The IIB Monthly Newsletter
Volume 8, Number 8
Hello fellow bassists and friends!
Welcome to the latest issue of the International Institute of Bassists newsletter!
Welcome to the latest issue of the International Institute of Bassists newsletter!
IIBtv - Todd Johnson: "Bye Bye Blackbird"
IIBtv contains selected instructional, bass clinic, and concert performance videos which feature some of today's premier bass artists. On The Solo Session, Johnson demonstrates his melodic chordal approach to arranging popular pieces from the jazz repertoire and original compositions for solo bass guitar. Utilizing his 6-string signature model Zon bass, Johnson performs innovative solo renditions of "All The Things You Are," "Blues For Hellen," "Bye Bye Blackbird," "Goin' Home," "In A Mellow Tone," "Smile," "Stella By Starlight," "There Will Never Be Another You," "You Are My Sunshine," and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee." ... Read More!
Reviews - Todd Johnson: The Solo Session
Regarded as one of the world's leading electric bass educators, Todd Johnson has designed an instructional series of DVDs comprised of core curriculum based on his vast knowledge and the extensive experience which he has acquired as a professional bassist. With his 6-string signature model Zon bass, Johnson has developed a distinct style of performance that goes beyond the traditional role of the bass guitar. On The Solo Session, the first DVD to document his innovative chord melody techniques, Johnson demonstrates his melodic chordal approach to arranging popular standards from the jazz repertoire and original compositions for solo bass guitar. Through accompaniment comprised of double, triple, and quadruple-stop chordal voicings in the styles of legendary jazz guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, Ron Escheté, and Joe Pass, Johnson transitions fluidly from one finger-twisting chord structure to the next while playing the melodies of these pieces simultaneously. Featured within the special bonus footage section of this DVD is excerpted instructional content from Volume's I and II of Johnson's acclaimed Walking Bass Line Module System DVD series along with a collection of fundamental exercises found on his Technique Builders DVD and a 2004 solo rendition of "Battle Hymn Of The Republic." Also provided on this DVD is an address to a page on Johnson's web site where supplemental notated examples can be downloaded. Whether this performance DVD is utilized by the viewer for entertainment purposes or to serve as a master class for learning chordal vocabulary, The Solo Session is an indispensable resource for contemporary bassists who are looking to expand their musical horizons and explore new sounds on the bass guitar. ... Read More!
Reviews - Jeff Schmidt: Outré
After a decade-long hiatus from the music industry and less than two years removed from winning the 2005 Bass Extremes International Solo Bass Competition, Jeff Schmidt has become one of today's most recognizable solo bassists. On Outré, his debut release as an unaccompanied artist, Schmidt demonstrates that his approach to playing bass is anything but conventional. By utilizing unorthodox tunings along with light gauge strings and a variety of tapping, chordal, harmonic, and strumming techniques on both his fretted and fretless 5-string basses, Schmidt has created a hybrid sound and style of performance that can be categorized somewhere between the characteristics of a traditional bass and electric guitar. Because Schmidt employs basses constructed of typical scale lengths which are tuned higher than customary and makes use of a capo on about half of the 11 original pieces featured on this recording, his solo compositions contain intricate guitar-like textures while still maintaining the deep resonant sonorities only attainable on a long scale bass guitar. Regardless of the equipment and methods used to deliver his music, Schmidt has successfully assembled a collection of expressive tracks which transcend the standard bass repertoire. Although he is a relative newcomer on the solo bass scene, Outré has already firmly established Schmidt as one of world's premier solo bassists. ... Read More!
Bass Tips Of The Week
Chord/Scale Theory
There are dozens of five-note groupings which could be technically classified as pentatonic scales, but the most commonly played pentatonic is the major pentatonic scale. Following a series of whole steps and minor thirds, the formula of the major pentatonic scale is W-W-m3-W-m3, and it is composed of the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth scale degrees of the major scale. The major pentatonic scale starting on C contains the notes C-D-E-G-A-C.
Along with the Ionian and Lydian modes of the major scale, the major pentatonic scale is also utilized with major family chords and can be played over unaltered major chord types (Maj6, Maj7, Maj9).
The pentatonic sound is one of the most recognized tonalities in music, and beginners to advanced players alike have made widespread use of the pentatonic sound in every style of music. Although pentatonic scales have existed for centuries, they didn't become a significant part of the jazz vocabulary until the early 1960's when musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and McCoy Tyner began employing them in their improvisations.
Just like other scales, by starting on a note other than the root, a series of modes can be generated from the major pentatonic scale. Since the major pentatonic is a five-note scale, it has five modes. The fifth mode of the major pentatonic scale has been played so extensively by itself over m7 chords that it has come to be recognized by its own name, the minor pentatonic scale.
