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Interaction by Jimi Durso

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jimi-durso-bioOne great way to help find your own voice is to develop it through the people around you. If you’re in a band, sitting in at jams, or just playing along w/ jam tracks, how you interact with these can be a great source of discovering your individuality. And it’s pretty easy, since no one else will react exactly like you to begin with. But let’s look at some ways you can get more out of these dialogues.

First, whether you’re leading or following is really more of a continuum (or should be). Think of not just following the other musicians, but also nudging them a bit (if it’s live musician’s you’re playing with. It’s much more difficult w/ recordings). Can you change the energy in some way and get the other folk to follow you? Can you take what the others are doing and use it to forge a direction that you can then bring the rest of the ensemble along on? Or take how someone else responds to your moves and incorporate that into your next decision.

Next, you have to determine how the energy is changing (whether it’s your move or someone else’s) and what you’re specifically going to do about it. For instance: maybe the drummer has brought the energy level up by playing busier. You could play busier as well, but are there other ways to follow his or her energy? What about dropping down an octave (or up an octave) to compliment their change? Or playing closer to the bridge to get a nastier tone? Or just digging in and playing louder? Or turning on your octave divider (you did remember to bring an octave divider)? Or making your rhythm more syncopated (or less syncopated)? I could continue, but start imagining what you could do. You may find that in the situation, if you keep your mind open, you’ll know what you want to do.  But I’d suggest keeping a playful attitude. Try things, see what you come up with.

Also, do the same from the perspective of leading: how can you make the rest of the group bring the energy down (or up, or laterally)? What if you switch to just octaves and fifths (if you hadn’t been doing that already)? Maybe playing more legato or staccato? What about some sustained double stops? Listen to how the other members of the ensemble react to your choices.

You could also think of yourself as a bridge. What if the piano player has moved in a different direction, perhaps creating tension by playing more chromatically, or with more alterations in the chords. How can you communicate this to the drummer (assuming your drummer’s a bit tone deaf, or just doesn’t pay attention to the piano)? Maybe by playing some polyrhythms? Or dropping the downbeat? Think of how many ways you could communicate harmonic information rhythmically (then do the same to get the drummer’s thing across to the pianist).

This kind of thinking doesn’t only apply to improvised music. If you’re in a group doing original material, use the same approach when writing your parts. When the guitarist switches on the distortion for the chorus, how is your bass line going to react? Will you play driving eighth notes? Or just slam an octave on the 2 and 4? Or (hopefully) something I wouldn’t even thin of. Brainstorm all the things YOU might do in this situation. And have fun with it.

Twang!

www.JimiDurso.com

www.CoincidenceMachine.net

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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