Weekly Top Ten: The Best Bass Lessons, New Gear, Videos and Stories from the World of Bass
More bass goodness from the week of October 21 – 27, 2012, ranked in order of popularity by No Treble readers like you.
Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing!
1. Christian Harger: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Solo Bass Arrangement
Christian Harger sent us this video recently of his all-bass take on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, saying “if you think it’s up to snuff”, that he’d love some more views. We love it. Very up to snuff!
2. Diatonic Arpeggios: A Guide to Better Improvisation
One way to quickly become fluent in a key is to familiarize yourself with that key’s diatonic arpeggios, i.e. the arpeggios beginning on each note of the scale. Facility in diatonic arpeggios is also necessary for true improvisational freedom and fluency. Check out Dr. D’s latest how-to column…
3. Bass of the Week: Malinoski Rodeo Bass
Peter Malinoski is a luthier with an artistic vision for his instruments and passion for uniqueness. His Rodeo Bass is no exception, and so it was an easy choice for Bass of the Week…
4. MonoNeon: Sonic the Hedgehog “Green Hill Zone” Theme
Video game music has always held a special place in my heart. Looking back I realize that a lot of the themes from the games of my youth had really sweet bass lines, and I think MonoNeon realized that, too. Check out his play-along of the theme to the Green Hill Zone…
5. On Modes and Getting Away from the Root
In his weekly column, Damian answers a reader question to help clear up confusion about modes, with some of his practical and useful advice, as usual…
6. Black Sabbath Recording Songs for First Album in 33 Years
Last week, Ozzy Osbourne’s wife and manager Sharon Osbourne was in the studio at Triple M in Sydney, Australia and shared that Black Sabbath is in the studio and planning a tour in 2013, specifically mentioning dates in Australia. Osbourne said the group is working with Rick Rubin, recording their first album in 33 years…
7. Sandberg Introduces Electra TT4 Bass Guitar
Sandberg has unveiled the latest in their Electra series of basses, the TT4. The new bass takes cues from classic designs with a pair of single coil pickups and a tobacco sunburst matte finish. Similar to the Electra VS4, the TT4 is built with a basswood body, a Canadian hard rock maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard…
8. Travis Larson Band with Jennifer Young: Axe To Grind
Some recently shared this video with me of the Travis Larson Band. I wasn’t familiar with them (hey, I don’t follow guitarists all that much). But bassist Jennifer Young really impressed me on this one. Sporting her Blue Dawn MusicMan Sterling bass, she does it all – doubling the lines, playing chords, and laying down a mean solo…
9. Player Spotlight: Matthew Kniffin
Meet Matthew Kniffin, an 18 year old bass player who already has 11 years of experience under his belt. Matthew performs as a one-man band he dubbed Soundscape and is mighty confident, in a way we have to appreciate. (It worked for a young Jaco, right?) Matthew is our player in the spotlight this week…
10. Gear Review: Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Pedal
Kevin Johnson took Tech 21’s Bas Boost Fuzz Pedal for a spin, and shares his thoughts and experience with it in our latest gear review…
