The IIB Monthly Newsletter
Volume 9, 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!
Reviews - S.M.V. - Thunder
Aside from the late Jaco Pastorius, no bassists have influenced bass players worldwide over the past three decades more than Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten. Less than two years removed from performing together at an awards ceremony, this bass supergroup has converged to release, Thunder, a recording that is guaranteed to resonate for generations of bassists to come. By themselves, Clarke, Miller, and Wooten are each prolific, award-winning solo artists who lead their own groups and are commonly revered as pioneers and innovators of the bass guitar. Collectively as S.M.V., these lords of the low frequencies pack the most powerful one-two-three punch ever displayed on a bass-centric project. Encapsulating an array of moods, textures, and dynamics which begins with the escalating drama of the first track, a nostalgic feel permeates throughout these sessions. In addition to the aptly named title track which contains all the sonorities of a classic bass anthem, S.M.V. revisits contemporary renditions of standards from the bass repertoire including a medley of Clarke's "Lopsy Lu" and "Silly Putty" along with Wooten's "Classical Thump," and Miller's "Tutu." Throughout this collection of 13 remarkable pieces which were produced by Miller and fuse the sounds of contemporary jazz with funk genres, S.M.V. is joined by well integrated special personnel including Chick Corea, George Duke, Butterscotch, Patches Stewart, Poogie Bell, Derico Watson, J.D. Blair, Ronald Bruner Jr., Kevin Ricard, Steve Baxter, Ruslan Sirota, Karlton Taylor, and Ariel Mann. Featuring the unmistakable timbres of their respective signature instruments, these legendary bassists generate earth-shaking slap grooves with astounding technical facility and the lyrical melodic statements that bass enthusiasts have come to expect from this threesome. Along with all of the virtuoso slap bass playing on this project, Clarke also contributes arco and pizzicato tones from his acoustic upright while Miller provides fretless bass melodies. The amount of low end that is not only heard but also felt on this production is extraordinary. Even though the bass is mixed prominently in these selections, the grooves, melodies, and solos played by each of these icons never disrupts the sonic space occupied by the others during the brilliant dialogue. While Thunder is destined to be a landmark bass recording and is certain to be celebrated by the bass playing community, you definitely don't have to be a bassist to enjoy the musicality of these compositions because the music on this release extends to an audience beyond that of only bass aficionados. Starting with Stanley Clarke at the forefront of the bass guitar revolution in the 1970's, these bass titans have inspired countless musicians, and Thunder is much more than just a tribute to past achievements. It captures the same level of intensity and depth that has characterized all of the recordings put forth by this trio of acclaimed bassists since the release of Clarke's first solo album in 1973. On Thunder, their debut collaboration, Clarke, Miller, and Wooten continue to redefine the role of the bass and expand its dimensions. ... Read More!
Bass Tips Of The Week
Jazz Improvisation: Scalar Approach Notes
Approach notes are among the most commonly used ornaments employed by soloists, and they can be found in solos which have been recorded in practically every style of music. An approach note does exactly what its name implies. It approaches a target tone from either a whole-step or a half-step. Approach notes may or may not be members of the sounding chord or scale, and they may be found above or below the target note. The target tone is generally a chord tone, but it may also be a tension (9th, 11th, or 13th). Although the target tone is ordinarily placed on a downbeat, the metrically strong beats within the measure (1, 2, 3, or 4), they can be found on the upbeat as well.
In this lesson, we are going to analyze a very common improvisation technique using scalar approach notes from above chord tones and tensions. The scalar approach notes will always be diatonic tones that are found within the scale associated with the sounding chord. ... Read More!
Sight Reading For Bass: Latin Bass Lines
If you take an analytical approach to sight reading standard notation and break it down into its fundamental elements, you are left with two primary components consisting of notes and rhythms. In order to begin sight reading standard notation for bass, you must have two pieces of note-based information committed to memory including the notes on the staff in the bass clef as well as the position of those notes on the fingerboard. Since there are only 12 unique pitches in the Western-based musical alphabet, memorizing their positions on the staff in the bass clef as well as on the fingerboard of your instrument is a relatively easy task. The much more challenging aspect of sight reading standard notation is experienced in learning to instantly recognize rhythms because unlike notes where there are a relatively few number of them, the rhythmic combinations you could be potentially presented with in a piece of standard notation are practically limitless. Once you have the notes on the staff as well as on your instrument thoroughly internalized, the position of those notes will never change. The only thing about those notes that is going to change will be their function as they are applied to different chord types.
Although these exercises may seem somewhat dry since memorizing notes on a sheet of standard notation and your bass isn't the most exciting task you will ever devote time to practicing, great strides can be made in your ability to sight read standard notation over a relatively short span of time by concentrating on these basic note recognition exercises. By becoming a proficient sight reader, you will see your options as a working bassist increase exponentially because you will be able to more effectively communicate with other musicians. There are so many gigs available which require the ability to read standard notation. Whether your goal is to become a commercial session bassist, a member of the college jazz ensemble, bass chair of the local symphony orchestra, play in the school musical, or provide support in your community church, becoming a proficient sight reader will only increase your opportunities and chances of obtaining these gigs. Not only does being able to sight read greatly increase your value as an in-demand bass player, but as an additional benefit, it also makes your practice sessions much more productive since you are able to use that time more efficiently and cover more material. ... Read More!
Approach notes are among the most commonly used ornaments employed by soloists, and they can be found in solos which have been recorded in practically every style of music. An approach note does exactly what its name implies. It approaches a target tone from either a whole-step or a half-step. Approach notes may or may not be members of the sounding chord or scale, and they may be found above or below the target note. The target tone is generally a chord tone, but it may also be a tension (9th, 11th, or 13th). Although the target tone is ordinarily placed on a downbeat, the metrically strong beats within the measure (1, 2, 3, or 4), they can be found on the upbeat as well.
