Buzz
Talking Technique: Pedal to the Metal
Today’s lesson is all about building cool grooves using the pentatonic scale with pedal tones, a technique often found in heavy metal. We’ll use a G minor pentatonic scale in the first area of the bass (more on that in the video). To create the pedal effect, we’ll be playing the root of the scale in between each note. The...
Hans Zimmer with Yolanda Charles: Tribute to Prince
My good friend Steve Lawson shared this video a couple of days ago, saying “the great Yolanda Charles sings and plays bass on ‘Purple Rain’ last night with Hans Zimmer. Guthrie Govan AND Johnny Marr on guitar. Amazing Prince tribute.” It sure is. RIP, Prince.
Guide’s Goal Is To Inspire Improved Music Careers
A new book from Hal Leonard Corp. aims to help aspiring music artists. Five Star Music Makeover: The Independent Artist’s Guide for Singers, Songwriters, Bands, Producers, and Self-Publishers, written by five industry experts, covers five key skills: improving vocal production/technique, songwriting, recording an EP, music publishing, and promoting your music. The authors share industry insider stories, inspiration via celebrity interviews...
Weekly Top 10: Bass on a Budget, New Gear, Top Bass Videos, Shell Voicings and More
Time for our weekly tradition of celebrating the best of the best from the world of bass. Here are the top 10 No Treble reader favorite stories, columns and videos for the week of April 16-22, 2016. Thanks as always for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Bass on a Budget: 10 Basses Under $1,000 for 2016 Tax season is...
DigiTech Introduces Dirty Robot Stereo Mini-Synth Pedal
The mad scientists at DigiTech have unleashed the Dirty Robot, a stereo mini-synth effect for bass and guitar. The pedal features seven controls and two synth voices: straight envelope-style synthesis (V1) or vocal formant synthesis (V2). “We designed the Dirty Robot to provide guitarists or bassists with a slew of synth effects in a small footprint,” DigiTech’s Tom Cram says....
Tedeschi Trucks Band: “Anyhow” (Live in Studio)
I’ve been really enjoying the new Tedeschi Trucks Band album, Let Me Get By. So it was a real treat to see the band – anchored by bassist Tim Lefebvre – performing “Anyhow” at their Swamp Raga Studio.
Package Teaches Hundreds of Double Bass Scales
Interested in honing your skill with double bass scales? Bass educator and founder of Discover Double Bass, Geoff Chalmers has created a digital ebook and backing track package, Double Bass Scales: The Play-Along Collection. The package covers 17 different scale types in all 12 keys, over one and two octaves. The package includes 408 written scales and 800 backing tracks....
Source Audio Now Shipping Aftershock Bass Distortion
Source Audio is now shipping their Aftershock Bass Distortion. The pedal boasts three distortion engines – Tube, Heavy, and Fuzz – as well as the company’s Neuro Mobile App capabilities for deep tonal tweaking. “The Tube engine belts out a subtle, but powerful vintage tube overdrive with a smooth breakup and plenty of punch,” Source Audio explains. “Heavy creates an...
Carlos Sanxes: Hijo Del Viento
Jules Dozer sent us this video saying “this is my friend Carlos Sanxes, a professional bass player living in Norway but originally from Spain!” “Hijo Del Viento” is an original composition written by Sanxes, “as a token of appreciation for the work and legacy of my friend and inspiration Carles Benavent,” the bassist shared.
Oz Noy Gets Funky on Latest with Will Lee and Roscoe Beck
Guitarist Oz Noy, whose music blends jazz, funk, rock, blues and R&B, focuses on the funk this time around with the appropriately titled album, Who Gives a Funk. Bassist Will Lee, most well-known for his work in the bands for David Letterman’s late-night shows, and a longtime Noy collaborator, appears on the album, as does bassist Roscoe Beck (Robben Ford,...
Fodera Introduces Masterbuilt Series with “Arts & Crafts” Bass
Fodera has always been known for their gorgeous boutique instruments, but now they’re stepping things up with the Masterbuilt Series. Limited to four instruments per year, Fodera calls the series the pinnacle of what their shop can produce. “More specifically, these instruments are all theme instruments and draw inspiration from companies, artists, and craftsmen outside of the world of guitars,”...
Bryan Ladd, Aaron Swinnerton, Jason Patterson: Cold Duck Time
Bassist Bryan Ladd is back with another great video with keyboardist Aaron Swinnerton and drummer Jason Patterson. The trio covers Eddie Harris’ “Cold Duck Time”, with some sweet lyrical bass to kick things off before the song kicks into a higher gear.