WELCOME

Bass is an art, a philosophy, a way of life... and a state of mind

Introducing

A trio of new bass players answer this month’s burning questions. Do you agree with their replies?

Bass Lessons

Making you a better bass player in every issue, our state-of-the-art team of educators will guide you every step of the way. Say hello to them here!

BP Notation Legend

The following is a guide to the notation symbols and terminology used in Bass Player magazine

STILL LIVES

Tony Levin documents his career in a 247-photo book

I WAS THERE!

A historic moment in bass world—recalled by those who were there to see it

Paul Chambers

We celebrate five great—and less great!— albums on which a notable bassist appears

MAKE NOTES STAND OUT

Ensure that your bass is audible in every situation

TO BOIL OR NOT TO BOIL?

Does boiling old bass strings really restore their top end?

'BASS TRAVERSES DIFFERENT WORLDS'

Want to learn the secrets of the universe? Then you’d better join us as we sit down with Stephen ‘Thundercat’ Bruner, the pre-eminent bassist of his generation. This one goes deep!

HAIM SWEET HAIM

“It’s just me, with no bells and whistles,” explains Este Haim of the bass behind her trio’s acclaimed music

KIND OF BLUE

Fusion artist extraordinaire and sometime Pat Metheny alumnus Mark Egan brings us up to date with his new album, Electric Blue, recorded with his long-time drummer colleague Danny Gottlieb

THE LIFE OF BRYAN

Bryan Beller does so many bass-related things so well and so prolifically that he puts the rest of us to shame. Listen up, as he tells us about his commentary on the absurd world in which we find ourselves in 2021

THE BIG F

Jason recently ordered a beautiful custom Fender Precision. He and Fender Master Builder Vincent Van Trigt tell the story

POP MUSIC

Cat Popper has earned her stripes as a bassist with a long list of big names —so a solo career is long overdue. We meet the reluctant star

MEDICINE MAN

The Foo Fighters return with a new album, Medicine At Midnight, with the low end taken care of as always by the great Nate Mendel. Has he fallen for a five‐string yet? Find out here

BASSIST Of The YEAR

Meet Danny Sapko, voted by you as Bassist Of The Year 2020!

DAVE SWIFT MEETS SNOW OWL

Part 1 of a new feature in which we bring two amazing bass players together to discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of life at the low end. This month, it’s Jools Holland’s long-time bass player Dave Swift and the Grammy-nominated Colombian bassist Juan ‘Snow Owl’ Garcia-Herreros, revealing how they built their unique careers

Reviews

Welcome to our expert road-tests of state-of-the-art basses, amps, and effects

Skyline J-Sonic

A classically-styled Jazz with a sonic twist... does that sound interesting? You bet it does, says Mike Brooks

BBPH Peter Hook

Our Ed gets an  exclusive first  look at Hooky’s  new, strictly  limited-edition  Yamaha BB

Hydra

Is this a fearsome creature from ancient legend, or a tangerine dream? Mike Brooks finds out

Tone Pocket and Ant

Ashdown return with two new lightweight innovations. Your lower back will thank you, says Phil Mann

MIX AND MATCH ARPEGGIOS

Nashville-based session and stage bassist Ryan Madora is here to dig into bass parts that we know and love for useful information. Pay attention!

DIG DEEPER WITH YOUR BASS THINKING

The great Steve Lawson brings us a new approach to studying bass at beginner level. The journey begins

HEXATONIC SCALE PATTERNS

Phil Mann is a stage and session star and educator extraordinaire. Get ready to step up your bass game!

MIX AND MATCH: ADVANCED SLAP

Welcome! For the last year or so we’ve

SPEAKER CONES EXPLAINED

Many of us find it difficult to understand the roles of different speakers. Dan Veall is here to help us out