A good organ player is not limited using bass pedals. At an organ concert an organist played the Flight of the Bumble Bee with the bass pedals. I believe that bass pedals, left hand bass, and using styles offer something different, and each loses something.

So there in my music room is my Wersi Delta 500 organ bought. It came with two tall Wersi speakers, and bass pedals. The first thing I noticed is that I did not sound anything like the organ players I heard at the organ concerts. The second thing was the terrible cramps I was getting in my left leg. After two months I sold the organ to a church.

I added bass pedals to m Kn7000; my leg cramps came back.
I like adding that story, it brings back some memories.

I believe that Fran, with his accordion experience, plays a great left-hand bass, and it fits his needs. For me, the bass in a style is acceptable. When it becomes boring, I add a bass pad, and it does not bring any leg cramps. (smile)

John C.

Hmmm, very interesting although it doesn't quite match up with my own personal experience. I have met or known or heard live almost every big-name jazz organist post Wild Bill Davis, with the exception of Tony Monaco (whom I'd really like to meet). First I'm curious about the sudden interest in pedal/LH Bass since, during the 15+ years I've been on this board, with the exception of myself, I don't recall anyone posting a performance utilizing pedal bass or LH bass. First off, to the best of my knowledge, only contemporary jazz organist use this technique (LH bass) which was pretty much introduced by Jimmy Smith and quickly adopted by nearly all jazz organist that followed him. Most used (and still use) the old technique of tapping a bass pedal (usually 'A') to add some 'attack' to the bass tone. A few 'duped' (duplicated) what they were playing on the left hand with the pedals. Even the true MASTERS like Joey D play LH bass on medium to up-tempo tunes although Joey is very capable on the pedals and frequently uses the technique described by Capt Russ above when he needed to use his left hand for another purpose (changing registrations, playing big, dynamic two-fisted chords, etc....or sometimes just wiping his brow). Also, no need to play LH bass if you're only (or primarily) just playin "root and fifth". Also, I think I may have every Jimmy Smith recording in existance; Jimmy played a lot of tunes in Bb and Eb as well.

Although Jimmy Smith may have pioneered the technique (LH Bass), even his most ardent fans would not say that he was the best at it. Hard to say who was/is, but my personal favorites (we're talking LH bass here) would be Tony Monaco (Joey's the better organist but can't match Tony for just flat-out GROOVE). Other 'honorable mentions' would be Brother Jack McDuff and Richard 'Groove' Holmes (both left-handers, BTW, and Jack is a former bass player). Between arthritis and quick fatigue, I can only play pedals on slow tunes and some latin tunes where "root and fifth" may be acceptable. I always have them plugged in though so I can tap them for a bar or two if I need to do something (with a good drum backing, live or otherwise, nobody notices). When it comes to pedals, there are plenty of competent pedal players for 'pop' music but in hard-core jazz there is only one; Barbara Dennerlein. After her, no one wants to even try .

Anyhow, I'm sure Bernie and Bill Lewis and Russ are all competent pedal and/or LH Bass players, all coming from an organ background (and I'm sure there are others) and yes, I know this is an 'Arranger Board', but since Fran brought it up, I'd love, I mean LOVE, to hear some members post some tunes (THEIR OWN) featuring pedals and/or LH bass.

chas

Probably only if they're organist.

chas