Articles by Ryan Madora - Page 13

This “Bass Players To Know” column focuses on one of Ryan’s personal favorites: Tina Weymouth. Tina’s bass parts make for records that have withstood the test of time.

Ryan’s new “Lightbulb Moment” started out with a question: “Is there one song that contains an exemplary amount of bass playing knowledge?” She picked one and broke it down completely. (The tune may come as a surprise!)

Harmonically clever and tonally unique, Ross Valory’s playing can be heard on most of Journey’s catalog and the hits that we know and love (or have heard a thousand times), certifying him as the latest Bass Player to Know.

Some people call it “serving the song.” In Ryan’s new “Lightbulb Moment,” she talks about playing inside - and sometimes - outside the box, including covering the literal box patterns on bass.

In this entry in the “Bass Players To Know” series, Ryan sets her sights on Krist Novoselic, who inspired her to pick up the bass in high school.

Nothing tears up my heart more than the moment I realize an obvious flaw or inconsistency in my playing. I mean, what have these ten-thousand-plus hours amounted to anyway? If you’re the kind of person who strives for precision—clean playing, the perfect execution of a favorite bass line, or the ability to effortlessly play a musical idea—then you probably spend...

There are plenty of players who have left the musical world far too soon and are frequently overlooked or, more commonly, heard but not known. One example that comes to mind is the great and soulful Carl Radle, the California transplant who made an indelible mark in the world of blues and soul during the 1970’s. A fortuitous connection with...

I pledge allegiance to the time… set by the drummer? By the click? Somewhere in between? These days, almost all recordings are done to a click track. And why not? It forces everyone to be aware of the desired tempo and to be responsible for their own sense of good time-keeping. It eliminates huge fluctuations, assuring that the adrenaline rush...

It’s safe to say that the pop/rock music of the 1970’s have been trending in this column series. After recently highlighting the classic records and notable bass players of Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, and Billy Joel, I figured it was worthwhile to keep digging. The iconic easy listening songs that continue to permeate our musical landscape are chock full of...

When it comes to performing, practicing, or even making up your mind to pursue music, there’s no substitute for pure, heart-opening, eye-widening, blood-boiling inspiration. Depending on where you are in your musical journey, the moments of inspiration will take on different forms; they may be few and far between or you may be experiencing a particularly fruitful and creative period...

Some records are undeniably awesome. They’ve stood the test of time thanks to stellar songwriting, clever musicianship, and excellent sound quality. They remind you of exactly how fantastic a particular band or artist is. If you haven’t listened to a record like that in a while, I highly recommend spending some quality time with Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. This record...

There was once a young girl named Goldilocks, who frequently went gallivanting around the woods looking for porridge. Most days, she left the house simply to get away from her older brother, who happened to smell profusely and play bass for hours on end. He shook the house with his low and rumbling frequencies, making everyone in his family aware...