Best of 2017: Top 10 Reader Favorite Bass Columns and How To’s
We’re lucky to have some great contributors here who share their knowledge and experience each week. Our columns and how to’s always rank high in terms of readership. Here are the top 10 No Treble reader favorites for 2017.
1. Bass Players To Know: Sean Hurley
There’s a lot to be said for bass players who know how to play a song. In this “Bass Players to Know” column, Ryan checks out the work of Sean Hurley. A long time member of Vertical Horizon, Hurley has also made a mark on the L.A session scene, playing with John Mayer, Ringo Starr, Miley Cyrus, Leonard Cohen and more…
2. Stories Behind the Songs: Kenny Passarelli
Kenny Passarelli’s place in music history was cemented when he co-wrote Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way,” but that just scratches the surface of his career. He also worked with Elton John, Hall and Oates, Stephen Stills, Tommy Bolin, Dan Fogelberg, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and others…
3. Bass Players to Know: Bunny Brunel
Like any aspiring bass player, I went through a “fusion phase” (otherwise known as college). I spent countless hours infatuated with complicated harmony, the wild and masterful displays of technical ability, and the jammiest of jams. It wasn’t long before I discovered the CAB albums featuring Tony MacAlpine, Dennis Chambers, Brian Auger, and bass player Bunny Brunel…
4. The Lightbulb Moment: This Is Why I Practice
There’s an old saying that goes: if it were easy, everyone would do it. Playing music isn’t easy. Navigating the fretboard is confusing, playing with a metronome can be tedious, and there’s a never-ending list of songs to learn. In this “Lightbulb Moment” column, Ryan shares thoughts on practicing…
5. Bass Players To Know: Tommy Shannon
Tommy Shannon played with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Johnny Winter, Buddy Miles, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Debbie Davies, Buddy Guy, and more. Ryan dives into his career and shares some favorite tracks featuring Shannon…
6. Bass Players To Know: Berry Oakley
After the passing of Gregg Allman, it was only fitting to binge listen to some Allman Brothers records. Swept away by the lengthy jams, slide guitar solos, and beautifully in-sync double drummers, this band helped define Southern Rock and usher in a new era of blues. The man keeping it all together was Berry Oakley…
7. The Lightbulb Moment: Drums and Bass – Complementary Flavors
In this “Lightbulb Moment” column, Ryan talks about that special relationship between bassists and drummers, and how there are many combinations to consider…
8. Bass Players To Know: Ron Carter
While the name Ron Carter makes a frequent appearance on No Treble, I decided it was time to officially add him to the list of Bass Players To Know. Inspired by an NPR “Fresh Air” interview of Antonio Carlos Jobim, it was clear to me that Carter’s playing can be heard all across the jazz spectrum…
9. The Lightbulb Moment: Turn Signals
Ryan reflects on a current initiative by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to encourage people to use their blinkers while driving, and how this relates to music – and the importance of signaling time for bassists…
10. Moving from Upright to Electric Bass
If you are an electric bassist looking to learn upright, getting your double bass skills up to snuff can be daunting. When deciding to become a “switcher,” most of us coming from the electric bass side of things approach the new, bigger instrument with some amount of trepidation…
