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Archive for December 2017 - Page 7

Should I Be Afraid of Breaking the Rules of Harmony When Composing?
Ask Damian Erskine

Should I Be Afraid of Breaking the Rules of Harmony When Composing?

Q: I have been playing bass for others for years but when it comes to writing my own music I constantly question myself about the rules. I understand if it sounds good play it but, “what key could this be and, can I play a dominant 7 here, and will it still be in a key?” (In the musical rulebook)...

Richard Bona and Metropole Orkest: Three Views of a Secret
Bass Videos

Richard Bona and Metropole Orkest: Three Views of a Secret

In 2013, Richard Bona joined the Metropole Orkest for a performance at Lantaren Venster in Rotterdam. Among the tunes they played was Jaco Pastorius’s “Three Views of a Secret.” This has always been one of my all-time favorite tunes, and it was a treat to check out this rendition.

Rush’s “A Farewell To Kings” Gets 40th Anniversary Reissue
New Albums

Rush’s “A Farewell To Kings” Gets 40th Anniversary Reissue

It’s been 40 years since Rush released A Farewell To Kings. The album, which notably features the hit “Closer to the Heart” among others, is being celebrated by the trio with a reissue including a massive box set. Anchored by the incredible bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, each version of the reissue includes a remastered version of the original album plus a...

Pigtronix Introduces Trio of Micro Pedals
Pedals & Effects

Pigtronix Introduces Trio of Micro Pedals

Pigtronix has expanded their micro pedal lineup with three new pedals: the Gatekeeper Micro noise gate, Class A Boost Micro clean boost, and all-new Octava Micro octave up/drive/fuzz. Each of the units features true bypass switching and a housing with dimensions of 3.75 inches by 1.5 inches by 1.75 inches. The Class A Boost Micro utilizes discreet J-FET transistors in...

Talking Technique: Whole Tone Riffin’
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Whole Tone Riffin’

The whole tone scale is a really interesting scale. Unlike our major and pentatonic scales, it’s built out of all whole steps making it sound a little bit eerie and bright. Because the scale is symmetrical, it does not sound like it has a beginning or an end. Another neat fact is that there are only two whole tone scales:...

Roger Brown & The Nyumba Yetu Band: The Beautiful Ones
Bass Videos

Roger Brown & The Nyumba Yetu Band: The Beautiful Ones

I discovered Roger Brown and the Nyumba Yetu Band thanks to Berklee’s Youtube channel, and I was glad I did. Anchored by bassist Lucy Clifford, here’s the band performing their composition, “The Beautiful Ones.”

Bobby Vega Releases “Matters of the Heart” EP
New Albums

Bobby Vega Releases “Matters of the Heart” EP

Bobby Vega has a reputation, or maybe several. He’s known for his incredible knowledge of bass gear. He’s known for being the go-to bassist in the Bay Area. He’s also known for grooving his ass off with a pick, but that’s not all there is to his playing. Now fans who know his funk and rock playing can get a...

Free The Tone Announces the PA-1QB Programmable 10-Band EQ Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Free The Tone Announces the PA-1QB Programmable 10-Band EQ Pedal

Japan’s Free The Tone has released the PA-1QB, a programmable 10-band EQ pedal for bass. The device’s signal path is analog with a digital parameter control section for storing and processing your settings. The pedal revolves around the Holistic Tonal Solution, or HTS, circuit that has been revamped for 2018. “It holistically manages high-quality guitar/bass signals from input to output...

Bass of the Week: Fleeting Guitars Tsukanoma
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Fleeting Guitars Tsukanoma

This week we’re checking out the Tsukanoma bass built by luthier Jim Fleeting of Fleeting Guitars. Taking a cue from Japanese design, the hand-built instrument features striking aesthetics. “The Tsukanoma bass is designed as a tribute to the incredible woodworking and modern design in Japanese woodworking,” Fleeting writes. “The use of sharper corner bevels make this a departure from the...

Ben Titus: I Want You (She’s So Heavy) Solo Bass Arrangement
Bass Videos

Ben Titus: I Want You (She’s So Heavy) Solo Bass Arrangement

Our friend Ben Titus sent us this video of a new arrangement of The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” he made for solo bass. “I first started doing this song on solo bass for a Beatles feature at a bass camp years ago. However, it was a bit too repetitive to stay in my rotation, so I haven’t...

Moe’s Rob Derhak Declared Cancer Free
News

Moe’s Rob Derhak Declared Cancer Free

Back in July, Moe. announced that they were going on hiatus after Rob Derhak was diagnosed with cancer. Now the bassist has some good news to share. “After being scanned, poked, and prodded my Dr.’s have given me a green light,” he wrote on Facebook. “Did I kick cancers ass? No, it beat me up pretty good. But I just...

Z. Vex Effects Introduces Vertical Vexter Fuzz Factory Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Z. Vex Effects Introduces Vertical Vexter Fuzz Factory Pedal

Z. Vex Effects has introduced a new vertical version of their Vexter Fuzz Factory pedal. Formerly configured as a horizontal pedal, the new VFF will feature the same effects and circuitry in a more pedalboard-friendly setup. It utilizes two new old-stock ’60s germanium transistors, but that doesn’t mean it’s a vintage sound. “The circuit is not modeled after any classic...