When we think of jazz bass playing, the first thing that comes to mind will often be the walking bass style which is so often associated with the genre. However, jazz is a large and varied type of music which takes influence from many areas of the musical spectrum. In coming lessons, we will look at some of these styles - funk, soul, blues and this month Bossa Nova. Bossa Nova … [Read more...] about Playing Jazz Bass: Learning Bossa Nova Bass Lines
How Your Playing is a Reflection of Your Earliest Influences
Take a moment and think about something you’ve been doing for a long time. A real long time. Is that something a thing you’re passionate about? I bet it is. Now think for a minute about the things and people specifically that lit that fire under you. The people that inspired you to start that particular thing. Now examine yourself now. There’s a good chance … [Read more...] about How Your Playing is a Reflection of Your Earliest Influences
Solo Bassist Darren Michaels Releases New Album, Seasons
Singer/songwriter solo bassist Darren Michaels will release his first full-length solo album in seven years on May 23, 2015. Departing from the mixture of vocal, ensemble, and completely solo instrumental compositions presented in his three previous solo albums, Michaels will offer Seasons, a collection of 10 original tracks which delve deeply into Michaels’ … [Read more...] about Solo Bassist Darren Michaels Releases New Album, Seasons
Album Review: Mark Egan’s ‘Direction Home’
Mark Egan often provides subtle accompaniment, holding things together with his bass work and making other musicians look good in his role as a studio musician. The music on Direction Home, his latest release, showcases a range of musical personality from the mellow support to the exuberant lead in a rush of cool, collected jazz compositions. “Summer Fun”, a comfortable … [Read more...] about Album Review: Mark Egan’s ‘Direction Home’
Consider the Following: What Makes a Good Bass Player Today?
What makes a bass player good is a very common question among bassists especially those just starting out. Naturally,we want to be the best we can at anything we do. It’s human nature to seek out the best practices and embody them in our own unique way. In a more objective field of study, what makes a good X might be easier to answer. But in an artistic field or an … [Read more...] about Consider the Following: What Makes a Good Bass Player Today?
I’m Gard Lewis, General Manager for Roscoe Guitars and This is How I Play
Roscoe Guitars is an internationally known brand within the bass playing community. Synonymous with quality parts and guitars, Roscoe has built a name for itself delivering some of the finest basses to players all over the world including to Anthony Crawford, Jimmy Haslip, James Cook of Luke Bryan’s band and Tom Beaupre with Florida-Georgia Line. One has to wonder: how does … [Read more...] about I’m Gard Lewis, General Manager for Roscoe Guitars and This is How I Play
The Adam Phillips Interview: Bass Players United – Then and Now
If you're a bass player, you've likely seen this branding around the Internet: The brand belongs to a company called Bass Players United, a website devoted to creating one of the most comprehensive and supportive bass playing communities around. The site was started back in the early 2000s by bassist Adam Phillips with a mission to start a community that was devoted … [Read more...] about The Adam Phillips Interview: Bass Players United – Then and Now
I Had $2,000 Worth of Bass Gear Stolen. Here Are 5 Things I Learned
It happened. I had my gear stolen. After years and years of playing gigs in some less than questionable places in New England and surviving each and every one of them, this past Thursday it finally happened. Someone broke into my car and stole a good chunk of my gear including: Markbass CMD 102P 2×10 bass combo amp BOSS ODB-3 Bass Overdrive (not pictured) Morely … [Read more...] about I Had $2,000 Worth of Bass Gear Stolen. Here Are 5 Things I Learned
Playing Jazz Bass: Arpeggios, Passing Notes and Chords
In the previous lesson, we began to build a bass line for a jazz blues progression in the key of F. In this lesson we're going to explore chord types, progressions and harmony when playing jazz and playing jazz bass. Now we should have a clear idea of the root movement of the chord sequence and we've solidified the sound using the fifths of each chord. To begin to create a … [Read more...] about Playing Jazz Bass: Arpeggios, Passing Notes and Chords
Bass Guitar and Small Hands: Don’t Let It Stop You From Playing Bass
You have small hands and you want to play bass guitar - what do you do? As a person who doesn't have particularly large hands, you reach for a bass guitar and start playing, that's what. For most of us - including myself- the issue of hand size and bass playing never came up. It was figured that if I can play the instrument, I can play the instrument and that's the end of … [Read more...] about Bass Guitar and Small Hands: Don’t Let It Stop You From Playing Bass