Archive for May 2013 - Page 4
Starting Your Day with Open Strings: A Warmup Routine for Bassists
Many people simply pick up their instrument and start playing without any warm-up. While there is value to this approach, I generally advise a gradual warm-up for students. Although slow scales can often serve as a warmup, even a slow scale can be quite complex technically. After all, it involves tone production, shifting, light left hands, lifting and dropping fingers,...
Franck Hermanny: All Bass Cover of Greg Howe’s “Jump Start”
Bassist Franck Hermanny put together this video to demo recording multiple bass tracks on video (started out as three, then became four). For the demo, he chose to do his all-bass cover of Greg Howe’s “Jump Start” (with some drums in the mix). While it isn’t a complete song performance, what he does is quite impressive.
Bobby McFerrin Releases “Spirityouall”, Featuring Esperanza Spalding and Larry Grenadier
Master vocalist Bobby McFerrin has released Spirityouall, a thirteen track album compiled of classic spirituals as well as original compositions. Integrating many of McFerrin’s musical influences, the effort pays homage to the legacy of the singer’s father, the late baritone Robert McFerrin, Sr., who was the first African-American to sign a contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. He was also...
Deftones’ Final Album with Chi Cheng Closer To Being Released
The Deftones were nearly finished with their album Eros in 2008 when tragedy struck and a car accident left bassist Chi Cheng in a coma. After some time, the band decided to shelve the project out of respect for Cheng and recruited bassist Sergio Vega to start a new album, Diamond Eyes. Eros turned out to be Cheng’s final recording...
Weekly Top Ten: The Best in Bass for the Week of May 12
Great bass is alive and well here in No Treble land, from videos to gear new and old to great how to columns. Here are the top 10 most popular stories, features, videos and columns on No Treble for the week of May 12-18, 2013. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Fabienne Gilbert: “Come On Come Over” Bass Play-Along...
moe: Timmy Tucker, Live
Here’s a fun tune and video featuring the bass work of Rob Derhak with moe. The tune is “Timmy Tucker”, and it starts off just right. This performance took place at moe.down 11 in Mohawk, NY back in September, 2010. The tune is from the band’s 1994 album, Headseed.
Atoms For Peace Announces 2013 Tour Dates
Atoms for Peace have announced a world tour for 2013 in support of their debut album, AMOK. The group, which is comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco, will be in full force as they take the stage starting in Europe. The tour continues in the Fall...
Höfner Violin Bass History Detailed in New Book
Höfner’s iconic Violin Bass is getting a thorough examination in the new book Höfner – The Complete Violin Bass Story, written by Höfner aficionado Steve Russell and the company’s own Nick Wass. The 320-page book chronicles the bass’s history from its inception to the present using photos and information from Höfner Company Archives as well as the expertise of Gerhilde...
Andrea Lombardini: Brian Eno’s “By This River” for Solo Bass
I’m on a bit of a solo bass kick lately, in case you didn’t notice. And in a mellow mood today. This video served up the perfect combo. Andrea Lombardini took Brian Eno’s “By This River” and arranged it for solo bass, with the help of some “bottle neck” styling, thanks to a glass he said “you would use for...
Goby Labs Introduces “Thingy” Series Accessories
Accessories company Goby Labs has introduced the Thingy Series, consisting of the Goby Labs Guitar-hook Thingy and the Stand-top Thingy for iPad. The whimsically-named gadgets attach to microphone stands to provide simple, portable solutions for gigging musicians The Guitar-hook Thingy is an instrument hanger which attaches to a tripod microphone stand with a patent-pending grip that forms a closed loop...
Huw Foster: Coldplay’s “Trouble” Bass and Vocals Cover
I love Huw Foster’s approach to solo bass arrangements. Here’s another great example of his playing and musicianship on this bass-focused version of Coldplay’s “Trouble”. Huw is joined by Joe Jacquest on vocals.
Mike Mills: No R.E.M. Reunion
Fans of the defunct alternative rock band R.E.M. shouldn’t hold their breath for a reunion. Though the group decided to “call it a day as a band” on good terms, bassist Mike Mills recently told Rolling Stone that the chances of them getting back together is likely not in the cards. “We said we’re done and we’re done,” he said....