From techdad5@verizon.net Sat Feb 05 07:39:53 2011
Subject:Technique Question: Controlling Lower Manual Bass Volume

Hello all. I'm trying to understand something better regarding left hand bass volume control. I've played piano most of my life, and have been working on jazz organ playing for the past couple of years. I use a 2-manual setup (Nord E3 on top w/ an Edirol controller below it) with no bass pedals. There is obviously a huge jump in regard to how chords are used, legato and staccato techniques, etc. But my question here is about correctly managing volume of the lower manual for walking bass.

When I'm playing lead or solo, I obviously have the expression pedal down a bit more, so bass is coming through stronger. When it's the guitarist's turn to solo, I naturally pull back on the volume and comp behind him. That works well to keep rhythm volume, but the bass also drops out, and it sounds like the bottom just goes away. If I just comp lightly on the lower manual (usually set at 838000000), I can get away with keeping the bass up a bit. If I try, however, to comp on the upper manual (usually a different setting with percussion), it's too loud and makes it difficult to interact with the guitarist because I feel like I'm overpowering him.

It sounds odd to say that I'm competing on volume with a guitarist, but we're playing very traditional jazz trio stuff, and he keeps a fairly mellow sound.

Thanks for whatever insights you have.

Mike