Buzz
Christian McBride: Live Fretless Solo
Christian McBride on fretless! Here, McBride takes a solo on the Pat Metheny tune “James”, with Metheny’s trio.
Groove 101
Sylvan Bolduc has released Groove 101, an instructional book and audio DVD containing 260 grooves and exercises to teach just about every musical style. Written in musical notation and tabs, the 90-page book aims to also improve your overall groove and “inner clock.” Included with the audio examples are detailed listings of each bass used, including a 1969 Precision, 1969...
Warner Bros. Releases Tutu, Deluxe Edition
Warner Bros. is re-issuing the 1986 Miles Davis hit album, Tutu, in a new deluxe edition. The album, which features considerable work by bassist/multi-instrumentalist Marcus Miller. This was Davis’ first release with Warner Bros., after he shocked the music world by ending a 30 year relationship with Columbia. The backstory behind this album is interesting. The album was originally titled...
Musical Explorations: 12 Tones, 12 Beats and Franc O’Shea
Q: Is there anything outside of the norm that you are working on or thinking about with your musical explorations? A: Actually, in the May issue of Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), Franc O’Shea (his columns are always enlightening and thought provoking), wrote an interesting piece on dividing the chromatic scale and giving every semi-tone a pulse in a bar of...
Richard Bona and Chris Minh Doky Jam Session
Here’s an awesome video of Richard Bona and Chris Minh Doky playing jazz duets on electric and upright, respectively. The two powerhouses blow over a blues before tearing into the standard, “There is No Greater Love.”
New Hampshire Bass Fest 2011
The fifth annual New Hampshire Bass Festival has been announced for June 15th through the 18th. The four day event, which takes place in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a mixture of school and festival as 16 clinicians from around the globe present classes from 9am to 6pm each day. The NHBF is directed by Berklee bass and arranging professor Jim...
Reader Spotlight: Cameron Holley
Meet Cameron Holley, a bassist from Wichita Falls, TX, and our player in the spotlight for May 31, 2011. Bio: I grew up in a really musical home and got my first bass for Christmas when I was 10 years old. Nine years later, I play all the time, anywhere I can. Even if I have to play guitar or...
Columbia Legacy Announces “The Roger Waters Collection”
Columbia Legacy is releasing the combined work of former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, in a box set dubbed The Roger Waters Collection. The set includes all of the bassist’s solo work, including The Pros And Cons Of Hitch-Hiking (1984), Radio Kaos (1987) Amused To Death (1992), In The Flesh (2000) and Ca Ira (2005) on seven CDs. A DVD...
Snarky Puppy: Skate U
Our friend Seth Fromal gave us a heads up to this video of Snarky Puppy performing the song “Skate U” from their album , live in the studio. Bassist, band leader and composer Michael League gets down with an old school P-bass sound before funkin’ it up on his solo at the 2:47 mark.
Dr. Betotte: A Look at the Metronome/Beat-Box App for iOS Devices
I have tried every metronome on the market (app store market that is) and, while “Metronome Plus” is my favorite when all I need is a quick, clean way to keep time, Dr. Betotte is hands down the best metronome for odd meters, trickier functions and as a practice tool. I believe that this is actually based off of the...
Stu Hamm: Star Spangled Banner
Today is a day to remember those who have served our country in the U.S. In honor of our fallen service men and women, here’s a great clip of Stu Hamm playing a solo bass rendition of the National Anthem. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all who have served.
Rewind: Working without a Drummer, Victor Wooten Top 10, Top Bass Gear, Videos and Columns
Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of May 22-28, 2011. 1. Interview With Ryan Madora: Thoughts on Playing without a Drummer Last week, while enjoying a video from a television show featuring the duo of Ryan Madora on bass and Don Evans on guitar (see below), it reminded me of...