greghagger

On 18/07/2023 at 19:57, itu said:

[Pretty long time ago] "I hate that wooden box on top of my piano" (which I sold to get my Quantum 5 SPi). I learned to play in time playing with LPs, CCs, and CDs. And radio, too. It was more fun and natural.

I too was subjected to the ‘wooden box on top of the piano’! I do put my good sense of time down to those days though. 

2 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

Jeff Berlin would still disagree...

 

He is the most avid proponent against the use of metronone.

 

Strangely enough as he is otherwise also quite a proponent for old fashioned strict music theory teaching and practice.

 

Yes, that has always confused me about Jeff’s view on the metronome. He says bass players should learn like all other musicians using tried and tested methods but says not to use the metronome. Doesn’t seem to add up. 

2 hours ago, Waddo Soqable said:

I've got a few devices of course that have drums and "metronome" sounds, but in many ways I find if there's something I want to sort out with a metronome I prefer the simple traditional mechanical tic tock for some reason, it's  just me I expect 😁

I do still like the sound of the traditional ones too. We used to have a really old wooden one on top of the piano in the 80’s! 😀

2 hours ago, Waddo Soqable said:

I had a little electric korg (or whatever) type one that I didn't much care for the rather annoying sounds it made. 

I subsequently got, cheapo from a charity shop of all places, one of the old pyramid shape wind up ones, which I like and do actually use it sometimes... 

There are lots of free apps for devices that are pretty good. Some of the free apps even have drum sounds too. 

1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said:

One step on... the drum thingy on the Zoom B1On, on a basic pattern just gives a little accent...

Yeah it’s good to have the first best of the bar accented. 

I've noticed that for some reason use of the metronome seems to be a real point of contention in the online bass community. This has always puzzled me as the benefits of a metronome are very clear for me to see. It's an invaluable aid to help when working on rhythms and time-keeping during practice sessions.

So I've made a video explaining the benefits of using a metronome and also to show you how to use one properly for practicing. 

If you want to develop your time keeping and work on more complicated rhythms then definitely check out this lesson. The metronome isn’t solely the answer to good groove but it’s a very useful aid. 

Find out more in my latest YouTube video.

You may have seen my lesson a few weeks ago on George Porter Jr.'s funky bass line from 'Fire On The Bayou'. Well, since then I've stumbled across another version of this Meters classic by Trombone Shorty. This is a live recording from a performance at the White House and Shorty's solo in this tune is incredible.

This Trombone Shorty version features Nathan East on bass and as expected, his bass line is class from start to finish with awesome slides, pops, harmonics and pentatonic licks.

I transcribed the bass line last week to fill some time when flying out to Norway for a gig. I didn't intend to make a lesson on this bass line but it's too good not to share. 

So I made a video which is more of an analysis lesson and in it I also compare some of the differences between this bass line and the original bass line.

This bass line is definitely more suited for 5-string bass but you can still get a lot out of the lesson if you only play 4-string.

Find out more in my latest YouTube video and download the free PDF transcription of Nathan East’s bass line. 

Rhythm has got to be the hardest part to learning bass, at least nailing the rhythm perfectly is anyway!

How do you work on playing a new rhythm? Do you have a method or do you just 'wing it'? Do you isolate the rhythm first? Do you sing or clap the rhythm?

If you want to accurately work out rhythms then you do need a foolproof method of doing this. You don't need to be a great reader (although it does help!) but having a basic understanding of rhythm and the various note values enable you to be precise with your rhythms without leaving it to chance.

Find out more in my latest YouTube video and see what method which works best for you

The 12-bar Blues is by far the most frequently used progression in Blues but there are also 8 and 16-bar progressions that are more common than you might think.

Playing songs with these different progressions can lead to confusion and getting lost because most of us have really internalised the 12-bar Blues and we subconsciously want to follow that.

So I've created a lesson where I explain more about the 8-bar Blues and teach you how to play 'Worried Life Blues' which follows the 8-bar progression. 

This tune has been covered countless times and I'm going to use the live Eric Clapton version from his Albert Hall gigs that took place over 1990/91. Eric Clapton used three different bands for these gigs and the band for this song (called 'The Blues Band') features Richard Cousins on bass who is a favourite of mine.

Find out more in my latest YouTube video

A few weeks ago I made a lesson on the Meters classic, 'It Ain't No Use'. This week I've got a second classic Meters bass line, this time from 'Fire On The Bayou'. 

This is another funky bass line by Funk Meister, George Porter Jr and this one is a lot easier to play than the last one. 

If you want a very approachable Funk bass line to practice 'playing in the pocket' with then this one is for you. There is a three-note groove that is repeated throughout, along with some funky variations.

Find out more in my latest YouTube lesson. 

4 hours ago, jazzyvee said:

Apart from not having a pinky, 😄🤲🏾 i have always used my little finger when playing bass. Something that came naturally from my guitar playing days.

😂 I’d never thought of the pinky as a literal colour. I think I might just use ‘little’ in future! 😀

Generally bass players who have come over from guitar have better control over their fingers although I have seen sone guitarists with out of control fingers! 

1 hour ago, Linus27 said:

I've never heard of this before either but I've always used all four fingers to fret and started out with the approach of one finger per fret. Playing a lot of walking bass lines early on as well I guess helped.

It’s not so much not using the little finger but many players finding it harder to control. Definitely for beginners, it’s the little finger that moves away from the fretboard the most. 

One of the most difficult technical aspects to bass playing is keeping your fingers close to the fretboard. But if you want to play faster bass lines with better accuracy, you have to minimise movement and learn to be more ergonomic. 

