For those interested in studying the electric bass seriously in the past, it would not be uncommon for you to have to work on your fingerboard and musical skills with something out of the Sturm 110 études book for string bass, or the Nanny equivalent. While many of these studies are challenging and helpful to everyone in some way, often times undertaking them ends with tepid results, such as missing the accents as intended because of not using a bow, or having to settle for some sort of archaic fingering to get the job done.

Jim Stinnett, the Berklee College of Music professor most likely to be heard saying “if you master your instrument, the music will just happen” (or, if he’s excited, “folks, let’s just master this thing, alright?”), has made life a LOT easier for all of us by releasing a book of études for electric bass entitled “12 Keys To Success”. Stinnett, who himself has had students learn Sturm études (often with a twist like performing one entirely using two-handed tapping), and studied classical string bass with Ed Barker at New England Conservatory, put together this book to get your hands completely acclimated to the fingerboard of your bass.

Contained in the book are three études in each major and minor key, over 70 in total. To say that this book could essentially improve every aspect of your bass playing would be the understatement of the year. These pieces range from quite easy to “uhhhhh…….come again?”, and that’s just the speed and range I’m referring to, not even trying to remember that you’re sometimes playing with a ton of sharps or flats! So, by the time you get through even a handful of the pieces, your speed, dexterity and hand position should be very much improved.

What is, I think, just as useful here, are the text pieces in the book in the intro, and accompanying every chapter. Jim has trained dozens of world class bass players from their beginning stages, and here he is sharing the wisdom, advice, and plain as the nose on your face directions that you will need to achieve success with your instrument. This is also quite important, as a proper mindset is needed to ensure that you’re approaching the fingerings the right way (it’s almost embarrassing to think that you play a technical piece right, and then realize that your fingering isn’t even close to the intended one), especially if you’re not working on these as part of a lesson plan. These text pieces will help keep you motivated and driven as you work towards your goals of becoming a great bass player.

Also included is a CD featuring many of the études performed by students of Jim’s. Their hard work and perseverance shows, and should be a kick in the pants for you to get moving and learn some of the pieces. If they can do it, you can do it. (You can also order play-along CDs of every étude played at slow, medium, and fast speeds from Jim’s webstore.)

Overall, this is an exciting new addition to the pantheon of GREAT bass instruction methods out there (joining Stinnett’s already well-regarded Creating Jazz Bass Lines). If you want to get serious about your technique and become a truly better player, order this book.

Antifogmatic, the sophomore effort from the New York-based acoustic ensemble Punch Brothers is brimming with an unspoken, yet cutthroat attitude that going forward, music does not need to differentiate between catchy tunes and compositional thought. Led by mandolin badass Chris Thile, who traded in pop-bluegrass licks for Bach’s solo violin pieces and Strokes covers, Punch Brothers flies lean and mean through the 10 tracks on Antifogmatic from Nonesuch Records.

As opposed to the band’s last release, Punch, Thile (along with violinist Gabe “Gabbers” Witcher, guitarist Chris “Critter” Eldridge, banjoist Noam “Pickles” Pikelny, and the most recent addition, bassist Paul “Arco Paulo von Pizzburgh” Kowert) have taken some time off from presenting long-form pieces to bring this collaborative tour de force that has ears perking up everywhere.

Although the bass efforts of previous Punch Brothers bassist Greg Garrison were strong and well appreciated, the addition of Paul Kowert to this ensemble installs an even 20% per member split instrumentally. A student of the already legendary Edgar Meyer at Curtis Institute of Music, Kowert shines throughout the disc, with a masterful sound playing either pizzicato or arco (Paul plays French style bow, for those interested in specifics), many times employing both techniques frequently throughout each song. His reiteration of the main themes on “You Are” and “Rye Whiskey” through lower intensity sections adds a delicateness that helps to even the tunes out. Also crucial are his sweeping arco lines that help to hold up some of the sparseness of the other instruments on “Missy” and the Valentine’s Day/economic crisis ballad “This Is The Song”.

For those with a few extra dollars to spend, though, fans of this young bass upstart will be most pleased with the instrumental EP that accompanies the deluxe edition of Antifogmatic, entitled All of This is True. On this set, Kowert gets his most room to stretch out, ducking and darting his solos through the complex rhythms and colorful chord changes, with his most direct face time coming on the head of the bouncy “Curtigh”, although the other three tracks hit hard as well. (The deluxe edition also includes a DVD of the band performing over two nights in spring 2009 at the Living Room, in NYC’s lower east side.)

Punch Brothers have been bubbling under the music world’s surface since it was made aware that Thile would be ending his commitment with turn of the century sweethearts Nickel Creek, but Antifogmatic evidences that they are ready to sweep through the music world like a wildfire, showing all who will listen that well-thought out music is never going to go out of style, and will always have a place in every generation of music.

Albums by Punch Brothers can be purchased directly from Nonsuch Records.

Tango Grill By Pablo Aslan

This CD is made for Tango in a very special way, indeed! It maintains the deep traditions of the style and form of these classic songs while improvising over the themes – all the while looking positively forward. Pablo’s Arco-laced acoustic contra bass approach is spicy and playful, and he gives a wonderful pizzicato performance (and a great solo!) on “La Trampera” – one of my favorite tunes! Yeah! If you have ever longed to study this music, I can’t think of a better disc to listen to over-and-over. This is a great study of listening within music over song forms!

