Week 9: "Amazing Grace", "Beautiful Girl"

I love to play the bass, but I cannot stress it enough when I say that I am merely a beginner. That being said, I was planning to post a blog that showcased a true expert bassist. Coincidentally, the artist I have in mind performed at Penn State earlier this week. Therefore, I will pay homage to one of my favorite bassists, Victor Wooten. In this video, Wooten puts his own spin on the gospel standard, “Amazing Grace”. He begins by using a technique (more like a quality of the electric bass) called Natural Harmonics. If it seems like he is barely pressing the strings while making the high notes, it’s actually because the natural harmonics are played by placing your finger on certain parts of the strings without actually pressing them to the neck of this bass (how you would otherwise play a normal note). The vibrations cause the high-pitched tone you here in the beginning, end, and intermittently within the performance. When he begins to pick up the tempo, he actually plays natural harmonics and normal notes simultaneously, almost making it almost sound like two instruments are playing at once. On top of that, I love the way he has so much control over the neck of the bass; you can tell it by the fact that he barely needs to move his fingers in order to get from one note to the to the other. It’s inspiring to see people performing at the peak level to motivate me to improve my own skills.

Free Songs of the Week

This week’s installment of freebies was surely a treat; so much that I am already enjoying a couple of the offers after owning them for less than 12 hours. Indie Spotlight of the week “Beautiful Girl” by William Fitzsimmons is one track that I have been listening to over and over again. It has quickly established itself as one of the most soothing songs in my 1,500+ song library.  I love how the calming vocals, piano, and bass melt into a relaxing ensemble; this is definitely a must-download. If that was not enough, Green Day is also giving out a free video of their classing song “When I Come Around” being performed live in Tokyo.

Week 8: "99 Luftballons", "Slow Lights"

I found myself trapped in my room one snow day during my high school years during an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to avoid shoveling snow. However, before I got down to chores I had to get a song unstuck from my head. That song was 99 Luftballons by Nena and the method for getting it dislodged was by listening to it as much as possible. In fact, I thought I’d do myself one better and teach it to myself on the bass.

The big difference between my effort to learn 99 luftballons and other songs that I have covered is that the other songs were picked up from tabs. I haven’t exactly clarified what tabs are exactly; they are basically a shorthand layout of how a song is played on the bass (there are also tabs for guitar and drums) based on the location on the instrument each note is played. It is an easy way to learn a song without having to go through the actual music notation.

So, instead of running to the cheat sheet, I decided to listen to the song and replicate the bassline by ear. Since the bassline was quite repetitive (and infectious in an over-the-top eighties way) it was no chore whatsoever to learn.

Free Song of the Week

I was pleased to see a shiny new free music page on iTunes this week with a much more convenient format this time around. Also, I found that iTunes added a St. Patrick’s Day song as the Discovery Download. However, my joy dissipated when I actually listened to the songs. There was no standout favorite for me this time around; but that doesn’t mean these songs aren’t worth a listen.

“Slow Lights” by Alternative act Sin Fang is the Indie Spotlight this week. I may not have been floored by the song by first listen, but I think it will grow on me. I enjoy the pulsating drum beats and the less emphasized instrumentals. However, the vocals drone on for the entire 4 minutes and 54 seconds without much variation. Again, this is only a first opinion and the song may have potential in future listens; besides, it’s free, so why not give it a shot?

Week 7: "3's & 7's", "The Beat Goes On"

Guitar solos have become almost a necessity in rock music, and even drum solos are not a complete rarity. It may just be me, but it seems like a bass solo is too hard to find in contemporary rock music. Therefore, I was enthusiastic to tackle an upbeat, bass-driven song such as “3’s & 7’s” by Queens of the Stoneage. Best of all, it has a bass solo! Albeit, the solo is less than 10 seconds, not long by any standards. Nonetheless, it is still worth learning based on the relative rarity of bass solos across the board.

3’s and 7’s is an entertaining song that exudes energy in almost every aspect; from the squealing guitar bursts, to the rapid drum hits, to the pulsating bass. It is a great song to work out to because the beat pushes forward at a rapid pace while holding a steady beat. All instruments play together as one and have this track driving on all cylinders. Simultaneously, the hook is catchy enough to have you humming along after the first listen; it is the kind of song that demands a good listening.

