CLASSICAL DOUBLE BASS PEDAGOGY FOR INTERMEDIATE JAZZ BASS STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Numerous renowned jazz bassists, such as Ron Carter, Eddie Gomez, Christian McBride, and John Patitucci, underwent classical music training. However, other jazz musicians can be skeptical about whether classical training would enhance the quality of jazz performances. To examine the benefits of a classical bass method to jazz bassists, the researcher demonstrates a study of four hours of classical bass training to bass students who had received jazz training at the intermediate level. These four classical bass lessons include the study of appropriate postures for the bassist, the use of the double bass bow, left-hand techniques covering positions I–VII, and the study of thumb position. Consequently, four criteria from the class observations indicate that classical bass training may improve the quality of jazz bass performances.