My new adventures with a short scale bass has me thinking more about ergonomic basses.  I discuss the models interesting me most, such as Ibanez, Torzal and Strandberg offerings.  I also do a review of the ForScore iPad app that is a perfect replacement to ringed binders of printed chord charts for bass players not blessed with a church using Planning Center.

Bass Guitar Worship Blender

Ergonomic Basses - Episode 15

I finally got to my long promised review of the Source Audio C4 synth bass pedal.  A also talk about my new adventure into the land of short scale bass.  In addition, a segment on 6/8 time and the misinformation/misunderstand regarding it - yes, reputable sources have it wrong.

Source Audio C4 Review Plus a Short Scale Bass - Episode 14

The first in our Average Joe interviews!  In this episode we interview Joe LeGrand, a worship bassist who became active in worship after retiring.  No sitting around saying "I've paid my dues...", Joe is an inspiration for everyone that it's never too late to learn something new.   Here is the book Joe references in the interview about helping to prevent injury while playing bass: https://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/products/1461-the-bassist's-guide-to-injury-management-prevention-and-better-health-2nd-edition-ebookpdf/

An Interview with Joe LeGrand - Episode 13

3 segments in this episode featuring an example on how changing your hand position can change your bass tone (and examples of how to use this in service), thoughts on the advantages (and disadvantages) of playing sitting down vs standing up, and an overview of our Worship Blender chapel and how we play to use it.

Changing Your Hand Position to Change Your Tone - Episode 12 of the Bass Guitar Worship Blender

Yes, we're feeling the effects of the Corona Virus here at the Bass Guitar Worship Blender.  This episode talks about how our lives are different right now.

The Corona Episode - Episode 11

It's our 10th episode - we finally made it!  So, let's have a pop quiz, shall we... This episode blends a pop quiz with this year's non-Daniel-fast fast, an overview of NAMM 2020 bass gear and an idea for less clutter and confusion on the music stand.

It's Time For a Pop Quiz - Episode 10

Merry Christmas listeners!  This episode features some tips on adding Reggae-style grooves to your alter calls, options for less common Christmas songs to listen to, an overview of how chord charts lie (especially at Christmas), and yet another version of Angels We Have Heard On High.

We're Having a Reggae Christmas - Episode 9

There's a lot of interest in fretless bass but not everyone has immediate access to one to try it out.  We go over what it is like playing a fretless bass and how it compares to a fretted, plus all the instrument's pros and cons.  Additional segments on Worship Around the World, What We're Listening to and a few stories to tell since the last episode.

Fretted vs. Fretless Bass - Episode 8

Westminster Effects is a Christian-based company building some outstanding effects pedals for guitarists and bass guitarists. In this episode I interview Cody Fields, President of the company, about his products for bass guitar and the clever Christian church history-themed naming conventions of his products.  Website: Westminster Effects Website Podcast: Westminster Effects Doxology Podcast On their website, check out the Wittenberg Bass Preamp (based on the Yamaha NE-1) and the Calvin Compressor.

Cody Fields of Westminster Effects - Episode 7

This is a busy episode with 4 segments, the primary segment being how to deal with a keyboard player's bass heavy left hand. Other segments address playing through injury, an interesting exercise to confirm your knowledge of your fretboard, and an overview of some of the basses I played at various music stores.

Us Vs. Keyboard Player's Left Hand - Episode 6

Need to play some synth bass on the platform, but don't know which synth to buy? How about trying plugins with a MIDI controller? In this episode I overview options for both paid and free synth plugins and why they might be a good choice.  Another segment discusses protecting your hearing when you play and how I'm doing that on a noisy stage.

Using Plugins for Synth Bass - Episode 5

If you're a bass player that has to go direct instead of using an amp, but you already have a laptop and a portable audio interface, then you may already have a setup you can use live, instead of an expensive pedal board.  In this episode we explore IK Multimedia Amplitube Ampeg SVT and Overloud MarkBass plugins. Our second segment is on the controversy of click tracks, and in our third segment we bring a little Jesus into the mix, with a short overview of a Roman's Bible study.

Episode 4 - Using Plugins on the Platform

In this episode, we talk to Dave, a favorite contributor on the P&W Bassist Club on TalkBass.com. Dave is pro on bass and has been serving on worship platforms for years. However, this year he was told by his church he no longer fit the visual - he was considered too old! Dave still plays just fine and he's really not that old, so what's going on here? We explore Dave's situation in detail to discuss this troubling trend of axing anyone over 30 that is creeping into more and more churches.

Episode 3 - Getting "Aged Out" From the Platform

This episode's featured segment is on how to imitate a synthbass on your bass guitar without having to buy any new equipment.  Even if your signal is bass to direct box, you don't have to spend money to sound like that spiffy contemporary worship song.  Most of the time the best solution is adjusting your technique.  Additional segments on alternate ways to play octaves and a crazy idea for a fretted fretless bass.

Episode 2 - Imitating a Synthbass Without Pedals

This podcast is for those that serve from the bottom up.  Since this is a new podcast by an unknown host, I spend time explaining who I am, along with a brief musical history.  

Episode 1 - Who's This Hack?

A podcast for the church bass guitarist that features commentary, interviews, product reviews, discussion, instructional content, and Biblical principles.

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Bass Guitar Worship Blender

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