Douglas Weiss

Background

About Douglas Weiss

There are no musical problems, only musical solutions." There is a complete bio on my website: As a bassist I am committed to supporting the band leader's vision. My job involves helping the music to sound and feel well, and making the people I play with feel confident and comfortable. I am always looking for opportunities to do this, and find deep satisfaction in catalyzing others ideas. I enjoy finding how to project my sound, the sound of the band, and bringing this unity of purpose to the audience. I have studied the tradition of the Bass in Jazz and Popular music from 1635-present. My knowledge of the recorded history, as well as personal interactions with some of those historical figures, have given me a good feel for the intentions behind the music. I believe that the next 20 years will hear great rhythmic development in music. The realization that any time signature can exist (and co-exist) with other time signature is a revelation that is only just coming to the fore. Standard tunes, played in 5/4 and 7/4 time, can also be conceived in a larger duple meter from which modulation to 4, 3, 9 or 11 is possible. The implications in terms of the perception of time and human rhythms is a very exciting subject. I am constantly working to stay ahead of the curve in this department and actively seek collaboration with others so interested. As a clinician and educator, I strive to give my students the tools they need to make great music going forward. Having a good sound, rhythmic concept, facile ear, harmonic knowledge, and good taste will never go out of style. I also encourage my students to creatively approach the issues they will face as the performers, managers, booking agents, instrument makers, recording engineers, producers, entrepreneurs, and promoters of tomorrow. It is gratifying to see so many of them adding their voices to the music world.