Columns: How Tos, Advice & Lessons for Bass Players
Columns - Page 92
A review Donovan Stokes’s “Gadaha”
Many things come to mind with the upright bass. I guarantee that Donovan Stokes will prove to you that this instrument is more than what you think it is. Gadaha is an acoustic solo bass album – and it’s awesome. That’s right young travelers, there is an acoustic no-overdub upright bass album that that will drop your jaw both for...
Rewind: the most popular features, lessons and videos of the week
In case you missed them, here are the most popular features from last week. Lessons Jon Burr: Melodic Construction: Extensions on Dominant Chords, Part 1 Evan Kepner: The Zen of Ear Training – Part 2 Columns and Features Phil Wain reviews Wayne Krantz – Krantz Carlock Lefebvre Damian Erskine covers Shortcuts in his latest Ask Damian column. Ray Riendeau is...
Ray’s raving about… Evan Marien’s “Between Worlds”
One of my current favorite bass players to hit the scene is Evan Marien. Voted one of 2009’s “Most Exciting Players” in July issue of Bass Player magazine, Evan has already accomplished a lot at age 23. A recent graduate of the Berklee College Of Music, Evan has already worked with some amazing musicians such as David Fiuczynski (he is...
Ask Damian Erskine: Shortcuts
Q: Are there any real shortcuts to learning how to play? A: NO!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I’ll go on… I have been frustrated by many a student who is disappointed when, at the end of a lesson, their not magically better but, rather, have a years worth of studying and homework to tackle. Not just kids, but adults, too. People seem to...
A review of Wayne Krantz – Krantz Carlock Lefebvre 2009
Krantz Carlock Lefebvre is the first studio document of a trio that has been performing together since 1997, although Wayne Krantz regularly releases live recordings from his website. It’s also Krantz’s first studio album under his own name for fifteen years. Krantz is a phenomenal guitarist, and this is a record that guitarists will reference for years to come. Krantz...
Ray’s raving about… Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
Secret Society is an all-star 18-piece big band led by composer Darcy James Argue. This is not the usual music you think of when you hear the words “big band”. Darcy mixes minimalism, contemporary classical, indie rock and jazz styles. The music has great complexity and beauty and I really enjoy all the musical styles and how Darcy blends them...
Ask Damian Erskine: Odd Time Signatures
Q: How can I work on getting more comfortable playing in odd time signatures? A: Great question! The first thing I’d say is, there really are NO odd time signatures. Who made 4/4 the king of all time signatures? A time signature is only “odd” because you aren’t used to hearing it. More accurately, you aren’t used to FEELING it....
A Review of the Linda Oh Trio’s “Entry”
Wow! This CD certainly defied my expectations. A young musician not long out of music college releases a debut record and you might expect something designed to impress with a few standards, a touch of flash, derivative playing, maybe a guest star appearance and a disparate set of styles and moods. This record is nothing like that at all! Linda...
Ray’s Raving About… Kenny Werner’s “Effortless Mastery”
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner is a book I never keep far from my reach and I recommend to EVERYONE. The subtitle to this book is “Liberating The Master Musician Within”. Although the applications of this book could benefit to any profession it is so refreshing to have something like this written by a musicians perspective. Kenny Werner is a...
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...
A Review of Rudder’s “Matorning”
Matorning should carry a warning sticker, something like “Listening to this record while in public may make you look like a complete lunatic”. The grooves are that infectious. This is a jazz record in the widest and best sense, and it features an improvisational groove music that swings like crazy. But it features few solos in the traditional sense and...
Ray’s raving about… Konnakol
Konnakol is the comprehensive language of rhythm which allows the composition, performance or communication of rhythms in any style. Konnakol uses syllables that are aimed at optimizing vocal performance and allow you to create seemingly endless amounts rhythms. Konnakol is something I’ve studied for many years now. Whereas Western music puts more emphasis on harmony, Eastern musicians start with rhythm...