Intermediate Bass 14: World Music: The Clave and the Tumbao, Part 2
By Roy Vogt
Bass Instructor, Belmont University 		Print This Lesson
Roy Vogt.This lesson we're going to take the basic tumbao groove and play over the changes to a Latin Jazz Standard called "Blue Bossa" written by trumpeter Kenny Dorham. It's a good beginning Jazz tune to study bass lines and improvisation over. The primary notes of the bass line are the root and 5th. Be careful with the m7b5 chords, because you'll have to flat the 5th in order for the bass line to work with the chords.

One of my favorite electric bass players in this Jazz style is Anthony Jackson. Check out his work in the recordings he did with Michel Camillo. Also, check out the Cuban bassist Cachao (the father of this style), Los Van Van, Andy Rodriguez, the late Tito Puente and other Latin and Latin Jazz artists.

My personal favorite book on this style is Funkifying the Clave by Lincoln Goines and Robbie Ameen. Chuck Sher has several other great book and CD sets on this style. Of course, the best way to really get into this style is just to listen and play it. Have fun!

Peace and Low Notes,
Roy C. Vogt
Nashville Bassist
Bass Instructor, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

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