341: how Bob Nieske teaches the bass

Bob Nieske teaches at Brandeis University and the New England Conservatory. He has worked with George Russell, Stephane Grappelli, and many other jazz luminaries.

We dig into many topics, including:

  • why we shouldn’t be watching the left hand as we play
  • intonation and the jazz bassist
  • Bob’s journey from bass to tuba to composition to classical guitar and finally back to bass
  • George Russell and how he looked at modes
  • linear lines through the chord changes and getting away from being so root-bound
  • Brandeis jazz band shirts – front says “what if?” and back says “why not?”

Follow along with all of our jazz content at contrabassconversations.com/jazz!

Links to check out:

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By Jason

An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.