Weekly Top 10: The Best Bass Videos, New Bass Gear, Top Lessons, the Evan Brewer Interview and More

In case you missed them (and even if you didn’t), here are the top 10 most read bass-related stories, lessons, features and the most watched videos on No Treble for the week of August 26 – September 1, 2012. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing!

Progressive Scales: A Bass Player’s Guide to Learning Scales and Improving Reading Ability

1. Progressive Scales: A Bass Player’s Guide to Learning Scales and Improving Reading Ability

I’ve written in the past about the importance of scale work to solidify instrumental technique (see the Lowdown archives for those columns and more). If we are new to learning a particular scale it is probably wise to start by playing from root to root (e.g. C-C in C major) until we are comfortable…

Playing a Gig with No Prep Time: A Guide for Bass Players

2. Playing a Gig with No Prep Time: A Guide for Bass Players

In his weekly column, Damian answers this reader question: I will soon be filling in on a gig with no rehearsals or charts. I’m a little freaked out. They said we’d get a few minutes during sound check to run through a tune or two, but how can I expect to play well when I can’t really prepare?

Damien Langkamer: Bass Groove / Solo Idea

3. Damien Langkamer: Bass Groove / Solo Idea

Facebook friend Alex Kalicinski sent us this great clip of UK bassist Damien Langkamer working out a groove and some solo ideas. Dig that tone! For the gear heads out there, Damien is playing a Roscoe SKB3005 bass…

Xander Myers: Funky Bass Cover of PSY’s “Gangnam Style”

4. Xander Myers: Funky Bass Cover of PSY’s “Gangnam Style”

Who doesn’t like a good viral video? Korean rapper PSY scored it big with his latest hit “Gangnam Style,” which has reached over 67 million views on YouTube. The zany and infectious tune inspired Xander Myers to make a slightly funkier version with his own bass line. Check it out!

The New Face of Bass: An Interview With Evan Brewer

5. The New Face of Bass: An Interview With Evan Brewer

With unbelievable technique and a unique musical voice, Evan Brewer is quickly becoming the face of the new wave of bass heroes. The former Animosity bassist joined the ranks of technical death metal band The Faceless last year in time to help write and record their new album Autotheism, which hit shelves August 14th…

Mattia La Maida: All Bass Arrangement of “Come Together”

6. Mattia La Maida: All Bass Arrangement of “Come Together”

Here’s bassist Mattia La Maida, performing a Brian Bromberg-inpsired solo bass version of the Beatles’ “Come Together”, which of course features Paul McCartney’s highly recognizable bass line. And in case that’s not enough bassists mentioned, a photo of Jaco Pastorius also makes a cameo appearance…

Bass of the Week: De Gier BeBop

7. Bass of the Week: De Gier BeBop

There are lots of interpretations of the old J-bass, but one that strikes me most is the BeBop made by Dutch boutique shop De Gier. It offers a little more in the curves department with subtle tweaks to set itself apart from the classic design…

Marcus Miller Band: “Slippin’ Into Darkness”, Live at the Thanks Jimi Festival

8. Marcus Miller Band: “Slippin’ Into Darkness”, Live at the Thanks Jimi Festival

Earlier this year, Marcus Miller and his band took part in the Thanks Jimi Festival in WrocÅ?aw, Poland. Here’s one of the best fan-shot videos I’ve ever seen, capturing the band in their performance of WAR’s 1971 tune, “Slippin’ Into Darkness”. And it is awesome…

Bass Gear Round-Up: The Most Popular Gear for August 2012

9. Bass Gear Round-Up: The Most Popular Gear for August 2012

We saw a lot of new bass gear coming out in August (we love that). Here are the most popular new gear stories, based on No Treble readership. Oh, and here’s your warning: may cause G.A.S….

Johan Hansén-Larson: One Tasty Bass Solo

10. Johan Hansén-Larson: One Tasty Bass Solo

Bassist Johan Hansén-Larson sent us this video, which has a neat story behind it, not to mention one of the most unique camera views we’ve seen. Johan shared, “this is my solo from the Roy Hargrove song Strasbourgh – St Denis, from a gig I did last spring here in Stockholm…

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

Share your thoughts