The most rewarding part of figuring this song out was remembering how lost I was when I first saw the tab by “oaxacamexy” on ultimate-guitar.com a year ago. I attempted to play it, but I simply did not have the quickness in my left hand to maintain the bassline throughout the song. Although I did not have a ton of time to prepare this time around, I put together a decent product without too much agony. It is always a rewarding to tackle the objectives you used to find impossible.

Free Song of the Week

I was pleasantly surprised that this week’s free song of the week lineup included a song by Beady Eye, a song comprised of some former members of the British band Oasis (famous for songs like “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova”). The track is called “The Beat Goes On” and it is styled in a noticeably sixties fashion; I’d even say it is beatlesque in its arrangement. It’s something you should at the very least give a chance since I think it will be getting plenty of plays on my iPod.

Week 6: "Nightmares", "Helplessness Blues"

I have reached the end of one long, exhausting week, and I thought that I might look into my archives instead of making a new video from my dorm (besides, if variety is the spice of life then it’s high time I add a little cayenne to my blogs). So, in searching through my past video collection I came upon a video I forgot I had even made; one that I should not ever forget: my first song!

This is the product of me fiddling around on the bass one weekend about a year ago and what I had initially come up with as a catchy bassline/guitar riff. The song is called “Nightmares” and I have since built off of the bassline and guitar part for the verse, written lyrics, and established a melody. Although this is certainly not the finished product it is today (granted, it technically is not “finished” until my band manages to get into the studio and record it), it demonstrates a solid bassline and it stands out in the song (especially considering the wattage on the bass amp was significantly higher than the guitar’s).

So, after I put together the bassline I grabbed my little brother Tyler and taught him the basic notes for his guitar and he built off of them for the guitar piece. Since we did not have drums available to us I provided the bass drum hits by hitting my muted strings during the opening guitar riff and Tyler set up a beat on the electronic drum machine for the rest of the song. It was simple, but I was pleased that it was nearly flawless in delivery from both ends. It makes me smile to see my brother’s talent shine through in this video knowing I was the inspiration for the song while his improvised solo was extremely well done.

I hope you enjoy this peek at my songwriting ability, and please check out (and ‘like’) my band’s facebook page, Jekkyl ‘N’ Hyde; we have a video up and we plan to put an EP together in the near future.

Free Song of the Week Review

I could be wrong, but I believe it was my LA101H classmate Emma Gregory who introduced me to the Fleet Foxes in name alone, so it was to my surprise that I found them among the free songs of the week on iTunes. Their single, “Helplessness Blues” is truly a standout among the freebies as the indie spotlight free song of the week. I enjoy how the song builds from the vocals to the guitar to the bass and then closes each one off to finish the track. Also, the lyrics are well-thought out and this folksy tune is certainly a keeper! So please check this song out and the numerous others on iTunes for free this week; what do you have to lose?

Week 5: "Wheels", "Happily Ever After"

In one of my earlier posts I commented that I rarely buy entire albums on iTunes; in fact I have only bought one complete studio album online (Doo Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars). Also, I have only purchased one EP as well, and that was the “Foo Fighters Greatest Hits EP”. It is strategic as an EP in that it includes only the tracks off the full Greatest Hits album that did not appear on previous albums; this allows potential buyers to purchase only these tracks if they have the already-released tracks and want to add to their collection without duplicates.

The EP includes an acoustic rendition of the popular hit “Everlong”, unreleased track “Word Forward”, and, as an avid Paul McCartney fan, I appreciated the inclusion of a cover of Wings’ “Band on the Run”. However, the song that introduced me to this EP (and my personal favorite) is “Wheels”.

Wheels found its way to me when my band and I were preparing for our first gig, and each member was allowed a certain number of cover choices to add to the setlist. Our lead guitarist proposed it, we played it in the gig (with me on the bass AND backing vocals), and I was hooked from the first listen.

The beauty of “Wheels” is the steady pace that carries it; the brief rests in the song are extremely effective and well timed. Every part naturally plays an important role, but for once I’d like to highlight a part outside of the bass; the drums. The drum beats are even-keeled yet purposeful, and the pickups leading into the choruses and guitar solo carry the momentum. It is a song that doesn’t rush itself because it doesn’t have to be fast to be enjoyable. This is one of my favorite songs and I dedicate this one to Scott, my lead guitarist.

Review

One song that spoke to me from this week’s iTunes free music selection is “Happily Ever After” by pop duo He is We. I was pulled in by the sweet, upbeat female vocal performance; it skips along though the track and comes to a soft landing at the end with a brief “hm” of laughter. It is probably one of the best tracks in the past couple weeks (definitely one of the cheeriest), and with the weather starting to look nicer, it is a good compliment to the coming springtime weather.

