Archive for July 2012 - Page 5

We’re big fans of Frank Zappa here at No Treble HQ. So when Craig Butterfield sent in his all bass version of “Peaches En Regalia,” we were stoked. As is par for his videos, Butterfield nails all the parts with unbelievable accuracy. All of the percussion, bass lines, melodies and solos are perfectly in place, and in a fashion that...

Earlier this year, Jack Bruce took his Big Blues Band on the road in the UK to tear through new arrangements of classic Cream tunes as well as his solo work. Luckily for us, the March 19th performance at The Stables in Milton Keynes was recorded. The resulting Jack Bruce & His Big Blues Band: Live 2012 album is now...

Hartke is releasing their newest combo amp, the David Ellefson Signature Combo A70 bass amp. The limited edition combo features Ellefson’s signature badge and a custom chrome grill in addition to all the features of the pre-existing A70. Built with a 12-inch aluminum bass driver, the combo is rated at 70 watts and is designed for small venues or home...

Q: I can’t get the same swing feel on electric as upright. Any advice? A: While I don’t play upright, this does present an opportunity to share a broader concept that may help you. Patience, padawan… patience (and focused practice). I’ve found with a vast majority of my students that whenever something is not “clicking”, you can break down the...

We first featured bassist Samuel Haynes back in January, thanks to our Facebook friend Charles Hoernemann. Here’s Samuel once again with an impressive solo bass performance of a tune he wrote named “Lucid”. For the tune, Samuel tuned his bass BEAD and uses a capo.

Luminlay has introduced the Vintage Series of their luminescent position markers. Designed for on top of the fingerboard, the new inlays have a subtler color tone similar to maple and blend in better with vintage-style fingerboards, rather than most fluorescent materials that have a greenish tint. The inlays take place of your existing markers, and when activated, the dots shine...

Meet bassist Rodrigo de Haro who makes his living playing the bass and teaching bass. Sounds like the perfect life to us. Rodrigo is our bass player in the spotlight for the week of July 17, 2012. (You could be next!) Bio: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I began studing bass at the age of 14. After...

Geezer Butler has signed with Hartke, according to a press release from the bass amplifier company. The Black Sabbath bassist will be utilizing the brand’s new Kilo amps, with which he played through for Metal Masters 3 and the 2012 Download Festival on June 10th. “It’s a true honor to welcome Geezer to the Hartke family,” states Director of Marketing...

I love these inside looks at a veteran group preparing for a show. Here’s a new one from Marcus Miller and his band, rehearsing for a show in Istanbul with percussionist Okay Temiz a couple of weeks ago. These guys are such monsters! Anyone else think they’re channeling Weather Report here?

Hot on the heels of his new album Compared to That, bassist Brian Bromberg is paying homage to two of his musical heroes with Bromberg Plays Hendrix and In the Spirit of Jobim. The albums were originally recorded for Japan’s King Records, but are now available in the U.S. via Artistry Music. “Even though people know me as a jazz...

After you feel comfortable with the single string exercises from last time you may want to challenge yourself a bit more with the two string exercises below. Two String Left Hand Dexterity Drill Notes: These exercises can be done pizzicato or arco. If done pizzicato, I suggest beginning each pattern using the second finger of your right hand, followed by...

Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. He was 74. Along with fellow low-ender James Jamerson, Babbitt was the foundation for the Motown Sound and played on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits. His undeniable...