Weekly Top 10: On Soloing, Playing Fast, Talking Style, New Bass Gear, Top Videos, Remembering Rob Wasserman and More

This was a week for how-to’s. Three of the reader favorite top 10 were just that: Damian’s “Soloing When The Band Drops Out”, Blyss’ “Talking Style: Rhumba Blues” and Dr. D’s “Some Thoughts on Playing at Fast Tempi” all making the list.

No Treble readers also enjoyed some great videos and new bass gear too.

Unfortunately, this week also included news of another legend’s passing – the great Rob Wasserman.

Here are the top 10 stories, columns and videos for the week of June 25 – July 1, 2016.

Thanks for being here.

Olivier Babaz: Paranoid Android for Bass and Kalimba

1. Olivier Babaz: Paranoid Android for Bass and Kalimba

Olivier Babaz has done it again. The bass and kalimba king has transformed another rock gem onto the two instruments simultaneously. This time Babaz tackles Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android”, trading the song’s focus between each instrument while nimbly navigating them with his right hand…

Soloing When The Band Drops Out

2. Soloing When The Band Drops Out

Why do all the other musicians drop out during the bass solo? It is a serious pet peeve for many. This week, a reader asked Damian for advice on how to approach these truly solo moments. Check out what Damian has to say…

Ernie Ball Introduces Overdrive and Ambient Delay Expression Effects Pedals

3. Ernie Ball Introduces Overdrive and Ambient Delay Expression Effects Pedals

Ernie Ball introduced a pair of expression pedals for bassists and guitarists at the Summer NAMM show this year. The Expression Overdrive and Ambient Delay pedals, which will be available later this year, offer dynamic foot control for on-the-fly tweaking…

Cigir Kazimoglu: U Can’t Hold No Groove

4. Cigir Kazimoglu: U Can’t Hold No Groove

Cigir Kazimoglu sent us this video of him performing Victor Wooten’s most excellent tune, “U Can’t Hold No Groove.” The video even caught the eye of Vic on Facebook, who said “Very nice! I like it!” That should say it all…

Andreas Oxholm: Ingrid

5. Andreas Oxholm: Ingrid

Andreas Oxholm is a recent graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (aka the Paul McCartney School). He sent us this video of a solo bass performance of his original composition, “Ingrid”. Enjoy…

Boss Introduces Free Mobile Tuner App

6. Boss Introduces Free Mobile Tuner App

Boss has expanded their tuner line into the digital realm with a new mobile tuner app. Available as a free download for iOS and Android, the app takes on the familiar look of the company’s TU-3 pedal tuner and features a 21-segment meter and note display…

In Memoriam: Rob Wasserman

7. In Memoriam: Rob Wasserman

Bassist Rob Wasserman, who played alongside some of the world’s greatest musicians, has passed away from an undisclosed illness. He was 64 years old…

Talking Style: Rhumba Blues

8. Talking Style: Rhumba Blues

Ted Gould was back home in New Orleans recently and sat in with the Marc Stone Band. Marc calls out something like “Rumba blues, tag from the 5 at the end with a cha-cha-cha”. No problem, right? That inspired this new “Talking Style” column…

Genzler Amplification Expands Bass Array Cabinet Series with 2×10

9. Genzler Amplification Expands Bass Array Cabinet Series with 2×10

Genzler Amplification’s Bass Array cabinet series has gotten a little bigger. Building on the 12-3 design, the BA210-3 features two 10-inch neodymium drivers in a vented bass reflex enclosure and four 3-inch neodymium drivers in a line array element…

Some Thoughts on Playing at Fast Tempi

10. Some Thoughts on Playing at Fast Tempi

At some point, someone at the gig is going to call a tune at breakneck speed. Trying to keep solid time at a blistering pace can be physically and mentally exhausting. Dr. D has some tips for playing fast in this new “Lowdown” column…

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