Buzz
Earplugs… A Love-Hate Relationship (Part 2: Where, When, and Why)
Photo by Quinn Dombrowski In Part 1 of this series, we looked at two different types of earplugs, the over-the-counter ones as well as the custom molded ones, and some of the benefits of each. Now, let’s think about when to use them and how to get comfortable playing with them in. Before we jump in, let me say that...
Ben Hands: Solo Bass Cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You”
Yep, we dig it when bassists take pop tunes and turn up the awesome meter by arranging them as a solo bass piece. Here’s Ben Hands doing his thing to make Adele’s “Someone Like You” way cooler. (We may be biased).
2013 ISB Convention Headliners to Include Victor Wooten, Ron Carter
The International Society of Bassists’ biennial convention is set for June 2nd through June 8th, 2013 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and this year promises to be another great get-together. The week-long bass hang features over 200 events for bassists of all walks, including clinics, classical and jazz competitions, bass making competitions, performances and more....
Bass of the Week: Overwater Basses Expression Semi-Acoustic Bass
U.K.-based company Overwater Basses stretches things with their Expression model, a semi-acoustic bass built with a solid spruce top and 3? deep hollow Central American mahogany body bound in Cocobolo. Its body has elements of a violin-shape and a single-cut with a the lower horn cutaway for better access to up to the 22nd fret. Available in 4, 5, and...
Transcription: Viktor Lörincz’s “Boomerang”
This month’s transcription is “Boomerang”, a funk-filled slap-fest from Hungarian bassist Viktor Lörincz we originally featured back in 2011. This chops-heavy piece is a great workout for anyone looking to take their slapping and tapping skills to the next level. Download the transcription (PDF) and follow along: Viktor opens the piece with a Latin-flavored tapping part which outlines a series...
Ernesto Holman Etnojazz Trio: Choike y Cueca
Tomás Montoya sent today’s featured video to us saying “This guy is Ernesto Holman, a jazz folklore fusion bass player [who] is very original I think. He is from Santiago Chile.” We loved everything about this: low end, melody, musical, technical… It has it all.
Machine Head Holding Open Auditions for Bassist
Looking for a really sweet summer job? A month after splitting with longtime bassist Adam Duce, Machine Head is searching for a temporary bassist to play with them during this summer’s Mayhem Festival. The veteran metal band announced their bass auditions on their Facebook page. The audition requires bassists to record “standalone performances” of themselves playing and singing along to...
Controlling Rhythm and Expressing it Musically
Q: This week’s column was written in part from a response to a FaceBook question I had about controlling rhythm and expressing it musically. I was also asked about my approach with my right hand, and where it came from with regard to rhythm and how I use it in my lines. I took that response and expanded on it...
Sharay Reed: Groovin’ to Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder
If you don’t know bassist Sharay Reed by now, you should definitely check him out (start here, then come back, or vice versa). In this video, Sharay says he was grooving on a couple of songs his dad wanted him to record, the Jackson 5’s “Darling Dear” and Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her”. Thank you, Sharay’s dad!
Newsted Announces 2013 Tour Dates
After releasing their Metal EP, Newsted is set to hit the road starting April 19th. The band, fronted by former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, will kick things off at the Red House in Walnut Creek, California before sweeping up the West Coast and heading east. The band’s lineup includes drummer Jesus Mendez, Jr. and guitarists Jesse Farnsworth and Mike Mushok....
Reader Spotlight: Carson Childers
Meet bassist Carson Childers, who shares his story in this week’s reader spotlight feature. It is always exciting to see the next generation of players taking inspiration from the long line of bass playing legends who came before them, and Carson is clearly well schooled in the old and new school – spanning plenty of genres too. Check out his...
Lenny White Band: “Wolfbane” Live
I’ve been digging the new “vault” release by Lenny White (check out the story we shared earlier this week). This new album offers up music from White’s 1997 tour with his band, which included two bassists: Victor Bailey and Foley. So I started hunting for videos from this era and found this great one. This line up is close to...