In this lesson, we are going to analyze a very common improvisation technique using scalar approach notes from above chord tones and tensions. The scalar approach notes will always be diatonic tones that are found within the scale associated with the sounding chord. ... Read More!
Sight Reading For Bass: Latin Bass Lines
If you take an analytical approach to sight reading standard notation and break it down into its fundamental elements, you are left with two primary components consisting of notes and rhythms. In order to begin sight reading standard notation for bass, you must have two pieces of note-based information committed to memory including the notes on the staff in the bass clef as well as the position of those notes on the fingerboard. Since there are only 12 unique pitches in the Western-based musical alphabet, memorizing their positions on the staff in the bass clef as well as on the fingerboard of your instrument is a relatively easy task. The much more challenging aspect of sight reading standard notation is experienced in learning to instantly recognize rhythms because unlike notes where there are a relatively few number of them, the rhythmic combinations you could be potentially presented with in a piece of standard notation are practically limitless. Once you have the notes on the staff as well as on your instrument thoroughly internalized, the position of those notes will never change. The only thing about those notes that is going to change will be their function as they are applied to different chord types.
Although these exercises may seem somewhat dry since memorizing notes on a sheet of standard notation and your bass isn't the most exciting task you will ever devote time to practicing, great strides can be made in your ability to sight read standard notation over a relatively short span of time by concentrating on these basic note recognition exercises. By becoming a proficient sight reader, you will see your options as a working bassist increase exponentially because you will be able to more effectively communicate with other musicians. There are so many gigs available which require the ability to read standard notation. Whether your goal is to become a commercial session bassist, a member of the college jazz ensemble, bass chair of the local symphony orchestra, play in the school musical, or provide support in your community church, becoming a proficient sight reader will only increase your opportunities and chances of obtaining these gigs. Not only does being able to sight read greatly increase your value as an in-demand bass player, but as an additional benefit, it also makes your practice sessions much more productive since you are able to use that time more efficiently and cover more material. ... Read More!
News
Be sure to check out the latest books, DVD's, CD's, and gear. ... Read More!
BassQuake 2008
Dominique Di Piazza - Princess Sita
BassQuake 2008
Dominique Di Piazza - Princess Sita
Advertising Special On The IIB!
If you purchase a 6-month advertising package, not only will you receive 2 months of web site advertising for FREE, but your banner will also appear in each monthly newsletter during that 6-month period for FREE! That is a savings of $150 off the regular 6-month newsletter advertising rate! In September, 1999, the IIB delivered its first monthly newsletter to less than 100 subscribers. Today, the IIB's newsletter reaches over 10,000 bass enthusiasts each month! 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, Alain Caron, 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, Todd Johnson, Ray Riendeau, and Berklee College of Music professor Jim Stinnett. In addition to these lessons and interviews with the bass greats, 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. Plus, viewers can also watch selected instructional, concert performance videos, and live bass clinics on IIBtv as well as communicate with other bassists around the world through the IIB chat room. ... Read More!
The IIB Giveaways
Each month, the IIB gives its viewers the opportunity to participate in various monthly giveaways. Sponsored by:
D'Addario, Planet Waves, Thunderfunk, LightWave Systems, AccuGroove, Line 6, Ibanez, SWR Sound, Fender, Evidence Audio, Nordstrand Pickups, Zon Guitars, Comfort Strapp, Bass Specialties, and BassBooks.com. To become eligible to win products including basses, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, combo amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, pickups, gig bags, straps, gift certificates, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, t-shirts, and more!
ENTER TO WIN TODAY! ... Read More!
ENTER TO WIN TODAY! ... Read More!
The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers - Volumes 1 & 2
The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers are comprised of selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Stuart Hamm, Gary Willis, Adam Nitti, Norm Stockton, Ray Riendeau, Tom Kennedy, Yves Carbonne, Gerald Veasley, and many more.
2 HOURS OF MUSIC! ... Read More!
2 HOURS 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, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, combo amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, pickups, gig bags, straps, gift certificates, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, t-shirts, and more! ... Read More!
The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers - Volumes 1 & 2 - You'll receive access to the IIB MP3 Bass Samplers which feature selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Stuart Hamm, Gary Willis, Adam Nitti, Norm Stockton, Ray Riendeau, Tom Kennedy, Yves Carbonne, Gerald Veasley, and many more. 2 HOURS OF MUSIC! ... Read More!
Bass Tips Of The Week - You will have access to a huge database of lesson material that has 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.
There are over 80 individual lessons and over 100 MP3 play-alongs currently available for download within the IIB Subscriber's Area.
By becoming a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future.
The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers - Volumes 1 & 2 - You'll receive access to the IIB MP3 Bass Samplers which feature selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, Stuart Hamm, Gary Willis, Adam Nitti, Norm Stockton, Ray Riendeau, Tom Kennedy, Yves Carbonne, Gerald Veasley, and many more. 2 HOURS OF MUSIC! ... Read More!
Bass Tips Of The Week - You will have access to a huge database of lesson material that has 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.
There are over 80 individual lessons and over 100 MP3 play-alongs currently available for download within the IIB Subscriber's Area.
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!
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Thanks so much for your continued support, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Editor: The IIB
August 2008
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Thanks so much for your continued support, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Editor: The IIB
August 2008
To Unsubscribe from the IIB's monthly newsletter, simply go to: http://www.instituteofbass.com and submit your e-mail to be removed.
