08/16/2009 09:54:11

Barry,

 

I'm now to Grassspace. I, too, am a bass player. But here in Tucson, there is no shortage of bluegrass jams or opportunities to play. did you ever find a group?

 

Bonnie

 

06/26/2009 20:41:14

Funny story....I showed up for a jam in my town.  The local performance art center, under new ownership, was having it's first open jam.  Well, the first three musicians that showed up for this event were ALL BASS PLAYERS!  I nearly died.  Then the jam turned out to be more of a folk deal.  A very auspicious start.

 Anyway, to comment on your styling comment, I must admit that I tend to play around the middle of the fingerboard (maybe the third position???) so that I can work things both up and down.  It seems more intuitive to me.  But I am sincerely working towards playing more with the open positions.  Point being, I am not very good doing a full hand slap.   I do a lot of double strikes especially with the waltz style songs.  I also am trying to not sound so redundant with the 1-4-5 licks.  Anyway, thanks for the tip, I will certainly work on it. 

 By the way, aren't you amazed at the varied way most upright bass players play?  There is a lot of variety and stylistic interpretation which makes this an interesting instrument to play and study.  Barry

06/26/2009 17:28:48

Hi Bass Barry, I am glad to see you are playing an up-right bass. I have been playing in two groups for 5 years. We, also, play hard driving traditional music. I have found the open string playing with a full hand (slap) adds tremendous drive to traditional playing. You should have no problem hooking up with a jam. After a year you are more than ready to jion a jam. In most places bass players are well sought after.   Janet