Buzz
Lesson: Funky Groove with Pentatonic Run
Keeping up with this recent series of quick bass lick lessons, here’s a short groove in Em. I’m playing this with an open D string to achieve a note doubling effect. Follow along with the video and this transcription (PDF). For the gear heads: I’m playing a 1964 Fender Jazz bass with Dunlop nickel strings, gauge 45-105 running through a...
Mike Semesky: Bass Playthrough of Intervals’ “Mata Hari”
Here’s an awesome video of bassist Mike Semesky running through “Mata Hari” by his band Intervals. He does it all, from filling out the low end to matching the guitars on crushing unison riffs.
Phish Announces Fall Tour
Phish has announced a fall tour that will cover the East Coast, including a pair of three-night residencies in Virginia and New Jersey. The trek begins October 18th through the 20th at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia before heading north and wrapping up in Atlantic City. Anchored by bassist Mike Gordon, the iconic jam band has recently revealed that...
Ruokangas Expands Steambass Series with 5-String Model
Finnish manufacturer Ruokangas Guitars has announced the Steambass 5, a new 5-string version of their flagship bass model. Similar to its predecessor, the Steambass 5 comes in Classic and Deluxe models, which differ in body construction. The Classic is built with an alder body, while the Deluxe offers a Spanish Cedar body and Arctic Birch top. Common features include a...
What’s In My Gig Bag? Part 2: Jazz/Rockabilly, Solo Shows and Flying
One of the things every gigging bassist needs to refine is what they bring to the gig, in addition to their bass and amp (if appropriate). We all have items we might need for gig emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. Showing up to the gig and having an equipment problem is no fun and ultimately it makes you look bad. Everyone...
Rush: “La Villa Strangiato”, Live (1978)
In celebration of Geddy Lee’s birthday today, we thought we’d go back to some early years Rush, and ultimately picked this 1978 performance of “La Villa Strangiato”. Oh, that tone! As a teenager, I wore the grooves down on more than one Rush LP because of this tune. How about you?
David Friesen Pays Homage to Son with “Brilliant Heart”
When renowned jazz bassist David Friesen’s son Scott passed away in 2010, he knew he wanted to honor his life with a memorial CD, and after some time the opportunity arose at the end of a tour with his trio. The resulting album, Brilliant Heart, is a 13-track collection of songs Friesen composed for his son. “My son Scott loved...
Weekly Top Ten: The Best in Bass for the Week of July 21
This week’s top 10 list offers a great blend of bass goodness: new gear, new how-to’s, new music and some excellent bass videos. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. 1. Fender Announces Modern Player 2.0 Basses Fender has upgraded its Modern Player series of instruments including updates to the Jazz Basses in the line and the introduction of...
Federico Malaman: “Do I Do” Bass Cover
Federico Malaman just nails these all bass covers. Here’s a new one from him, performing his take on Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do”. Federico is playing his Laurus bass through an MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter and a Boss RC3 Loop Station.
Lesser Key, Featuring Paul D’Amour, Announce Debut EP
Former and founding Tool bassist Paul D’Amour is gearing up on new project called Lesser Key. The group also includes Andrew Zamudio, Brett Fanger and Justin Hanson. The group describes themselves as “[representing] an exploration into personal artistic freedom,” and their sound centers around D’Amour’s steely bass tone and hard hitting lines. The Los Angeles based rockers have just announced...
Felix Pastorius Talks About Recording with Jaco’s Bass
When Felix Pastorius joined the Yellowjackets to fill in for Jimmy Haslip, the move was supposed to be temporary. When Haslip ultimately decided not to return, Pastorius stayed on and went into the studio for the group’s newest album, A Rise In The Road, which came out late last month. But the story is even bigger than that. Felix –...
Laszlo Demeter: Acoustic Bass Arrangement of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop”
We love to see it when bassist get creative to tackle their favorite songs. Here’s Laszlo Demeter playing Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” using only his six-string acoustic bass. The bassist covers every part of the tune, from using the bass’s body for percussion to using the strings above the nut for sound effects. And of course, he lays down that sweet,...