Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Aug/Sep 2009 Anniversary Issue Featuring Michael Manring
Jake: I’m curious… Is there a procedure that happens when you’re composing a new solo piece as far as altered tunings go….does the tuning inspire the tune, or the reverse, or both?
Michael: It’s generally both. I don’t have a method for composing. One of the things I love about composing is that it can happen in so many different ways. I have pieces that I’ve composed where every note is worked out and I usually play them pretty much the same. And I have pieces that are hardly compositions at all. They are more or less just guidelines on where I might want to go, and I’m just looking to establish a certain kind of mood. So I don’t have any kind of standard operating procedure. Sometimes, as you mentioned, a piece will come from a tuning, and a lot of times it’s the other way around. I’ll write a piece in my head and try to decide how I would want it to be best realized…. what kind of tuning might be good, or even whether it should be played on bass or another instrument. I simply just don’t have a standard method.
Jake: Let’s see if I can get this question right. If you’re hearing it in your head, is it a tonal center that you work from to decide what kind of tuning, or whatever, to I guess I’ll say realize that particular piece?
Michael: This is a really good question actually. The thing I’m looking for, I guess I’ll say the word I use, is resonance. That’s probably the best word I have for it. The reason I use different tunings is because I’m looking for certain types of resonance. The notes are still the same, and most of the pieces I play I could play in any number of tunings. It’s not the issue of the notes; it’s how the notes are interacting and how the richness and color of the sound are interacting. Actually it’s not always richness I’m looking for…it’s a particular color in the sound. The instrument speaks very differently if it’s tuned high as opposed to being tuned low, and speaks differently depending on the interaction of the notes of the open strings. So what I’m looking for is difficult for me to describe in words, and perhaps that’s the whole point. There’s always a certain resonance for the piece, and it gets to be a matter of trying to find that right color I’m looking for.
Jake: Let me see if this next question will answer my thoughts on how you’ve developed a method to work on these ideas that you’re having trouble putting into words. If you were working on let’s say, improvisation, would you stick to standard tuning or do you challenge yourself to work on improve in altered tunings as well?
Michael: It depends on the kind of improvisation that I’m doing. The reason to work with altered tunings is to be able to access their different resonances. And if I’m working on an improvisation where that isn’t going to be an advantage, then I’m not going to need an altered tuning. I don’t have any particular allegiance to alter tunings besides the fact of the specific advantages they allow. So I’m just looking for the best way to get the job done, and using an altered tuning is sometimes the way to do that, and sometimes not. Altered tunings are sometimes really nice for me for improvisations that aren’t modulating in keys a lot. So if I’m kind of sticking to one key, the possibility of an altered tuning comes into play. If I’m moving keys around a lot, like in a bebop tune, I don’t see any advantage in using an altered tuning.
Jake: So when you’re working with other artists, I would assume that you’re in standard tuning.
Michael: That’s my default place to go. If I’m going to work with somebody new, I’ll go to standard tuning first—I’m a bass player, and I’m here to do the job. Quite often the artist will ask me to branch out into a different role. But I always go to the default place that we all go to, unless I’ve been asked to go someplace else specifically.
Bass Videos
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro – April 2024
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024…
Brian Bromberg is one heavy-hitting bass player and I am in awe of his talent as one of the few individuals who is equally proficient on electric and upright bass.
You might remember our conversation back in 2018 when he released his powerhouse Funk album. Brian’s “A Little Driving Music” album is a staple on all our road trips and his Jaco and Jimi Hendrix tribute albums are mind-blowing… and I could go on and on.
Now, Brian has taken on the arduous task of producing an album paying tribute to the late, great, Scott LaFaro. He teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero and Brian delivers a commanding performance on upright. The entire album is a masterpiece and a real treat to listen to track after track.
Join us as Brian shares the details behind this project and more.
Photo, Michel Bocandé
Featured Videos
Visit Online
brianbromberg.net
FB @BrianBrombergBassist
YouTube
Cover
Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
New Gear: Esopus Guitars Launches New Acoustic/Electric Bass
Debut Album: Nate Sabat, Bass Fiddler