The IIB Monthly Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 2

Hello fellow bassists and friends!

Welcome to the latest issue of The International Institute of Bassists newsletter and the web site of the International Institute of Bassists!

Whether recording as a solo artist, performing as a member of E.M.P. Project, or touring as a sideman, Joseph Patrick Moore has demonstrated the diversity of his musical prowess across a broad spectrum of musical genres while utilizing acoustic upright, electric, and fretless basses. Moore's fascination with music began at a young age. With encouragement from his family, Moore started playing alto saxophone at age eight before switching to drums and then later bass in high school. Following high school, Moore attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) on a full scholarship to pursue double and electric bass studies with a major in both classical and jazz performance. In order to experience more performance opportunities, Moore transferred to the University of Memphis after 2 1/2 years at UTK and eventually relocated to Atlanta in 1997 where he continues to reside today. ... Read More - Listen To 2 Audio Tracks.

Acknowledged for his innovative approach to playing the 6-string bass as a seasoned performer with the critically-acclaimed Ron Escheté Trio and also recognized as a highly-regarded clinician, Todd Johnson has packaged years of experience into his first instructional DVD series, The Walking Bass Line Module System: Vol. I - Triad Modules. In volume I, Johnson dissects a collection of triad-based modules that can be used in building walking bass lines. After defining basic terminology and discussing fundamental music concepts such as strong beat/weak beat theory, essential bass line requirements, and the three components of walking bass line construction, Johnson demonstrates how his in-depth system works through a series of 25 different modules consisting of roots, thirds, fifths, octaves, and half-step approaches from above and below these scale degrees. Two additional modules comprised of roots, thirds, fifths, and sevenths are included near the conclusion of the program that offer a glimpse towards the direction of volume II of this series. ... Read More.

The Barker bass could be technically classified as an electric upright bass guitar because it contains certain features that make it a hybrid design. In terms of its overall physical nature, the Barker bass is closer to the makeup of an electric bass guitar than that of an acoustic upright. Upon first glance, the most striking feature of the Barker bass is its stunning appearance. It sports an elegant look all its own, but after further inspection, you'll find that the Barker bass is comprised of the typical 34" scale length, string spacing, neck radius, frets, position dot markers, bolt-on attachment to body, graphite nut, headstock, tuners, passive Jazz bass-style pickups, electronics, body/neck woods, and bridge from the electric bass guitar. It merges all of these variables with a very significant concept borrowed from the acoustic upright, its vertical position that can be raised or lowered through its adjustable endpin and an easy-to-setup, 3-legged metal stand. In standing position, the Barker bass can be adjusted across a wide range of heights just like an acoustic upright. The vertical nature of the Barker bass makes the instrument completely effortless to play. Due to its free-standing nature, no extra weight is placed on your body during performance. ... Read More.

Jazz Improvisation - "Telescopes From Above & Below"
There are many different types of chromatic rotation employed by soloists. In classical music theory, rotations are termed cambiatas. Just as its name implies, a chromatic rotation simply rotates around a 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, they can be found on the upbeat as well. In this lesson, we are going to analyze telescopes from above and below chord tones and tensions. A telescope is a form of an extended or compound chromatic rotation comprised of both diatonic and non-diatonic notes that begins with a wide leap and then encloses or rotates from above and below to a target note. These telescopes will really 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.

Sight Reading For Bass - "Signs & Terms"
As a proficient reader of standard music notation, not only should you be able to easily identify all of the notes and rhythms that are presented to you while reading a chart, but you also need to recognize and understand the various tools and expressive devices that are employed by musicians in the art of writing music notation. The very best sight readers possess the ability to perform a piece of music that is written in standard notation perfectly on the first take without making any errors, and at the same time, they can make their performance sound as though they have practiced and played that particular piece of music literally hundreds of times. In this lesson, we will outline a list of the most commonly utilized articulation markings, dynamics, symbols, and terms found in music notation. Along with these devices, you will find concise, textbook-based definitions describing how each one of these tools should be performed when sight reading standard notation for bass. ... Read More.

Be sure to check out the latest books, DVD's, CD's, and gear. ... Read More.

Books
Anthony Vitti - Slap Bass Soloing

DVD's
Marcus Miller - Master Of All Trades
Todd Johnson - Technique Builders

CD's
Brian Bromberg - Wood II
Jeff Berlin - Ace Of Bass

Each month, the IIB gives its viewers the opportunity to participate in various monthly giveaways and win amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, straps, DVD's, lessons, apparel, and much more. The total value of our monthly giveaways is over $5,000!

ENTER TO WIN TODAY! ... Read More.

The IIB MP3 Bass Sampler - Volume I 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.

The IIB Monthly Giveaways - Each month, your name will be entered in all of our various monthly giveaways providing you with the opportunity to win amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, straps, DVD's, lessons, apparel, and much more. The total value of our monthly giveaways is over $5,000! ... Read More.

The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers - You'll receive access to every IIB MP3 Bass Sampler released within your subscription year. Each MP3 sampler will contain 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 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.

By becoming a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future. Plus, you'll receive "IIB Subscriber" status within the IIB Forums so people will know that you have directly contributed to our efforts.

If you are looking to increase your online presence and promote your product in front of a serious bass-targeted audience, check out the brand new Advertising Opportunities available on this web site. Through the utilization of the latest banner rotation software technology, the IIB is offering advertisement space in 5 different zones placed strategically throughout the template of the IIB web site and priced well below industry standard. Advertising packages are available at a reduced rate to those interested in securing an advertising contract of 6 months or longer. Purchase a 6-month advertising contract on the IIB web site and receive 1 month of advertising for FREE!. As an advertiser on the IIB web site, you have the opportunity to submit an advertising banner(s), pictures of your product(s), and a text-based ad of any length outlining product specifications, company history, contact information, and links to be posted on a page specifically designed to promote your merchandise within our Advertiser's Index at no additional cost to you. If you'd like to rotate information on your storefront, we can update that information for you on a monthly basis. There are virtually limitless possibilities available with your storefront.

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 me at: Editor@InstituteOfBass.com.

Thanks so much for your continued support, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!


Editor: The IIB
February 2006

---

To Unsubscribe from the IIB's monthly newsletter, simply go to: http://www.instituteofbass.com and submit your e-mail to be removed.