After church this morning, I was home solo for a bit so I played bass a while then drove an hour to band rehearsal where I, well, played more bass for about 2.5 hours
and then Tony's church was without a bass player for their evening services so I was invited to sit in
so I played more bass, like 8 or 10 songs that I'd never heard or seen before based only on my ear and some really dodgy chord charts
and it turned out fine
Anyway, I got to play lots of bass. It was a good day.
"So Far Away" by Carole King with James Taylor from BBC In Concert, February 10, 1971Listen to Carole King: https://CaroleKing.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to th...
Some weird, classical styled music for solo 6-string bass guitar:
from the album Wild Raspberries
Time for a serious stamina check! Tom Araya’s bass work on Slayer's "World Painted Blood" is a masterclass in relentless alternate picking and aggressive thrash metal tone.
If you want to test your right hand, I've posted the official sheet music & Session Notes on how to get that metallic clank to cut through the mix. Tune down to Eb Standard and dig in!
Read the breakdown:
https://thebassdiaries.com/2026/05/01/slayer-world-painted-blood-bass-tab-sheet-music/
Tomorrow is #BandcampFriday, and my birthday is in a couple of weeks so, yeah, help me get this out there!
I'm guessing that by reading this you wanted to learn a little bit more about me and the wacky world within my head? Well, I'm not too keen on talking about myself, but I'll give it my best. I am a musician, photographer, and writer. That is a lot of hats to be wearing and, while it can get a little warm, it does come in handy in the independent arts. I hope that you have a pleasant day!
Another one for the practice log! Lee Alexander’s upright bass on Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why" is a masterclass in subtlety. The secret to this track isn't the notes you play—it’s the space you leave empty.
Learn to play it! I've posted the official sheet music & Session Notes on getting that vintage, fast-decay upright tone on an electric bass using a foam mute.
Read the breakdown:
https://thebassdiaries.com/2025/12/08/norah-jones-dont-know-why-bass/
Another one for the practice log! Lee Alexander’s upright bass on Norah Jones' "Sunrise" is a masterclass in deep pockets, tasteful passing notes, and driving an acoustic track without rushing.
Learn to play it! I've posted the official sheet music & Session Notes on getting that vintage, fast-decay "thump" on an electric bass using a foam mute.
Read the breakdown:
https://thebassdiaries.com/2026/04/20/norah-jones-sunrise-bass-tab/
Lee Alexander’s bass on "Come Away With Me" is a masterclass in space and timing.
Learn to play it! I've posted the official sheet music & Session Notes on getting that vintage acoustic warmth on an electric bass.
https://thebassdiaries.com/2026/04/21/norah-jones-come-away-with-me-bass-tab/
@surdfish
What keeps tempting me is the Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Bass in Metallic Purple
It looks great and sounds even more great despite the price which suggests otherwise.
https://www.long-mcquade.com/12768/Guitars/Bass-Guitars/Ibanez/GSRM20-Mikro-Bass-Metallic-Purple.htm
Venya (he/him/dude) 🇺🇦
50+ Music
Mike Smale
The Bass Diaries
Blaise Pabón - controlpl4n3
That Old Guy with the Beard