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Franz Vitulli on The Importance of Reading Music for the Modern Bass Player
Reading music (and in our case bass lines) has always been important for musicians. First of all, it’s a matter of principle. Music is a language, and a good student has the duty to nurture the understanding of how the language he wants to master is formally written. From a practical point of view, it helps the communication between musicians: if you and your bandmates can read music, you can “speak the same language”, and this has a lot of good implications, for example when you are arranging a new tune, you want to tell the drummer how is the kick drum pattern you have in mind and you want to tell it unambiguously, writing it on a board or on a piece of paper, not just singing it.
But I think that today we have to see the matter from another point of view: reading music is even more important for the modern player, even if we all know that internet is full of messy tabs written by we-don’t-know-who.
Before the digital age, most of the didactic resources you might find on the shelves of a bookshop were written with double staffs (traditional notation and tabs), because the publishers usually thought (and still think) that the presence of the tabs would have encouraged the selling of the book, expecially among amateurs. If you visit a bookshop and look for bass books, you will still find books with tabs. Actually, I’m essentially talking about books for beginners, but sometimes I have found the tab staff even on books for advanced players.
Nowadays, with the possibility of self-publishing on the web (Kindle Store, Apple’s iBookstore, Scribd, not to mention blogs and personal websites, et cetera), authors can produce and publish their own ebooks without dealing with publishers, editors or anyone else: we are just at the beginning of this ebooks era, and since most of the music teachers are reasonably against the tabs (which are, by definition, confusing and incomplete), I think that we have to expect a flowering of new tabs-free resources available on the web. And you don’t want to be excluded from enjoying these new resources, do you?
Acquiring the necessary skills to read music is very difficult without a teacher, but you may want to begin learning the fundamentals of reading music before applying to a music schools or while you are looking for a good teacher. These are my suggestions:
- Memorize notes on the lines and spaces, like a nursery rhyme. The more you practice, the less you have to repeat yourself G-B-D-…!
- Take care of the rhythm even apart from the melody. There are a lot of books out there that have been specifically written for the snare drum that can be used with the bass. They really can help you to develop a strong rhythmic sense;
- A computer can tell you how to read tricky rhythmic patterns. If you’re not sure about how to read a measure, just write it in a software like Finale or Sibelius, and let it sound;
- Find an easy bass line of a song that you know and like (I would recommend James Jamerson’s “My girl”), and try to read it with your bass. Slowly and without your metronome – you are studying, NOT performing.
- If the bass line you’re trying to read is written on a piece of paper, use highlighters, pencils and erasers to highlight tricky passages or to write down notes and guides;
- It’s quite common that a song has a specific pattern that comes almost throughout the whole song. Focus on that pattern and play a first, poor but solid version of the song, then add fills, phrasings, et cetera.
As usual, I look forward to read your thoughts about this article: tweet it, share it on your Facebook wall and tell your friends about it!
Franz
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
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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
