Buzz
Stanley Clarke Band with Beka Gochiashvili: Brazilian Love Affair
During the 2014 Tbilisi Jazz Festival, Stanley Clarke took the stage with pianist Beka Gochiashvili and performed this killer version of “Brazilian Love Affair”. The tune was written by one of Clarke’s longtime collaborators, George Duke, who passed away in 2013.
Jeff Beck’s “Live+” Features Rhonda Smith
Jeff Beck’s latest live album Live+, features performances from the legendary guitarist’s 2014 tour, with Rhonda Smith (also known for her time in Prince’s band) on bass. Two new studio tracks — “Tribal” and “My Tiled White Floor” round out the collection. The album, recorded at a variety of venues, features favorites like “Big Block,” as well as Beck’s covers...
Reader Spotlight: Declan Miers
Meet Declan Miers, a young bassist who has been playing music from a very early age. He has a great story, and one of my favorite parts is the beginning, when he “picked up [his] dad’s 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 and got to work.” At just 14 years of age, Declan is doing work beyond his years. This is a great...
Fast Fretboard Position Shifting on Bass
Here’s a lesson I’d consider more beginner/intermediate-level, but it is a great refresher for all of us. Many times, we have to play a line which requires some quick shifting along the fretboard. Here’s a simple exercise for fast position shifts. Follow along with the video.
Miki Santamaria & Casey Cooper: Bass vs Drums
Miki Santamaria just sent me his latest video, which he calls “Bass vs Drums”. Miki handles two bass parts that’ll knock you out, along with drummer Casey Cooper. Dig it!
Zac Brown Band Releases “Jekyll + Hyde”
The latest studio album from the Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde, lives up to its literary name, promising a variety of emotional states. Featuring dedicated bassist Matt Mangano, the album not only includes the country/rock crossover hit “Homegrown,” but also the Jason Isbell-penned “Dress Blues” about fallen soldiers, a collaboration with Sara Bareilles, and “Heavy Is the Head,” featuring...
Bass of the Week: New York Bass Works Cremona 5
This week we check out a custom Cremona 5 by New York Bass Works. Built by luthier David Segal for bassist Sean Joynes, the instrument is based around a rare wood from central Africa called Moabi. Joynes gave us the scoop: “This new Cremona 5 bass is made of Red Alder with a Moabi Pommele (African Pearwood) top,” he wrote....
Beginning Exercise for Improving Left Hand Finger Independence
The four movements of the left hand fingers necessary for string playing (to paraphrase the great violin pedagogue Demetrius Constantine Dounis) are: Lifting: Raising a finger from the fingerboard/string Dropping: Lowering a finger/Pressing a string to the fingerboard Sliding: Moving a finger along the string so the pitch rises or lowers accordingly Holding: leaving a finger down on the string...
Osmar Oliveira: Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” All-Bass Arrangement
Osmar Oliveira shared his terrific all-bass performance of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”. I love Osmar’s fretless work on the vocal lines, and his emulation of the guitar is impressive too.
Blur Returns With First Studio Album in a Dozen Years
Blur has released its first album in 16 years as a four-piece outfit and its first studio record since 2003 for the three-piece version of the British band. The Magic Whip features bassist, farmer and farming columnist Alex James, drummer Dave Rowntree, vocalist Damon Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon. The music for the album began life while the band was...
Weekly Top 10: Tasteful Basslines, Phil Lynott, Pino Transcribed, New Bass Gear, Top Videos and More
For the week of April 25 – May 1, 2015, No Treble readers enjoyed Damian’s column on creating tasteful bass lines as well as Ryan’s latest “Bass Players to Know” column, this time focusing on Phil Lynott. Add to it a handful of great bass videos, some new gear from Warwick and Two Notes, plus the Bass of the Week,...
Tony Campos Joins Fear Factory
Metal bass mainstay Tony Campos has announced that he’s leaving the ranks of Soulfly to join Fear Factory. The bassist, who is best known for his time in the now defunct Static-X, made the announcement on Facebook while on the road with Ministry. “Big announcement time. Now that I’m back out on the road with Ministry, I can go ahead...