Master Degree for Graduation in Double Bass Jazz

Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel

PORTFOLIO/
LOGBOOK
HSIEH, TUSNG HAN

Academic Year 2018-2019

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 Table of Contents

Portfolio
Transcriptions and analysis:

Ma1…………………………………………………………………………………4

- Moment Notice : Dario Diedda (Live@The Groove Master Factory)

- Waltz for Ruth : Larry Grenadier (Live at Umbria Jazz, Duet with
P.Metheny)

- Pannonica : Christian McBride (Peter Bernstein, Signs LIVE!,

2017)

Ma2………………………………………………………………………………..

- Segment : Dave Holland (The art of conversation, 2014)

- My Ideal : Larry Grenadier (Jonathan Kreisberg, nice stories wide,

2009)

Master 2 concerts
Mid Year concert…………………………………………………………….
Fianl Exam…………………………………………………………………….

LOGBOOK.........................................................................................................

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PORTFOLIO

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Ma1 transcriptions :
1. Moment Notice : Dario Diedda (Live@The Groove Master
Factory)
When I was in first year of bachelor, I have a great opportunity to
follow the master class with Dario, He is a super great Electric Bassist
with stunning technique and beautiful phrases. For me, I’ve been
inspired so much just by seeing him playing Electric bass.
In that period, I am looking resources to building up more about
my phrases, and also the pieces can challenge me to expanding more
techniques, so I try to play this electric bass solo on my double bass.
Of course, the thumb position is killing difficult, and those fast
moving on fingerboard is learning me so much on the notations.

2. Waltz for Ruth : Larry Grenadier (Live at Umbria Jazz,

Duet with P.Metheny)
Brad Melhdau trio always gives boundless idea it the music,
Larry Grenadier, as the trio member he providing right sounding and
perfect phrases to support the music. The reason I choose this tune is
base on this two reason: sound and phrases.
Larry’s bass solo is so melodic and naturally, he never tent to
play “difficult” music to prove he can do this or that, for me he play
the music in the “right” moment and “right” space.

3. Pannonica : Christian McBride (Peter Bernstein, Signs

LIVE!, 2017)
No question, Christian McBride an increadible musician, full with
talent and skill, he is the idol for all the bassist, even people says he is
another Ray Brown, but for me still worthy to study what he does in
the music. In this version, not just because the freedom he give in his
playing, is also the phrases that he put in the changes.

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Ma2 transcriptions :
1. Segment : Dave Holland (The art of conversation, 2014)
From a great album “The art of conversation” duet with Kenny
Barron, Dave Holland perfectly demonstrate a good play bassist
should be. Line of his solo is very melodic and continuing gave me a
lot idea to building up my solo. Also the fingering and the moving
between the positions are very challenging. Is a good study for me.

2. My Ideal : Larry Grenadier (Jonathan Kreisberg, nice

stories wide, 2009)
This great solo from Larry is again very melodic, the most reason
to have it is because the idea he build up from simple to longer
lines. There is no difficulty in fingering. The melody and rhythm
he use is simple but powerful when they combine together.

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Master 2 Concerts
Mid Year Concert:
This concert, I try to explore the thing bassist can do as a bandleader,
I mixing the repertoire with odd-meter contemporary composition,
and swing composition. I try to push the band to the highest level we
can reach at the moment, in rhythm and harmony point of view.
Which is very good practice for me, I have to digest all the things by
heart, totally understand every moment

Program:
1. 67000MPH-Phronesis
This is the composition from a British band “Phronesis”, they are
good at using different time meter to expanding the music. A good
example is this composition, bass pattern starting from 13/4+3/8,
then piano put syncopation on top of it, unison in quintleplets to
make strong connection.
Intro:

Unison:

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2. Bert’s Playground - Ari Hoenig
This is a traditional sounding composition with modal interchange,
the speed is around 200 bpm, with some cross rhythm kicks. The
reason to choose this tune is because I am looking for some
stability in up temple tunes, try to play well in those elements and
make things easy.
3. Squeeze – Wil Vinson
This tune is a big challenge for me, with very quick changes. I
trying to listen all those chords progression in heart, it’s very
difficult to say something in the solo, but its really worthy to take
this risk and play with it. Eventually those tension become part of
my listening.
4. Reply in kind – Jason Moran
A great composition from Jason, starting from piano’s 16th notes,
Than bass then drum, we put different layer on top of it. It’s pure
energy and dramatic music. The reason that I choose this piece is
I try to make the band breathing together, from “P” to “FFFF”
How much we can support our music at the moment.

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Finale concert in MiM: (4 June 2019)

After the exerperience in mid year concert, the musice that I would
like to exporled and presenting more in odd meter music, mixture the
knowledge that I learn from school, I’d like to go more deep into this
kind music.

Musicians :
Piano : Luca Sales
Bass : Hsieh, Tsung Han
Drums : Pierre Hurty

Programs :
1. Abraham’s New Gift (Phronesis)
Base on continued bassline, piano put block chord syscopation
over it, then the melody
Bassline :

Piano on the top :

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2. Herne Hill (Phronesis)
Use similar meterial for the tune, the 16th subdivision switching to
12/8 feelling with very persice arranging. The dynamic controll is
a great issue for this tune, I am trying to make those division
naturlly with the band together, its heavy but once we nailed it, it
become freely for the music that I want to reach.

Bassline with piano clave :

Dvision swiching :

For me, as a bassist, master on all the division is a life lesson, how
to have a stong time to surport the band driving, also providing right
sound with the instruemnt is biggest work. Also the fast way to heard
those divisions clear is transcript lot this kind music, this really help
me to know/understanding this kind tunes faster then before.

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LOG BOOK

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Master 1 (2017-2018)

Bass lessons with Christophe Walleme

Combo lessons with Stephane Galland, Christophe Walleme, Kris
Defort

Master 2 (2018-2019)

Bass lessons with Christophe Walleme

Combo lessons with Jeroen Van Herzeele, Diederik Wissels,
Chrisotphe Walleme
Free improve lessons with Bart Maris

Bands:

- Han’s trio:
Hsieh, Tsung Han (Bass), Pierre Hurty (Drum), Patrick Kuo
(piano/sysn)
- Han’s odd project:
Hsieh, Tsung Han (Bass), Pierre Hurty (Drum), Luca Sales (piano),
Shoko Igarashi (Sax), Andreas Polyzogopoulos (trumpet)

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