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Columns: How Tos, Advice & Lessons for Bass Players

Beginning Jazz Soloing: A Melody First Approach
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Beginning Jazz Soloing: A Melody First Approach

Some methods of learning jazz improvisation start out from the beginning by asking us to memorize chords, scales, and to play patterns in every key. For those unaccustomed to improvising, or inexperienced in theory, starting out this way can be a daunting task. It can make the learning curve for improvisation seem insurmountable. Some people take naturally to it, of...

Bass Players to Know: David Hood
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players to Know: David Hood

It’s been roughly a year since we featured David Hood in the interview, I’ll Take You There, so it’s about time we highlighted him in this series. Taking an opportunity to revisit his music, I am yet again reminded of his musical sensibilities, refined approach, and an unmistakable feel. Known for his session work with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section,...

Dealing with Different Environments and Bass Tone
Ask Damian Erskine

Dealing with Different Environments and Bass Tone

Q: In 25+ years playing, one problem has plagued and perplexed me the entire time… from one band practice to the next I swear the tone of my bass changes. One day my bass tone sounds like it’s dialed in right where it needs to be the next my strings sound dull or my amp tone isn’t punching they way...

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Right Hand Endurance for Bass Players
Ask Damian Erskine

Right Hand Endurance for Bass Players

Q: I’d like to ask something about right hand endurance. I’m playing in two metal bands, so some of our songs are rather fast-paced (I play 95% of the time with a pick). When rehearsing, everything seems just okay – no problems. But when playing live, my right tends to get this irregular muscular tension, and after a short bit...

Improving Time and Rhythmic Accuracy
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Improving Time and Rhythmic Accuracy

As important as playing with good intonation is, it is even more important to play with good time and rhythmic accuracy. Most of us know that counting, subdividing and practicing with a metronome can help. However, there are things we can do beyond these initial steps. Below are a few suggestions, and a few games, for taking your rhythmic accuracy...

The Lightbulb Moment: Time For A Change (of Strings)
The Lightbulb Moment

The Lightbulb Moment: Time For A Change (of Strings)

A letter, documenting the moment when you realize that things aren’t what they used to be but that you have the power to amend the situation. This particular moment, and the frequency with which it occurs, is different for everyone. That said, this letter highlights a few subtle signs to help you determine when it’s time to make some modifications....

Exploring Vertical Harmony in Bass Playing
Ask Damian Erskine

Exploring Vertical Harmony in Bass Playing

Q: I have never studied an instrument aside from bass. In watching countless guitarists pick up my bass and rip out some cool lines (and the left hand of pianists), I’ve realized that I’ve never really found an effective way to internalize “vertical harmony”, and thus my lines lack coherence as a whole. How do you suggest I familiarize myself...

Best Strings for Two-Handed Tapping?
Ask Damian Erskine

Best Strings for Two-Handed Tapping?

Q: I’m looking for the brightest sounding flatwound strings I can find. I play a highly modded ’66 Jazz 5-string with Barto pickups and have used round wound strings consistently since 1972… yes, that long. The sizes I always use are 45 65 85 105, and 125. I want to experiment with the two-handed chordal technique used by Roscoe Beck...

The Importance of Cooling Down After Playing
The Lowdown with Dr. D

The Importance of Cooling Down After Playing

Most musicians are aware of the importance of warming up. Warming up properly helps to prevent injuries, and increases our ease of play. It can even help solidify our technique and ensure we play at our best that day. Fewer musicians, however, seem aware of the benefits of cooling down. Playing the bass for hours on end can be physically...

Bass Players to Know: Richard Bona
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players to Know: Richard Bona

While the past few Bass Players to Know columns have focused on blues, rock, and soul of the US and UK, it’s about time we discover what the rest of the world has to offer. Whenever I think about “world music,” or the sounds, styles, and instruments of different cultures, I frequently stumble upon records featuring Richard Bona. His playing...

Exploring Practice with Non-Standard Bass Tunings
Ask Damian Erskine

Exploring Practice with Non-Standard Bass Tunings

Q: I know some pros play using non-standard tuning (drop D, DADG, D standard DGCF, semitone E?A?D?G?, etc.), and I read somewhere that practice with other tunings can be good to help think in terms of the notes rather than finger patterns. What is your take? Is it a good idea to practice using non-standard tunings? A: Non-standard tunings are...

Quickly Figuring Out Available Notes For Given Chord Types
Ask Damian Erskine

Quickly Figuring Out Available Notes For Given Chord Types

Q: I’ve been trying to learn how to figure out what notes are available for any given chord type. I’ve read columns here (yours are very helpful), Googled it, bought books… I just seem to get more confused at every turn. Once I think I’ve got it, I’ve lost it. Do you have any quick and dirty tricks for remembering...