Wrap Rap: Bass Player LIVE!

MASSIVE thanks to all who came out to BPL this last weekend! We could bore you with a laundry list of superlatives describing the event, but let’s settle here for a mere few: Super fun; Truly humbling; Deeply inspiring.If there was a single frustration about the weekend, it’s the simple fact that (short of time travel) there was no way to attend

Trio In Trepid: John Patitucci Works Without A

When it comes to bass role models, we thumpers are fortunate to have John Patitucci. His firm grasp of jazz and myriad other styles is matched by his equally firm grip on both fretboard and fingerboard. Add inherent creativity and curiosity to the mix, and we’re talking about a forefront musician. This breadth is wholly evident in John’s 13th

Shifting On The Fly

If you need to change positions on the neck and you want it to sound seamlessly smooth, there’s no reason you can’t shift while you’re on a note. For example, say you’re in 3rd position, fretting a G on the D string with your 3rd finger (Fig. 1). Play that G, and then bring your 1st finger up right behind your 3rd (Fig. 2). As soon as it’s in

Music Man: 25th Anniversary 5-string Big Al

WITH LAURELS THE SIZE OF MUSIC MAN’S, it wouldn’t be surprising if the company chose to rest on them—but they don’t. The StingRay is in an elite club: basses that are so iconic, an entire segment of bass design revolves around them. Much of Music Man’s history revolved around capitalizing on the StingRay’s superb design formula, with