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Talking Technique: Bach for Two (In Three)

Talking Technique: Bach for Two (In Three)

In episode 43, we looked at an easy piano piece that was arranged for two basses. This is a great exercise because it works on your reading and your technique. Bach’s bass lines are typically challenging and push us as bassists to hone our chops. This time we’re checking out the Minuet in Bb (though I’ve transposed it to the...

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Talking Technique: Got Dexterity?

Talking Technique: Got Dexterity?

Let’s go to the gym. The bass-finger gym that is! This work out practices one-finger-per-fret with elaborate string crossings. I have plenty of tips for you to succeed if one-finger-per-fret is hard for you. As always, this only works if you stay relaxed, move as little as possible and keep your fingers close to the strings. Keep breathing and give...

Talking Technique: Sting Groove Workshop

Talking Technique: Sting Groove Workshop

Inspired by a Sting bass line, I’m bringing you a groove creation workout today. We’ll cover how to create your own bass line using a simple formula that will have you coming up with ideas for workable grooves every time. We also shine a light on the correct use of pentatonic scales and top it all off by learning Sting’s...

Talking Technique: Intro To Triplets In Walking Bass Lines

Talking Technique: Intro To Triplets In Walking Bass Lines

In the last lesson, we covered adding “burps” into walking bass lines and how to practice them systematically. This time we’re spicing up your walking with triplets. We’ll go over several variations to get these triplets under your fingers and ready to go on all beats of the bar. To keep a focused practice session, we’re going to narrow it...

Talking Technique: “Burps” in Walking

Talking Technique: “Burps” in Walking

After the Talking Technique Episode on “Killer Dead Notes,” I got a question from Lionel who wanted to know about “the best technique and timing to get those really nice burps in walking bass lines.” I love the way he phrased that question – he asked specifically for not only the technique itself but also the timing. In this episode,...

Talking Technique: The Thunder Episode

Talking Technique: The Thunder Episode

Today we’re bringing the thunder! We’ll be borrowing from AC/DC guitarist Angus Young by playing the opening riffs from “Thunderstruck.”

Talking Technique: Bach for Two

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...

Talking Technique: Why Practice Technique?

Talking Technique: Why Practice Technique?

As musicians, wouldn’t it make sense to focus exclusively on musical applications and learn by practicing mainly songs? Why isolate technique drills and put so much focus on the mechanics, seemingly devoid of any musical context? Why waste an opportunity to build ears and creative skills at the same time and instead reduce practice to apparently mindless, non-creative and non-musical...

Talking Technique: Pivot Permutations in the Blues

Talking Technique: Pivot Permutations in the Blues

Ready to apply all this hard work in a song? In part three of this mini-series on Talking Technique we are putting all this hard work to good use in a blues. If you haven’t been following along, be sure to check out the past two Talking Technique episodes! So far we’ve been working on using pivot permutations with their...

Talking Technique: Speed Permutations

Talking Technique: Speed Permutations

Up for part 2 of our challenge? In part 1 we explored pivot permutations and using the mirror image of permutations. As if that wasn’t tough enough, we are going for speed in this episode! You know I love the power of slow and recommend practicing slowly with your attention rotating (my PORA technique), but in this episode it is...

Talking Technique: Pivot Perms & Mirror Image

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...

Talking Technique: Close Your Eyes and “See” in New Ways

Talking Technique: Close Your Eyes and “See” in New Ways

Let’s start with a simple exercise. I say, go ahead, get your bass and just do it – that way you get the full benefit from this article. To start, let’s play a simple shift, such as C to D on the A string with the first finger on both notes (this is not the fingering I’d usually recommend, but...