Innovative Aspects in the Art of Playing the Double Bass of Jazz in the 20th Century

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the development of the art of jazz double bass playing during the twentieth century, being based on the interpretive analysis of historical recordings of some great names of jazz bassists: Walter Page, John Kirby, Jimmie Lunceford, Jimmie Blanton, Oscar Pettiford Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Red Mitchell etc.. The influence of new technologies on the spread of musical genres in the twentieth century has been reviewed. The aspects of the development of interpretive procedures in jazz bass music were also approached, namely the establishment of classical performance standards for the jazz period. It examines the development, implementation, and completion of the function of the timekeeper, metric and harmonic guide over the structure of the piece performed in bebop from 1940 to 1950. Frequent use of the pizzicato technique and the use of the full double bass tuning fork. Performed on the bass lines in melodic and rhythmic counterpoint to the other melodic lines, developing a distinct accompaniment, which has become an integral part of the jazz tradition. The author highlights the most important innovations brought by them, focusing on evolutionary of cultural and historical contexts, the bands of different periods and styles of jazz, from classical jazz to bebop and contemporary period.