Jazz Teaching Experience

BassRunner911

BassRunner911

Warwick Endorser
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Dec 31, 2007
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Hey guys,
I just finished teaching at my school's Jazz Workshop. It was incredible! We had auditions on monday. The rest of the faculty and I placed each student into their respective ensembles and theory classes. I got to work with the bassists (obviously) in a private session. I had some students who didnt know how to walk a bassline and some students who needed help soloing and some who just wanted to learn as much as they could. It was a nice range of students.

It was really good experience for me. Teaching really cements what you know. I was explaining how to approach an F blues that one student played in his ensemble. I think of it as playing gets it under your fingers, but explaining it cements it in your mind.

I got to teach a bass class, direct an ensemble, and teach a theory course.

I was asked to come back for next year's session so i guess I did alright.

The long week ended for me with a headlining gig at Don Hills in NYC. I spent a long week in Jazz just to get back to rock.

I'm actually a Jazz major, so if anyone has any questions, I'm here to help
PM, email, or whatever
 
Nice work Joey!

I'm jealous...

I teach Computer Systems Engineering - but oh to teach bass in a jazz context... that would be the ultimate!

;)
 
Right on. So wonderful for you, not only because you had what sounds like a great experience, you got a chance to share what you know and help out younger bassist as they are on whatever stage of their journey and that is always a good thing, so good for you. Sounds like you did great and and had a great time, what could be better.
 
Yeah it was a really great experience. Just seeing their faces light up when they understand a concept is so cool. I showed a tenor player how to use the harmonic minor scale for this one chart and he was so excited to solo after that.

If you guys can get an opportunity to teach, do it! It's the most rewarding thing ever
 
ok i have some questions :D

How do I walk over alt chords ex. A7 alt

How do I walk over polychords ex. Cm7/F (not a slash chord)

Thats it for now :D
 
Hey Kyle,

Well for alt chords, its good to approach the same way you'd approach any walking line. Use the scales, arpeggios, and chromatic passing tones.
For all 7alt chords treat them the same as any 7 chord. In a 7 chord the important chord tones are 1-3-5-b7

7alt chords emphasize the upper extensions in addition to the chord tones. It's also cool because you can use multiple upper extensions like either the #9 or b9.
7alt chord tones are 1-b2-#2-3-b5-#5-b7

As for polychords, like C-7/F...walk over F and solo over C-7. You can also use C-7 chord tones while walking over F

Hope that helps
 
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