Description: In this upright bass masterclass, legendary bassist Chuck Berghofer shows you why he's been in-demand for 60 years. Chuck has played with the very best in the business, he has been on about 1 trillion recordings (record dates, films, tv shows, etc.) and he is still LA's first-call bassist in numerous settings. In this lesson, he discusses his tone, technique and gives various tips about his incredible playing style and his illustrious career. NOTE: There is a lot of talking in this masterclass, but it's from a very wise man with more experience than 99% of all living/working musicians :)
Topics Covered: Upright bass, getting a good sound, technique, playing simply, chromatic walking, accenting notes, having a good feel, the left hand, leverage, embellishments, intonation, being a professional, showing up early, playing on studio dates, reading, time feel, versatility, interpretation, strings, pickups, amps, latin gigs, jazz bass, secrets of career longevity, listening, using your ear, soloing, playing fast tempos, attitude, etc.
Charles Curtis Berghofer, 14 June 1937, Denver, Colorado, USA. Born into a musical family (his grandfather had played with John Philip Sousa), Berghofer began playing trumpet at the age of eight, by which time his family had moved to California. He played various other brass instruments before turning to the double bass in his mid-teens. An admirer of Ralph Peña, he persuaded the older man to give him lessons. Two years after taking up the bass, Berghofer joined the orchestra led by Skinnay Ennis for a Midwest tour. He then joined pianist Bobby Troup where he remained for a number of years accompanying the pianist and his wife, singer Julie London. He replaced Peña in a duo with Pete Jolly, the group later expanding to a trio with drummer Nick Martinis, and then, in 1960, became a member of Shelly Manne’s house band at the drummer’s newly opened club, the Manne Hole. During the early 60s, Berghofer played with numerous leading jazzmen, including Jack Sheldon, Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Philly Joe Jones.
Despite all his studio activities Berghofer continued to play jazz, working with many noted artists during a spell when, with pianist Frank Strazzeri and drummer Nick Ceroli, he formed the semi-regular house band at Donte’s in Los Angeles. An excellent video, recorded at Donte’s in 1970, features Berghofer with pianist Roger Kellaway and drummer Larry Bunker backing Zoot Sims. Among others he accompanied were Art Pepper, Bob Cooper, Gerry Mulligan and Stan Getz.
Berghofer continued his eclectic gigging in the 90s, recording with Frank Capp’s Juggernaut, Jolly, Buddy Greco and Keely Smith, and also visiting Europe. Berghofer has declared his influences to be Leroy Vinnegar, Paul Chambers and Ray Brown. He also admired the work of Scott La Faro and told Jack that, ‘The best soloist on the instrument was Red Mitchell … I loved to hear him solo.’ Berghofer’s playing is distinguished by his huge, rich tone and the sense of relaxed power he brings his music.