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Damian Erskine Archives - Page 8

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Reading Scenarios

Q: Quick followup question to a recent No Treble column… In your article you mention reading as being a big part of being a professional musician. What types of reading scenarios are put in-front of you as a bassist? A: It really depends on the styles of music you might try and play (especially with regard to trying to be...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Playing with and around the beat

Q: What is and how do you play behind or ahead of the beat? Is it just rushing or dragging? A: Good time is an obvious starting point. A great bass player is in control of their internal clock. You should be adept at playing dead ON the beat, pulling behind, pushing ahead and everywhere in between. Playing behind the...

Weekly Top 10

Rewind: Lots of lessons, Lowdown with Dr. D., Ask Damian Erskine, videos, gear and more

In case you missed it, here are the No Treble highlights from the week of September 27th, 2009. We added a new Lessons section! Jon Burr‘s latest lesson focuses on the Stance on the Upright Bass. Donovan Stokes latest Lowdown with Dr. D. column, Making the Switch from Electric to Upright, Part 2, focuses on the right hand. Damian Erskine...

Player News

Damian Erskine offering private video lessons

Bassist Damian Erskine (a No Treble contributor and Learn the Low End professor) is now offering private and personalized video lessons. Damian is using this as an opportunity to both help players and create an addendum to his instructional book, as well as connecting with bassists around the world (hey, we especially love that last part!) Details: Send Damian an...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Getting Jazz

Q: What is the best way to “get” jazz. in school, we had a ton of theory shoved at us but it really seemed disconnected. Solos still get me to this day because while theoretically sound, they sound manufactured. A: There are certain styles that one must “marry” in order to play with any authority. Maybe not for a lifetime,...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Learning new styles

Q: How did you go about learning the different styles that you get called to play? (salsa, etc.) This fits in to the whole notion of “diversification” you were discussing. A: The short answer is by accepting every gig I could, getting the book (charts) and/or CD and shedding like mad so as not to embarrass myself! I also realized...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Target Notes

Q: Can you suggest any exercises to help me to internalize the notion of targets when playing over chord changes and work them into my playing ? A: Definitely. Although I’ve never tried to develop an exercise to practice this concept, It’s something I’ve just always done when trying to solo… especially when I feel like I’m floundering a little...

Weekly Top 10

Rewind: Practicing Chord Changes, Ask Damian, A Beginner’s Guide to Radio Airplay, Ray’s Raves, and a review of John Patitucci’s latest

In case you missed it, here are some of the most popular features from last week (September 6th through 12th). Jon Burr latest lesson covers the all important task of practicing chord changes. Damian Erskine answers a reader on the topic of a light vs. a hard touch. Evan Kepner provides a beginner’s guide to getting radio airplay. Bassist Darren...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Light vs. a hard touch

Q: I like your style because from my point of view it seems that you’re very comfortable playing the bass (seems light touch in both hands) but the sound you get is very punchy which I associate with playing hard. So here comes the question: Do you play mostly hard or light with your right hand? And with the left...

Weekly Top 10

No Treble Rewind: New lesson series, spotlight on Adam Tanner, new releases, videos & gear

In case you missed it, here are some of the most popular features from last week (August 23rd through 28th). Features & Columns Lesson: Melodic Construction Jon Burr introduced a new lesson series, on melodic construction in improvisation. Player Spotlight: Adam Tanner Our player spotlight showcased the work of Adam Tanner (aka ZenBeer), a solo bassist from Ottawa, Ontario. Ask...

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Melodic approach to soloing

Q: How do you approach the line between creating an interesting melody while soloing as opposed to playing chord tones and notes that harmonize better. I suppose the two blur into one really but is there a point where you worry less about the changes and more about finding an interesting melody to fit over the top and vice versa....

Ask Damian Erskine, Columns

Ask Damian Erskine: Theory and right hand technique

Q: Just wanted to ask you how can I get used to using the harmonized major and minor scales when soloing or using them when I’m playing a fill. I use the relative major or minor of the key I’m playing in regularly but I cant seem to get the other scale degree’s to work. My second question is how...