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Opinion and Analysis in Bass Guitar

How to Set up a Pedal Board for Bassists

Last Updated: July 26, 2022 by Mike Emiliani Leave a Comment

boss pedals

Pedal chain order and how to set up a pedal board are the biggest questions among bass players and musicians looking to take their tone and performance to the next level. It only makes sense. Whether we’re embarking on learning a new musical skill or something completely different like model making or website design, we want to know what are the best practices. What are the … [Read more...] about How to Set up a Pedal Board for Bassists

The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]

Last Updated: July 26, 2022 by Mike Emiliani 19 Comments

Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide

Bass guitar effect pedals can seem pretty daunting. All kinds of brands, models, colors, technical components and thousands of reviews for all of them. How does anyone really get the right information about effects pedals, and how to use them? Pedals play a big role for bass players. They help to add an additional layer of tone and dimension to our playing. Sure playing clean … [Read more...] about The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Everything About Bass Guitar Strings

Last Updated: September 11, 2022 by Mike Emiliani 4 Comments

flatwound roundwound bass strings comparison

Buying a set of bass guitar strings can be one of the toughest decisions you'll ever make. How bright do those sound?, will those sound good in the mix?, will my bass be heard on stage?, will these give me more of an upright bass tone or more of a Chuck Rainey-1970s sound? are just some of the questions you might find yourself asking yourself as you stare behind the counter … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Everything About Bass Guitar Strings

I’m Nick Wells, Editor of iBass Magazine, and This is How I Play

Last Updated: July 26, 2022 by Mike Emiliani Leave a Comment

nick-wells-ibass-magazine-bass-guitar

Behind every online publication, there's someone running the show and making sure quality content is delivered to readers. For iBass Magazine, one of the Internet's leading bass guitar publications, that's Nick Wells. iBass Magazine is an online bass guitar magazine for iPad and Android. Shifting away from the new format of an online magazine or publication where the website … [Read more...] about I’m Nick Wells, Editor of iBass Magazine, and This is How I Play

Double Stops on Bass: What They Are & How to Use Them Effectively

Last Updated: July 26, 2022 by Mike Emiliani

sbg major double stop shape for bass guitar

Back when I was just getting started on bass, I was equally interested in music composition and writing music beyond just bass guitar. But what was very frustrating at the time was that I really only knew how to play bass. Just starting out, bass guitar was the only instrument I had in my arsenal. I didn’t have a more ‘traditional’ composition instrument like a guitar or piano … [Read more...] about Double Stops on Bass: What They Are & How to Use Them Effectively

Being a Working Musician Part 2: Pop Function Gigs

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by John Marley Leave a Comment

In the last part of this series, we looked at how to approach playing jazz gigs. We learned that some jazz gigs are based around being creative and playing original music. We also learned that some are more about providing a service for functions such as weddings and corporate parties. Function gigs are a great way to make a very respectable income as a musician. They demand a … [Read more...] about Being a Working Musician Part 2: Pop Function Gigs

Forearm Pain Playing Bass: Why Playing Position Matters & You’re Probably Stretching Wrong

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by Mike Emiliani 1 Comment

sbg wrist placement example 1

Nothing can stop a show in it’s tracks quite like forearm pain while playing bass. It’s certainly stopped me from playing my best on multiple occasions. When there is pain, it’s exclusively to my right hand, my plucking hand. Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds of different stretches, positions and gimmicks to relieve this pain when it happens. I’ve learned a lot and what … [Read more...] about Forearm Pain Playing Bass: Why Playing Position Matters & You’re Probably Stretching Wrong

A Return to Groove: What I Learned About Groove and Technique After Two Years With My Solo Project

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by Mike Emiliani Leave a Comment

vulfpeck band full

Over the past few months a lot of things have changed in my life. I've moved to Boston and out of Rhode Island. I've changed jobs to one closer to my home in the city. And I've found myself in a strange place musically: returning to groove. Over the past two years I've been playing on and off in my own solo bass guitar project called 10 Volt Army. The goal of the project was to … [Read more...] about A Return to Groove: What I Learned About Groove and Technique After Two Years With My Solo Project

Unsung Bass Heroes: J Dilla

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by Mike Emiliani Leave a Comment

j dilla records

This is a guest post from Young Pandas bass player, Kyle Nagel. For those who don’t know James Dewitt Yancey, better known as Jay Dee or J Dilla, he was a hip hop and R&B producer and rapper who had a tremendous impact on hip hop beat making and sampling culture from 1995 until his death in 2006. Yancey’s music has continued to influence and inspire long after his … [Read more...] about Unsung Bass Heroes: J Dilla

I’m Adam Nitti and This is How I Play

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by Mike Emiliani Leave a Comment

adam nitti headshot

Adam Nitti is a prominent name in bass guitar and bass guitar education. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, Nitti is a leading name for session work and all things bass guitar. From session work to touring, teaching to producing albums, giving talks and more, Nitti is one of the industry and instrument’s hardest working and accomplished names. His credits include working with … [Read more...] about I’m Adam Nitti and This is How I Play

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