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Reader Spotlight: Nick Thorpe
Meet Nick Thorpe, a young bassist with an already impressive history. Nick is currently a high school student who is pursuing his music in a big way – and has goals to continue his studies at Berklee following high school. Nick is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I’ve been playing for almost 5...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (April 2016)
One of our favorite top 10 lists is here – the monthly reader favorite bass videos. Here are the most watched videos on No Treble in April. Thanks for watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Jeff Healey with Marcus Miller: See The Light Ian Pettersson has sent us a handful of great videos, and he just sent us another. “An old...
Jesús Rico Pérez: Paloma
Jesús Rico Pérez is back with another beautiful solo bass video. “[This is an] old tune for my lil´ daughter, Paloma,” he shared. Stunning, as always.
Steve Swallow and Carla Bley Continue Musical Journey
Prolific jazz bassist Steve Swallow’s long musical association with his life partner, pianist Carla Bley, and saxophonist Andy Sheppard, continues with the trio’s latest, Andando El Tiempo. The five-track album features Bley’s compositions, including a three-part title piece, which addresses addiction recovery. Another piece takes inspiration from Mendelssohn and Paul Haines’ poetry. Check out this live Paris performance of the...
Bass of the Week: Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS
In 2011, Squier added to their retro-styled Vintage Modified series with the Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS. The model riffs on the Fender Jaguar but pares things down on the controls as well as the scale. Squier describes the 30-inch scale bass as “short and sweet with a big sound”. Its overall design is based on the Fender Jaguar...
Talking Technique: Tapping into Tapping
Today we’re talking tapping! I get a lot of questions about tapping because of Oon, my duo with bassoonist Paul Hanson. I get to play chords, melodies, and grooves – sometimes at the same time. Tapping is a helpful technique to expand the possibilities of the bass, but it must be used with taste! Function comes first. This lesson will...
Olivier Babaz and Mark Nelson: L’appel Du Vide
Bassist Olivier Babaz is back with another bass and kalimba video that will make you question what’s physically possible. “L’appel Du Vide” is a track from his latest album, Odd Light, and features drummer Mark Nelson. The song features several groove changes that Babaz and Nelson navigate magnificently. Hold on to your hats.
Haken Releases “Affinity”
Progressive metal band Haken has released its fourth full-length studio album, Affinity. While bassist Conner Green appeared on the band’s 2014 EP Restoration, Affinity marks his first album effort with the band. Green took over bass duties with Thomas MacLean’s 2013 departure from the group. The Prog Report has already given the album high marks, calling the track “The Architect”...
Weekly Top 10: Talking Style, Bass Gear Roundup, Tony Levin Podcast, Popular Bass Videos and More
The week always ends on a positive note around here, because we get to celebrate the best of the best from the world of bass. Here are the top 10 reader favorite stories, columns, videos and more. Thanks as always for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Prince with Larry Graham: Motherless Child Like countless others, we were devastated to...
Fodera Unveils Imperial Mini-MG Bass
Fodera and Matthew Garrison have teamed up once again to introduce the Imperial Mini-MG. The headless and compact design was created with portability and playability in mind. “With the recent change in instrument travel regulations, there has been an increasing need for a bass guitar that combines portability without sacrificing tone or playability,” Fodera shares. “With these needs in mind,...
David Piggott and Kayla Malik: Fix You
David Piggott teaches music at his studio, Piggott Music. One of his students is Kayla Malik. They recently recorded their own bass and vocals arrangement of Coldplay’s “Fix You”. David said this was the first time he heard Kayla sing. “Because everyone has lost something in their life… I hope you enjoy this [arrangement],” David shared.
Bruce Foxton Builds on Recently Revitalized Solo Career on Latest Album
Three years after releasing his first solo record in three decades, Back in the Room, former bassist for The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers Bruce Foxton has released Smash the Clock. Smash the Clock was recorded at the studio owned by his former bandmate in The Jam, Paul Weller, who contributes guitar and piano parts to the album (Weller also...