Archive for 2011 - Page 12

Hal Leonard has brought their digital sheet music store to the iPad. Sheet Music Direct for iPad is a three-in-one app, allowing access to the publisher’s more than 100,000 songs available for purchase, as well as a sheet music viewer and score library. Past Sheet Music Direct customers can access all their previous purchases through the app, and new customers...

The latest bass gear coverage, all in one spot. 1. Roland Introduces R-26 Field Recorder Roland has released the R-26 Portable Field Recorder featuring dual built-in stereo microphones, two XLR/TRS inputs, and an input for a stereo plug-in powered mic. The device allows for up to six channels of simultaneous recording and has Roland’s patented IARC circuitry on the inputs...

Slayer is once again working on a new album, to be the follow-up to 2009’s World Painted Blood. The news was broken by drummer Dave Lombardo via Twitter. Fronted by bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, the metal giants had begun preliminary work on a new record earlier this year when guitarist Jeff Hanneman suffered from a flesh-eating virus in his arm, reportedly...

While this bass may conjure images of ZZ Top, the idea for the Bas-Extravaganza Fluffy actually came to proprietor Bas Wittenberg on a trip through IKEA. The luthier saw a rug and immediately decided to put it to use as a “finish.” “This is a real party bass,” he writes. “Women love it, and men want to shave.” Measuring at...

The Blues Scale. Why do so many players talk about this as the quintessential soloing tool? Have you ever wondered why the blues scale doesn’t always sound good while being played over a blues progression? Aren’t you looking for something more “realistic” in terms of an approach for soloing? Although this column is starting to sound like an infomercial proposing...

When we saw the title of this video (“The Best Bass Guitarist in NYC”), we of course had to check it out. And Li’nard blew us away. The video description went on to say, “Li’nard is a New York City legend. He is recognized as a genius in the art of dynamic, live performance and as a versatile bass guitarist,...

Rush is having one busy November. Following the release of Time Machine 2011 – Live in Cleveland, the trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart are reissuing their first fifteen albums from their 14-year run with Mercury Records. Sectors is broken down into three separate six-disc box sets, each including five CDs in release order, with a bonus...

Dutch instrument maker Aristides has released their newest bass, the 050. The 050 is a 5-string bass with a unique design which sets it apart from most: it is made of Arium, a synthetic tone material created for maximum sustain and resonance. The body and neck are all one piece molded from the material. The 34″ scale instrument features a...

Q: I recently bought a looper after reading some of your columns. It’s for practicing, not for performing, but I’m stumped as to what I should actually do with it. Any thoughts on good (or bad) ways to use a looper for practicing? A: Good for you! Looping pedals are a wonderful tools for practice (or performance)! I’ll share some...

With the help of an ebow and a looper, Italian bassist Viz Maurogiovanni creates a beautiful solo bass rendition of Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane,” Op. 50, proving that great music transcends time.

Writer, critic and musician George Case has penned an incredibly detailed book on one of the biggest rock groups of all time: Led Zeppelin. Case, who previously wrote an unauthorized biography of the band’s guitarist, Jimmy Page, turns his sites to the band, on a mission to uncover many of the mysteries and insiders look at the iconic band of...

Meet Glenn “SmittyG” Smith, a bassist from Texarkana who can play the spectrum of music from country to punk to jazz and everything in between. The reader spotlight is one of our favorite features on No Treble, and it is people like Glenn who really make it extra special. I’m sure you’ll enjoy his sense of humor as much as...