Archive for 2011 - Page 92

Q: Can you give an example of how one might get more comfortable with available chord tones? A: An exercise that I’ve been enjoying lately addresses this exact issue! I’ve previously stressed the importance of developing the ability to arpeggiate chords in every inversion while working through any tune in the Real Book. To refresh (briefly), you would practice playing...

I’ve officially spent way too much time watching videos by Guido Ponzini. As difficult as it was to pick a video to feature, this one has some nifty fretless bass work on one of Ponzini’s original compositions, “Chattin’ with Barbarella Bennett”.

Victor Wooten has released A Show of Hands 15, a re-mastered version of his groundbreaking debut solo effort. In addition to 16 original tracks, the 15th anniversary record also includes three bonus songs: two with longtime drummer JD Blair and one unedited tune entitled “Live Solo #2.” The package is available in several varieties, including signed copies and vinyl LP’s,...

MTV, TMZ and others are reporting that ex-Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead this afternoon, by police in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 44 years old. Starr, who made an appearance on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab” in 2009, was arrested last month on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. There has been no word...

Meet Kimberly Lynn, a bassist from Kingston, Washington, and our player in the spotlight for March 8, 2011. We first featured Kimberly on No Treble with her cool looper performance video. Bio: I’m an ‘Old School’ bassist from back in the day, starting playing bass in the early 70’s. After fifteen-ish years on the road playing the ‘hotel’ circuits, I...

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Weather Report, by Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter. To help celebrate, the Zawinul estate is releasing Weather Report: Live in Berlin 1975, a comprehensive box set featuring the group’s performance at 1975 Jazzstage Berlin. The CD/DVD set features Weather Report’s 1975 line-up, with Alphonso Johnson on bass, drummer Chester Thompson...

Here’s bassist Aram Bedrosian, performing his solo bass tune “A Dark Light”. For those industrious types, Aram offers notation/tabs of this and other compositions of his on his website.

Les Claypool and Primus have announced a new spring U.S. tour in support of their upcoming album, the band’s first studio release in 11 years. “The album will come out in late spring/early summer,” an update from the band explains, “so expect to hear a whole batch of new songs this tour.” The trek will focus on taking the trio...

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is auctioning a 1-hour bass lesson through the website CharityBuzz.com. The auction is set to raise money for the Music and Youth Initiative, which works toward making after-school programs to reach underserved urban youth. The classic rock low-ender, who co-wrote many of the Aerosmith’s hits including his epic bass line to “Sweet Emotion,” is also a...

Stuart Clayton has released his latest bass method book, The Bass Player’s Guide to Scales & Modes, through his Bassline Publishing company. The Bass Player’s Guide to Scales & Modes is a thorough reference manual featuring all the scales, modes and arpeggios, from construction to recommended fretboard patterns. “[This] is a book that I have written in response to teaching...

Progressive bassist Chris Buck is wrapping up a new CD with drummer Virgil Donati and guitarist Brett Garsed, tentatively scheduled for a release this spring. This video was filmed in 2009, with the band performing “3 Crows”, one of the tunes slated for the new album. Buckle up!

Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of February 27 – March 5, 2011. 1. Esperanza Spalding and Bobby McFerrin Duet at Grammys Here’s an electrifying clip of Best New Artist Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding with vocal phenom Bobby McFerrin performing at the Grammy pre-telecast ceremony, which they co-hosted. Esperanza’s playing...