Slap on Flat Wound Strings

Hi,

Most of us will probably be using Round Wound strings especially if you are into slapping.

I chance upon this video of Alex Lofoco where he slaps on Flat Wound strings.

In this video he used a Laurus Quasar T900 XR bass. I first saw this brand by another incredible bassist - Federico Malaman.

Enjoy!

Mixolydian Scale

Hi,

Mixolydian scale is an useful scale to use over dominant chords and in the Blues genre.

The scale degree is as followed: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 

So if you are playing over a C7 chord, you can use the C Mixolydian scale which is also the 5th mode of the F major scale. 

C Mixolydian: C D E F G A Bb 

You can also play the C Mixolydian scale over C9, C11 and C13.

Try the C Mixolydian scale over a Fmaj7 chord too.

Have fun. 

Roland Micro Cube Bass RX

The Roland Micro Cube Bass RX been around for at least 6 years and definitely a good amp to have if you need something that is battery powered.

Beside being portable, the built in tuner, amp modeling and drums machine are other reasons to check out the Roland Micro Cube Bass RX.

Enjoy!

Whole Tone Scale

Hi,

Some of you may come across chords like C7#5 or C7b5.

What scale should you play over? You can try the Whole Tone Scale.

C Whole Tone Scale - C D E F# G# Bb

The scale degree - C (1) D (9) E (3) F# (b5) G# (#5) Bb (b7)

It will also work for C9#5 and C9b5.

Cheers,

Bobby Vega

I think all bass players should check out Bobby Vega.

He is currently working for EMG pickups as a representative and clinician.

His playing is very funky and he can use the pick, finger or thumb.

Enjoy!

Isn't She Lovely - Bass Chords

This is a simplify version of the bass tutorial I saw for Victor Wooten's version of Isn't She Lovely.

The aim is to try the beautiful voicing of the chords on bass.

Enjoy!

Run For Cover - Marcus Miller

Hi,

This is how I would play "Run For Cover" by Marcus Miller.

I think his version is more complicated. This is just the first part.

It is a fun piece to attempt.

Give it a try.

Sir Duke

Hi all,

This is a good exercise for practicing arpeggios.

The basic intro of Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke (not 100% accurate).

Enjoy!

Aeolian Scale - Sinister Minister

Hi,

Practicing scales can be a boring process but if it is musical, you can enjoy the exercise.

When you practice this tune Sinister Minister by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (Victor Wooten), you are actually practicing the Aeolian Scale too.

You can either pluck or thumb. The x is the mute which gives the groovy feel.

Give it a try.

Cheers!

FretWraps - GRUV GEAR

Most of us bassists who watched Victor Wooten talks about using the hair tie to mute the string would probably borrow one from our female friend or spouse to give it a try.

Now with the Fretwraps by GRUV GEAR, we can save the trouble and get a better control of our playing. This adjustable strap dampen the string and cut away unwanted ringing. Definitely worth get one especially if you are into tapping.

Give it a try!

Keys to Improvise

Hi,

I probably copy this from somewhere when I was doing my research on improvisation some years ago. Check it out.

1. Listen to what you want to learn (genre).
2. Learn the melody.
3. Play the 3rd, 5th, 7th of every chord - don't start on the root note.
4. Transcribe a solo or melodic fragments, Learn or transcribe all or part of a solo. Pick one that is attractive to ear and playable.
5. Soloing is a language, just like talking. Let the music breathe.

Hope this is helpful.

Blue Bossa Feel

Hi,

This is a simple ii V I exercise in key of D with a Blue Bossa Feel.

You can repeat this loop again and again. This exercise uses a lot of 5th.

Go listen to the actual Blue Bossa and check out the actual chord progression and practice it.

It will be something like this: Cm7 Fm7 Dm7(b5) G7 Cm7 and etc.

Have Fun!

Circuit Breaker Instrument Cable

The circuit breaker instrument cable by Planet Waves is very useful. Before using this cable, whenever I need to plug out to check my tuning (not using clip on), I need to turn off the volume and on it again when ready. With the circuit breaker, just press the button and it will cut the signal.

Also "Planet Waves Cables utilize the latest technologies to ensure low capacitance and impenetrable shielding. Lower cable capacitance allows your instrument's brilliance, presence and character to be transmitted to the amp ensuring that the signal going into the cable comes out of the cable with the utmost transparency."

