The IIB Monthly Newsletter
Volume 6, Number 10
Hello fellow bassists and friends!
Welcome to the latest issue of The International Institute of Bassists newsletter and the brand new web site of the International Institute of Bassists (IIB)!
Welcome to the latest issue of The International Institute of Bassists newsletter and the brand new web site of the International Institute of Bassists (IIB)!
Bass Faces - Jeff Schmidt
On October 7, bassist Jeff Schmidt of San Rafael, California was declared the winner of the first Bass Extremes International Contemporary Solo Bass Competition. Before a live audience and an all-star panel of judges including bass greats Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Anthony Jackson, Will Lee, and drummer Gregg Bissonette, Schmidt performed three compositions for unaccompanied bass guitar at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. "If this competition was about who could display the best knowledge and application of music theory, I wouldn't have been there. If it was about who could play the fastest or demonstrate the most mind-boggling technique, I wouldn't have been there, but I possessed something that the judges felt was emotive and musical, and that is what this competition was all about," said Schmidt. Schmidt also stated, "I thought I did exceptionally well considering this was the first time I had ever performed solo bass in front of a live audience." Other finalists included Brazilian bass sensation Zuzo Moussawer and the Charlie Mingus Big Band bassist, Boris Kozlov, who finished in second and third places, respectively. "Everyone played great. The entire experience of the competition process was simply amazing and something I'll never forget," added Schmidt. ... Read More.
Bass Lessons Online - Jim Stinnett
In 1986, Jim began teaching at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he continues to instruct a wide variety of subjects including arranging, writing skills, walking lines labs, reading labs, funk-fusion labs, bass performance group, practice techniques, survey of bass styles, as well as private instruction on both electric and acoustic bass. Jim has released many bass publications over the past two decades including Creating Jazz Bass Lines, Reading In Bass Clef, and The Music Of Paul Chambers to name a few. Jim is also the founder of the Bass Workout, a three-day, intensive workshop designed for playing in which both electric and acoustic bass students from all over the world have the opportunity to study and perform with professional musicians during multiple sessions held throughout the year. One Chord Only - D Minor is the third lesson in this four-part series on walking bass. In this session, let us tackle one of the most challenging concepts to grasp. Actually, I have found that many students are often misled when presented with the answer to the question of, "how do I play over one chord, d minor?" To simply "improvise using D Dorian" is a very bad explanation of good modal playing. The answer is to make melodies. Short, one-bar phrases that become your building blocks for good lines are the key element in this situation. You do not need an abundance of phrases. You just need to master some basics ones. ... Read More.
Bass Tips Of The Week
Jazz Improvisation - Single Chromatic Neighbor Notes
One of the most conventional devices found in modern improvisation is the usage of chromaticism or chromatic ornamentation. Chromaticism may be defined as the presence of notes within a melody or passage which are not a part of the diatonic scale(s) typically associated 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, and the target notes are normally placed on metrically strong beats within the measure (1, 2, 3, or 4). Neighbor notes are among the most used ornaments and can be heard in melodies/solos in practically every style of music. A neighbor note is simply a note that leaves a tone by a step and then returns to the same note. They may or may not be a member of the sounding chord or scale, and neighbor notes 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, they can be found on the upbeat as well. ... Read More.
Chord Studies - 7th Chords
The study of scales and their related chords is a fundamental process in the development of technique on your instrument and your success as a working bassist within an ensemble. Your knowledge of scales and chords will allow you to evaluate chord charts and understand which notes you have available to play in the construction of bass lines and solos over specific chord types. Beginners often overlook the significance of establishing a broad chordal vocabulary because the utilization of chord tones seems too obvious in order to be effective. As a result of this deficiency, many improvisers, even those at an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency, have a difficult time in outlining basic chord progressions. To a certain degree, practically all of the great improvisers throughout history have exploited chordal arpeggiation in their solos, and some of the greatest bass lines and solos ever recorded make use of nothing more than simple chord tones. ... Read More.
One of the most conventional devices found in modern improvisation is the usage of chromaticism or chromatic ornamentation. Chromaticism may be defined as the presence of notes within a melody or passage which are not a part of the diatonic scale(s) typically associated 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, and the target notes are normally placed on metrically strong beats within the measure (1, 2, 3, or 4). Neighbor notes are among the most used ornaments and can be heard in melodies/solos in practically every style of music. A neighbor note is simply a note that leaves a tone by a step and then returns to the same note. They may or may not be a member of the sounding chord or scale, and neighbor notes 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, they can be found on the upbeat as well. ... Read More.
