Buzz

The recent flash floods in the Southeast have wreaked havoc on Nashville, Tennessee. Damage from this natural disaster has been dealt to nearly every member of the music community in the city, and even landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry are underwater. To bring relief to those musicians who lost their instruments, gear, and even homes, Sean O’Bryan Smith...

Reader Spotlight: Brittany Frompovich

Meet Brittany Frompovich, our player in the spotlight for May 11, 2010. Bio: I picked up guitar at age 14, and then started playing double bass at age 18. I have a B.A. in Bass from Bloomsburg University. I currently teach 50 – 70 students per week, teach group classes and workshops, and perform in Northern Virginia. I am the...

If you’ve followed Jeff Berlin‘s career, you know he loves jazz and has released quite a few jazz and fusion solo albums. His latest, High Standards, is the first to feature jazz standards and consists entirely of Berlin and his trio’s spectacular take on nine well chosen tunes. The trio includes Berlin on electric bass, Richard Drexler on piano and...

This is a fun video from Fabio Meridiani, showcasing his rig and his funky bass playing.

Joseph Patrick Moore‘s latest album, To Africa With Love, releases today. The album is the Moore’s eighth solo effort, fusing funk, pop, jazz and tribal rhythms together to form his tribute to the people of Africa. Moore set out to create an album for a “continent that has experienced so much injustice and tragedy.” “Music has the power to uplift,...

After holding an open audition for a bassist, Billy Corgan has announced that the new keeper of the low end in the Smashing Pumpkins will be Nicole Fiorentino. Nicole, who’s resume includes work with Spinnerette, Veruca Salt, and Radio Vago, announced on her Myspace page that she was the group’s newest member. According to her post, she will be “keeping...

When approaching a challenging passage, one very useful technique is that of “adding a note.” Adding one note at a time is an excellent tool for improving passages technically. Many people enjoy this technique because it can usually be done at performance tempo, without slowing the passage down. When using the bow: Be sure to use the same amount of...

Victor Wooten Introduction

Here’s a documentary video that’s been out a couple of years, and worth checking out. Bassist Victor Wooten talks about his musical life and origins and shows off some great skills (musical and physical – that hand stand is ridiculous!)

1. Video: The Bass Gang: A Night in Tunisia What’s better than one bass? How about four basses! 2. Ask Damian Erskine: Scales vs. Chords Damian asks a reader’s question: “What scales are best to know for improvising and how can I go about trying to memorize them?” 3. Gear Watch: IK Amplitube iRig IK Multimedia has announced the release...

According to drummer Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will begin recording a new album in July. This will be their 10th studio album, following 2006’s Stadium Arcadium. “We have a lot of material, probably about 20 songs,” Smith told MusicRadar.com. “Pre-production will take a few months, but I’d say by July we’ll be laying down real tracks.” This...

James Jamerson Isolated Bass Track: I Can’t Get Next to You

Here’s James Jamerson‘s isolated bass track from the Temptations’ “I Can’t Get Next to You”. This comes from the original Motown master tape. Be sure to check out our previous coverage of the isolated bass and drums for “Ain’t That Peculiar“. Thanks to Rick Suchow for this one!

Rotosound has added Pendulum bassist Gareth McGrillen as their latest artist endorsee. McGrillen uses and will endorse Rotosound’s Nexus coated and Swing Bass strings. McGrillen is joined by his bandmate, guitarist Peredur ap Gwynedd, who was also named an endorsee. Pendulum is releasing their latest album, Immersion, this month, with a tour of the UK and Ireland. For more on...