Off Topic I know that several fellow EBMM bassists are interested in playing Salsa...

[Alvabass]

...but don't know so much about the style, so that's why I'm creating this thread. I've just recorded and uploaded a video playing a Salsa tune (with one of my Bongos, of course) and I thought it could help. As I say in the video description (please read it), I still have lots of things to learn, but anyway I think this performance may shed some lights on how to play Salsa with authority and conviction, which for the genre are way more important than a dazzling technique. Of course, I also hope you enjoy it! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvLQpGQNH5E&fmt=22"]Click here for the video.[/ame]

P.S.: Oh, and wearing my Music Man T-shirt with pride!

 

[RocketRalf]

That's a great bassline. I would suggest to anyone that wants to learn to play salsa that they listen a lot to it, and different artists from different countries, because salsa is actually not one genre but a combination of lots of different ones from several countries.

 

[bovinehost]

I'd like to spend about a year or two with you.

 

[T Alan]

Great vid...thanks for sharing. I love and listen to Latin more than Rock anymore. I can't get enough of it. I try to allow it to influence me, but I'd love to immerse myself in the Salsa culture for a year to be able to play it w/authority.

 

[MadMatt]

I am bowing and chanting "I am unworthy, I am unworthy"

Excellent base line. As much as i love to listen to it, I tried unsuccessfully to get my head around Salsa when I was spending more time behind the drumset. Maybe I need to revisit Salsa on the bass, your video is inspirational!

 

[rhythmCity944]

EXCELLENT!!!

I cannot ever get enough of the fretless tone

 

[JayDawg]

Wow, that sounds really good!

 

[keko]

Bravo!

Well done, perfect "home made" muted fretless tone and great technique!

This salsa bass line, as other Latino rhythms, are pretty hard to play 5-6 minutes long, player must be very concentrated 'cause there are a lots of jazz elements inside...etc.

I prefer samba and rumba much more, we use it in my area very much in domestic Folk/Gypsy stuff we played around here on the Balkans!

I appreciate Your work very much Alva, don't even need to mention Your great Bongo collection!

 

[LawDaddy]

Amazing. A couple of those runs he sneaks in after about 3:20 are deadly. Great mwhaaa tone. And, of course, sweet shirt!

 

[Infidelity]

Good Stuffs man.!

 

[Kamakiriad]

Nice Tumbao! You've got a great style going on man. I've been studying Latin and Afro-Cuban music on my own for the past couple of years, and it's the most fun and rewarding music I've ever encountered. Seriously, everyone, check it out.

A great book for beginners or advanced players is [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Bass-Book-Oscar-Stagnaro/dp/1883217113"]The Latin Bass Book[/ame] by Oscar Stagnaro. It's very comprehensive, has 3 play-along cds, and covers just about every facet, from the clave to the samba.

Chris

 

[T Alan]

Amazing. A couple of those runs he sneaks in after about 3:20 are deadly.

Yeah, very smooth.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Nice stuff. You make it look easy.