Buzz
Tool: The Pot, Live (2017)
Like just about everyone else on the planet, I’m eagerly anticipating the new Tool album. Luckily there are plenty of great live videos coming out to keep me going. Here’s a clip of the band playing “The Pot” on June 7th, 2017 in Clarkson, Michigan. It was their first time playing the song live in over five years, but you...
Donald “Duck” Dunn Biography and Transcription Book Coming Soon
It’s hard to talk about the giants of bass without bringing up Donald “Duck” Dunn. As a session bassist for Stax-Volt, he laid down the groove to hits by Booker T. & the MGs, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, and more. Many will also remember him as the bassist for the Blues...
Reader Spotlight: Adam Dowd
Meet Adam Dowd, a bassist from the UK who spends his time performing and teaching “the rock stars of tomorrow” at East Riding College. Adam is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I have been many things to many people over the years! I consider myself a “bassist for musical experiments.” My current role...
Getting Your Students to Practice
Q: I’m a semi-professional bassist who has been taking more students lately. I find that it’s a good way to challenge myself, maybe help somebody along in their path, and it’s a nice way to make a little extra bread. I’ve been struggling lately, though. It seems that most of my students are attentive during the lesson but don’t seem...
Dispatch: Only the Wild Ones
WFUV is a constant source of great music for me. In this video, Dispatch performs “Only the Wild Ones” in WFUV’s studio. Dispatch bassist/guitarist Pete Francis Heimbold is taking time off, so Matthew Embree is filling in here, and for the band’s tour in 2017.
Emma Electronic Updates the DiscomBOBulator Envelope Filter
Emma Electronic has updated their flagship envelope filter for 2017. The DB-2 DiscumBOBulator builds on its predecessor, which was released nearly 20 years ago, with new features for increased versatility. Specifically, it has an increased frequency range, improved tracking, increased headroom, and a new dedicated clean boost that can run with or independent of the filter. The pedal ranges from...
Marco Pistone: Joe Frazier Playthrough
Jeff Berlin posted an update on Facebook yesterday announcing that he’s working on a new recording of his tune, “Joe Frazier.” That made me think back to the 80’s when Jeff’s album Pump It! was on my turntable quite often. That tune, in particular, got a lot of attention. And so I went on the hunt for some videos of...
Bass of the Week: Hernan Gordon Astor Bass
Our new Facebook group has been great for connecting with bassists. One of the early posts was by Hernan Gordon from Argentina, who shared a pair of basses he built for himself. They are called Astor and Lautaro in dedication to his children. This week we’re checking out the Astor bass, which Gordon created based on a Fodera design. The...
Talking Technique: Bach for Two
Ever play a bass duet? It is actually super fun to do and of course great for your technique! In this episode, we have some Bach for you, but don’t worry; we are taking it easy for starters. We have a variety of charts (including TAB) and easy instructions on what to do with all these markings – phrasing and...
Miki Santamaria: Tears (Live)
Miki Santamaria always impresses with a combination of remarkable musicianship, technique, and feel. All three are on full display in this live clip of Miki performing at the Yamaha BB launch in Milan a few days ago.
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in June 2017
We all love the new gear stories. For the ones we published in June, 2017, here are the top 10 reader favorites. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing. 1. Fender CB-60SCE Acoustic Bass Guitar Fender has introduced the Classic Design series that they say is aimed at the company’s acoustic tone and aesthetic at an affordable price. The lineup includes...
TC Electronic Announces the Sub ‘N’ Up Mini Octaver
After introducing the Sub ‘N’ Up octaver last year, TC Electronic has announced a new mini version of the pedal. The Sub ‘N’ Up Mini retains the same tonal characteristics of its big brother while stripping it down to the bone for a small footprint. The pedal has Dry mix, Sub octave, and Up octave knobs. It is also Toneprint-enabled,...