Buzz
Rhythms and Transcriptions: A How To Guide to Notating Rhythmic Patterns
Q: I have a question about transcribing. I’m a pretty skilled player and can read, but I have a lot of problems writing down the rhythms that I hear either in my head or from a particular song. Any suggestions on how I should go about learning to notate more difficult rhythms? A: Rhythms can be tricky when you’re first...
Meshell Ndegeocello: “Dead End” Live in Studio (KCRW)
Meshell Ndegeocello and her band recently stopped by Santa Monica, California’s NPR affiliate, KCRW, for the Morning Becomes Eclectic show. The group performed material from Ndegeocello’s latest album, , released in November. This tune, “Dead End”, is one of those tracks, and showcases Ndegeocello’s unique way of making everything groove. KCRW has the full sesson available on their website.
Godlyke Unveils Voltage Converter and Ground Isolator
Godlyke has introduced a pair of new power accessories- the Iso-Pump Voltage Converter and the Ground Hound Ground Isolator. The new gadgets will be debuting at the NAMM Show. The company’s GH-1 Ground Hound takes care of grounding issues by creating an isolated ground connection for effects devices. In addition to fixing ground loops, reducing line noise and reducing cross-talk...
Reader Spotlight: Pete Sams
Meet bassist Pete Sams, a full-time working bassist who was very busy in 2011 (he played 225+ shows), including many with a live karaoke band. Pete is our player in the spotlight for the week of January 17, 2012. Bio: I’m the bassist and bandleader for Rock-bot, a live band karaoke group (500+ songs, words on the screen, etc.), an...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (December 2011)
Our featured bass videos in December broke all kinds of records for views on No Treble in a single month. The top 10 featured many familiar faces, plus some newcomers to No Treble HQ and readers. Bassist Nick Mason (no, not the drummer), took the #1 slot with his solo bass arrangement of Randy Newman’s Toy Story classic, “You’ve Got...
Adam Ben Ezra: The Busker
Time for some more musical goodness from bassist Adam Ben Ezra. This tune, “The Busker” is one of Adam’s original compositions. Is there anything he can’t do with a bass?
Jack DeJohnette Releases “Sound Travels”, Featuring Esperanza Spalding
Drummer Jack DeJohnette, widely regarded as one of the great jazz drummers in history, is about to have a pretty remarkable year. DeJohnette, who will celebrate his 70th birthday this year, is set to receive a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Fellowship, which is the highest U.S. honor for jazz musicians. Today, DeJohnette releases his latest effort, Sound...
Höfner Reissues Updated Shorty Bass
Höfner has reintroduced the Shorty Bass, a model they ran in the 1980’s featuring an extremely short scale and body. The updated version bumps the scale up from 28″ to 30″ for easier playability, as well as utilizing better string spacing, similar to that found on their trademark Violin Bass. Available in black, the Shorty Bass has a basswood body,...
Left Hand Thumb: Pressure
Note: For Left Hand Thumb positioning, check out the previous installment. When there is excess tension in the hands, the source is often improper use of the thumb and its corresponding muscles. The thumbs of both hands, just like all the fingers, should use minimum effort and pressure to achieve any particular technical goal. Pressure When in standard “neck position”...
Samuel Haynes: “Rapture” Solo Bass Tap Performance
Our Facebook friend Charles Hoernemann shared this video with us, with a word one comment: “Awesome!” This is bassist Samuel Haynes, who wrote this tune named “Rapture”, for solo bass and programmed drum accompaniment. Samuel’s bass is strung with piccolo strings.
Top 10: Tons of New Bass Gear, Top Videos, New Music from Esperanza Spalding and the Mark Evans Interview
The big Winter NAMM show kicks off later this week, but the bass gear news started coming early this year. And readers love it. Four of the top 10 stories last week were about gear, and that’s just the beginning. Be sure to follow our NAMM coverage all week — including some updates live from the show. Our most watched...
Ritter Instruments Introduces R8-Singlecut Bass
Jens Ritter has introduced the R8-Singlecut, a new design featuring a single cutaway and bolt-on construction. The new instrument also introduces the luthier’s new C-3-S electronics, an active/passive switchable 3-Band EQ with custom adjustable frequencies and integrated boost, all controllable by the bassist. The new model was debuted with four pieces, and though each has different woods and finishes, there...