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Archive for July 2011 - Page 4

Practical Theory: Practice Tips for Scales (Part 2)
Bass Lessons

Practical Theory: Practice Tips for Scales (Part 2)

This week, we’re continuing where we left off with Part 1 of this series, covering the Major tetrachord formula to practice scales. This week, we expand on the basics by covering various finger patterns and covering the entire neck. As part of this exercise, we’ll also skip notes in the scale, playing in thirds, fourths, fifths, and so on, to...

Hadrien Feraud: “Marching Powder” Live Bass Solo
Bass Videos

Hadrien Feraud: “Marching Powder” Live Bass Solo

I’m not sure I’ve seen a performance by Hadrien Feraud that didn’t blow me away. But this one is perhaps one of the best of them all. Recorded at The Baked Potato in March, 2011, Feraud takes a solo during the tune “Marching Powder” with “Bubba Lugatz” – in 15/8. The band includes Chris Coleman on drums, Arlan Schierbaum on...

Peter Erskine New Trio Releases “Joy Luck”, with Damian Erskine
New Albums

Peter Erskine New Trio Releases “Joy Luck”, with Damian Erskine

Peter Erskine’s latest album, Joy Luck, showcases the drummer’s new trio, and a family connection. Peter’s nephew [and No Treble columnist] Damian Erskine joins his uncle for the first time on an album. Dubbed the Peter Erskine New Trio, the group also includes pianist Vardan Ovsepian. “I’ve waited for the right time to form a group with my talented nephew,...

Source Audio Introduces the Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter
Bass Gear

Source Audio Introduces the Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter

Source Audio has expanded upon their Soundblox Bass Envelope Filter with a new Pro version of the pedal. Similar to its sibling, the Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter has 22 envelope filter effects ranging from 2 Pole and 4 pole Low Pass variations, Single Peak, Triple Peak, Peak/Notch variations and Phaser settings. Options go even further as you can tweak...

Custom Shop: Darkglass Electronics
Custom Shop

Custom Shop: Darkglass Electronics

We first heard about Darkglass Electronics by way of the company’s flagship distortion pedal, the Microtubes B3K [check out our review here], and soon met proprietor Douglas Castro. Castro, who hails from Chile but is now based out of Finland, builds all of the pedals by hand. A bass player himself, Castro couldn’t get the sound he wanted from all...

Rebecca Johnson Band: Live Bass Solo
Bass Videos

Rebecca Johnson Band: Live Bass Solo

Here’s a new reader-submitted video, from bassist Rebecca Johnson. Rebecca is an Australian bass player and singer with her own band, a 3-piece funk/R&B band she says has “real musicians (no machines).” In this video, Rebecca lays down a nice, groovy bass solo. Gotta love the interplay between the bass and drums! Have a video to share? Send it to...

311 Releases “Universal Pulse”
New Albums

311 Releases “Universal Pulse”

311, anchored by bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Willis, has released Universal Pulse, the group’s tenth album. Produced by Bob Rock, the album brings the band back to a more live and energetic sound. At eight songs, the CD is also their shortest to date. P-Nut says quality is better than quantity. “Universal Pulse is a continuation of this musical experiment called...

Pigtronix Releases Class A Boost Pedal
Bass Gear

Pigtronix Releases Class A Boost Pedal

Pigtronix has released the Class A Boost, designed to fatten any signal, from instruments to line level devices. The pedal includes discreet transistor topology to boost signals up to 20db without clipping. A flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz ensures your bass’s sound is preserved. The company explains that the pedal’s design allows for noise free performance, and has...

The Reading Hurdle and How to Jump It
Ask Damian Erskine

The Reading Hurdle and How to Jump It

Q: I’m working on being a more fluent sight-reader. I can read notes and their values but it takes me a while to transfer that to the instrument. Any advice on how to most effectively improve? A: Good for you for devoting time to this worthwhile endeavor! Learning to read music is much like learning to read a spoken language....

Scott Varney: Groove of a Child
Bass Videos

Scott Varney: Groove of a Child

A few days ago, we asked readers to submit videos of themselves playing bass. Our email box exploded with some really great videos. Today, we kick off featuring those videos with a solo bass performance by bassist, singer, songwriter Scott Varney. Scott is performing his original tune, “Groove of a Child”. This tune is from his debut CD, The Child’s...

Abstract Logix Releases “The New Universe Music Festival 2010” Live CD Set
New Albums

Abstract Logix Releases “The New Universe Music Festival 2010” Live CD Set

Record label Abstract Logix held a music festival last November, featuring a wide array of musical acts over a two-day event. That concert is now available on a 2-CD release, entitled Abstract Logix Live! The New Universe Music Festival 2010. John McLaughlin and his 4th Dimension band, headlined the event, featuring bassist Etienne Mbappe. Other bassists on the release include...

Reader Spotlight: Lonnie Trevino Jr.
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Lonnie Trevino Jr.

Meet Lonnie Trevino Jr, a bassist from Austin, Texas who works as a full-time bassist. Lonnie is the No Treble player in the spotlight for July 19, 2011. Bio: I am a working bassist of 28 years from Austin Texas. I’ve Toured world wide with the likes of Monte Montgomery, Mike Zito, Tommy Shane Steiner, Papa Mali, Deadman among others....