Columns Page 4
Gigging? Make a Reserve Tune List
It’s 11:58, and you just finished a killer set. So much so that the crowd is clapping, fist pumping, raising their drinks in the air and collectively begging for one more song. The band members look around at one another and think, “yeah, this is awesome! But what are we gonna do???” You played through... »
DI, Mic or Both? Perspectives from Bassists and Engineers
Q: Could you do an article or a poll about whether to mic your bass amp during live gigs or to use a direct line into the mixer? I’ve heard opinions on both sides. A: I definitely have my own thoughts and opinions based on my experiences, and I’ve also asked some engineers this question... »
Harmonics: A Starter Guide for Bassists
Whatever the genre, we bassists seem to love harmonics. From Jaco to Dittersdorf, bass music is full of them. When we are introduced to playing harmonics however, the prospect can be a bit tricky. At first, we may be unsure where the harmonics are on the string, or what note will sound when we attempt... »
Setting Yourself Up For Success In The Practice Shed (Part 1)
If you are really serious about improving your bass playing, at some point you are going to realize that you need to have a solid practice plan in place. Merely working on a random variety of exercises or picking up your bass arbitrarily between performances will not put you on the fast track to solid... »
Butter Strings: A Guide to Finding the Best Bass Strings for You
Q: What’s the best way to smoothen up my playing? I notice that a lot of bass players play like the strings are made of wool. I play a basic 4-string Cort G-series model, but I always get the feeling the strings are way to hard/high to play smoothly, or when I lower them, they... »
Flu Season Fumbles and Avoiding Lost Gigs
As we get over the start of a new year and the holidays seem like a distant memory, we enter a new season with the worst surprise of them all… the flu. With the weather, the “warriors” who insist on coming into the office, travel, and the nights off to hang out with friends at... »
Basses and Skill: Stick to One or Diversify?
Q: Is there any benefit in mastering two (or more) types of basses? I have a 5-string fretted that is my primary instrument, and that’s the one I take out of the “shed.” After finding a great deal on a fretless 4-string at a pawnshop, my thought was this bass would be perfect for playing... »
Left Hand Flexibility for Bassists
When playing the bass, flexibility is far more important than strength. In fact, if body mechanics and gravity are used intelligently it takes surprisingly little strength to play our instrument. Flexibility, however, is paramount to many of the things we must do well. In the left hand (or fingering hand for the lefties!) it is... »
On Performing: Somebody, Somewhere, Is Going To Notice
Just when you think no one is watching… someone comes along and compliments you on your technique. Technique? Really? Of all things… This past weekend, I played a rock ’n roll gig at a smoke-filled, small-town bar with Coors and Miller lights ablaze. A few older gentlemen approached me during a break and asked: “what... »
Versatility: A Guide for Bassists
Q: Like a lot of the guys out there on the scene, you make a living playing a wide variety of styles. I have a hard enough time trying to play well in any one style of music. How do you get so comfortable in so many different kinds of musical settings? A: I think... »
The Bass Solo: A Guide to Soloing More Freely 
Fabienne Gilbert: Come On Come Over 
Capturing Your Ideas: Transform Your Musical Inspiration into Reality 
Andrea Lombardini: By This River 
Bass of the Week: KR Guitars Ursa 
Tom Pesch and his Ric: Rush Play-Along 
James Brown: Brother Rapp (1971) 
Funk Bros: Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart 
Eric Avery Quits Nine Inch Nails 
Funk and R&B Bass - At a Glance 
Franck Hermanny: Jump Start 
