The Bass Geek

I’ve been hearing more and more NPR shows and other sources talking about beat variance in popular music and the stock market.  The theory is that volatile markets cause songs with steady beats to climb the charts, and songs with tempo changes are more appealing when the market is less volatile.  The study is backed up with research using computer analysis of songs and cross-referencing market data.

Still, I can’t trust this study for a couple of reasons:

1. Payola recognizes no market data.
2. Charts were never that accurate anyway (again, payola).
3. Now that we have click tracks and beat mapping with digital audio workstations, do we even have tempo variations anymore?

I think some more background research was necessary here.

The Guitar and Bass Summit shows at the Jazz Kitchen turned out pretty well, including the actual performances and the master class  It was nice to see a couple of bassists (Todd Johnson and Scott Pazera) playing and soloing with the fluidity that they did.  My personal highlight was the dual bass version of “Witchcraft.”  It sounded quite rich and full, thanks to the 13 strings on stage between the two bassists.  The songs did run long, as all five soloists had to take a few choruses each, but each brought something different to the song.

I also picked up a new MIDI controller (the M-Audio Axiom 25), and I’m really enjoying how easily it interfaces with Reason.  The aftertouch and additional drum pads and knobs are great touches, especially considering the used price point.  I want to bring it out live, even if it does mean playing keyboard bass.

Radio Radio has Luna Halo, The Glass Identity Crisis, and The Kold War tonight. Tomorrow brings in Boston’s KID:NAP:KIN, Twin Cats, and Henderson.

Big Car Gallery has the Tonos Triad CD release party tomorrow night.  This should be a good one – enjoy.

Deano’s Vino has Acoustic Catfish tonight and New Augusta tomorrow.

And finally, there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza and the Big Swing Band at the Fountain Square Theater tonight.  So there you go – lotsa options!

It’s up – go get it or listen at the site or at WFYI.

Just bought some fuses for the bass amp.  Over the Internet.  Turns out none of the hardware stores, home improvement stores, or electronic specialty stores around here stock 6.3A, 250W time delay fuses.  There’s a place that does though, and they’re happy to charge  three times as much as the actual product for shipping.  Thankfully, it’s all in one package, so I bought a few more to make the whole thing worth it.  Sigh.

It was a great lesson that I took from Todd Johnson today, and there’s a lot of information for me to work through as a result – thankfully, I took my digital recorder to tape it for reference later.  And while listening, I’ll get the chance to relive all the times I got to hear what I tell my students coming back to me.  Using the metronome, practice slowly and build up from there, the whole bit.  Get a little eager, have to slow it back down a bit.  There’s always more to learn, and it’s great to be reminded of that.

More metronome time, now.  See y’all later.

This bass doesn’t actually exist yet – you’re looking at an artist rendering of the eventual final product.  Still, given the blog the creator is keeping about the ongoing creation, it looks like it’s in more than capable hands.  Note the fanned-fret design, the individual saddles, and the gorgeous finish.  Just beautiful.  Since it doesn’t actually exist yet, I’ll forgive the lack of sound samples.  But that’s the only reason.  Let that be a lesson to others.

Radio Radio has Howie Day and Nick Zuber tonight.  Tomorrow brings Brian McGee and the Hollow Speed with Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes.

Deano’s Vino has Luke Austin Daughtery tonight and the Last Drop Jug Band tomorrow. Get there early – they have to empty the jugs at the bar themselves.

And Maria’s Pizza has live jazz Friday night.  Enjoy.

The new IMN podcast is up – download it here or listen at the site or on WFYI.

And now it’s time to prepare for the last Battlestar Galactica episode.  Had to catch up on about three weeks, and I still don’t care much for the “All Along The Watchtower” connection, but such is life.   At least the little girl could write out the sheet music.  No tablature there.