Rewind: The Best Bass Videos, The Who Bass Play-Along, Larry Graham’s 65th, New StringRay, Learning the Blues and More
No Treble readers enjoyed lots of top bass videos last week, including the Top 10 videos in July, Larry Graham still doing it at 65, and the funky bass work of Kai Eckhardt and Jamiroquai’s Nick Fyffe.
In gear news, Ernie Ball / Music Man announced a new StingRay bass, and BassBrites USA introduces their new string cleaner.
Ryan Madora posted her latest blues bass column, and Damian Erskine discussed the pros and cons of giant rigs.
Here are your top 10 for the week of August 14-20, 2011.
1. The Who: Bass Play-Along Volume 28
Hal Leonard has released The Who: The Who: Bass Play-Along Volume 28, a 72-page book featuring eight classic tunes by The Who and bassist John Entwistle. As with all of the books in the Bass Play-Along series, The Who: Bass Play-Along includes a CD, playable in any CD player, or on a Windows or Mac…
2. Top 10: The Best Bass Videos (July 2011)
July was an exceptionally popular month for bass videos, and these are the best of the best. Here are the top 10 bass videos of the month, based on views by No Treble readers. 1. Stevie Wonder with Nate Watts: Sir Duke and I Wish, Live Nate Watts really lays down the groove on this…
3. Kai Eckhardt: Freestyle Afro-tastic Uber Slap Bass
Damian Erskine shared this video of Kai Eckhardt demonstrating a drone exercise, with moving chords and polyrhythms. Kai says it is a work in progress, with the goal of “[combining] the power of funk bass slap with the sophistication of jazz harmony, Indian tabla beatz and African trance.” Have a video to share? Send it…
4. Cabinet Size: Is Bigger Better?
Q: I have a question regarding the cabinet sizes. I see a lot of players lugging around some real beasts. I tend to use my DI for most medium to larger gigs and sometimes just go through the PA. I can’t see a need for a monster rig and wonder why so many bassist are…
5. Ernie Ball/Music Man Unveils Limited Edition Gilded White Classic StingRay
Ernie Ball/Music Man has unveiled the second global release of a limited edition instrument from their Premier Dealer Network, The Gilded White Classic StingRay. The bass will be limited to 300 pieces with 200 4-string and the remaining 100 5-string versions. Since the effort is worldwide, only 50 4-strings and 25 5-strings are allotted to…
6. The Jam! Happy 65th Birthday, Larry Graham
65 years ago today, Larry Graham, Jr. was born in Beaumont, Texas. From Sly & the Family Stone to Graham Central Station, and a whole lot of other projects, he’s credited with the invention of slap bass. Or as Larry calls it, “Thumpin’ and Pluckin’.” Larry is still bringing it… Here’s a clip of Graham…
7. Essential Terms and Concepts for Playing Blues
In case you missed it, check out part 1 of this series. Since blues is an ideal genre for jamming and improvising, your knowledge of certain terms and feels can dramatically boost your value as a player. Whether you’re doing a blues gig, going to blues jam at a local club, or getting together with…
8. BassBrites USA Introduces Advanced String Cleaner
BassBrites USA has released their BassBrites Advanced String Cleaner, a cleaner made specifically for bass and designed to increase the life of the strings. Designed by bassist Daryl Weber, the BassBrites are small wipes treated with a special formula that seals and protects the strings from contaminants without harming the fretboard or bass. The company…
9. Jamiroquai: “Little L” Live (2003)
Facebook friend Craig Anderson sent this video our way, saying: In order of appearance: Great hat Great save Great song Great solo The bass (and great solo) is thanks to Jamiroquai bassist (at the time) Nick Fyffe. Have a video to share? Send it to [email protected].
10. An Interview with Peter Dominguez
Oberlin Conservatory professor and in-demand bassist Peter Dominguez shares his background and tips on how to grow as a musician, in this exclusive interview
