Buzz

Talking Technique: Pivot Perms & Mirror Image

This episode is part one of a three-part challenge. Those time tested permutation exercises (you are doing them, right?) are getting two fresh twists in this episode: descending by their mirror image for an additional right-hand alternating challenge, and what I call the wicked “Pivot Permutations” – a great fun way to spice up that vital practice. I have a...

Gustaf Fjelstrom: Revenant

Bassist Gustaf Fjelstrom has a new album coming out called The Peripheral Arc: Volume 1. The 8-song instrumental release will feature the bass with an ambient, postrock, electronic twist. He’s just shared the first single from the album, called “Revenant,” which is built around a gritty Rickenbacker tone. The track also has some thick synth bass in the mix. For...

Ampeg Now Shipping Classic Preamp and Scrambler Overdrive Pedals

After introducing the pedals at the Winter NAMM Show this year, Ampeg is now shipping the Classic analog bass preamp and Scrambler bass overdrive. The all-analog stomp boxes are compact effects derived from the larger SCR-DI. The Classic offers up the company’s 3-band EQ complete with Ultra Lo and Ultra Hi shelving switches for dialing in your tone. A volume...

Karl Clews: Chameleon

We’ve seen a few bassists take Herbie Hancock’s class tune, “Chameleon” and turn it into a solo bass performance. Karl Clews took it up a notch with a three-bass arrangement, using his 2003 Status Graphite Kingbass Artist. Funky!

GHS Updates Short Scale Strings

GHS Strings has updated their short-scale bass strings to be a bit longer. The extra length, they say, is to accommodate for short-scale basses that have a tailpiece or are strung thru-body. “Traditionally, the winding length (ball end to taper/silk) of a short scale bass string has been 32 [inches],” the company writes. “However, this measurement did not work easily...

John Scofield with Gary Grainger: Time Marches On / The Nag

Here’s a crazy lineup: John Scofield on guitar, Gary Grainger on bass, Dennis Chambers on drums, and Jim Beard on keys. The quartet is on top of their game as they rip it up on the songs “Time Marches On” and “The Nag” in this clip. The first song is a slower jam with Grainger laying down a fat groove,...

In Memoriam: Cel Revuelta

Former Black Flag bassist Cel Revuelta has passed away after fighting brain cancer. The news was shared on a GoFundMe page that was set up to assist with his medical bills. “Today we lost a wonderful person, our hearts are broken Cel passed away this morning Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017,” Adriana Martinez shared. “He was surrounded by his immediate family....

The Lightbulb Moment: Key Change!

There comes a time in every player’s life when we listen to a song and are able to identify a perfectly executed lift in tonal center. The energy heightens, the chorus takes on a slightly new character, and the band keeps grooving with a new sense of intention. This extraordinary moment can only be one thing: a key change. Take...

FORQ: Ultraviolet

FORQ released their sophomore album, in April. The band, which includes Snarky Puppy bassist/bandleader Michael League, Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, Rudder keyboardist Henry Hey, and drummer Jason “JT” Thomas, just shared the video for the track “Ultraviolet.” The musical ties in this band are strong. “I met Chris McQueen the summer before our first year in college at the...

In Memoriam: Kevin Garcia

Kevin Garcia, who laid down the low end for indie rock outfit Grandaddy, has passed away after suffering a stroke. He was 41 years old. The news was announced by the band on their Facebook page. “There are no accurate words to express what we need to,” the band wrote. “We are absolutely shattered to say that we lost our...

Groove – Episode #29: Chuck Rainey

How does one concisely (and intelligently) write something meaningful about an artist like Chuck Rainey? It’s easy to say that Chuck is an American bassist who was born in Cleveland, Ohio and went on to play with artists like Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, etc… He’s so much more than that, to those who...

Steve Lawson and Andy Edwards: Over Time

Bassists and drummers always share a special bond, but Steve Lawson and Andy Edwards have an incredible musical camaraderie. The duo recently performed an entirely improvised set at Tower of Song in Birmingham and it’s astounding. Here’s an extended clip of “Over Time”, which will be available to Lawson’s Bandcamp subscribers. “Everything here is live – I’m playing bass and...