Latest
Ray Brown’s Bass line from Surrey with the Fringe on Top
by Alex Wilkerson –
This month’s transcription is Ray Brown’s Bass line from “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” (Download: Surrey – Ray Brown – Transcription), off Barney Kessel’s album The Poll Winners Ride Again! This is a trio, and as such, makes an agreed upon harmony difficult. There are standard changes that a tune can abide by, but there are so many common variations that are widely accepted, it makes it hard to know when chord changes are altered or if one person is just implying an alteration. In a trio, this can be very difficult. For instance, the musicians might be thinking of the song as having four measures on the one chord. In this situation however, there are a dizzying amount of alterations that can and will be applied. One such example as found in this piece is to play the one chord on measures one and three, and the five chord on measures two and four. Another common approach for this tune is to play one measure on the one chord, the next on the two chord, the next on three, and back to the two chord. Sliding in a “two-five” to your target chord is an extremely common technique that bass players can use at any time, even if no one else strictly observes these new alterations. In a trio, when there are only two harmonic instruments, and one of them is taking a solo, it makes it impossible to tell whether alterations were intended to be hinted at, or if they are thought of as firm deviations. What’s the difference? The difference is in knowing when to use the idea. If Ray Brown was implying a chord on top of a different chord, then that is how you would use the idea in your own playing. In this transcription, I did my best to notate the chord changes that would be the most likely agreed upon by the musicians, and the most helpful to us to learn from Ray Brown’s lines.
There are two main points that we can take from this recording. One is to take licks from Brown’s solo, analyze them against the written chord symbols, memorize the idea, and add it to your bag of tricks. The other is to listen to the recording, make note of certain measures where you like the walking line, analyze by the numbers what the idea is and apply to your own walking lines. For instance, if you particularly liked measure 70, you would take the notes A, G, F#, D, and apply those notes to their chord symbols. This would give you 1, b7, 3, 8 (same as 1). Now take this idea, memorize it, and try to use it on all the 2-5’s that are a measure long during your practice time. It’s important to apply them to walking through a real song. Taking the idea through all 12 keys is good, but it must be applied to a real tune before you will find it easy available to use in a real situation.
One interesting idea is that instead of thinking chord scales for a solo, you can use color notes. For instance, in the key of F major, the D chord is a minor seven chord. If you see a 3-6-2-5 chord progression where the six chord is a dominant chord, such as D7 in the key of F major, this chord is only different from the F major scale by one note. Instead of thinking mixolydian flat 13, you could just keep soloing in F major, but be sure to play an F# in the place of all F notes. This will spell out the major third of your D7 without requiring you to think of an entirely new chord scale. This can be particularly handy if the D7 lasts for only two beats and you are playing over 250 bpm. Try this idea out.. Now for any jazz guys who are reading this and thinking that the 9 and 13 are also different, this is sometimes true, but only if you want to imply a temporary minor key center. If the changes are fast enough, it might be more prudent to stick to a generally major key center for the entire 3-6-2-5-1.
That’s it for this month. Hope you enjoyed the tune, see you next time.
Download: Surrey – Ray Brown
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
