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Talking Technique: Optimize Your Octaves with a Killer Bass Riff
Here is a cool modern retro disco funk riff that will help you optimize your octaves. A cool slide in the middle inspires more ideas for creative explorations and technique shedding. The transcription will help you out, but follow the step-by-step way to break it down and make it manageable. Practicing technique the groovy way!
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones: Live at The Capitol Theatre
Relix streamed the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones concert at The Capitol Theatre on June 30th. What a treat it is to be able to catch Victor Wooten and the band in an entire show – whenever you want. Skip ahead to around the 2:55 mark for the music to begin.
The Gorillaz Return with “The Now Now”
The Gorillaz have always had great bass lines for their songs, and that doesn’t change on their new album The Now Now. The album, which leans more on dance and electronica, features James Ford laying down much of the instrumentals including bass. Jamaican roots/reggae bassist Junior Dan returned to the fold to play on the song “Sorcererz”. He was a...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in June 2018
Some new bass gear makes its way to our pages each June, thanks to the Summer NAMM Show. Here are the top 10 reader favorite gear stories for the month. Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing. 1. Ibanez Compact Acoustic Electric Basses Ibanez has launched two new compact acoustic basses with the AVNB1E and the AVNB1FE. The basses, which are...
Massive Unity Unveils the Dirty Boy Preamp Pedal
Massive Unity attended the Summer NAMM Show this year and introduced the Dirty Boy preamp. Designed for guitar and bass, the unit is powered by T.A.E. technology, which is a proprietary tube amp emulation developed by engineer Danny Gomez. “Based on the classic amplifier, the Dirty Boy is a full analog amplifier simulator for line connection, a highly detailed preamp...
Pomplamoose: Jamiroquai/Bee Gees Mashup
Sam Wilkes is one busy bassist. In this clip, he’s laying down the groove on a Jamiroquai/Bee Gees mashup by Pomplamoose. Pomplamoose’s lead vocalist Nataly and keyboardist Jack were listening to Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity,” when Jack noticed how much it sounded like the Bee Gees. He asked Nataly to try to sing “Stayin’ Alive” on top of it. Nataly said...
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy Releases Live CD/DVD
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer helped to push the boundaries of what rock musicians could do. Sadly, Emerson and Lake have passed away, but drummer Carl Palmer is still carrying the torch of their musical legacy. His latest release, Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy – Live, is a 2-CD and DVD package dedicated to his fallen friends. “I am so pleased to...
Reverend Guitars Announces Meshell Ndegeocello Fellowship Bass in New Finish
Four years ago, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello teamed up with Reverend Guitars to unveil a signature instrument called the Fellowship Bass. Now the jet black instrument will be available in a new red, black, and green color scheme. Ndegeocello chose the design in honor of Lumumba, the African leader credited with freeing The Congo from Belgium in 1960. A portion of...
Stanley Clarke Band: Beyond the Seventh Galaxy
In celebration of Stanley Clarke’s birthday today, we’re sharing this clip of Stanley and his band going back in time with this performance of Chick Corea’s “Beyond the Seventh Galaxy.” Happy birthday, Mr. Clarke!
In Memoriam: Steve Soto
Sad news to report today: punk rock mainstay Steve Soto has passed away. The Adolescents and Agent Orange bassist was 54 years old. A cause of death has not been announced. Bandmate Tony Reflex shared the news via Twitter. “With heavy heart I share the passing of Steve Soto, my friend and bandmate since 1979,” he wrote. “I don’t know...
Mattoverse Electronics Announces the Inflection Point Modulation Pedal
Mattoverse Electronics has released the Inflection Point, a modulation pedal designed for guitar, bass, or synths. The stompbox features eight waveforms, onboard tap tempo, clock/sync input, resonant ambience (space) control, and true bypass. It also has a toggle for selecting between tremolo or vibrato modes. A dry/wet blend control allows for retaining your tone and creating a more subtle use...
The Lightbulb Moment: Coppersox And The Three Straps
There was once a young girl named Goldilocks, who frequently went gallivanting around the woods looking for porridge. Most days, she left the house simply to get away from her older brother, who happened to smell profusely and play bass for hours on end. He shook the house with his low and rumbling frequencies, making everyone in his family aware...