Buzz
Solving Finger Pain To Continue Practicing
Q: As a bass player, having practiced all day until one’s fingernails are aching, what is the solution for a quick pain relief so I can continue to practice the next day, without skipping a day? A: While I can’t imagine what kind of practice makes your fingernails hurt (double thumb workouts?), I do have some thoughts. I worry, if...
Gheorghe Postoronca: The Light From Inside
Gheorghe Postoronca always brings a personal level to his solo bass songs. His latest, “The Light From Inside”, is no exception. The bassist utilizes a capo on four of his six strings along with strumming to create glorious harmonies and textures. It sounds like he is singing through his instrument, which is something many of us strive for.
Blink-182 Releases “California”
Blink-182 had around 30 songs written before heading into the studio to record its latest effort, California. But, when the pop-punk band, now featuring guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, started working together on the group’s seventh studio album, all those songs went out the window. “We hit the ground running so hard that we just kept writing and writing,”...
Reader Spotlight: Beth McPherson
Meet Beth McPherson, a bassist from Dallas who impressed us with her drive in pursuing music – both as a craft and as an eventual career. We’re betting she’s going to succeed in both. Beth is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s her story… Bio: I’ve been playing electric bass for about 8 years, and upright for...
Orange Amplification Introduces The Crush Bass Combo Series
Orange redesigned their entry-level bass combo range with the Orange Crush Bass series. The line – consisting of 25, 50, and 100-watt combos – upgrades their most accessible bass amps with a parametric EQ circuit inspired by their new 4 Stroke bass amp. They also feature analog circuitry, redesigned speakers and ported cabinetry, an onboard tuner, and a headphone output...
Jeff Beck with Tal Wilkenfeld: Women of Ireland
Here’s a great clip of a Jeff Beck Band performance at Madison Square Garden in 2013. The tune, “Women of Ireland”, is a subdued one, featuring some sweet lines by bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. The band also includes Lizzie Ball on violin and Jonathan Joseph on drums.
Tony Levin Publishes Book of Poetry
You know Tony Levin for his extensive bass work with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel and innumerable sessions, but aside from being a music composer and lyricist, he’s also a writer who has kept an online “Road Diary” for two decades (its newest incarnation is here). He has now released a book of poetry, “Fragile as a Song.” Bill Bruford, who...
Bass of the Week: Warwick Custom Shop Streamer Stage II
Warwick’s Custom Shop has been putting out some beautiful instruments. Our bass of the week is one of their latest creations: a Streamer Stage II sporting a 1-inch Macassar Ebony top. The masterbuilt bass features neck-through construction centered around a 7-piece wenge and purpleheart neck. Its Tigerstripe Ebony fretboard is inlaid with dragon heads below the 12th fret and yin-yangs...
Talking Technique: Beautiful Practice
This lesson is called “Beautiful Practice” for a reason. Our exercise this week creates a lush harmony and texture all while working out our theory and technique at the same time. The theory portion of this week’s lesson is that we’ll be playing diatonic triads in open voicings. If that sounds foreign to you, don’t worry. We’ll be breaking down...
Up&Down: Twisted / The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines
No Treble reader Michelangelo Brandimarte shared this video with us of his bass and vocals duo, Up&Down. Joined by vocalist Claudia Pantalone, they cover “Twisted” and “The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines”. This one swings!
Joseph Patrick Moore Releases Second Decade Compilation
Joseph Patrick Moore’s Decade II 2006-2015, is a compilation of remasters of the bassist/composer/producer’s work, which melds contemporary jazz with funk, rock, pop, urban, spiritual and electronica music. Moore’s last previous compilation record, Decade 1996-2005, was released in 2006. Moore is known for his work with Stewart Copeland (The Police), Earl Klugh, Bob James, Chris Duarte and Michael Tolcher, as...
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...