Buzz
ZÜE Engineering Introduces the On Timer Pedalboard Clock
Time management on the bandstand can be crucial, and ZÜE Engineering is addressed that issue with the On Timer Pedalboard Clock, a pedal designed to help musicians manage their performance time. The device features two LED displays to keep track of your sets. The top is a 12-hour clock to display the current time, while the second is a timer...
What’s the Best Way To Learn Electric Bass?
Q: You can go to school and study electric bass in a jazz program, you can listen to records and learn from them, you can check out lessons on Youtube, you can subscribe to bass player’s online teaching regimens… But how do you know what is the best way to become a competent, professional level electric bassist? A: Electric bassists...
Christian McBride Trio: Sophisticated Lady
Christian McBride is one bad dude. Here’s a jaw-dropping video of his trio performing the Ellington standard “Sophisticated Lady” live at the Festival de Jazz San Javier in 2009. The bassist kicks things off with an extended solo take on the song’s melody before bringing in the rest of the band. McBride pulls out all the stops with colorful flourishes...
Whote Builds New Album’s Drone Music On Bass
Six-string bass is one of the building blocks of drone artist Whote’s (Thomas Watkiss) latest album, Whote II: Moons. Watkiss is the performer on and producer of the record, creating songs with not only the bass, but also distorted guitar, field recordings, and minimal keyboards. Whote is noted for its experimental music, and Moons continues in this vein, with live...
Reader Spotlight: Russ Rodgers
Meet Russ Rodgers, an accomplished bassist and teacher with a career spanning more than 30 years. Pretty cool when you can claim Adam Nitti and Todd Smallie as your students, and Russ has also studied under some top notch bassists as well. Russ is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of December 16, 2014. Here’s his story…...
Alissia Benveniste: Get Down
One of our favorite musical discoveries this year was Alissia Benveniste, a bassist and bandleader who is reviving the classic funk style with catchy hooks, uplifting lyrics, and awesome bass lines. She just sent us her latest video, and it’s got the same great recipe. “Get Down” is bursting with energy with an even larger ensemble than her previous songs....
Gov’t Mule Goes Pink On Live Album
Six years ago on Halloween, Gov’t Mule dressed up in another band’s music. The jam band/Allman Brothers offshoot, featuring Jorgen Carlsson on bass, performed Pink Floyd covers from albums including Dark Side of the Moon, Animals, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here. The 2008 show at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston, was recorded and is now available on CD...
Bass of the Week: R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine
This week we check out the R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine, an instrument Ryan Hyde calls a blend of traditional and modern values. Hyde honed his skills in Ken Smith’s shop before starting his own in Philadelphia. “The Soul Machine is meant to be a work horse instrument of the highest caliber,” he states. “It exudes the classic vibe of yesteryear,...
Musical Goals and Self Evaluation
For those of us involved in formal education, the end of the year is a time for evaluation in all our classes, e.g. final exams, papers, presentations etc. When it comes to instrumental study, most students play what is known as a “jury.” This is performance by the student for panel of faculty. The charge of these faculty members is...
Before Yellow: People Like To Know
Bassist Johannes Pehrson has shared another video by his project, Before Yellow. Like last time, there aren’t many instruments in the mix. Johannes plays a 4-string and a 6-string bass and covers some of the vocals with Katrine Kampp. Plus drums. Funky stuff!
Megadeth Bassist Says Band Remains Intact After Departures
Although Megadeth’s drummer and guitarist have left the band, band bassist and co-founder David Ellefson is assuring fans that the band isn’t over. He recently talked with the Megadeth Cyber Army (the band’s fans) online, and noted that his presence on the fan forum should reveal that the band is still together. He then added, “As of right now, we...
Bassists Get Some Love in Grammy Category
It looks like at least one Grammy category is a bass-ic affair this year. Superstar session bassist/sideman Nathan East has received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Nathan East, his self-titled solo album debut. East has worked with a wide variety of artists in his long career, from Eric Clapton to Stevie Wonder to Michael McDonald. His...