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Excerpts from An Artistic Guide to Economic Survival: Finding Your Path
by Jake Kot –
Welcome to the first in a series of articles where I’ll be taking excerpts from my new book, An Artistic Guide to Economic Survival. The focus of this book is about getting you to understand that there is a lot more than just your immediate skills on your instrument that needs to be considered as far as getting ahead these days is concerned.
Over the last few decades, the music industry as has changed quite drastically. The advent of Myspace, Facebook, and Youtube has had a huge impact on how we perceive, produce, and present our art. Add to that a fairly failed economy and questions like “where do I want/need to invest my personal time musically and artistically” start to demand more attention. And that’s exactly the point! It’s about taking a close look at constructing a direction for yourself that’s going to help service your musical, artistic, “and” business needs…a tough goal these days.
The very first step I would recommend considering in this potential dilemma is finding your path…just exactly what are to hoping to accomplish musically and artistically? I believe discovering the answer to that most basic of questions is an excellent way to begin designing an artistic framework for you to follow, as well as beginning to start to perceive and construct a relevant course of study to pursue. Remember, there is no one particular course of study that works for everyone, and you being in touch with that reality is paramount.
You might decide to pursue a path of musical diversification, which many of the artists I’ve interviewed highly recommended, especially with the times as they are. Or on the contrary, following a path of becoming a specialist in some particular area might suit your personal needs and musical desires. Understand, there are no rights and wrongs here, just possibilities, and it’s about you getting in touch with “your” aspirations.
Many of the greats that I’ve interviewed have more or less gone this path of artistic individualism. Victor Wooten in his early days spoke of his serious love affair with the drums. He conceptualized an approach to his instrument based around trying to capture the sounds, the rhythm, and the sonic dynamics that the drums had to offer. If you’ve watched him, you can easily hear that he was quite successful in his quest, which has everything to do with his sound and his approach.
Bassist Anthony Jackson also realized very early on in his career that the standard four string bass did not encompass the sound he was hearing in his head, i.e., the advent of the six string contrabass, which has everything to do with “his” sound, and “his” approach.
Bassist extraordinaire Gary Willis took a close look at his relationship with academia and found for himself that it was more about learning to trust his musical instincts in performance mode than an academic excursion. He speaks in terms of simply trying to “connect ideas”, which if you’ve heard him, especially in improvisational mode, he totally owns, and it clearly defines his approach.
I think the most sterling example of what I’m trying to present here is bassist Michael Manring. Michael is a proponent of what is called Lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is about discovering ideas that may not be obtainable by using traditional step-by-step logic. For those of you who don’t know Michael, he has a Hipshot de-tuner on every string, as well as de-tuners built into his bridge. This gives him the opportunity to play in over 40 different tunings, which has everything to do with his sound, style, and approach, and gives him an extremely unique voice on his instrument. Each one of these individuals found a particular path for themselves which obviously has worked well for their artistic pursuits.
So, what’s the first step you can take to find that path, that vision for your artistry? Cut some spin time! Go in a room, shut the door, make sure your not disturbed, shut the cell phone off and try to “focus” on seeing this quote unquote path for yourself. It may take a while to begin to conceptualize an answer to this. This process is actually very akin to the beginnings of meditation. When you begin, you’ll have 9000 thoughts going through your head…this is typical. The trick is to stay with it. Eventually, those thoughts will clear, if you’re patient, and you’ll begin to see a glimpse of what you’re searching for. Questions like “what am I missing as far as understanding a direction for myself” might be worth considering to get you started. It’s about getting out of the “obvious”, and into the “not so obvious”, and hanging out there for a while…interesting place.
Take this seriously…follow through…try to discover that path. Your decision to go after this is in my opinion one of the most important decisions you can make as far as your artistic advancement on your instrument is concerned. Good luck on your quest.
Best,
Jake Kot
An Artistic Guide to Economic Survival is available for purchase on this site, or you can write me personally at Jake@JakeKot.com.
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
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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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
