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Archive for June 2012 - Page 4

Tribal Tech: Actual Proof
Bass Videos

Tribal Tech: Actual Proof

Tribal Tech took on Herbie Hancock’s “Actual Proof” in this live performance. And it grooooooves. As an added bonus, there’s plenty of focus on bassist Gary Willis‘ technique, which is as impressive as always.

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Bass Play-Along
Sheet Music & Instruction

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Bass Play-Along

Hal Leonard has added a new edition to their Bass Play-Along series, with the release of Red Hot Chili Peppers: Bass Play-Along (Vol. 42). The 80 page book offers up tab for nine Flea bass lines, with the standard enhanced audio CD that is included with each book in this series. The audio provides the opportunity to hear the bass...

3Leaf Audio Unveils Wonderlove Envelope Filter
Pedals & Effects

3Leaf Audio Unveils Wonderlove Envelope Filter

3Leaf Audio has refreshed their product line with the introduction of the Wonderlove Envelope Filter, which takes place of the company’s flagship GR2. The new stompbox benefits from four years of tweaking the original design and offers the same basic filter sound of its predecessor while making it “deeper and juicier.” Powered by a 9V DC adapter, the Wonderlove has...

Exploring Polyrhythms: A Practice Guide
Ask Damian Erskine

Exploring Polyrhythms: A Practice Guide

Q: What is a “polyrhythm”, and how can I use them? A: Technically speaking, a polyrhythm is exactly what it says… more than one rhythm happening at the same time. This could be a Cascara rhythm combined with a Clave, or even just a swing pattern on the ride along with the hi-hat on 2 and 4. I find African,...

Jeff Beck: “Little Wing”, with Rhonda Smith & Narada Michael Walden
Bass Videos

Jeff Beck: “Little Wing”, with Rhonda Smith & Narada Michael Walden

In my opinion, “Little Wing” is one of the greatest tunes of all time. Covered so many times, here’s another guitar legend, Jeff Beck – who experienced the magic of Hendrix live at the Isle of Wight – performing his tribute at the same venue. Bassist Rhonda Smith lays down the perfect bass line behind Beck, with some seriously gutsy...

Lick Library Releases “Learn To Play Rock Basslines” DVD
Sheet Music & Instruction

Lick Library Releases “Learn To Play Rock Basslines” DVD

Lick Library is now shipping a new instructional DVD by Phil Williams entitled Learn to Play Rock Basslines. Aimed at beginner to intermediate players, the video guides you through 20 rock songs ranging from Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” to Muse’s “Hysteria.” “It’s 20 of the classic rock basslines that I consider to be landmarks in bass playing,” Williams explains. “A...

Reader Spotlight: Chris Robinson
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Chris Robinson

Meet Chris Robinson, a bassist from New Hampshire who has played in bands as diverse as we’ve seen. Chris is our player in the spotlight for the week of June 19, 2012. (You can be next!) Bio: I’ve been playing bass since I was twelve. Since I picked up my first four string, I’ve played in almost every setting and...

A Review of Mike Stern’s “All Over the Place”
Reviews

A Review of Mike Stern’s “All Over the Place”

Guitarist Mike Stern’s new record All Over the Place features a veritable smorgasbord of bass talent: Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Anthony Jackson, Dave Holland, Tom Kennedy, Will Lee and Victor Bailey. Like a kid in the rhythm section candy shop, Stern audibly delights in playing with these guys. Further, the quality of Stern’s writing, the variety of grooves...

Weather Report: Badia, Live (1976)
Bass Videos

Weather Report: Badia, Live (1976)

Here’s Weather Report, soon after Jaco Pastorius joined the band, performing “Badia” live in 1976. This performance was recorded live on July 8, 1976, at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland. Jaco’s tone is like butter. Weather Report’s line up for this performance included Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco, Alex Acuna, and Manolo Badrena. Hard to believe this is 36 years...

Medeski, Martin and Wood Announce Acoustic Fall Tour
Concerts & Tours

Medeski, Martin and Wood Announce Acoustic Fall Tour

Medeski, Martin and Wood have announced a Fall tour covering the Northeast U.S. Kicking off at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts, the trek takes the jazz-infused jam band through Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The trio will be performing acoustic sets throughout, with Chris Wood laying it down on the...

Bob Daisley Debuts Black Beauty Signature Series Bass
Basses

Bob Daisley Debuts Black Beauty Signature Series Bass

Bass legend Bob Daisley has teamed up with Mad Music Management to create his new Black Beauty Signature Bass, designed by the bassist himself and built in Italy by the luthiers at Utopia Custom Shop. Daisley went all out with the concept, which includes two interchangeable pickup drawers that essentially make it two basses in one. The first pickup is...

Thumb Position: Major Scale Fingering for Bass
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Thumb Position: Major Scale Fingering for Bass

There are a multitude of fingerings for any particular scale, and no single fingering is appropriate for every situation. In fact, the most effective fingering for any specific passage will be related to musical issues, not technical ones. Some scale fingerings, however, prove to be useful in a great many situations and are worth having ingrained. Today I want to...