Chord Studies - 7th Chords
The study of scales and their related chords is a fundamental process in the development of technique on your instrument and your success as a working bassist within an ensemble. Your knowledge of scales and chords will allow you to evaluate chord charts and understand which notes you have available to play in the construction of bass lines and solos over specific chord types. Beginners often overlook the significance of establishing a broad chordal vocabulary because the utilization of chord tones seems too obvious in order to be effective. As a result of this deficiency, many improvisers, even those at an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency, have a difficult time in outlining basic chord progressions. To a certain degree, practically all of the great improvisers throughout history have exploited chordal arpeggiation in their solos, and some of the greatest bass lines and solos ever recorded make use of nothing more than simple chord tones. ... Read More.
News
Due to the amazing growth rate experienced since the launch of the new IIB web site in June, the IIB has been relocated to a bigger and faster server. The high traffic volume was simply too much for our old server to sustain which often resulted in less than desirable performance and slow web page loading times. This move was necessary in order to offer our viewers the best service possible. The transfer concluded without any unexpected glitches, but if you happen to come across an error when paging through the IIB, we would greatly appreciate it if you would report it to: Editor@InstituteOfBass.com.
The 4th European BassDay will be held on November 6, 2005 at the Festhalle in Viersen, Germany. International bass players will be on hand for solo performances and/or group performances to provide an all-day international event created by bassists for bassists, demonstrating all kinds of different music styles and techniques. The Festhalle in Viersen is a perfect location with different stages (mainstage for the mainshows, roundroom for smaller gigs, and basement for the workshops) and the possibility for 35 exhibitors to display their products. ... Read More.
Also, be sure to check out the brand new Zon Sonus Custom TJ6 6-string bass guitar which was developed in conjunction with 6-string electric bass pioneer, Todd Johnson.
The 4th European BassDay will be held on November 6, 2005 at the Festhalle in Viersen, Germany. International bass players will be on hand for solo performances and/or group performances to provide an all-day international event created by bassists for bassists, demonstrating all kinds of different music styles and techniques. The Festhalle in Viersen is a perfect location with different stages (mainstage for the mainshows, roundroom for smaller gigs, and basement for the workshops) and the possibility for 35 exhibitors to display their products. ... Read More.
Also, be sure to check out the brand new Zon Sonus Custom TJ6 6-string bass guitar which was developed in conjunction with 6-string electric bass pioneer, Todd Johnson.
Subscribe To The IIB
Over the years, as the IIB has continued to grow, so have our costs. If you have enjoyed your experience on this web site and found the information to be useful, would you please consider a small donation to become a subscriber of the IIB? A year subscription costs only $9.95 (83 cents/month). As a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future. You can become a subscriber by going to Subscribe and following the simple instructions.
Advertise On The IIB
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.
The IIB Archive
Unlike print media, if you miss an issue or a month, you won't have to buy a back issue because as we post new material every month, content from the previous month will be moved to the archives section of this web site for future reference. Over 90% of the material posted on Bassically.net between 1997-2005 is now available for viewing once again in the IIB Archive.
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
October 2005
To Unsubscribe from the IIB's monthly newsletter, simply go to: http://www.instituteofbass.com and submit your e-mail to be removed.
Over the years, as the IIB has continued to grow, so have our costs. If you have enjoyed your experience on this web site and found the information to be useful, would you please consider a small donation to become a subscriber of the IIB? A year subscription costs only $9.95 (83 cents/month). As a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future. You can become a subscriber by going to Subscribe and following the simple instructions.
Advertise On The IIB
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.
The IIB Archive
Unlike print media, if you miss an issue or a month, you won't have to buy a back issue because as we post new material every month, content from the previous month will be moved to the archives section of this web site for future reference. Over 90% of the material posted on Bassically.net between 1997-2005 is now available for viewing once again in the IIB Archive.
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
October 2005
To Unsubscribe from the IIB's monthly newsletter, simply go to: http://www.instituteofbass.com and submit your e-mail to be removed.
