[Dixielandjazz] Notation question

[Charlie Hooks]

on 6/29/03 9:53 PM, Dave Gravatt at dave at creolejazz.com wrote:

> Please forgive a naive question.  I'm still in the process of learning
> some basics.
> I'm assuming the /F# means to use that note of the chord as the bass note.
> Likewise-- /G  to use the G as the bass note.
> The bass line of these five chords then might be --Eb  E   F   F#  G
> --------------------------
> My question---Is this only important to the bass player---or maybe
> the piano player?   Who pays any attention to this?
> Ken Gates

EVERYBODY pays attention to this--or should!  It's the distinguishing
progression of Eubie's entire tune.  It's so simple and works perfectly.
Always determine first where the bass lines go; they are what you need most.
The melody, the chords, these are all important, too,; but the bass line
controls.  Always.  Trust me.

Charlie