Dodgy sound, meddling relatives, DJs who talk too much – every band has had bad wedding gigs and each one presents different annoyances and challenges to try and overcome. Yet weddings are still such a great way of earning an income for musicians. In today’s episode Ian and Scott talk you through all you need to know.
Scott always gets asked the same two questions: 'Why do you wear the glove?!' and 'Should I try wearing one?' He hasn’t always wanted to tell the full story, but he wants to tell it to you now. In today’s episode Scott reveals some of the key hurdles that he’s had to overcome as a result of a condition called Focal Dystonia, and the rehabilitation process that got him back to playing bass!
What a stupid question, right? As bass players, there are few things more satisfying than pulling the trigger on a new bass, but would we be better served expanding our amp collections instead? Will a new amp really make your bass sound any better? In today’s episode Ian and Scott talk you through a couple of different viewpoints that will help you determine how you might spend your hard-earned money. A new bass, or a better amp?
Charles Berthoud has enjoyed a rapid ascent to bass stardom largely thanks to the success of his YouTube channel (Charles currently has more than 1,000,000 subscribers, 40,000 TikTok followers and 107,000 following him on Instagram). But it’s not all about stats on social media; his virtuosic bass chops and his battles with fellow YouTuber Davie 504 continue to push the role of the bass forward. In this interview Charles sits down with Jonathan Herrera to talk about his time at Berklee, his early recollections of Victor Wooten and the power of social media.
Social Media continues to revolutionize just about everything we do - and the music industry is no exception. But one question has so far gone largely unanswered - can you still succeed without a huge following on social media? In today’s episode Ian and Scott share some pros and cons of the rise of social media.
Is there ever a ‘right time’ to quit your day job and follow a full-time career in music? Being a professional musician sounds amazing, but can you really make enough money? And what if it just gets old like any other job? If you are already asking yourself these questions, then you’ve probably decided that one day you want to change your life and follow a career in music. In today’s episode Scott and Ian run through some of the key things to consider before quitting your desk job.
It’s understandable when casual music fans have no idea what’s going on in jazz. No other genre divides people so greatly – but why? If you’re outside of the jazz circle looking in, wondering why it can be so intimidating, then this episode is for you.
In today’s episode Ian and Scott share some great tips that will help streamline your bass playing roadmap. Want to manage your time better? Organize your brain space? Or make some literal space in your studio? Here’s how fine-tuning your workflow can help get you there.
Did you grow up dreaming about your favorite bass players tearing it up in the recording studio, hoping you could one day do the same? Working in a recording studio is quite different to practicing at home - some of the habits that you've picked up over the years just won't apply and you need to make sure you're properly prepared. In today’s episode, Ian and Scott run through their essential studio checklist.
Reading music is a subject that can strike fear into the heart of many aspiring musicians. It’s a tough skill to learn, but do bass players REALLY need to read sheet music? If your ambition is to be in a three chord punk band then you won’t be too worried. But there are TONS of great benefits, as Ian and Scott explore in this episode.
Born in Newport, Rhode Island, John Davis is a master of synth-bass tones and electronic music. A multi-faceted bassist with Jojo Mayer’s Nerve, John has developed an extraordinary facility to emulate almost any sequenced synth bassline from his bass guitar and pedalboard in real time.
Learning to invest in yourself could be the best move you ever make as a musician. By making small changes, the positive effects can be huge! In today’s episode Ian talks through some of the key decisions that he made to help change his life for the better.
Should you or should you not write down everything that you practice? Transcribing for the sake of filling up pages with dots might make you feel like you’ve done your homework, but it won’t necessarily teach you as much as you think. In today’s episode, Ian and Scott discuss the ins and outs of learning by ear.
Having stage fright doesn’t mean you’re not meant to perform or that you’re not good at what you do, but you should know how to tackle it so that if it ever strikes, you’ll be ready! In today’s episode Scott and Ian discuss how to face your fears and achieve your goals.
In today’s episode Ian answers your questions about his favourite Jazz Bass, his first-call stompboxes and how his bass playing career all started on the basketball court in 7th Grade. Find out all of that and more in this episode!
Thinking about starting a new online business? Now is the perfect time to make it happen. And if you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve already come up with a few ideas. In today’s episode Scott talks you through his own blueprint for making money online.
Having worked with an array of jazz greats while still a teenager in his hometown of San Francisco, Larry Grenadier rose to prominence in New York during the 1990s, performing alongside Joe Henderson, Charles Lloyd, Pat Metheny and Paul Motian.
Whether you know him best for his enduring partnership with the Brad Mehldau trio, or as part of the group Fly with Mark Turner and Jeff Ballard, Larry has built up a reputation as one of the finest double bassists in jazz. In this interview, he talks to Jonathan Herrera about his thoughts on technique, tone and the secrets of improvisation.
So how do you choose the best social media platform? It’s impossible to be active on every social media outlet out there. In today’s episode, Scott and Ian are hoping to get rid of some of that pressure you're feeling and simplify the process of creating your own content.
The content you post on social media has the power to turn your followers into fans, but how do you compete with a never-ending flow of viral videos? Elevating your production value is one way to increase your chances of finding an audience among the noise. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the gear that Ian and Scott recommend for today’s content creators.
Congratulations! You nailed the audition and you got the gig. Now the real work starts! Although there’s no substitute for mastering the set list, being part of a successful band requires more than hitting the right notes. Just like you did your homework before the audition, there are some concrete steps you can take to make sure you stick around for the long haul.