Watch & Listen

“Killer Joe” — walking bass lesson!

February 21, 2019 by John

Check out this free lesson from my new online bass course, “Building Up,” available exclusively at Discover Double Bass.

‘Jazz Bass Vol.1: Building Up’ is an online course with 45 lessons and 4 hours of video, playalong tracks and PDF notation. $99 for unlimited access.

The course covers John Goldsby’s most effective materials, learnt from studying with and transcribing the music of our jazz bass heroes. As a teacher, John has selected the lessons which made the biggest impact on his students. It’s all of the good stuff which has transformed their playing, and it can do the same for you too!

The course is perfect for intermediate to advanced jazz bassists who want to solidify their technique and learn new approaches.

Many of the lessons feature piano and drums accompaniment. There are also backing tracks of the exercises, both with and without the bass.

The course includes detailed transcriptions of John’s exercises, etudes and solos.

Closed captions in English are provided for each video.

This course is available to stream online, exclusively at Discover Double Bass.

Interview!

February 21, 2019 by John

Geoff Chalmers talks to John Goldsby

Check out John’s new online video bass course, “Building Up,” available exclusively at Discover Double Bass.

In this video, Geoff Chalmers interviews John Goldsby. Here are the main subjects they cover:

00:00 WDR big band.

11:43 Ray Brown.

13:45 NYC.

22:35 John’s bass influences.

27:08 Bowing.

29:25 Jamey Abersold.

38:08 Bass Player magazine.

42:00 Transcription.

46:50 Play-along tracks.

47:45 Gear (bass, amp, pickup, strings).

“Stardust” — solo bass

October 16, 2018 by John

John about the tune: “One of my big influences on the bass was Oscar Pettiford, who often played “Stardust” as a solo bass feature. The gorgeous melody, composed in 1929 by Hoagy Carmichael, reflects the great tradition of standard songs that were adopted by jazz musicians as vehicles for improvisation. I hope my version pays tribute to the giant of modern bass playing—Oscar Pettiford—and also to the brilliant compositional talents of Hoagy Carmichael.”

Interview with John Goldsby — WDR Big Band “Personal Sounds”

October 7, 2018 by John

Let’s Call This — bass feature, arr. John Clayton — performed by the WDR Big Band

October 7, 2018 by John

Sergio — WDR Big Band (arr. Michael Abene)

August 31, 2018 by John

After my wife and I visited Salvador, Brazil I wrote this tune in honor of our tour guide there — Sergio, who in addition to being a fun-loving sidekick, also played guitar and sang. Sergio took us around to a lot of local music clubs, treating us to incredible musical experiences and framing our visit with his gracious hospitality. I was experimenting at the time with the long-meter 3/2 groove, and the melody sort of wrote itself—the result was “Sergio,” a tribute to our new friend. Years later, Michael Abene gave us his take on the melody, harmony and 3/2 rhythm, creating an beautiful arrangement—a rich, colorful fully-orchestreated version for big band.” Produced at Studio 4, Funkhaus Cologne in February 2018. Written by John Goldsby and arranged by Michael Abene. Conducted by Ansgar Striepens.