Buzz
Victor Wooten: Music as a Language
Besides being and incredible bassist, Victor Wooten is an equally talented educator. Check out this TED-Ed video of Wooten offering words of wisdom while he plays his rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Weekly Top 10: The Best Bass Videos, New Bass Gear, Top Lessons, the Evan Brewer Interview and More
In case you missed them (and even if you didn’t), here are the top 10 most read bass-related stories, lessons, features and the most watched videos on No Treble for the week of August 26 – September 1, 2012. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Progressive Scales: A Bass Player’s Guide to Learning Scales and Improving Reading...
Jeff Ament’s New RNDM Band Announces Album and Tour
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has teamed up with singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and drummer Richard Stuverud to form a new band dubbed RNDM. The trio is set to have a busy fall too, with the release of their debut album, Acts, on October 30, with a tour kicking off a few days later on November 2nd. Ament and Stuverud have...
Xotic Introduces 4-String Version of XP-1T Bass
Xotic has released a 4-string of the XP-1T model, which thus far had only been available as a 5-string. The P-style bass offers vintage and modern tones by including a toggle for passive or active electronics. The active portion is Xotic’s Tri-Logic bass preamp, which has Bass, Mid, and Treble controls, a Mid switch, a Bright switch, and an Active...
Simone Masina Solo Bass: Prelude from Cello Suite No.1 in G Major
This one seemed perfect to share on a Sunday afternoon. Bassist Simone Masina sent us this video of him performing J.S. Bach’s Prelude – the first movement of Cello Suite No.1 in G Major. Simone plays a beautiful Ritter for the recording, but what also caught our attention is where Simone recorded this video: at Quattro Castella – Reggio Emilia...
Le Fay Introduces 32? Fretless Singer 4 Bass
Le Fay has introduced a new fretless version of their Singer model with a 32-inch scale and 19mm string spacing. Among the new features is the inclusion of the company’s new single-coil pickups, which have angular thumb rests and a three-point screw arrangement to prevent wobbling. Two pickups are under the bridge pickup cover while the neck cover houses one....
Top 10: The Best All Bass, No Treble How To’s, Lessons and Features in August
Here’s the best of the best of what we published in August, 2012 in the how to, lesson and feature sections on No Treble, based on readership. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. We love you guys. 1. How and Why Woods Affect Your Bass Sound A reader asked Damian Erskine a question about bass wood choices, and...
Ray Brown and John Clayton: Five O’Clock Whistle
Here are couple of the greatest jazz bassists having fun on the old standard “Five O’Clock Whistle.” Ray Brown and John Clayton have a groove together like no other. And if you haven’t yet, make sure to check out their SuperBass stuff with Christian McBride.
Pat Metheny’s Unity Band Kicks Off U.S. Tour Dates
Pat Metheny’s Unity band, featuring bassist Ben Williams, has been touring Europe all summer. Following a two week break, the band is kicking off a fall tour of the US today. The band, which also includes saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Antonio Sanchez, is touring in support of the Unity Band album, released in June. As we reported then, Williams...
Bass Gear Round-Up: The Most Popular Gear for August 2012
We saw a lot of new bass gear coming out in August (we love that). Here are the most popular new gear stories, based on No Treble readership. Oh, and here’s your warning: may cause G.A.S. 1. Squier Introduces Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass and Telecaster Bass Special Squier has beefed up their Vintage Modified series with the introduction of the...
Going Unnoticed: Our Role as Bassists (Or: The Not-So-Obvious Compliment)
There’s an old saying in the musical world that goes a little like this: “I didn’t even notice the bass until it wasn’t there!” While this may seem a bit unfair – as if all of the other instruments receive the listening attention they deserve while we stand in the back – it happens to be a great compliment. Of...
Bruno Tauzin: “Wow”
Here’s an aptly named solo bass groove called “Wow” from bassist Bruno Tauzin. The piece offers a catchy melody supported by rich chordal responses to make for an interesting listen.