A common question among bassists starting off is the topic of practice. How much practice should someone do, what is 'good' and 'bad' practice, what should be focused on and what shouldn't be, what are good practice habits to get into and many other questions are ones that circle the bass guitar forums and message boards all the time. One question that's seldom asked is what … [Read more...] about Practicing Bass Guitar: What Is and Isn’t Practice
Review: 4” Black Leather Bass Strap by Italia Leather Strap
Few things say cool and smooth quite like leather. And when you combine bass playing with leather then you've got a sight and sound fit for the sleekest jazz bar. While there are many leather strap makers out there, in this review we're going to look at one of the smaller ones out there doing big things out there for a whole slew of artists all around the world. Italia … [Read more...] about Review: 4” Black Leather Bass Strap by Italia Leather Strap
Review: Bernell’s Steak Sauce Bass Additive Overdrive Pedal
Bass overdrive pedals are pedal board staples. They add a special grind and dirt to a bass signal like no other pedal can. Whether a little wool for a classic rock song or a lot of wool for a dirty funk anthem, overdrive pedals are a must have and having the right overdrive pedal in your board is essential. Today we're going to take a look at a special, boutique overdrive … [Read more...] about Review: Bernell’s Steak Sauce Bass Additive Overdrive Pedal
Theory in 300: Lydian Mode
The Lydian scale or Lydian mode is a major scale that begins on on the fourth note of a major scale. A Lydian scale is a type of of major scale with an augmented (or sharp) fourth. The third note of the scale is major, as opposed to the Phrygian mode, Aeolian or Locrian where their third note is flat (a minor third). The augmented 4th gives playing the Lydian scale the … [Read more...] about Theory in 300: Lydian Mode
Theory in 300: Phrygian Mode
The Phrygian mode (or scale) is another kind of minor scale. The characteristics of the Phrygian mode are the flattened: Second Third Sixth and Seventh The flattened third is the distinguishing trait that denotes a scale is a minor one versus a major one. The Phrygian mode is based off the third step, or third note, of a major scale. In other words, the first … [Read more...] about Theory in 300: Phrygian Mode
Creating Bass Lines: 3 Factors That Affect Bass Line Development
As bassists, it's our job to make a good bass line. A good bass line, broadly speaking of course, is one that can As musicians that play in bands (more often than not - solo bassists excluded!), we have a very important decision - or series of decisions - to make: what bass line do we play? It's a simple question but there are so many answers that can work. Like an open ended … [Read more...] about Creating Bass Lines: 3 Factors That Affect Bass Line Development
Theory in 300: Target Notes
When soloing whether as part of a jazz ensemble or otherwise, it's likely that underneath your solo there will be chords changing. What really helps to take an average solo and really make it sound like it fits within the song and among the changes is making sure your solo lands on certain notes at certain times. Those notes can be thought of as target notes. Target notes are … [Read more...] about Theory in 300: Target Notes
Thoughts on Being Left-Handed and Playing Right-Handed Bass
Every so often after playing a show, jamming with someone or in casual conversation it will come out that I’m left-handed. First there will be a raised eyebrow and a follow up: “You’re left- handed?” Then it will hit that I also play music and that I’m a bass player and the next question will be like “but you play bass right-handed, right?” Yes, yes I do. I’m a … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Being Left-Handed and Playing Right-Handed Bass
I’m Jon Liebman, Founder of For Bass Players Only and This is How I Play
You can't be a bass player without having heard of For Bass Players Only and its founder, Jon Liebman. For bassists, few sites offer insights, knowledge and stories as complete, thorough or insightful as ForBassPlayersOnly.com, a site dedicated entirely to all things bass (electric and upright) and the bass culture. FBPO is consistently updated with the very latest happenings … [Read more...] about I’m Jon Liebman, Founder of For Bass Players Only and This is How I Play
Artistic Freedom With Bass Lines Pt. 2: Where You Don’t Have Creative Freedom (or As Much, Rather)
In part 1 of this two part column, we looked at exploring bass lines that were difficult to hear, difficult to make out and how you the bass player should interpret playing and approaching those lines. We also explored how much artistic creativity and freedom you have when making a 'new' bass line and what to keep in mind when you do so. In this second part, let's look at some … [Read more...] about Artistic Freedom With Bass Lines Pt. 2: Where You Don’t Have Creative Freedom (or As Much, Rather)