blues basi ike Wile Dixon, Lary Taylor (Wotlywocd Fats), and Edgar Wiis Ray Charles), 2s well a5 moder bes basslines in the style of such contem- porary players as Duck Dune, Tammy Shanon (Stevie fay Vaughan), ad Keith Ferguson (the Fabulous Thunderbird) ‘Along with playing ins in the style of famous blues bassist, you wll lo lean the necessary survival sills required of any working bassist. An easy-to- understand primer section shows you how to read bass Cle if you ar just geting started (Al ofthe subse quent examples include TAB] There are also sections on sgoving, practicing, ime-keeping, hw to get a good biues tone, what gear to use when recording, and how to setup an electric or an upright bass. A special sec tion entitled “More Blues Bass Lines" provides you with 4a comprehensive study ofthe most populr basslines in the blues repertoire, While you are having fun play- ing these classi ines with the live band on the accom= paying CD, you wil be adding them to your ann ase ral-making you 2 more knowledgeable and versatile bus bassist, ump Blues Boss's intended tobe 2 valuable handbook for any bassist, whatever style or level Beginners can learn authentic blues bass nes without having to purchase and transcribe numerous record ings; more advanced players ean benefit from the sur vival skills and insights int bass playing that Ive picked up ftom my own long experience in the music business. Whatever your current playing level, Lope ‘yu wil be inspired to listen to ely blues recordings vile using these examples to help you further develop ‘yur own syle. Fray, would like to dedicate Jump 'n! Blues Bossto the late Edgar Wills, and the late Keith Ferguson, two of my all-time favorite bassist Now pick up your bass, put on your shades, and locallon: Keith Rosieri Primer ct to each miseal example, you Wil sea lack toataek number on he CD. For eam, @ isthe tutng ak Make sre tat you check your on tun ing aun thsrack onthe CO before star, @D Tuning: 6, d, A. E (high to low) I you wish to hear more of the backup band when © votes a SS playing along with the C, pan your stereos balance control tothe right. To hear more ofthe bass, pan to ‘the left, Allo the musi is suitable for ether acoustic or electric bass-so practice both! It you'e inesperenced in eading music he fol- lowing exerese should help get you started. Pay along ith the audio to make sure thet you're reading the pitehes and ehythms correctly. SS a a FEST2COUNTS 34 t-tp-tt 2 3 est «counts Saas =e tat Anat Asner2 The Groove Tohelp you achieve a sold groove and good feel, ty to Heep the following in mind when playing your bass * Flay cach note with frm and consistent tre. This helps create 2 round, fat tone. Don't lay lghtly—turn your amp down instead. A strong groove requies @ firm approach at all mes. Poy attention to nate length and be sure that you om’ stop your notes toa quickly—longer tones work best in mos situations. also recommend recording ‘yourse whenever possible in rder to check on proper note length. Inexoerience players tend to cutoff their notes too quietly, creating a rushed, thin groove. Allow ‘ach note toring with its fl value before going on to the next Sometimes, when alaying certain feels, a shorter note length aparoach might be called for, but ‘even then, be sure to stop the notes smoothly. This is very important advice recommend that you pay close attention o every note you play-your favorite bassist dors, too. Don't rush! A bassist who plays on top ofthe beat or rushes will ot find much work and wil have hard time grooving with other players. At the same tm, don't think that playing behind the beat or dragging is araoving either Rushing ané dagaing ae both prot- lems that occur when a payer does not have good timekeeping skis. Paying atenton at ll times wi help you be aware of any time fuctuations. Use your ats and develop your sel-awareness when playing this wil help you become a beter time-keepe Play right with the drummer. Your bass ard the drum ‘mer’ kick drum should sound tke they are being played by the same person. Paying tightly with the drummer will give a solid grooving fe! to the music. Make ita point rot to Fight rythricaiy withthe drummers that you work with=it only makes the band sourd dsointed. Concentrate on adapting to each ‘ ee ere cat ie SSS 7 Fa] © > A A at rt a = * ot; —— os tt 7 —| SSS SSMore Blues Bass Lines Medium Blues D> sotom soz (DE Se a ee eee — — 2 po aS sey, [te Pp te a pot ee ee eG © 6 SS ee SS SSSSlow Blues D son Jae eI eepee Minor Blues > Medium 42105 2023) a ee eeBlues in Fore Blues Bate es Bouncy Blues d Bonney J =105 3 Ly ay? ftitpae af : He Sea ee ae SeMore Blues Bass Lines Lazy Blues Ds bau ret oy z feet Be See =e Ses =e state Dieser Sa as a Qopeepee) “pe Seeaae See ed : reo Meprreepeepriy Stee ’ = c he 5 pos Cfo ee reer aAas cosine 818.08 fan 0-7935-93b6-X