bass lessons Articles
Using Triadic Harmony in Solos
The foundation for harmonic structure is the triad. They are the basic chords of Western harmony, and using them in a solo provides a sense of structure and strongly outlines the underlying chords. Do not be fooled into thinking this is some boring drill where you arpeggiate the triads from chords in a lead sheet [...]
Chuck Sher: Foundation Exercises for Bass
Chuck Sher has released Foundation Exercises for Bass, a new method book for beginner bassists looking to learn how to create bass parts through the intermediate level.
The 87-page book offers a well thought-out, foundational approach, helping conceptualize many overlooked aspects of playing, such as time and feel.
Foundation Exercises for Bass covers:
The basic scales and chords [...]
Why Overtones Matter
It is critical to understand the natural resonances of the bass to get the strongest tone and make a plan for fingering strategies in each key. A working knowledge of natural harmonics and sympathetic resonances will allow you to make more sophisticated choices in your playing approach and ultimately improve your sound (and give you [...]
Rewind: our top features of the week
In case you missed them, here are the top headlines from No Treble, for the week of October 12th.
Lessons
Jon Burr’s Pivots in Chord Inversions
Evan Kepner’s Fingering Strategies for the Upright Bass
Columns & Features
Ask Damian Erskine: Reading Scenarios
Ray’s Raving About… Kenny Werner’s “Effortless Mastery”
Our Player Spotlight is on Mantis Evar
We’re thrilled to welcome Phil Wain, and [...]
Lesson: Melodic 2-5-1 Mutation
In one of my earlier lessons I talked about using melodic minor scales to create different degrees of altered tension over functional dominant seventh chords. I got a request from a No Treble fan named Mark, asking for ii-V-I applications. Mark, this lesson is for you! We’re going to focus on different ways to reharmonize [...]
Bass 101: Pieces and Parts
Ever wonder what makes up a bass? The Examiner has posted an introductory article on the essential components to a bass guitar and upright bass.
From the article’s introduction:
The bass guitar is one of the most underrated positions in a band. Famous musicians and local heroes both agree that bass is the “glue that holds [...]
David Ellefson Rock Shop: The Discipline of Practice
David Ellefson, bassist for F5, continues with his Rock Shop series on YouTube with “The Discipline of Practice”.
Ellefson explains the many benefits to disciplined practice and ways to make the process enjoyable as well as productive.
Untold Secret to Melodic Bass lesson: Pivots
This lesson is derived from Jon Burr’s The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass. Be sure to check out the complete method book in downloadable PDF, Kindle Book and the all-new paperback formats.
Last week we talked about “Anchors”.
We introduced the idea of “Pivots” as “the primary oppositional tone to the root (or anchor). Here is some [...]
David Ellefson Rock Shop: Making a Recording (Part 6)
Bassist David Ellefson continues his Rock Shop Webisodes with Part 6 of “Making a Recording,” a video continuing in his recording focus.
His comment on the webisode project: “I’m always asked questions from fans and other musicians about playing the bass, the business side of our industry, and music in general. So, I decided to [...]
Untold Secret to Melodic Bass lesson: Anchors, Pivots and Lead-Ins
This is the first chapter of “The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass.” Be sure to check out Jon’s previous lesson, Melodic Bass Lines, as well as the complete The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass in downloadable PDF or Kindle Book formats.
I hope you, the bassist-reader, find the material useful; it’s an approach to [...]