Must hear cuts, “El Marne” / “Rencor” / “La Trampera”

Let The Games Begin By Derek Frank

LA-based P Bass wielding Derek Frank leads the listener on a romp that includes instrumental versions of Hall & Oats “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”, and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”, and includes a version of Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusher Man”! Wait. That’s the “1,2,3 – 4,5 – 6,7,8,9,10 – 11,12” (“Pinball Number Count”) jam from Sesame Street?! Okay…LOL! Party Central! This crew even dances into the disco zone, and there are lots of handclaps and horn-hits on the gigantic ONE! Throughout Let The Games Begin, Derek leads the large studio ensemble (including session drummer great Steve Ferrone and saxophonist/flutist Katisse Buckingham) with his wit and willingness of musical engagement. His funky P Bass bumps, thumps and pumps throughout the disc and this one is all about the head-bob! Funky pentatonic solos, and lots of room – best listened to in a car full of friends on a sunny day, on the way to “the water!”

Must hear cuts, “Breakout” / “Lunchbox” / “Smack Dab”

Copacabana by Nilson Matta

Nilson Matta plays acoustic contra bass the way I wish everyone played! His is the clearest sounding, and most well played acoustic bass since the late, great Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen! A master at driving from the backseat, Nilson’s grasp of structure, harmony and melody shine through again-and-again on this unforgettable Brazilian jazz outing. Anne Drummond, Klaus Mueller, and especially drummer Mauricio Zottarelli tear it up on this CD! The band couldn’t have been more specialized, and the tunes are a study in “how to write a great tune!” Copacabana is another unbelievably good CD from this master bassist!

Must hear cuts, “Baden” / “Copacabana” / “I Can See Forever” / “Asa Branca Baiao”

Bankers Gangsters Black 47

Uh…Black 47 reminds me a lot of an Irish Bruce Springsteen with traditional instruments. Bassist Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw pumps his Ernie Ball basses with 8th note conviction – not always an easy task – and adds very E Street Band (Gary Tallent) sounding fills…even if this release (the band’s 13th) is all about NYC’s Celtic Punk-Rock best!

Must hear cuts, “Celtic Rocker” / “Wedding Reel”
 
 
 

Dave Sharp's Secret Seven

First of all… anyone who writes a tune called “Boop Bwee Ahh” gets my vote for “Coolest Title of the Year”! Doubler Dave Sharp is a bad boy, and “Chrispy Underground” shows off his formidable acoustic contra groove. This CD sounds like it was recorded in a very comfortable club setting, and the band sound really at ease within this particular musical environment – which goes a long way in producing a vibe this big, fat, and wide. There’s just enough Latin and Middle Eastern to satiate the most urbane of musical tastes while leaving enough of a “jammy thing” for the rest of us! This is a great disc to throw on at a house party. I know… did it!

Must hear cuts, “Africano” / “Boop Bwee Ahh” / “Blackout”

Something Different By Alberto Rigoni

GROOVE! YEAH! From the industrial sounding opening of Something Different’s “The Factory” you get the feeling you’re in for a ride, and this release doesn’t disappoint! Throughout the 10-tune aural festival, Alberto’s throbbing F Bass guides the fantastic band through his twisting, blazing and progressively rocking compositions. Great CD! Particular kudos to guitarist Tommy Ermolli and keyboardist Lorenzo Nizzolini – who also co-writes 3 of the tunes (with Alberto) for Something Different. Have you noticed there are a lot of cool players coming out of Italy these days?! This disc features forward-thinking production and clearly voiced note-choices from each player. Imagine RUSH as an instrumental fusion outfit – Particularly on tunes “SMS” and “Roller Coaster!”

Must hear cuts: “The Factory” and “Desert Break”

Damian Erskine - So To Speak

Damian Erskine’s sophomore release as a leader, “So To Speak” is a brilliantly written and played CD with enough cool to launch a thousand copycats! The original material delivered here was more so designed than composed (Damian doesn’t think of himself as a composer) with drummer/percussionist Reinhardt Melz who is also Damian’s best friend. What a rhythm section match! The pair spar, glide and deliver knockout performances on each of the 8 tunes.

The recorded ensemble is rounded-out by pianist Ramsey Embick, guitarist Chris Mos and percussionist Rafael Trujillo, and there simply isn’t a more genre-bending or hipper quintet cutting New Jazz at this writing! Special guest appearances by saxophonists John Nastos and Jason Dumars, trumpeter Paul Mazzio, and percussionist Derek Rieth round-out the featured players on “So To Speak”. This isn’t a “bass record”. This is a landmark in forward thinking groove propulsion.

Damian brings a new rhythmic concept to the 6-string electric bass guitar via his explosive right hand technique. This is a must hear release that will absolutely send you to the woodshed!

Must Hear Tunes: “Aslant“, “FiF“, “American Gyro“

Tomo Fujita - PURE

Tomo Fujita’s “PURE” announces the latest release of the famed Berklee College of Music guitar instructor. Tomo is world-renown for his positive disposition and precise technique, and “PURE” is a wonderful addition to his all ready stunning resume’ of credits! Featuring the incredible Will Lee, Steve Jordan, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Purdie, this is an incredible recording that truly welcomes the listener into the heart of this master guitarist! The more than 2-year delay of this release is well worth waiting for! This is a tone closet treasure!

Must hear tunes: “That Girl”, “Crossing”, “Midnight Walk”