Because the major pentatonic scale is constructed entirely of whole steps and minor thirds, it lacks the type of chromaticism found in typical seven-note scales. As a result of its construction, the overall tonality of the major pentatonic scale suggests a greater sense of space than most other scales. Due to their formula of only whole steps and minor thirds, the modes of the major pentatonic scale tend to give music a more "open" type of sound.
To simplify things, soloists will often use the major pentatonic scale over all three chords of a ii-V-I chord progression beginning on the fifth scale degree of the key. For example, in the key of C major, you could play the G major pentatonic scale over all three chords (Dm7-G7-CMaj7) without the fear of creating a dissonant clash against the harmony because there are no avoid notes present. ... Read More On Minor Pentatonic, The Blues Scale, Diminished Scales & The Whole Tone Scale.
Jazz Improvisation - Double Chromatic Approach Notes From Above & Single Chromatic Approach Note From Below
One of the most conventional devices employed by soloists in modern improvisation is the usage of chromaticism or chromatic ornamentation. Chromaticism may be defined as the presence of notes within a melody or phrase which are not a part of the diatonic scale(s) typically associated, through the rules of functional harmony, with the particular chord type that is sounding at that time. Chromatic notes or non-diatonic tones usually resolve, diatonically, to either chord tones or scale tones (tensions). These chord or scale notes are referred to as target tones. The target tone is generally a chord tone, but it also might be a tension (9th, 11th, or 13th). Although target notes are normally placed on metrically strong downbeats within the measure (beats 1, 2, 3, or 4), they can be found on the upbeats as well.
This chromatic approach note technique will be comprised of both diatonic and non-diatonic tones which will be located above and even below target notes. In this lesson, we are going to analyze double chromatic approach notes from above combined with a single chromatic approach note from below chord tones and tensions. This approach note concept will help intensify the underlying element of tension and release (dissonance and consonance) in phrases due to the number of notes played before being resolved to a target tone. ... Read More.
There are dozens of five-note groupings which could be technically classified as pentatonic scales, but the most commonly played pentatonic is the major pentatonic scale. Following a series of whole steps and minor thirds, the formula of the major pentatonic scale is W-W-m3-W-m3, and it is composed of the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth scale degrees of the major scale. The major pentatonic scale starting on C contains the notes C-D-E-G-A-C.
Along with the Ionian and Lydian modes of the major scale, the major pentatonic scale is also utilized with major family chords and can be played over unaltered major chord types (Maj6, Maj7, Maj9).
The pentatonic sound is one of the most recognized tonalities in music, and beginners to advanced players alike have made widespread use of the pentatonic sound in every style of music. Although pentatonic scales have existed for centuries, they didn't become a significant part of the jazz vocabulary until the early 1960's when musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and McCoy Tyner began employing them in their improvisations.
Just like other scales, by starting on a note other than the root, a series of modes can be generated from the major pentatonic scale. Since the major pentatonic is a five-note scale, it has five modes. The fifth mode of the major pentatonic scale has been played so extensively by itself over m7 chords that it has come to be recognized by its own name, the minor pentatonic scale.
Because the major pentatonic scale is constructed entirely of whole steps and minor thirds, it lacks the type of chromaticism found in typical seven-note scales. As a result of its construction, the overall tonality of the major pentatonic scale suggests a greater sense of space than most other scales. Due to their formula of only whole steps and minor thirds, the modes of the major pentatonic scale tend to give music a more "open" type of sound.
To simplify things, soloists will often use the major pentatonic scale over all three chords of a ii-V-I chord progression beginning on the fifth scale degree of the key. For example, in the key of C major, you could play the G major pentatonic scale over all three chords (Dm7-G7-CMaj7) without the fear of creating a dissonant clash against the harmony because there are no avoid notes present. ... Read More On Minor Pentatonic, The Blues Scale, Diminished Scales & The Whole Tone Scale.
Jazz Improvisation - Double Chromatic Approach Notes From Above & Single Chromatic Approach Note From Below
One of the most conventional devices employed by soloists in modern improvisation is the usage of chromaticism or chromatic ornamentation. Chromaticism may be defined as the presence of notes within a melody or phrase which are not a part of the diatonic scale(s) typically associated, through the rules of functional harmony, with the particular chord type that is sounding at that time. Chromatic notes or non-diatonic tones usually resolve, diatonically, to either chord tones or scale tones (tensions). These chord or scale notes are referred to as target tones. The target tone is generally a chord tone, but it also might be a tension (9th, 11th, or 13th). Although target notes are normally placed on metrically strong downbeats within the measure (beats 1, 2, 3, or 4), they can be found on the upbeats as well.
