Late last month, the New York Times ran a piece on an area of psychology and behavior that has been gaining more steam in recent years called monotasking. Monotasking is the act of doing a singular activity without distraction. Seems straight forward enough, right? How hard is it to do just one activity at a time. Apparently, very challenging. The Times article begins by … [Read more...] about Monotasking Music: Practicing Music In a World of Distractions
Soloing on Bass Guitar: Soloing Using ‘Continuous Chord Tones’
Have you ever wondered how some bass players solo’s just seem to flow so smoothly from one note to the next? I certainly did, particularly with players such as Jeff Berlin & John Patitucci who have an effortless command of the instrument. In the previous lesson, we looked at soloing using chord tones starting on the root and avoiding starting on the root. The next step of … [Read more...] about Soloing on Bass Guitar: Soloing Using ‘Continuous Chord Tones’
I’m Dmitry Lisenko and This is How I Play
When we’ve talked to bass players and asked them to be part of How I Play or for an interview, typically their primary instrument is the electric bass. Often times their secondary instrument is the upright bass. This is the first time talking to someone whose primary bass guitar is an acoustic bass. Dmitry Lisenko is a bass player and teacher. Having started playing bass at … [Read more...] about I’m Dmitry Lisenko and This is How I Play
Practicing Bass Guitar: What Is and Isn’t Practice
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
Jazz Bass Soloing Pt. 4: Soloing Using Chord Tones
So far in this Jazz Bass series, we have looked at constructing bass lines and soloing using a number of ideas including major 2-5-1 progressions & minor 2-5-1 lines and diminished scale patterns. If there is one thing we need to have a firm grasp of when playing a solo, it’s using chord tones. If you have played jazz gigs in the past, you’ll be familiar with the situation … [Read more...] about Jazz Bass Soloing Pt. 4: Soloing Using Chord Tones