Archive for 2009 - Page 11

We’ve probably heard the word “dynamic” used to describe the work of musicians from time to time. It’s a compliment. Dynamic equals ‘interesting.’Changes in energy and intensity communicate feeling and add contrast to performance, and can add a sense of momentum and “swing.” Music without dynamics is dull; it sounds mechanical; without the injection of human energy, it might as...

After leaving the Rolling Stones, guitarist Mick Taylor briefly joined up with bassist Jack Bruce. They performed at the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1975, and here is some of the magic: Jack and Mick are joined by Carla Bley on Hammond organ and synthesizers, Ronnie Leahy on piano and synthesizer and Bruce Gary on drums.

In case you missed them, here our the most popular features from last week on No Treble. Columns and features Jon Burr posted his latest bass lesson on Melodic Line Construction. This one is on “Oppositionality” Donovan Stokes wraps up his latest Lowdown with Dr. D. series, with part 3 of 3 of Making the Switch from Electric to Upright...

Will Lee, bassist for NBC’s “Late Night With David Letterman”, has recently worked with guitarist Dean Brown and drummer Dennis Chambers on a new album titled . The album was recorded over three nights in Tokyo’s Cotton Club, with funky performances by the power trio. Lee, being known for his work with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Spyro Gyra, and...

Here’s a nice Sunday afternoon video, featuring bassist Jeff Andrews and the Mike Stern Trio in 1995. The tune is “Wing and a Prayer”.

Chuck Sher has released Foundation Exercises for Bass, a new method book for beginner bassists looking to learn how to create bass parts through the intermediate level. The 87-page book offers a well thought-out, foundational approach, helping conceptualize many overlooked aspects of playing, such as time and feel. Foundation Exercises for Bass covers: The basic scales and chords used in...

King Crimson’s Lizard is turning 40. In celebration, the band is releasing a new and expanded reissue of the 1970 album on January 12, 2010 (preorder). Steven Wilson remastered the CD in 5.1 Surround Sound from the original studio masters and the mix and release is approved by guitarist Robert Fripp. Three extra tracks are included, plus a DVD-A featuring...

Today’s video features bassist Chris Minh Doky performing “September”, from his album The Nomad Diaries. Chris is performing on his Yamaha Silent bass. Enjoy!

The ever-funky Freekbass has formed a new project with DJ Logic and keyboardist Steve Molitz after the trio had a jam session over the summer in PA’s Church of Universal Love and Music. The group has yet to give themselves a name, and is asking fans to tweet their ideas for band names at DJ Logic’s or Freekbass’s Twitter pages....

Les Claypool has new concert dates for the U.S. in February, 2010: 2/12: Aspen, CO, at Belly Up Tavern 2/13: Boulder, CO, at Fox Theatre 2/14: Denver, CO, at Ogden Theatre 2/16: Tucson, AZ, at Rialto Theatre 2/17: Flagstaff, AZ, at Orpheum Theater 2/19: Montbleu Theatre, at Lake Tahoe, CA 2/20: Eugene, OR, at McDonald Theatre Advanced tickets are available....

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea (Michael Balzary) recently spoke with CNN about The Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a school he developed in 2001 with his childhood friend, Tree (Keith Barry). The non-profit school, located at Sunset Junction in Los Angeles, offers after-school lessons and focuses on the fundamentals of playing an instrument, rather than focusing on being a rock...

While hunting down the next great bass video, I stumbled upon this three year old video featuring a cardboard bass, aka the “Bogdon Box Bass”. The bass is marketed as “a reduction of technology and the simplification of needs.” And yes, there’s a company who makes them. You can order a fully-assembled one or a do-it-yourself kit at Bogdon Music.