Skip to main content

Columns - Page 8

Columns: How Tos, Advice & Lessons for Bass Players

Bass Players To Know: Bryan Beller
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players To Know: Bryan Beller

We’ve all heard that James Brown was the hardest working man in show business, but in the world of bass players, there’s no doubt in my mind that this title would go to Bryan Beller. He’s the focus of Ryan’s new “Bass Players to Know” column.

Moving Between Triplets and 16ths
Ask Damian Erskine

Moving Between Triplets and 16ths

This week, Damian got a question about moving between triplets and 16th notes within a single line. He decided to reply with a video on how he feels and practices the divisions.

Custom Shop: Swope Guitars
Custom Shop

Custom Shop: Swope Guitars

In this month’s “Custom Shop” column, Jake Serek goes behind the scenes on Chris Swope’s life and work. Chris started out as an apprentice at Mass Street Music before working with Roger Sadowsky, then on to his own shop, Swope Guitars.

Playing Bass with a Drumming Background
Ask Damian Erskine

Playing Bass with a Drumming Background

This week’s “Ask” column focuses on an interesting question for Damian, and his focus on drums early on before switching to bass. The question included other bits, including thinking rhythmically, harmonically, melodically, and more.

On the Road (Again) with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 4
On the Road with Peat Rains

On the Road (Again) with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 4

Peat Rains returns with the fourth installment of his tour diary with You Bred Raptors? In this column, he covers their stops in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

What I’m Worth vs. What I Can Get
Ask Damian Erskine

What I’m Worth vs. What I Can Get

The topic of this week’s “Ask Damian” column focuses on the topic of money. This is a frequent discussion on social media and elsewhere, and Damian dives in on the subject of “What I’m Worth vs. What I Can Get.”

How to Stay Healthy When Touring
Ask Damian Erskine

How to Stay Healthy When Touring

Damian Erskine lost 72 pounds since the beginning of the year, and he did it over a time of lots of touring. A reader noticed and asked Damian to cover “How to Stay Healthy When Touring” in this new “Ask” column.

Triad Pairs On Bass?
Ask Damian Erskine

Triad Pairs On Bass?

A reader asked Damian to share insights on triad pairs in bass lines, solos, and how to use them. While Damian isn’t a fan of triad pairs for bass, he does offer some background on them - and some other ways of thinking in this new “Ask” column.

The Lightbulb Moment: Arrangements For Bass
The Lightbulb Moment

The Lightbulb Moment: Arrangements For Bass

Creating your own arrangement of an existing song is a great way to explore your bass, challenge yourself musically, and establish your personal voice. That’s the topic of Ryan Madora’s new “Lightbulb Moment” column.

The Path To Jaco
Columns

The Path To Jaco

Mike Frost had a life-changing lesson with Jaco Pastorius in the ‘80s. In addition to recording it - which he offers here - he recounted the entire lesson (and its impact) in this guest column.

What’s the Trick to Slap Bass?
Ask Damian Erskine

What’s the Trick to Slap Bass?

This week’s “Ask Damian” column focuses on the subject of slap bass - in two parts. First, the basics, and second, the rhythm patterns. Damian expands on this to explore learning all styles in this new column.

Ending A Song: Knowing What To Play
Ask Damian Erskine

Ending A Song: Knowing What To Play

This week a reader sent Damian this question: “I’ve noticed that are a lot of stock endings for songs... How do you know which one to play?” Damian responded with a column that focuses on musical vocabulary – and fluency with the language of music.