Carlo Chirio Releases “Double Thumb Technique For Electric Bass”
Bassist Carlo Chirio has released a new instructional eBook called Double Thumb Technique for Electric Bass. The technique, popularized by Victor Wooten, makes use of the thumb almost like a plectrum by striking down and up. Chirio’s book uses short patterns to get readers comfortable with the technique and groove before building on it. “I think that the choice of...
NS Design Adds CR4 to Radius Bass Guitar Lineup
Following up on the introduction of the NS Radius Bass Guitar last year, NS Design has announced the CR4 Radius bass. The newest addition to the line is a 4-string version of the Czech Republic-made headless model. Similar to the CR5 Radius, the CR4 features bolt-on construction with the company’s Fusion one-piece maple neck, which features an embedded continuous carbon...
Eric Silver and Victor Wooten: Living In the Country
When Victor Wooten shared this awesome video of himself playing a duet of Pete Seeger’s “Living in the Country” with guitarist Eric Silver, it really drew me in. The song has special significance to to Silver, who recorded it after Seeger’s recent passing. “‘Living In The Country’ was one of the first songs I remember learning on the guitar,” the...
Stanley Clarke Announces Winter/Spring 2014 Tour Dates
Bass legend Stanley Clarke has announced tour dates through April. It begins February 21st in White River Junction, Vermont then heads across the Northeast and Midwest before heading to Chile for a one-off perforamnce. The trek is rounded out by concerts in Florida, California and New York City. Four of the dates include a special program called “Stanley Clarke Presents...
Bass of the Week: DiPinto Guitars Belvedere Deluxe Bass
The DiPinto Belvedere Deluxe bass is a hot rod with strings. The retro styled bass has is adorned with an extensive pearl pickguard, white binding, star inlays in the fretboard and a sparkle finished headstock. The bass is built with a semi-hollow mahogany body, a bolt-on maple neck, and ebony fingerboard. DiPinto adds some extra flair with chrome covers for...
From the Ground Up: An Interview with Michael League
When Snarky Puppy snagged the Grammy for Best R&B Performance, it was a victory for independent artists everywhere. Many called the group an underdog but their track “Something,” featuring Lalah Hathaway, is an undeniably phenomenal song. The song’s music video went viral on YouTube with over two million views and has catapulted the band into the limelight. And while a...
Carlitos Del Puerto: Upright Bass Solo
Gallien-Krueger has released the second video in their new artist series featuring a fantastic bass solo from Carlitos Del Puerto. The bassist, whose career highlights include work with Bruce Springsteen, Chris Botti and Chick Corea, blends several genres into a classical leaning solo.
TC Electronic Introduces Ditto X2 Looper
TC Electronic has followed up on last year’s compact Ditto looper pedal with the Ditto X2. The pedal builds on its predecessor with a dedicated start/stop button, looper effects, and a loop import/export feature for loading premade loops. The Ditto X2 offers up to five minutes of looping with unlimited overdubs and undo/redo functions. It also stores loops when it...
Grant Stinnett: Run of the Angels
Here’s a gorgeous tune by Grant Stinnett called “Run of the Angels.” Stinnett employs a higher altered tuning and some tapping to create a gorgeous soundscape. “The tuning is C-G-C-G. There are no effects, overdubs, or alterations to this live recording,” he shared. “This video and my CD are designed to demonstrate what I do in a live show.” The...
Adam & Justina: So in Love
Adam Neely and Justina Soto make a great duo. Here’s their latest, a bass and voice take on Cole Porter’s “So in Love.” Neely and Soto shot the video as part of their aptly named Rooftop Sessions series.
Herbie Hancock Kennedy Center Honors with Dave Holland, James Genus and Marcus Miller
It’s incredible to think about how much music Herbie Hancock has made. He was honored this past year at the Kennedy Center, and the diversity of styles is astounding. In this video, a cast of some of the world’s finest musicians play through songs that define Hancock’s career, and that includes some heavy hitting bassists. Dave Holland roots the band...
Norm Stockton Releases The Worship Bass Book: Bass, Espresso, and the Art of Groove
Norm Stockton has released , a 234-page instructional book aimed at helping bassists working in a worship setting. Stockton, who spent six years playing bass for Lincoln Brewster, takes a different approach to the book than you might think. “As opposed to a comprehensive methodology for all things bass, this will be more of a collection of the nuggets –...