Marcus Miller Sire Bass Interview

"Nowadays its so important to put instruments in young people's hands."

Enjoy!

Pentatonic Ideas

Hi,

Adam Nitti shared a concept of playing the 2nd and the 5th when improvising over a minor chord.

For example, instead of playing a C minor pentatonic scale over a C minor chord, you can also play the D minor and G minor pentatonic scale over the C minor chord.

Check out his video below for further explanation:

Another thought came to me is to use the F major Pentatonic (which is the same notes as D minor pentatonic) and the Bb Major Pentatonic (which is the same notes as G minor pentatonic).

Have fun!

Bass Lesson - Norm Stockton

Hi,

Some good advise from Norm Stockton.

Emotion instead of intellectual.

Happy grooving!

The Sun Don't Lie

This album by Marcus Miller was released in 1993.

There are 11 tracks and I recommend all bass players to listen.

Some of the techniques used by Marcus here are widely heard by many other players now.

Enjoy!

Sunday Morning (Maroon 5)

Hi,

 Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 is a nice and simple song using ii V I progression.

 There is an interesting part at the bridge portion.

Listen to the audio to follow the timing of the line.

Have fun!

Bass and Vocals

Hi,

Singing with guitar and keyboard is beautiful but what about with just one bass?

Cheers!

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!