Jack Casady shares his ideas and techniques with learning bassists. In an informal and delightful session (Jorma provides vocals and guitar along with companionable commentary), Jack analyzes his bass parts for classic tunes from the Hot Tuna repertoire, and discusses the musical concepts that make up his unique style -- melodic lines, tonal variety, chordal work and improvisational solos. You'll see all of Jack's tricks: the use of partial chords, sustained notes, tremolos, trilling, tonal variety and many other fascinating devices. Songs include "Ninety-Nine Year Blues," "Blues in A," "San Francisco Bay Blues," "Been So Long," "Mann's Fate" and "Water Song."
D**.
Entertaining and instructive
Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen play 6 songs; Casady then reviews the songs, breaks down the main moves, and they play the songs again (each song is played at least once in its entirety). Casady has a nice chord-based style that emphasizes the one and the five note, the octave, and full and partial chords; he also likes to alternate between high and low position, and demonstrates interesting ways to move through a tune melodically by alternating these. His "Blues in A" is especially inventive, with his demonstration of moving one and five notes (power chords) up and down the fretboard.Unfortunately, though, while he plays a great walking bass on "San Francisco Bay Blues," he actually teaches very little of the technique of walking bass in a fairly complex tune. And one could wish for a little less "artistry" in the direction; more direct focus on Casady's playing, and less on Kaukonen's, would have helped, especially since Casady verbalizes a good deal of his technique (instead of demonstrating); every bit of on-bass focus is important. Altogether, the CD is instructive, the music is tasty, and players will learn a few things.
J**E
Excellent tutorial from a legendary bassist
Excellent tutorial from a legendary bassist. Hardly a better way to learn short of having a personal tutor, or a a brush up on techniques you might not have considered if you are already an active player of the bass.
R**N
Great DVD for bass players
I have to admit being somewhat prejudiced. I love Jack Casady's bass playing. I wasn't sure he could teach me how to play, though. This DVD is excellent. Jack and Jorma play several of the best Hot Tuna songs and then break them down so you can follow. There is also a printed insert with music and tabs to show you what is being played. It works very well. I am learning more in a few days than I learned in months trying to follow along with the records.I recommend this to all levels of bass players.
J**D
Five Stars
Just what I was looking for
C**N
Jack Casady bass CD
Seller got it to me quickly. All went well. The bass tips are good, ad will be good to replay often for the good bass fundamentals.
F**I
A Bass Great Shares His Secrets
This may be the best instructional music video I've ever seen. Jack Casady plays with his longtime cohort, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, in what looks like somebody's living room. These two have been playing together since high school, through the Jefferson Airplane, the Starship, and Hot Tuna, and it shows. They LISTEN to each other, and each plays in the spaces left by the other. And, they don't play too much; this is uncluttered, nuanced music. Jack then shows and explains how he does what he does. They don't play any Airplane songs, but I don't think it's needed. Things he did with the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna suddenly seem clear, and fairly simple. Hearing a line or a connecting note will bring to mind something heard in a song long ago. This is so good, I went out and bought a Jack Casady bass. Buy it. Watch it. You will enjoy it, and learn a lot.
K**R
This is it!
One of the worlds best bass-players ever shows how he's does it. It's clear and easy to follow. Choice of tunes is great! I could have wished Jack could have dwelled more on the technical aspects (choice of basses/amplification), but that you can find on the internet.
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1 month ago
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