Steve coleman's bass lines sheet

Joined : 19 Aug 2006 Posts : 2

Hello, I would like to know if someone had sheet of bass lines in steve coleman's music... Sorry for my english, i'm french ^^

http://www.m-base.com/cnmat_ucb/scores.html
http://www.m-base.com/music.html

This is probably all you can get from his web site. I was looking for it also. Probably you can just send him a email .

Are you a bass player ?

Joined : 19 Aug 2006 Posts : 2

how long have you been playing ?
I would like to start learning how to play just for the purpose of playing steve's music.
Do you have any advice ?

Joined : 11 Sep 2006 Posts : 137

Charles,

Learning to play anything of Coleman's is going to be a tough challenge. Heck, for me to learn to play Ur Beat was tough enough. I can fake One Bright Morning, fairly well. Of course, the original Drop Kick and Dread Drop were pretty easy. The first part of Tschanz is pretty easy, but after the initial part of the tune, I can't keep up. The bass line on Tschanz has always amazed me with the syncopation....I love it. The work of David Gilmore is awesome!!!

There are a few other tunes that I can work my way through, but at this point I just sit back in my car and listen to the most amazing music I've ever heard. I'm lucky, my buddy knows how to install hi-fi stereo systems in cars, so I've got a couple grand into my car stereo system and its amazing to hear all the instruments working together as the musicians would all like to have themselves be heard.

To learn how to play Coleman's music is quite an undertaking. But look, do it!!! I think that you're listening to music that will challenge and push you into realms you never dreampt of. I would advise that you start out with lower expectations. Try learning to play some basic stuff, move on to some Steely Dan and then groove into Coleman. But all the while, keep plucking away at learning Coleman.

For years I used to think Rush was the greatest group in the world and I always tried to be Neil Peart. Later I learned that I just needed to learn how to play a basic 2 & 4 before I tried getting into the tougher stuff. Playing a constant beat or rhythm for minutes on end is a skill in itself. The point is, whatever you play, play it well and play within your abilities. Once we get outside of our own abilities, we end up sounding like amateurs.

I'd like to pick up guitar or bass myself, so I know how you feel. Cheers to you. I'd like to hear what Basslobster's advice would be.

I am sure that will be very challenging. The thing is I do not really plan to do that to go out an play in a group or anything (though it will be nice), my goal is really getting to understand Steve's music at a another level.

I think not being a musician, even if you can enjoy listening to the music, you are missing 50% of what's going on.

Many musicians, Steve included (see for example the Weaving Symbolics dvd) will say that they do not expect the people who are listening to be aware of what's going on in the technical aspect of the music. But I think that's what motivates them the musicians (at least one part of it).

So my goal, is just to get to one layer deeper in understanding the music.

I agree with you Tchanz is really interesting. Another one that I have been listening to recently is "Leaning".

Do you think that some of these drum beat can be programmed ? If I learn how to play the bass I would like to be able to play on top of some of these rythms.

CM
CM

another bass line that I find really hypnoptic is the bass line of "9 to 5". ( actually in "leaning" it is more the drums, or rather the contrast between the drums and the melody line that I absolutly love. The sound quality of the dvd -Al Vapore club maghrea april 11 2005 - makes that the bass line is not clearly defined, or he is just me who's having trouble picking that up)

Joined : 11 Sep 2006 Posts : 137

Charles,

Absolutely! Anything can be programmed, you just have to know how to count out the rhythms and figure out what number each falls on. I actually did this with the first part of The X-Format. It sounded EXACTLY like what Smitty was doing. I must warn you, though, it can take a while on some of the more challenging pieces.

Too bad we can't get together so that I can show you how to figure out the time signatures of your favorite songs. I can try to explain it to you online, but that'd be tough. It would be enjoyable to try though.

Interesting, I've never thought of 9 to 5 as insteresting on any level, so I'll have to give that a listen.

"The sound quality of the dvd -Al Vapore club maghrea april 11 2005 - makes that the bass line is not clearly defined, or he is just me who's having trouble picking that up)"

I don't have that one pal, sorry. Wish I did, though!

On " 9 to 5". If you have the element of one dvd you can see how Steve describes the drum pattern to the Indian musicians. Talking about how some of the patterns are implied and not actually played.
CM

Joined : 11 Sep 2006 Posts : 137

Brother Charles,

Ha, I'm close to Seattle Washington, USA. Seems like you're in the US, but I can't remember for sure. Or maybe its Zeruyo?

My best friend LOVES Coleman and he can't play a lick of music. I think that there is something in our hearts and souls that allows us to understand what Steve does. Kind of like what they say about the Bible, that God only allows certain people to understand, those that "belong to Him", or something like that.

I use Cubase VST to program in MIDI. I'd send you a copy but you have to have a physical key to plug into your printer port on your computer. Again, its too bad that you're not in my region....we'd have a blast!!!! There are quite a few programs that you could use. I'll take a look through my installations discs to see if I have anything that I could send to you. Remind me of this, though, I'm going through a tough stretch of road right now. Send me a PM if necessary. Don't let me forget!

I just saw that Coleman did a second version of 9 to 5 on one of his latest releases. I thought that you were referring to the On The Edge Of Tomorrow Version. Surprised

That's funny that you're saying that Coleman was describing drum patterns to the Indian musicians. Middle Eastern music is incredibly challenging. Way to go, Coleman.

Gentlemen, Coleman is far more amazing than any of us realize. I can't believe there are only four of us that are participating in this site. What a shame.

The world will catch up to you, Steve. Someday the world will understand. Worry not!

Joined : 11 Sep 2006 Posts : 137

Joined : 28 Sep 2006 Posts : 13

Its also recorded on 'Resistance is Futile'. That version contains the same bass line as in the 'Elements of One' DVD.

Peace,

Steve