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Archive for May 2016 - Page 10

Reader Spotlight: Felipe Gomez
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Felipe Gomez

Meet Felipe Gomez – aka Felipe the Bass Invader – who easily has one of the most interesting stories we’ve shared here in Reader Spotlight. Felipe is a solo artist who travels by bicycle. And we’re not talking about riding a bike to a local gig either. Felipe, his bike and gear have traveled across Asia, North America and South...

Talking Style: Prince’s “Uptown”
Talking Style

Talking Style: Prince’s “Uptown”

It has now been one week since my hero passed away. Like everyone else on the planet I am still in great shock and disbelief. Even though I had another episode “in the can” and ready to go I thought that it would be most fitting to share with you the first bass line that I ever learned, “Uptown” by...

Bass Battle and Absurdcus: k?an
Bass Videos

Bass Battle and Absurdcus: k?an

Bassists Absurdcus and Bass Battle, aka Laszlo Demeter and Bogdan Diaconeasa, regularly put out fantastic bass videos, and now they’ve teamed up for the sublime “k?an”. The ambient tune gives a floating feeling as they utilize bass chords and the higher register to tug at your heartstrings.

Snarky Puppy Changes It Up On Latest Album
New Albums

Snarky Puppy Changes It Up On Latest Album

Fusion band Snarky Puppy has returned to its fully instrumental roots with its 11th album, Culcha Vulcha. However, the band, led by bassist Michael League, departed from its live-from-the-studio film and audio style for the record, preferring to record at a Texas studio situated in the middle of a pecan ranch, and taking opportunities to overdub. And League liked the...

Bass of the Week: ESP E-II Stream SL-5
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: ESP E-II Stream SL-5

This week we’re taking a look at the ESP E-II Stream SL-5, a bigger variation on the bass model they debuted in 2014. The SL-5 is a five-string version with a 35-inch scale and larger body than its predecessors. As part of the E-II series, the Stream SL-5 is built in ESP’s Japanese factory. Available in Deep Red Metallic Satin...

When You Can’t Get To It All In Practice Sessions
The Lowdown with Dr. D

When You Can’t Get To It All In Practice Sessions

One of our No Treble readers has this to say: I understand how to structure my practice, but I’m still having trouble figuring out how to set up practice sessions because I have so much stuff to work on. I’m a bit frustrated. Do you have any suggestions? The first thing I’d suggest is to check out this column on...

Songhoy Blues: Sekou Oumarou
Bass Videos

Songhoy Blues: Sekou Oumarou

Until today, I had never heard the band Songhoy Blues. So I looked them up. According to Wikipedia, the band is a “desert punk / blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali.” I have no idea what that means, exactly, but I dig whatever you want to call this fine music. Here’s the band performing “Sekou Oumarou” live at Jazz Club...

Happy Seventh Birthday, No Treble!
News

Happy Seventh Birthday, No Treble!

It’s a tradition around here – celebrating No Treble’s birthday with a post. Seven years ago today, we pushed the button and made this site live. Many of you have connected with us on Facebook, and we just hit 200,000 bass playing friends there last week. Some of our big additions since our last birthday include the launch of some...

Blue Öyster Cult Founder Releases New Music
New Albums

Blue Öyster Cult Founder Releases New Music

Blue Öyster Cult founding bassist Joe Bouchard has released his fourth solo album, The Power of Music. Bouchard, who plays with The X Brothers and Blue Coupe — the latter with former Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway — produced and appears to have played all the instruments on his record, which features a cover of his former band’s song, “Career...

Nordstrand Pickups Introduces Big Blades Soapbar Bass Pickups
Pickups

Nordstrand Pickups Introduces Big Blades Soapbar Bass Pickups

Nordstrand Pickups has once again expanded their signature pickup offerings with the new Big Blade soapbar. The pickup, which is available in standard soapbar shapes and sizes, was built for a “striking and aggressive sound.” “The Big Blade is a result of the pursuit of a continuous sensing blade style pickup whose tone brings with it the huge, rich, and...

Weekly Top 10: New Bass Transcription, Talking Technique, Advanced Bass Lesson, New Gear, Top Bass Videos and More
Weekly Top 10

Weekly Top 10: New Bass Transcription, Talking Technique, Advanced Bass Lesson, New Gear, Top Bass Videos and More

Time to celebrate the best of the best from the world of bass – aka the weekly No Treble reader’s top 10. Here are the most read stories, columns and lessons, and the most watched videos of the week. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Tal Wilkenfeld: Under the Sun Back in March, Tal Wilkenfeld visited Paste Studios...

Bill Withers: Kissing My Love
Bass Videos

Bill Withers: Kissing My Love

In 1972, Bill Withers made an appearance on the Germany TV show, “Beat-Club”. Backed by his band – which included Melvin Dunlap – they laid down one sweet groove on “Kissing My Love”.