Valentine's Day! ("I Will", "Loving You Again")

Although it looks like I will not have a valentine this year, I thought that I should at least get into the Valentine’s Day spirit instead of continuing a tradition of uncelebrated February 14^th s. Therefore, I decided to pick a quality love song this week.

With over 100 Beatles tunes in my collection, I am very familiar with the Fab Four and their many love songs. My favorite among them for expressing love must be “I Will”, a track that is as short as it is sweet. Although it is a simple, stripped down, 1 minute and 43 second song, it represents such a dedicated love that it makes me smile each time I listen to it.

The most poignant of the lyrics is without a doubt “Will I wait a lonely lifetime? If you want me to I will”. It is innocent and heartfelt in that it is one part inquiry and one part plea. As for the music, its beauty lies in its utter simplicity. The single acoustic guitar, the basic drumbeat, and the quiet tone combine for the perfect song to quietly ponder over your feelings of love.

As for the bassline, it enhances the simplicity and genuineness of the song because Paul McCartney vocalizes the bass part in lieu of playing it on the bass guitar. It gives the song a personal touch that makes the song as heartfelt as a homemade love letter.

Since the series is called “So’s Your Bass”, I feel like I should actually learn the song on my instrument so I decided to do my best instrumental rendition (a little spotty I admit). The bass was extremely simple, but it is a sweet-sounding line that was made even easier by a stellar tab by an unregistered Ultimate-Guitar.com user who dedicated this tab to his amor, Lorena. So much love!

Review

While I’m still in Spanish Mode, I thought I should cover this week’s “Canción de la Semana” (“Song of the Week”, and yes, it is located in the U.S. iTunes store) is “Loving You Again” by Los Romanticos de Zacatecas. This song is most definitely in Spanish, and if that doesn’t turn you off then give it a listen. I personally love the screaming guitar that sounds like it’s almost competing with the vocalist as well as the well-timed breaks and overall dynamic variation.

"Hit Me With Your Best Shot", “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)”

I spent more time on this week’s song than in previous weeks for a couple of reasons. I pondered over which song would have a bassline as fun to watch as it is to listen to, and then it just hit me; at the end of Sunday’s Lady Lions basketball game, Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” came on the stadium speakers and I couldn’t get it unstuck from my head since.

I love how this song attacks you from the first beat and doesn’t back off. The tough girl attitude gets in your face and presents itself in all aspects of this song. The guitar and bass play a verse that is just as catchy as the vocals and the guitar solo is quick, clean and to the point. The bassline is instantly noticeable and it stands out even when you aren’t listening for it (especially during the third verse, the one coming out of the solo) although it isn’t particularly difficult, it allows some room to improvise which is so much fun to do. I try my best to play the song as straightforwardly as I can for the video, but I did make some tweaks in what I was playing.

Speaking of recording, making the video was the second reason I spent so much time with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”. Up until now I had been able to crank out a decent recording in one take, but the third verse kept eluding me, and I kept falling apart there because the song is pretty repetitive leading up to and following that portion of the song. However, the third (okay, perhaps it was the fourth or fifth) time was the charm and I got through it pretty successfully.

I used a tab by Gary Hricewich for the elusive third verse and the rest of the song I based off a tab by “lilwelshrocker” (both were found on Ultimate-Guitar.com). However, I added slides on my own, and I actually play two octaves of E for the root note simultaneously (basically I played a high E and a low E at the same time for the opening note) which I thought helped give it a fuller, more emphasized sound. Honestly, it was a blast, and a slight yet rewarding challenge to put together. No special effects this week; I tried to get HD video quality, but it wouldn’t fit into blogger!

 

Free Song Review

Nobody makes classic R&B anymore! I guess nobody told that to Charles Bradley, because his Discovery Download, “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)”, brings me back to Marvin Gaye and Al Green. He really pulls off what makes classic Rhythm & Blues so irresistible, he carries a raspy tone he even utilizes the essential female background singers. It almost reminds me of “Ball of Confusion” by the Temptations perhaps from the “world falling apart” message conveyed (Oh, and if you haven’t heard of Ball of Confusion, drop what you are doing right now and listen to it!). Anyway, if you love good classic R&B, it wouldn’t hurt to download this one, and if you don’t know a lot about R&B, then give it a try and take a listen to some “Earth, Wind & Fire” while you’re at it!