The little finger of the fretting hand is the hardest finger to control and a particularly erratic pinky is sometimes referred to as a 'flying pinky'!

If you want to get your pinky under control or improve on your fretting hand technique then you'll definitely benefit from my new 'flying pinky' lesson.

In the lesson I go over the main aspects of correct fretting hand technique which is very important as there could be a part of your technique that is stopping you from efficient bass playing. 

Find out more in my latest YouTube. 

Usually I gravitate towards bass lines with less notes and more groove, especially for Blues. But I instantly loved Andy Fraser's bass line from 'Goin' Down Slow' by Free. It's busy and hectic with a lot of notes but works so well.

This song is from their debut album, 'Tons Of Sobs' released in 1969 and is a million miles away from their best known tune, 'Alright Now'. When this album was released, none of the band were yet 20 and Andy Fraser was 16 which is pretty incredible!

I featured this bass line in my recent bass course, 'The Birth Of British Blues' and the backing track has some superb piano and guitar solos on it.

For the course, I transcribed Andy Fraser's bass line and then created a shortened version using lots of his actual runs and licks. I'm now sharing this in a YouTube video as it really showcases what an excellent bassist Andy Fraser was.

Find out more in my latest YouTube video where there is also a downloadable PDF of the bass line in the video description. 

Enjoy!

22 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Well … spent more time on it and into my amp it’s bloody amazing and brings an added dimension to the sound. 
 

The SGT sound is the best I’ve heard for warm drive while retaining the low end. The choice of SVT or B15 is very good, SVT is a bit more gnarly and the B15 rounded and warm.

 

A thing I discovered ( doesn’t affect me as this is the only pedal I will use ) that if you go into a TC Polytune tuner and link to the pwr input of the SGT you can hear a very quiet “ digital whine” Connected direct its silent 

 

I also at the start was confusing the SGT drive knob and the SGT level knob !! It sounded good but the correct use it was amazing.

 

I ran my amp flat and used the SGT for EQ which nearly flat sounds good.

The mid position Ultra Low and Ultra High on were used and sounded perfect. 
 

Highly recommended 

I was confusing the SGT level dial too as it’s a bit counterintuitive from the level dial on the left! 

2 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Mine arrived today, complete with power supply in the box. 
Quick test in front of my TH700 amp and it’s nice that it doesn’t tone suck when off, good ..

 

Preamp on and it sounds very nice and compressor works well enough to use (  a bit like the comp on PF amps ) 

 

Ultra low and Ultra high add a nice EQ change and the SGT is very very nice in both SVT or B15 mode.

 

I think they have done a good job with this pedal and first impressions are it’s better sounding than the SCR-DI 

 

Top price but I think it’s worth it, you could gig with this straight into the PA or use it like me in front of amp for extended EQ and compressor duties with drive 

I tried it straight into the PA at a loud gig in a Symphony Hall last Friday and it sounded great! Works great that way. Yet to try it at a gig in front of my amp. 

12 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

I’ve just ordered one 👍

I should try and get commission from Ampeg! 😂 Enjoy! 

‘Many Rivers To Cross’ is a classic by Reggae artist Jimmy Cliff. It's been covered many times and you might be more familiar with the UB40 version.

t's not strictly a Reggae song but more more Gospel I suppose. Whatever style you want to call it, it's a great song!

The bass line is not too tricky to play and is all about feel. This one works well played right at the back of the beat.

Find out more in my latest YouTube with free downloadable PDF transcription of the bass line. 

On 16/05/2023 at 19:00, walshy said:

Mine arrives tomorrow and yeah thanks for the video albeit it cost me about £360 after watching it 🤣

Sorry about that!! 😀

Many students have come to me asking how to create bass line from a chord chart or progression. Some have said that they are completely stuck if they are asked to deviate from the set bass line or improvise a bass line on the spot.

My advice is to just start and experiment. Use your ears to play what YOU think sounds good. Use ideas and concepts from your favourite bassists.

I know this is easier said than done and there are some common building blocks you need to know that you can use as a framework in which to create bass lines from.

So, I've put a video together showing you my process when presented with just a chord progression and asked to make up my own bass line. This lesson is easy to follow and you're bound to pick up some ideas that you can put into practice straight away.

Find out more in the YouTube video. Free PDF download in the video description. 

3 hours ago, ezbass said:

I'd use it like an amp and put it at the end of the signal chain. However, if using just as a dirt box, convention dictates that it be at the front. FWIW, personally, I shove 2 fingers up to that and put my VTDI (only used for a little grind, occasionally) at the end of the FX chain, just before the amp, so I can have everything going out of the DI, if required. In short, put it where you want, it's your sound.

Agreed. I always put pre-amp pedals at the end of the chain so I can DI everything like you said. 

3 hours ago, CJPJ said:

Mine arrived today. Alas no time to try it out properly now until next week 😬

Pull a sicky? 😀

1 hour ago, bassybill said:

I have one of these on the way, just waiting on stock. Looking forward to trying this one out.

Enjoy it when you get it. I’m impressed by it anyway. 

On 14/05/2023 at 17:28, CJPJ said:

Thanks for the review Greg. I held off getting one of these at the time of release pending some reviews but put in a pre-order last weekend so look forward to it turning up on over the next few weeks/months.

No worries, glad it was helpful and enjoy your pedal when it turns up! 

22 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Nice review, thanks Greg! 

@Reggaebass - check out the ultra low at 4.10 - ooof!! Methinks that could be just up your street! 

Cheers! You know that I instantly thought Reggae too when I hit that particular setting! 😀