Forgetting the technical terms, this cable helps to give a good tone.
If you are looking for new cables, why not give this a try. You may like it.

Diatonic Chords Walk Down

Hi,

An exercise to help practice our Arpeggio but in a more interesting way.

We will walk down the diatonic chords in a C major scale in the 5713 pattern.

I resolved back to the C note when we reached the first few frets.

You can practice walking up and changing the pattern as well.

This is a good way to expand our solo capabilities too.

Have fun!

BeatBuddy: Revolutionary new pedal for bassists

Hi, a new pedal is launching and I think this will help us bassists. Support the product! Check out the demo video at http://mybeatbuddy.com.

Check out the press release:

Miami Beach, FL (Dec. 16, 2013) -- It is a rare occurrence that a company releases a musical device that is truly innovative and grants musicians previously unobtainable abilities. Singular Sound announces the launch of their crowdfunding campaign to begin the production of the BeatBuddy -- the first guitar pedal drum machine.  

“Drummers are hard to come by, and drum sets are even harder to carry,” said David Packouz, Founder, “and drum machines are practically useless for jamming or live performance. The BeatBuddy is the first product to solve this fundamental problem. It's the power of a drum machine, but the simplicity of a pedal.”

Features of the BeatBuddy include:

• Hands-free live control of the beat: Inserts fills, transitions from verse to chorus, adds accent hits (e.g. cymbal crashes or hand claps)

• Pre-loaded with 10 drum sets and over 200 songs

• Any custom beat or drum set can be loaded through included computer software
• MIDI Sync: Integrates with other MIDI devices
• Convenient small single-pedal format

In addition, Singular Sound will host a forum in which BeatBuddy users can upload and share their custom beats and drum sets. The BeadBuddy is not just a pedal -- it’s a platform.

The BeatBuddy will retail for $350(USD), but early birds who help fund the production through Singular Sound’s Indiegogo campaign will be able to score one for as little as $179 (USD). However, that price will only be available for the first 500 supporters.

For further information on the BeatBuddy and to back the project today, visit: igg.me/at/BeatBuddy

Media contact:

David Packouz, Founder/CEO

david@mybeatbuddy.com

305-793-3413

Half Step Below

Hi,

This is a nice exercise to practice your Arpeggio and making it sound more interesting and a little jazzy.

Just add a note half step before your chord tone.

The above outline a Gmaj7 chord.

Try playing the exercise over a Gmaj7 chord and hear how it sound.

You can also try a whole step before your chord tone.

Have fun!

Good Tone

Hi,

Recently I've been thinking about achieving a nice tone in my playing. Some people said it's the player and not the gear. I personally think it's both.

I would like to list down a few factors that may affect the tone.

1. Player's control (fretting & plucking)
2. Bass with good action
3. Experiment with the knobs. Which pick ups to use, preamp and etc
4. Pluck near neck pick up or near bridge pick up
5. Better pick ups
6. Good bass amp
7. Parametric EQ (and other effects)
8. String brand & gauge
9. Wood (body & neck)
10. Neck through or Bolt on

Hope you can get the tone you want for your genre.

Cheers

Small hands

Hi,

For those who are like me with small hands, this article is for you.

Ibanez bass is famous for their slim neck and comes with good wood and electronics.

The above is an Ibanez SR 500 with Mahogany body and Bartolini pick ups.

Since the neck is slim, I can play faster and the bass is 24 frets, which makes it easier to play higher up the neck.

The pricing is not high compared with basses with similar specifications.

Do check it out in the music store near you.

Cheers! 

ii V Sub

Hi,

I was reading on adding substitute chords to the static V7 chords.

Let's learn some simple Jazz together.

Say we have a progression like this: Eb |Eb |D7 |D7 |Eb |Eb |C7 |C7 |

We can use the ii V substitute to make it more interesting.

It will become like this: Eb |Eb |Am7 |D7 |Eb | Eb |Gm7| C7|

The reverse is true. So if you have a progression like Am7 D7, it can become D7 D7.

Have fun!

Chromatic with Double Stop

Hi,

Just want to show a simple exercise with a combination of chromatic notes and double stop.

Basically you can loop this exercise and add your own notes.

The low E note with the double stop will give you a nice E chord.

Enjoy!