This chromatic approach note technique will be comprised of both diatonic and non-diatonic tones which will be located above and even below target notes. In this lesson, we are going to analyze double chromatic approach notes from above combined with a single chromatic approach note from below chord tones and tensions. This approach note concept will help intensify the underlying element of tension and release (dissonance and consonance) in phrases due to the number of notes played before being resolved to a target tone. ... Read More.
News
Be sure to check out the latest books, DVD's, CD's, and gear. ... Read More.
BassUp! 2007
The Players School Of Music - One Week Intensive
Marcus Miller - Free
David Hughes - Foreign Shores
BassUp! 2007
The Players School Of Music - One Week Intensive
Marcus Miller - Free
David Hughes - Foreign Shores
Advertising Special On The IIB!
If you purchase a 6-month advertising package, you'll receive 2 months of advertising on the IIB for FREE! The International Institute of Bassists is a bass-centric web site aimed specifically toward the art of contemporary bass playing and the study of the bass tradition. Since its founding in 1997, the IIB has established a long-time presence on the internet and grown into one of the largest and most popular interactive bass-related web sites found online. As a viewer of the IIB, you can read exclusive interviews with bass virtuosos including Michael Manring, Stuart Hamm, Jeff Berlin, Gary Willis, Matt Garrison, Keith Horne, and Brian Bromberg to name just a few. Viewers of the IIB also have access to free, downloadable lessons which are published by a staff of highly-respected instructors such as Michael Manring, Ray Riendeau, and Berklee College of Music associate professor Jim Stinnett. In addition, viewers have access to interviews with the founders of manufacturing companies, bass shops, and bass events along with the latest bass-related news, reviews, and streaming media. ... Read More!
The IIB Giveaways
Each month, the IIB gives its viewers the opportunity to participate in various monthly giveaways. Sponsored by: Line 6, D'Addario Strings, Gallien-Krueger, Ibanez, Hartke, Zoom, Evidence Audio, and Zon Guitars. To become eligible to win products including basses, amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, gig bags, straps, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, apparel, and more!
ENTER TO WIN TODAY! ... Read More.
ENTER TO WIN TODAY! ... Read More.
The IIB MP3 Bass Sampler
The IIB MP3 Bass Sampler is comprised of selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Gary Willis, Norm Stockton, Gerald Veasley, and many more.
OVER 1 HOUR OF MUSIC! ... Read More.
OVER 1 HOUR OF MUSIC! ... Read More.
As a subscriber, you will receive the following benefits:
The IIB Monthly Giveaways - Each month, your name will be entered in all of our various giveaways providing you with the opportunity to win basses, amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, gig bags, straps, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, apparel, and more! ... Read More.
The IIB MP3 Bass Sampler - You'll receive access to the IIB MP3 Bass Sampler which features selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Gary Willis, Norm Stockton, Gerald Veasley, and many more. OVER 1 HOUR OF MUSIC! ... Read More.
Bass Tips Of The Week - You will have access to a huge database of lesson material which includes over 50 individual lessons that have been written on subjects such as Classical & Jazz Music Theory, Sight Reading, Ear Training, Bass Line Construction, Right & Left Hand Technique, Soloing, Jazz Improvisation, Slapping, Tapping, Chordal Techniques, Harmonics, Fingerstyle Funk, Altered Tunings, and Concepts For Solo Bass Playing. All of the lessons are available as downloadable PDF files.
By becoming a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future.
The IIB MP3 Bass Sampler - You'll receive access to the IIB MP3 Bass Sampler which features selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Gary Willis, Norm Stockton, Gerald Veasley, and many more. OVER 1 HOUR OF MUSIC! ... Read More.
Bass Tips Of The Week - You will have access to a huge database of lesson material which includes over 50 individual lessons that have been written on subjects such as Classical & Jazz Music Theory, Sight Reading, Ear Training, Bass Line Construction, Right & Left Hand Technique, Soloing, Jazz Improvisation, Slapping, Tapping, Chordal Techniques, Harmonics, Fingerstyle Funk, Altered Tunings, and Concepts For Solo Bass Playing. All of the lessons are available as downloadable PDF files.
By becoming a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future.
CLICK HERE To Subscribe Today For Only $9.95 Per Year!
If you have any comments, suggestions, news-related items such as press releases, or products that you would like to submit for review on the IIB, please feel free to e-mail: Editor@InstituteOfBass.com.
Thanks so much for your continued support, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Editor: The IIB
August 2007
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Thanks so much for your continued support, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Editor: The IIB
August 2007
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