Buzz

Andy Fraser of the groundbreaking ’60s and ’70s band Free will have one of his basses put on exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fraser, who was a founding member of Free, was also the co-writer of their biggest hit, “All Right Now.” The bass is a “one of a kind” custom made by Z-Guitars of...

Return to Forever drummer Lenny White has announced his first solo album in a decade, Anomaly. White will be joined by bassists Stanley Clarke and Victor Bailey, and a host of others. Anomaly finds White returning to his pioneering jazz-rock roots that helped to define the early 70’s fusion movement, and looking forward. “We need to restart a revolution so...

Rhythm Practice: Using Rhythms to Improve a Passage, Phrase or Lick

Every so often there is a passage, phrase or “lick” that we just can’t seem to execute as well as we would like, no matter how many times we practice it under tempo. This should be a sign that we need to change our approach. Slow practice an excellent and valuable tool, but it is just one of many ways...

NAMM Bass Bash videos keep coming… Here’s a great one, featuring the bass trio of Ray Riendeau, Damian Erskine and Evan Marien, with drummer Martin Diamond, performing Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City”.

Here are the top 10 most read articles on No Treble for the week of March 7, 2010. 1. Gigs: Smashing Pumpkins Hold Open Auditions for New Bassist Ever wanted to play along side Billy Corgan in the Smashing Pumpkins? Well your big chance has arrived! Corgan has announced that the band will be having open auditions for a new...

Funk master Bootsy Collins has just announced that he will be opening the “Funk University,” and that the first semester of classes will begin on July 1, 2010. Professor Bootsy will lead a group of outstanding musicians in teaching funk to intermediate and advanced players in an online setting. The Funk University classes will be held over the web via...

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has announced the name of his new supergroup, which includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and tour dates for the band. The group, Atoms for Peace, also includes Joey Waronker of R.E.M., Mauro Refosco of Forro in the Dark, and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. They have announced a 9-date tour, beginning in New York and...

Today’s video comes from ARTE TV’s “One Shot Not” program, with Hindi Zahra and Richard Bona performing Bob Marley’s “Wait In Vain”. See more on Arte TV’s web site

DR Strings has announced a new line of strings called the DDT. Designed specifically for drop tuning, the strings feature specific technologies and heavier gauges to help maintain tuning consistency, even way down low. They also attempt to reduce that floppy string feeling and fret buzz. The Bass DDT’s are available in the following sets: Medium DDT-45 (45, 65, 85,...

What does it take be become a “great” band? Believe it or not the collective skill of a group is not determined solely by the skills of its individual members. There is a level of ensemble technique that really elevates a band to be beyond average and gets the group noticed. As with all things there is no short-cut and...

Here’s a rare clip of Wayne Pedzwater of the 1980-81 incarnation of Blood, Sweat and Tears, doing a jamming bass solo. Wayne passed away in March of 2005 after suffering a battle with gastric cancer, but his bass playing legacy lives on on many albums in many different genres. Check out Hartke’s Wayne Pedzwater tribute site

The Playboy Jazz Festival promises to be another bass player’s favorite, featuring performances and appearances by Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Miller, Dwayne Burno, John Clayton’s Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Chick Corea’s freedom band with Christian McBride, and many more. Hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, the festival will take place June 12-13 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. “It’s a party with...