Bass Player is the world's most comprehensive, trusted and insightful bass publication for passionate bassists and active musicians of all ages. Each issue delivers the latest tips and techniques that are guaranteed to make you a better player.
We celebrate the life and music of Dusty Hill in this issue. The ZZ Top bassist passed away on July 27 at the age of 72, having risen to the very top of his profession with over half a century’s worth of effortlessly cool bass playing alongside guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard. Dusty’s path crossed with ours a few times over the years, and whenever we met him he always made a long-lasting impression as a man who cared little for the trappings of fame and fortune: Instead, he focused on his music, regarding his career with humility and humor. We will miss him. You’re holding another interviews-packed issue of BP: We also spend quality time with the great George Porter, Jr, once of the Meters; Gord Sinclair…
You’ve definitely seen the iconic shot by photographer Pennie Smith of Clash bassist Paul Simonon smashing a P-Bass on stage in 1979, because it appeared on the punk-rock pioneers’ London Calling album cover later that year, and has become a staple of modern music culture. The fragmented bass, previously shown at the Museum Of London’s The Clash: London Calling exhibition, will now go on permanent display. As the story goes, enraged by the New York Palladium’s bouncers’ decision not to let fans stand at the Clash’s gig at that venue, Simonon decided to take it out on his bass. The moment of its destruction was captured by Smith, and although the photographer is said to have been unimpressed by the image, the band immediately took to it. The shot was named…
The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced its 2022 NEA Jazz Master awards, including the pioneering bassist Stanley Clarke. He received a $25,000 award, and will be honoured with a concert on March 31, 2022 at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco, California. As the NEA explained, “Clarke’s bass-playing has made him one of the most influential players in modern jazz history. As part of his strong belief in giving back, he established the Stanley Clarke Foundation, a charitable organization which awards scholarships to talented young musicians each year.”…
Michael Jackson, ‘Billie Jean’ (1982) Louis Johnson’s classic bass-line makes ‘Billie Jean’ one of the late MJ’s best songs, a career highlight that still stands up today, regardless of the controversies attached to the sometime King Of Pop. Atop the subtle backing vocals and synth wash, the line drives the song forward as it builds, leading to an understated but funky vibe which contrasts perfectly with Jackson’s emotional wails about the girl who is, famously, not his lover.…
Hello, and a big thank you! Since my last column I’ve had lots of people contact me with their stories. It’s wonderful that conversations have been started, and some assumptions challenged as a result. As the world of gigs opens up and we all start playing in front of audiences, it’s natural for us to feel a bit nervous of how to handle situations that were once second nature. So, it’s important to take little steps that allow our minds and bodies to feel confident enough to take the plunge into live shows, recording sessions and rehearsals. The old assumptions are back, so let’s take a deep breath and have a couple of strategies up our sleeves. This month’s bass assumption comes from a session player and educator called Sarah,…
“You can go into the studio, take that bass combo and make your album with it” Glenn Hughes on his new Orange combo The South Korean manufacturer Corthas announced two new basses for its Artisan C range, the five-string C5 Plus OVMH and four-string C4 Plus OVMH. Both offer features from Cort’s premium Artisan A range at a more affordable price, with bodies featuring a maple core, mahogany wings and ovangkol top, paired with a bolt-on Canadian maple neck and jatoba fretboard. Ovangkol is used as a substitute for rosewood and possesses similar tonal characteristics, although as Cort points out, it tends to be a little less bright. Partnering it with maple and mahogany is said to produce a more evenly balanced tone. Fender’s affordable Squier Affinity range includes Jaguar…
