Jaco Pastorius - Modern Electric Bass (DVD)

Great.

This video is very entertaining and very helpful. It also has an awesome Jam session at the end. Jaco shares a lost about his technique, influences, how he learned, and a lot more. It also contains a lot of really helpful drills that the master himself does. A great video for any bassist.

Don't be fooled by the above commentary. There are a couple of good nuggets of information here, but very little helpful information. Jaco's "exercises" are just random plinking on the fretboard that pertains to whatever subject they are talking about at the moment, with little or no helpful comments. This video was made well past his prime and it shows, both in his rusty playing and his tired demeanor. It almost looks like he is strung out. Jemmont does do a good job of keeping things going, but the stuff talked about in the video is described much better with much more attention to detail in videos that are ALOT less expensive. Last time I checked, this DVD ran for like, 40 bucks or something. Even the jam sessions are lazy and uninspired on Jaco's part and its almost depressing watching him this way after, say, the Shadows and Light DVD with Joni Mitchell. I recommend this video just so you can see and know, and there are a couple of good pieces of advice therein, but try not to pay for it if you can. 3 stars.

This is an incredible sorce of both inspiration and content of material. He was the greatest and his video is the best one I've ever seen (and heard). His exercises target development of things that will help you create your own voice as well as observing the instrument used as a tool to open up the most music possible, and played the most beautifully it has ever been played. he demonstrates the fretted and frettless basses

This DVD is to other instuctional DVD/video programs what Jaco was to the electric bass,I mean it!I've been working with it since I started playing the bass and I had a copy of the video tape about 16 years ago. he starts with the basics like chromatic scales, and major scale patterns in the most practical ways. this should be everyones first instructional video because if followed you would avoid beginning bad technichal habits.the section on right and left hang muting alone is priceless.he moves into arpeggios and the information is like water from a firehose.Jerry Jemmott does a great job of keeping Jaco on track and keeps the questions coming from harmonics and false harmonics to rhythm and playing with the drummer this program covers such a wide ranger of material that it will keep you engaged for years to come but that isn't even the best part. after all the regular lessons and examples Jaco plays(on his jazzBass)John Coltranes Naima, and then plays over that with Jerrys 'custom one of a kind like I've never sees before'bass. this part is the greatest bass playing I've ever seen,bar-none!In other words, he displays everything he just talked about. He really gets into it! then there is a jam that totally kicks booty! It's Jaco with a guitar player(John Scofield) and a drummer(Kenwood Dennard),Jaco had a relationship with each of these players so the sparks really fly! If one buys but one instructional dvd/video it should be this one!

(1)it has a very good sound ,that when plaing you feel the (effect).you will under stand what am saging onlg if myou have a very good ear of earing.(2) whaching the vedio is some thing that helps(3)when waching the vedio, it makes you lean very fast beacouse you see the way the techques are made verry easy.4)to me ithink is okey,beacouse i gain a loot of things on it for now.(6)i can not say this is the one ,beacouse they have made an in part in my music life.(7)i wont the peopple that have not go thrugh this great vedio clip to go and get it ,beacouse they are missing aloot.

It's full screen color, there's a lot of techniques explained, for more advanced players tough. Jaco gives the viewer some advices for practice and essentials for bass playing.

I have this video and is really cool! This guy kick ass!!! Very good player! If you want see good playing just see this video!!!

I got this DVD for 2 reasons. 1. Curiousity--haven't watched anything yet with Jaco playing. 2. Something new to learn. It's a pretty good video. I'm not inspired to ever play bass like Jaco. But, the training and techniques to learn are great. So call him an "instructional influence" for me. The cool thing with this is that it comes with a little book that shows the sheet music to learn how to play what he's doing in the video. And, Jaco talks about the importance of knowing how to read music. Nice to hear that communicated from a great one for those just learning.

Good quality sound and picture...........Well lets face it the guy practically changed the way bass is played. The guy is on his last legs as is well seen in the video as he loses his thoughts and Jermont helps him along with finishing sentences.........Though tragic the way his life ended this is still a good video to see one of the greats playin and layin down the grooves..

Jaco was brilliant, he had a magical quality to him, that made him a legend in the world of music. he helped in creating new ideas still excersized today in jazz and other types of music, and he spoke through his instrument with real passion. this video does NOT show that side of him. this video is informative, intresting, and overall a good watch, but it doesnt show you just how amazing jaco was in the prime of his music. if you have 50 bucks , and dont know too much about jaco, skip the video and go buy some cds, that should be all you need. its a good video, but its not up to jaco level. the reason for this is that it was made right around the time he died, he was losing his chops, losing his concepts, losing himself. its a shame we couldnt see jaco in this video format at the time his first solo album was made. go buy the video, but only after you can really appriciate this jazz legend. MVH

The above review is quite accurate and I agree with it fully, and would just like to post a second opinion. I watched this master with awe. Since I myself was born in 1984, I only could wonder what this guy looked like when he played, and what his voice sounded like (its quite rhaspy). The given tips and exercises are extroadinarily useful, and despite the fact Jaco's chops are somewhat lost in this video (Come on, I can play Portrait of Tracy!) his thought processes, style, and presence are all there. The camerawork is a tad amateur, but no biggie. I would reccomend this video, its not like you'll ever be able to see this guy again! Thanks to a few days with this video, now I am the greatest bass player in the world!!

This has got to be the bast instructional electric bass video ever produced, bar none. it's the best bass player ever to plug in who just happens to be the best teacher ever too. he had such a broad understanding of the instrument and music in general that there's just no one I would rather listen to explain how to play music on any instrument. I've had a copy of this video for over ten years and I still watch it at least once a month. He plays some incredible stuff on there, stuff I'll never be able to play, but that is not the point. the point is, he shows you things that will allow you to learn the instrument well enough to find your own voice. "thats just wigglin' your fingers" he says at one point. I could go on for a lot longer on this video because I know there is no other like it. He was the greatest and his video is the best. he keeps talking about thinking when you're playing "things that make you think" ,looking for new ideas... this is not a ' learn to play like this guy ' video. It's been invaluable to me. all bass players should at least check it out in my opinion. thankyou. B.C.

I really enjoyed watching this video, and I believe it was worth the purchase price if only to see Jaco play.. I mean here is the guy who virtually shaped today's bass playing (especially fretless and jazz) and here he is showing off his chops and giving tips. Much of his advice could affect any player from beginner to expert, and watching him play some of his best songs can provide inspiration for all players. The quality of film is decent, but it takes place at the end of Jacos career (and incidently, life) and you can see him heading down hill.. some of his chops just aren't there. still, it is an amazing video and has helped my playing through both inspiration and advice (as well as helped my ability to cover his songs). Overall.. i recommend this video for anyone fascinated by jaco to watch, or anyone needing inspiration or aspiring to play like one of the greats.... of which jaco undoubtedly was........