Bass Videos
La Chica Red Bull Bass Transcription
La Chica Red Bull Bass Transcription
La Chica Red Bull Bass Transcription: Like “Siempre Latino”, “La Chica Red Bull” is another track from Gerardo Contino’s album Somos Latinos. The track is a state of the art example of timba bass in full flight. This is 3:53 of bass bliss. John Benitez’s fearless; “play at all costs” approach is in full swing on this arrangement and he doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops throughout.
Contrary to “Siempre Latino”, in which Benitez takes a more minimalistic approach, “La Chica Red Bull” features playing of a much higher degree of rhythmic density.
He weaves and worms his way through the tune, constantly alternating between fingerstyle and slap and of course never being pattern-oriented or predictable. His playing is often laced with gospel-influenced fills peppered with slippery articulations that provide a perfect match for Axel Laugart’s serendipitously similar keyboard style. All in all, there is little he leaves alone on this song with each note given “just a little extra” to make it special.
Another interesting device used in this example is John’s subtle displacement of phrases that would normally occur on beat one in most timba basslines.
Each is a quarter-note figure on the two side of the clave and consists of the intervals 1-5-8 or 1-5-10. While these figures are very common in timba Benitez displaces them one beat ahead or on beat four of the previous measure instead of on beat one. Once again we have yet another example of John bringing something fresh and unique to an already exciting style of bass playing.
In transcribing Benitez’s bass parts, it is often alarming to see how much he is really doing in the course of one song.
While simply listening to the music, his parts seem to fit seamlessly into the context of which he is playing. However, when looking at his parts in written form you can really get an idea of the almost unlimited vocabulary and creativity that he has.
An entire bass method book could be written based on the content that John injects into this track.
However, what is important to pay attention to in this track as well as “Siempre Latino” is his approach to clave alignment. Cuban Timba has some of the most overt clave aligned bass parts in Afro Latin music and therefore is a great study for any bassist trying to learn more about clave and how it works. These two tracks were chosen for this book partly due to their opposing clave direction in order to demonstrate the subtle differences in playing in 2-3 versus 3-2.
As stated over and over again, there are many lessons to take away from these two songs as well as all the other transcriptions in this book.
While the minute details of what John plays on these recordings are important to pay attention to, it is also crucial to look at the big picture. Although each track is an entity unto itself, none of them were created in a vacuum. Regardless of the style or context, each bassline and solo is an extension of an overall approach. In the case of every master musician, every note they play is forged from a lifetime of influences and life experiences. No matter what, John’s voice shines through in a very complete and personal way.
This La Chica Red Bull bass Transcription and article are an excerpt from the first book John and I collaborated on in 2015 Freedom in the Clave. Stay tuned for many more transcription videos to come!
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes…
It is always great to meet a super busy bassist who simply exudes a love for music and his instrument. Erick “Jesus” Coomes fits this description exactly. Hailing from Southern California, “Jesus” co-founded and plays bass for Lettuce and has found his groove playing with numerous other musicians.
Join us as we hear of his musical journey, how he gets his sound, his ongoing projects, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Bob Forte
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Visit Online
www.lettucefunk.com
IG @jesuscsuperstar
FB@jesuscoomes
FB @lettucefunk
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com