Buzz
Slow Blues: The Art of Making Each Note Count
The slow blues: a song that can last anywhere between 3 minutes and 30 minutes… depending on the guitar solos! For bass players, we’re challenged to keep our (and the audiences’) interest in the music and fuel the fire that makes the 30-minute rendition of “Red House” seem like something worth listening to. The style is particularly interactive, and if...
Matt Kniffen: Prima O Poi (Solo Bass)
Sam Dingle sent us some videos of bassist Matt Kniffen. We loved this one of Matt, performing an original solo bass piece, “Prima O Poi”. Sam said, “I really think that this kid in my town named Matt Kniffen needs to be [seen more]. His ‘band’, Soundscape. is just him (on 6 string bass guitar) and he programs the drums.”...
Josh Newton Parts Ways With Every Time I Die
Bassist Josh Newton is no longer a member of Every Time I Die according to his Twitter account as he wrote, “Thanks to all the @everytimeidie dudes and all who cared. ‘twas fun. ch-ch-ch-changes…” A similar statement was made by the band, which just wrapped up an overseas tour. The parting was amicable as Newton added, “Just to reiterate: all...
Bass of the Week: Waja-Bass Design Telio G.V. 5-String Fretless
This week we take a look at the Telio G.V. 5-string Fretless from Waja-bass Design. The bass is built by hand in Kempen, Germany and features a striking ergonomic body shape made of swamp-ash and dibetou. Besides sculpting for easier access, the design aims for balance between the body and neck, effectively shifting the the instrument’s focus to the middle...
Health & Fitness for The Working Bassist – Part 6: It’s All In Your Head
Never Mind — if It’s All in Your Head Your Mind Can Fix It “It’s all in your head” is a phrase commonly used by physicians – publicly or privately – when they aren’t sure what is wrong with the patient because symptoms don’t fit in with a test performed or a question on the history form or within the...
Stevie Wonder: “Spain”, Live with Nathan Watts
So cool. Here’s Stevie Wonder and band performing Chick Corea’s “Spain”. Nathan Watts is holding down the low end, in his usual awesome way. Part 2 of the video has a tasty solo from Watts. This clip comes from the DVD, filmed at the O2 Arena in London in 2008. Part 1: Part 2:
ZZ Top Honored with “A Tribute From Friends” Album
A new tribute album to “Little Ol’ Band from Texas” is now available, featuring performers from across the music world. ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends is the fourth collection of covers to pay homage to the southern rock legends and has all their classic hits. Among the lineup is former Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, who joins Mick Fleetwood,...
Bergantino Audio Systems Unveils HD Series Bass Cabinets
Bergantino Audio Systems has announced a new line of bass cabs called the HD Series. The new models all feature 100% Baltic birch construction, newly designed woofers, tweeters, phase-coherent crossovers with a tweeter control, tolex covering, and metal corners. The HD112 Most compact of the new line is the HD112, which features a 12″ woofer with an 80 ounce magnet....
Who Am I? A Thought Exercise for Bassists
I whole-heartedly believe that who we are as people translates to who we become on our instrument. I’ve been kind of meditating lately during any down moments on every aspect of my personality and how it may or may not relate to any given part of my style of playing – the good and the bad! This includes focusing on...
John Entwistle: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” Isolated Bass
This clip comes from the 1979 film, The Kids Are Alright, featuring the isolated bass work of John Entwistle on the Who’s classic “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Give it a little time before the Ox dives in, around the 50 second mark.
William Parker Releases Box Set of Solo Bass Works
William Parker has put out a limited edition box set of his works, Crumbling in the Shadows is Fraulein Miller’s Stale Cake. Limited to 1,000 copies, the set contains 3-discs of Parker’s solo bass albums, including his long out-of-print first solo bass album Testimony, as well as a 48-page booklet of writings. The improvisatory and often avant garde bassist got...
Reader Spotlight: Michael Wu
Meet Michael Wu, a bassist from Upstate New York and our player in the spotlight for October 11, 2011. Bio: Michael is a freelance bassist in the Greater Binghamton Area, Upstate NY. He is currently supporting two acts, One Click Culture w/Todd Evans, former Tempest (Magna Carta) guitarist and Lo-Fi Resistance (with Randy McStine). Although his roots are firmly planted...