Latin Tumbao, roots, 5ths, 7ths, octave
Lesson time: (2min 47sec)
Build a Latin tumbao bass line from roots, 5ths, flat 7ths and octaves, with Bruce Gertz demonstrating the right-hand damping that gives it its tight feel.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Contemporary Bass Guitar Grooves
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Exploring Latin Tomball
Okay, now, before I touched on that Latin tomball a little bit, let's discuss some essential musical notes:
- Roots
- Fifths
- Flat Sevenths
These notes are typical, and depending on the chord, it might be a major seven. However, roots and fifths are certainly foundational and work in every style.
Rhythm and Timing
One important aspect to note is the rhythmic structure. If you have this as the four beats:
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
You'll notice the emphasis crosses over the bar line, hitting on the fourth beat.
Damping Technique
I'm using a damping style where I've got my strings damped with the back of my hand, specifically the heel of my hand. This technique produces a thumpier sound.
This damping of notes:
- Gives it a more pronounced effect
- Emulates the bass marimba originally used in that music
- Is reminiscent of when music was primarily percussion-based
This approach enhances the overall texture and feel of the performance.
About the instructor
Bruce Gertz is an award-winning bassist (acoustic and electric), composer, educator, and author. He is a professor of bass at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught since 1976. Bruce is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Performance Award Grant, the Massachusetts Cultural Council Musical Composition Award, and numerous outstanding bassist awards from the Boston Music Awards, A.S.C.A.P. Plus Popular Awards, and multiple recognition awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Education Network. Bruce also serves on the board of directors of the International Society of Bassists. He has performed and recorded with such artists as Gary Burton, Jerry Bergonzi, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Werner, Mick Goodrick, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Billy Hart, George Garzone, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Joe Lovano, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie, among many others. In Contemporary Bass Guitar Grooves, Bruce puts all of that experience to work for you. You'll learn to build solid, swinging bass lines and lock into authentic grooves across funk, jazz, and fusion, so you can hold down the bottom end and walk into any band situation with confidence. His extensive discography and additional information can be found at www.brucegertz.com. read more