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Respecting the Music With Phil Baker: I’ve Got the Blues

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by Phil Baker –

Things happen when cultures collide–some good, some bad, but always interesting. The Crusades, when medieval Europe clashed with the Muslim world, led to the Renaissance. US soldiers, exposed to early twentieth-century European culture during World War I, produced the roaring twenties. African religion, brought to the new world by African slaves, mixed with Catholicism to form voodoo in Haiti, santeria in Cuba, and candomble in Brazil. The music of Africa and Europe also mixed in the new world to create salsa in Cuba, samba in Brazil, and the Blues in America.

I consider the creation of the Blues one of the most important and influential musical developments of the last few centuries. The influence of the Blues can be found in almost every genre of music. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” and the theme to the television show “Batman” are just a few examples. One could draw a family tree and show how the blues spawned jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, and, more recently, funk and rock and roll. The iconoclast Jimi Hendrix combined the Delta Blues with a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall amp to forever change the guitar and rock. All the great rock guitarists studied the Blues. Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Keith Richards, and Joe Walsh are just a few. What do you think separates Eric Clapton from the legions of fleet-fingered guitar slingers? It is the depth of expression he gained from studying the Blues. I think the golden age of rock, 1967-1972, was epitomized by
the prime of the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream, ZZ Top, and Jimi Hendrix. All were heavily influenced by the Blues. The corporate hair bands that followed were pitiful and soulless. This vacuum of emotion and expression led to the revolt of the grunge bands, full of rebellion and angst but lacking innovation and depth. Woodstock, almost forty years ago, is still the high water mark of rock and pop music and culture. Can you imagine the music and fashion of 1928 at Woodstock?!?

Some of the most easily recognizable trademarks of the Blues are the “Blue notes.” These notes are found between the minor and major thirds and the fourth and sharp fourth. On instruments that can’t play these notes (piano, organ, etc.) there developed licks that trilled between these notes. Guitarists started bending strings to get at these notes! The Blues is the first genre, to my knowledge, that combines minor and major tonality.

Playing over the changes of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” or learning the slap bass part to Larry Graham’s “Pow” can be challenging but you have not had your butt kicked until you’ve tried to solo over a slow blues.

What do you think of when somebody says “The Blues?” John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in black suits? Dark smoky nightclubs? It may be cliché to think that the Blues represents sorrow and hardship but there is usually some truth found in a cliché. I value the time I’ve spent in Blues bands and studying the Blues and would recommend both to any aspiring musician to broaden and temper the depth of their musicality.

The Blues, like pornography, might be hard to define but easy to recognize. Anybody who has played a distorted electric guitar or listened to Elvis’ “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hounddog” has been touched by the Blues.

Bass Videos

Interview With K3 Sisters Band

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Interview With K3 Sisters Band

K3 Sisters Band Interview…

It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.

Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music,  music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.

Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.

Here is the K3 Sisters Band!

Photo, Bruce Ray Productions

Follow Online:

k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook 

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Bass Player Health

What is a Pinched Nerve? with Dr. Randy Kertz

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Dr Randal Kertz - Bass Player Health - Oct 2022

What is a Pinched Nerve?

In this month’s video, we will cover how to tell if you have a pinched nerve and when to seek professional help.

Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!

The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention & Better Health

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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram

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TOP 10 Basses of the week

Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…

Click to follow Bass Musician on Instagram @bassmusicianmag

FEATURED @colibriguitars @adamovicbasses @brooksbassguitars @lecomptebass @mgbassguitars @mauriziouberbasses @jcrluthier @biarnel @officialibanezguitars @chris_seldon_guitars

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Gear News

New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

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New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Designed to accommodate global touring, the Original-EVO-C112T features auto-protect voltage support and an adaptive temperature-controlled fan for optimal performance in any environment.
 
In summary, the Original-EVO-C112T is a game-changing amplifier that combines power, portability, and precision. It’s a testament to innovation and quality in the world of bass amplification, deserving attention from musicians looking to take their music to the next level.

Product Specification-

Power Output: 300 Watts
Power Requirement: 115-230 Volts
Speaker Configuration: 1 x 12” + Horn
High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9m Ohms, Input range 150mV – 20mV p-p
Low Instrument Input: Impedance -1M Ohms, Input range 150mV to 10V p-p
Line Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, Input range 300mV – 40V p-p
DI Output: 600 Ohm balance / Level -20dBu nominal
Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohm
Headphone Output: Yes and safe for silent practice
EQ: Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz, Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz, Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz, Hi Mid +/-15 dB @1.5kHz, Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz
Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Dimensions (H x W x D in mm): 470 x 606 x 381
Weight: 13.5kg

For more info please visit www.ashdownmusic.com

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Gear News

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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30th Anniversary Limited Edition SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary…

The SansAmp Bass Driver DI has been an arsenal staple for players and studios almost since the day it was introduced in 1994. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Tech 21 is issuing a limited edition with an anodized precision-machined aluminum billet housing and all metal knobs.

This all-analog multi-function, multi-application pedal dials up big vintage tube tones, bright modern slap sounds, gnarly distortions, and all in between. There are three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers, or simply enhance your current rig. Controls include Presence for definition and upper harmonic content; Blend to combine the ratio of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry; and active 3-band EQ with 12dB of cut or boost.

The 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology encompasses the entire signal chain, from pre-amp to power amp to speaker simulation. An integral part of the circuitry, the individually-tailored SansAmp speaker simulation will complement any type of bass speaker cabinet system.

It is rare an electronic music-related product can withstand such a test of time. The SansAmp Bass Driver has been used for every kind of music style from death metal to commercial jingles, in countless studios, and on tours around the globe. In fact, many mammoth stage rigs you see are actually driven by a SansAmp nestled behind the backline. It has defied the odds and to this day, SansAmp remains the standard of the industry.

Anticipated Availability:  May/June 2024

For more information, visit online at tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bass-driver-30/

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