Buzz
Working with Printed Transcriptions
Studying transcriptions of masterful performances can provide a wealth of learning material for a musician. Musically speaking, we will gain the most by completing our own transcriptions, entirely by ear, of course. However, there is still a great deal to be gained by working from published transcriptions by other musicians, provided we approach them in the right way. Certainly there...
Ben Titus: Looping Bass Arrangement of “Radioactive”
Bassist Ben Titus sent in this awesome looping arrangement of the Imagine Dragons hit “Radioactive”, and I’m glad he did. He gets a gorgeous tone from his six-string and creates a perfect pad with his chord voicings.
In Memoriam: Marshall “Rock” Jones
Sad news to report today: Ohio Players bassist Marshall “Rock” Jones has passed away after battling cancer and recently suffering a stroke. He was 75 years old. Jones was a founding member of the Ohio Players precursor band The Ohio Untouchables in 1959, though he left after getting in a fistfight 1964. Another shakeup led to Jones rejoining in 1970....
Weekly Top 10: Robert “Bubby” Lewis Bass Gear Contest, Talking Technique, Top Bass Videos, Lessons and More
This week’s top 10 reader favorite list features a lot to be excited about from the world of bass. Here are the top 10 most read stories, most watched videos and more for the week of May 21-27, 2016. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Contest: Win a Robert “Bubby” Lewis Bass Gear Prize Pack from Gallien-Krueger, MTD,...
Cog Effects Introduces Knightfall 66 and Mini 66 Overdrive Pedals
Cog Effects has discontinued their Knightfall pedal to create two new stompbox offerings: the Knightfall 66 and Mini 66 Overdrives. Each pedal is built one at a time with true bypass switching, engraved aluminium enclosure and no PCB-mounted jacks. The Knightfall 66 has two Gain knobs with an A/B footswitch so users can have two different drives dialed in. Both...
Los Kamikazes: Nuevo Planeta
Here’s a brand new video featuring some seriously great bass by Fernando Lamadrid. Fernando wrote this tune, which was arranged by Los Kamikazes – the band in this video. Holy smokes.
Tiger Army Enlists Nashville Bassist Extraordinaire for Latest Album
Psychobilly band Tiger Army is sporting some serious bass cred. The group’s new album, V •••, features the work of Nashville bassist Dave Roe (Johnny Cash, Sturgill Simpson, Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and a host of others). It’s the band’s first studio effort since 2007’s Music from Regions Beyond. The group also added one of the world’s best...
MonoNeon on Playing with Prince
When Prince died on April 21st, the world lost another legend. The Purple One touched so many lives through his music that he was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon. Besides being a world-class bassist himself, Prince always kept top-notch low-enders by his side. Rhonda Smith, Mark Brown, André Cymone, Larry Graham, Ida Nielsen, Andrew Gouché and...
Tom Barger and Leland Sklar: Jamaica Rendezvous
Today is Leland Sklar‘s birthday, and we’re celebrating with another great video. If ever you’re looking for a lesson in tone, taste, and time, just look up a video of Lee. (Even better, you should follow him on Facebook.) Here’s a duet he shared of “Jamaica Rendezvous” with the late singer/songwriter Tom Barger. Sklar lays down a tasty groove with...
The Killers Bassist Mark Stoermer Halts Touring
The Killers have announced that Mark Stoermer will be taking a break from touring with the band to work on his own projects. The bassist, who has been part of the lineup since 2002, will still be a part of the band and involved in recording the group’s new album. “Mark has decided to take a break from The Killers...
Fur Peace Ranch Announces 2016 Bass Workshops
Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch and Arts Center has announced its lineup of bass workshops for 2016, and it’s bound to be a good year. Kaukonen’s Hot Tuna partner and regular FPR educator Jack Casady will return while bassists Kai Eckhardt and Bobby Vega will teach their own workshops this summer and fall. First up will be Eckhardt, who will...
Bass Players To Know: Edgar Meyer
There’s nothing like being in a symphony hall and experiencing the sound of a double bass. The tone of the instrument is enhanced by the beauty of the room and the reverence for hundreds of years of Western musical culture. The low, resonant notes fill the space like fresh coffee being poured into your favorite mug; they are rich and...