[Dixielandjazz] bass(tuba) line for slow tunes

[John McClernan]

Here's my $.02, fwiw:
Listen to OKOM recordings of good upright bassists (and in person).  
Notes on an upright bass will decay after plucking the string, not  
sustain the way you can on your tuba. Therefore, bassists are  
constantly moving forward and thinking ahead. Of course, that's harder  
if you don't know the chord structure of the tune.

Listen to OKOM recordings of good stride pianists (and in person). If  
in person, try to sit where you can watch his left hand and look for  
patterns. Better yet, try to land a gig or attend rehearsals where he  
can be heard and ask to sit in. You will learn far more from playing  
with such a person than just listening.

Learn to play the tunes in question on piano yourself, and not just  
the melody line.
Cheers,
John
Tuba/Bass