Rewind: RIP Mick Karn and Phil Kennemore, 2010’s Top 10 Bass Players, Plus the Best Bass Lessons, Videos and Gear
Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of January 2-8, 2011.
After a brave battle with cancer, former Japan bassist Mick Karn has passed away at the age of 52. The fretless bassist left an indelible mark on the ‘70s and ‘80s low-end scene with his unique style and phrasing. After glam rockers Japan split up, he collaborated with Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy in the group…
2. Best of 2010: Top 10 Bass Players
To kick off the new year, we’re celebrating the top 10 most viewed, most searched for bassists on No Treble in 2010. #1. Tal Wilkenfeld For the second year in a row, Tal Wilkenfeld was the most viewed, most searched on bassist No Treble. Tal was busy in 2010, including a tour with Herbie Hancock,…
3. Victor Wooten & Anthony Wellington: Dynamics Duet
Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington have a long working history, or as Anthony says, he’s the “long time holder of the coveted ’2nd bass’ position in the Victor Wooten Band”. Here’s the bass duo performing a nice piece from Vic’s Groove Workshop DVD.
4. Plucking Patterns: Right Hand Exercises for Bass
Q: You covered playing chords on the bass and going beyond the roots. I use chords a lot when I compose/write and when I practice different things. I often find myself short when it comes to rhythms and different strumming patterns over the chords. Do you have some good ideas for strumming patterns? A: The…
5. Rylee Releases Bass Fretboard Addict App
Michael Rylee has just released the Bass Fretboard Addict app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The app is a fretboard trainer game designed to help “improve your visual, mental, and listening bass guitar skills” as well as your ability to read music notation. Using real bass guitar sounds, the app challenges you to find…
6. The Lowdown with Dr. D: Mastering a Difficult Passage with Repetition
In the course of mastering a difficult passage, we will end up playing the passage many, many times. However, if we do so blindly, we just waste our time. In fact, such mindless repetition can be detrimental. Additionally, if our mind wanders, then it is unlikely that we are actually improving the passage, so again…
After being diagnosed last year, Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore lost his battle to cancer January 7th. The 57 year old was a founding member of the band in 1974 and continued touring with the band up until his hospitalization. A benefit concert featuring Queensryche, Heaven & Hell, and Testament was held on December 31st to…
8. 12 Medium-Easy Jazz, Blues & Funk Etudes
12 Medium-Easy Jazz, Blues & Funk Etudes is a new series of books by Yellowjackets sax man Bob Mintzer written for all instruments, including bass. Designed for beginner- to intermediate-level musicians, this book covers 12 jazz, blues and funk etudes composed by Mintzer in a variety of jazz styles, tempos, and time signatures. A play-along…
9. Gear Watch: Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B Bass Boost Pedal
Wren and Cuff has released the Phat Phuk B, a JFET/germanium single circuit hybrid booster pedal designed specifically for bass. The pedal is not designed to be “transparent,” the company explains, as the germanium transistor adds a little grit to your sound. The JFET transistor is placed at the input to keep things “impedance-friendly,” depending…
10. A Perfect Circle: Weak And Powerless
Just before their latest reunion tour, A Perfect Circle played the Jimmy Kimmel show. Here’s Matt McJunkins laying the foundation on the song “Weak and Powerless” from their second album, Thirteenth Step.
