Buzz
Death: The Philosopher, Live 1998
Death was one of the biggest metal bands in the world for a reason, and here’s one of them. This clip of “The Philosopher” was taken from a 1998 performance at the Dynamo Open Air festival. It was the first performance of the band’s “Sound Of Perseverance” lineup, including Scott Clendenin on bass. The song is filled with killer riffs...
F-Pedals Announces the PunQmonk Envelope Filter
F-Pedals has introduced the PunQmonk, a classic dynamic envelope filter they say is inspired by and dedicated to Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. The compact stompbox is pared down to a switch to toggle between two frequency range modes (OM and HUM) and a potentiometer for setting the filter response. It also has a jack for plugging in their...
Grand Funk Railroad: I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)
We recently launched a Facebook group to connect even more bass players. It’s been incredible to see the conversations and ideas presented. No Treble columnist Ariane Cap posed the question “What tunes are – or were at some point – difficult for you technically?” Roy Eraca responded with Grand Funk Railroad’s “I’m Your Captain,” which led me to check it...
Justin Chancellor: New Tool Album 90 Percent Done
It’s been 11 years of waiting for a new album, but Tool’s Justin Chancellor says that the band is most of the way done with their next release. “We’re about 90 percent there,” he told the MetalSucks podcast. “We’ve just been really picky over what we want to put on this new album and really want to come up with...
Boss Introduces the GT-1B Bass Effects Processor
Boss has expanded their line of multi-effects units with the GT-1B Bass Effects Processor. Utilizing the company’s Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP), the GT-1B features 90 unique effects, 13 preamp types, and a dedicated looper. The unit has a streamlined interface with Easy Select and Easy Edit functions for quickly adjusting the parameters of your effects. It’s fitted with an onboard control...
Or Lubianiker and Eyal Amir: Mirror Mirror
Eyal Amir shared this video on Facebook. After watching it, I reached out to Or Lubianiker to ask him if we could feature it here (and on our Youtube channel). Or sent the video my way. “My favorite power metal band, Blind Guardian are playing tonight in Tel Aviv, so Or Lubianiker and I got inspired and jammed around the...
John McCarthy Releases Learn Bass, Master Edition
John McCarthy has released a new 152-page instructional book for bassists called Learn Bass, Master Edition. Starting at the beginning with how to hold the instrument, the book covers everything from theory and scales to rhythm and how to play with a drummer. McCarthy also covers plucking techniques, slap and pop, and pick technique. Once you register your book, you’ll...
Bass Tracks: An Interview with Derek Frank
When you take a look at a list of his current gigs, it’s a wonder that Derek Frank gets any sleep at all. The L.A. bassist and musical director has been busy laying down the low end for Shania Twain, Air Supply, Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers, and The Dirty Diamond, to name a few. That’s not to mention his...
Zander Zon: Resistance
Zander Zon took Muse’s “Resistance” and arranged it for two basses (one fretted and one fretless). As always, Zander’s arrangement and performance skills are on full display.
What Scales Do I Use Over a Minor ii-V Progression?
Q: I have a question about minor ii-V’s. In a major ii-V7-I progression, each chord is diatonic to the I chord. The ii chord is Dorian, the V chord is Mixolydian and it resolves to a Major tonic. In a minor ii-V, the 1 would be natural minor, which makes the ii chord Locrian (7th degree of the major scale)...
Diego Tarantino: Jitterbug Waltz
We also love the videos Diego Tarantino shares with us. This time around, Diego takes on Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz” on double bass and bass guitar.
Reader Spotlight: Ariana Falcò
Meet Ariana Falcò, a bassist from Argentina who spends her days teaching, recording and playing bass. Ariana is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s her story… Bio: I started to play bass when I was 17 and in a random way, when some friends forgot an electric bass, after a show, in my house. Since I was...