Buzz
Chaka Khan, with Andrew Gouche: Stay, Live 2011
Andrew Gouche recently posted a set of videos from his time playing with Chaka Khan. “I’m very proud of my time as Musical Director with CK, We had a great team!,” Gouche wrote. Here’s a great clip of the bassist laying it down with Khan on the Rufus song “Stay,” live in 2011. Gouche sets up the groove with a...
Top Transcriber Pens Book on Warm-Up Exercises
Prolific bass and guitar transcriptionist Steve Gorenberg (he’s written transcriptions of work by Iron Maiden, Boston, The Rolling Stones, Queen and more) also uses his talents for a different kind of instruction — warm-up exercises. His book, Warm-Up Exercises for Bass Guitar, provides players with a slew of stretches, coordination exercises, pentatonic scales, major and minor scales, and arpeggios. The...
Reader Spotlight: Charles Berthoud
Meet Charles Berthoud, a bassist living in Boston – by way of London – who is now graduating from Berklee and ready for the next step in his musical journey. Here’s his story… Bio: I am originally from London, England, and now, about to graduate from Berklee College of Music, I am on the brink of beginning my career as...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (August 2015)
If you love the bass, you’re going to really love this collection of videos. These are the top 10 most watched videos by No Treble readers in August. Enjoy! 1. Herbie Hancock with Tal Wilkenfeld: Actual Proof Herbie Hancock has never been short on great bassists to play with over his career. Here’s a killer clip of his band being...
Cuibul: Ne Vom Topi
No Treble reader Bruno Dumant sent me this video recently of Cuibul performing a tune called “Ne Vom Topi.” “I particularly dig the tone of the ABG the bassist uses, very warm, very different from a double bass tone,” Bruno said of this acoustic session. We loved the tune, and the bass work by Andrei Boico.
Anthrax Announces Fall Tour
Thrash metal band Anthrax, known to many for its early songs like “Bring the Noise” and “I’m the Man,” is still playing (a followup to 2011’s Worship Music is expected later this year or in 2016) and plans to hit the road this fall. With Frank Bello on bass — he’s been handling the low end since 1984, with the...
Bass of the Week: CG Lutherie Orchid
This week we’re checking out the Orchid bass by CG Lutherie, a headless bass with some sleek features. The unique body shape includes a forearm contour and an extended upper horn, while the majority of the bass’s top sits flush thanks to recessed volume and tone controls. While the bass is fully customizable, this fretless Orchid features a stunning poplar...
Avoiding Discomfort and Pain When Playing the Upright Bass
It should be physically easy to play the upright bass. When we experience discomfort or pain, during or after playing, it is our body’s way of telling us that we are doing something wrong. While each body is unique, there are general guidelines all bassists can follow which will reduce the potential for bass-related injury. Below are some general recommendations...
Alessandro Calabrese: Flea & Marcus Miller Inspired Jam
Alessandro Calabrese decided to combine the styles of two of his heroes on bass: Flea and Marcus Miller in this jam session. Not only that, he added what he calls some “Bassscratch”. The combo is excellent.
Iron Maiden Returns With “The Book of Souls”
Iron Maiden, featuring the legendary Steve Harris on bass, has released its 16th studio album, The Book of Souls. Harris, a founding member of the band, co-wrote six songs on the record and has the sole writing credit on another. “We approached this album in a different way to how we’ve recorded previously,” Harris said. “A lot of the songs...
Weekly Top 10: Developing a Solo, Popular Bass Gear Stories, Top Videos, Bass of the Week and More
Another exciting week from the world of bass comes to a close, which means it is time to celebrate the No Treble reader favorites. You all did great too – this is a fun top 10 list. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing! 1. Bass of the Week: Joe Goldsmith Fretless Singlecut Bass We’re featuring another incredible bass made...
Ibanez Introduces New SR500 Series Basses
Ibanez has announced two new basses to their SR500 series with the SR500TFF and the SR505TFF. The basses, which are four- and five-string versions of the same model, feature mahogany bodies with a traditional Tri-Fade Burst Flat finish. The neck on each bass is a five-piece laminate of jatoba and bubinga topped with a rosewood fretboard. Ibanez fits the basses...