Latest
Wild Bill’s World With Bill Lanphier: Really Odd-Meter Bass
Meet Bill “WBGO” Lanphier –
Flummoxed. That’s a good way to describe someone trying to play Bulgarian meters for the first time. Actually, even guys familiar with odd meters, including great drummers who have played with Holdsworth and Don Ellis—I ain’t mentioning names here—sometimes scuffle. They’ll limp along, barely nailing a couple bars, then falling completely apart.
No, we’re not talking about just a simple 7/8 or a slower 5/4. Each measure in a Bulgarian kopanitsa (11/16 subdivided 4+3+4), can whiz by in just a second. Check out Farmers Market’s thrash Gankino Horo, from the compilation, Balkans Without Borders.
Yes, there are a few isolated examples of super-fast odd meters scattered around the world, like Venezuela’s Merengue, but, by and large, Bulgarian folk music is home base for the really weird shit. Plus, the melodies are equally nuts: streams of relentless 16th notes, over half of them ornamented with mordents, grace notes, or turns.
Fortunately, you and me, as bass players can fall back on quarter notes and eighth notes when playing Bulgarian music and, for the most part, can elect to bail on the ornaments (I plead guilty). But, knowing where to put those quarter and eight notes can confound even the heaviest studio guys. Actually, simply being able to follow—much less perform—some of the meters is a real challenge. Read on and learn how, as a bassist, to meet that challenge and make strange time signatures groove as hard as any 4/4. Yes, it’s true: the good guys are as comfortable in, say, 13, as Westerners are in 4/4.
HEAR IT FIRST!
The first step is to get the meters into your head. That means not having to count, for example, each of the 11 beats in the kopanitsa. Let’s go back to something we all know. When you play a funk-style, 16th-note based rhythm in 4/4, you’re not counting all 16 of the 16th notes. You instinctively know (or should know) exactly where each falls, and you’re probably patting your foot on only the quarter notes and working around those four major pulses.
The same holds true for any fast, odd meter, like the kopanitsa. The good players don’t count all eleven 16th notes zipping by, but you’d better believe they know exactly where each one falls. That’s why they groove so hard on them.
How do you get the meters into your head? Lots and lots of listening—that’s as important as practicing. If you have sequencing software, program in the bass examples shown in the “bulgarian meters pdf” below. Put an accent on the main pulses, loop each example, and listen to it over and over. You’ll be surprised how listening to the same two bars for just 15 minutes (do this while cleaning cat litter or doing something equally mindless) will really open up your head to a new pattern. Listening to recordings (see suggested listening material) is also important.
NOW PLAY IT!
Once you start to hear the patterns, whip out your bass and play the two and four-bar examples shown. If you don’t have a sequencing program to play along with, set a metronome so that each click represents a 16th note.
A typical performance tempo for the examples shown would be a quarter note equals 100 bpm (16th note equals 400 bpm). But you should start much slower to get a feel for things. For each meter shown, the first repeated bar or bars is a simple pattern which could be played in a more traditional context. The second repeated pattern would work in a more progressive setting.
As you play along, you’ll notice that the meters (each of which—believe it or not—has a Bulgarian folk dance to go along with it) have their own character and each can, and should, groove hard. Though the Bulgarians will often play one section faster than the preceding section, they’re capable of a dead-even metronomic pulse. This gives a strong reference point by which very subtle tempo changes, accelerando, and ritardando, are possible.
After you’ve become comfortable with the meter, try playing along with recordings. Where to find charts with reference mp3s? Get ready for the hard-sell part of this story. I respectfully submit for your perusal my highly-acclaimed online songbook, Bulgarian & Macedonian Instrumentals & Vocals. It contains over 20 print-ready transcriptions (in hi-rez PDF form), of great tunes with meters ranging from 2/4 to 18/16, plus mp3s of the original recordings in normal- and half-speed versions. Check out the link for more info and reviews, plus audio and transcription samples.
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
www.derekfrank.com
www.instagram.com/derekfrankbass
www.youtube.com/derekfrankbass
www.facebook.com/derekfrankbass
Latest
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
Click to follow Bass Musician on Instagram @bassmusicianmag
FEATURED @foderaguitars @bqwbassguitar @lecomptebass @xvector_basses @vuorensaku_guitars @phdbassguitars @meridian_guitars @sterlingbymusicman @ramabass.ok @overwaterbasses
Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
