How to Play Walking 12 Bar Blues on a Bass

You've heard this progression in countless rockabilly, blues, country, and even jazz songs. Here's how to play it:

G--------------------------------------]

D------0-2-3-2-0-------0-2-3-2-0----2--]

A----2----------2---2-----------2-3----]

E--3--------------3--------------------]

G--0-2-3-2-0----------------------]

D------------2-----0-2-3-2-0-2----]
A----------------2-------------2--]
E--------------3------------------]

G--------4-----0-2---------------------]

D----4-7-----2-----5-3-2-----3-4-5-----]

A--5-------3-------------5-------------]

E--------------------------3-----------]

This is a walking bassline in the key of G. You can transpose this progression to make it fit any key. To add a
swing to groove (as you might need in subgenres of blues like the Texas Shuffle), you can try this:

G------------------------------]

D--------5---0-2-3-2-0---------]

A----------2-----------2-------]

E---2h-3-----------------3-----]

It is slightly more complicated, as it involves a hammeron and an octave. Use the same progression as shown in the above tablature to use this pattern, and try playing it with a swing feel to it. You can contruct your own walking basslines by using chromatic progressions to "walk" the tonic notes based on the I-IV-V chords of a key.

Quran Burning

The cancellation is a very good thing. Although the burning of sacred texts is not a crime in the United States, the violent repercussions that are sure to follow such an action do not legitimate it the slightest bit. The excessive media coverage would on serve to escalate the retribution as well. It is impressive how such a close-minded, backwater pastor from Florida can stir up such an incident. Book burning, like flag burning, has never accomplished anything except inciting more aggression. Strangely, Jone's church is called the "Dove World Outreach Center". What a peaceful and effective way to reach out to the world by publicly insulting 1.57 billion of its Islam adherents.

Really?

How to play the bass for "My Generation" by The Who

Firstly, the tone is a crucial factor in playing this song correctly, or at least in the correct style. It's recorded with a trebley bass, since there is only one other guitar being played. It manages to keep a low end in the mix, however, so keep that in mind. Having strong mids is quire effective in cutting through the mix, assuming you're playing with a band. The bass tone on the recording is very edgy and biting, like most of John's work. My personal preference is to play this song on with a jazz bass, but a P-bass might be just as effective. Keep in mind that the actual studio version was recorded with a Fender Jazz bass.

The second crucial factor in nailing this song, namely the famous bass fills, is the hand position. From this photo:

We can see that John's right hand is very close to the neck, practically above it. This gives the bass a more woolly, smooth tone. The strings also are easier to pluck and rebound with more intensity, making the solos comfortable to play when the string needs to be struck very quickly. Try to use the index, middle and ring finger to play the notes to give trills. Make sure that the left hand is in a comfortable position (thumb pressed on the middle of the neck as an anchor), and that the fingers can easily reach the frets on the D and G strings where most of the playing is done.

Finally, remember to use a lot of slides and hammerons. Place emphasis on the hammerons during the verses especially, since it makes the three-note verse bassline more fluid. Don't always trust the tabs (especially for the bass fills), since many of them are highly innaccurate, and keep in mind that the bass fills are virtually always played differently live. Use the studio recording amongst live recordings to check your playing against the real thing.

Here's a live recording of the bass solo

The Epiphone Wilshire

At 349.00 dollars, this vintage guitar reissue could be considered an upper-end beginner guitar. It has an interesting take on the double-cutaway silhoutte, deviating from the commonly-replicated strat style headstock with a "bat wing" headstock that has a section which is colored the same as the body. Like most Epiphones, the neck ends when it meets the headstock, with a total of 22 frets, giving you 2 octaves per string.

 Jimi Hendrix played this guitar during the early stages of his career. It certainly has a vintage vibe to it, with the wider and less pronounced wings and the Rickenbacker-esque pickguard. The block inlays on the rosewood fretboard look excellent, and is unified with the Alnico Classic Plus 4 humbuckers with chrome covers, and of course, the stop tail bridge. The extended controls allow for more options to tailor your tone.

There are several different colorways, including sunburst, pelham blue, alpine white, and ebony with gloss finishes. Although it is a Chinese-made guitar (and consequently cheaper than Epiphone's higher-end Wilshire), it is exceptionally faithful to the original and an overall good guitar for the money.

Epiphone Wilshire at MusiciansFriend.com

Buzzard Bass Guitars

Here's a nice version of Little Wing. The original song was written by Jimi Hendrix, but this version takes an interesting take on it with stunning vocals and Duane Allman (from The Allman Brothers) on slide guitar. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPHz8KT9No

This undoubtedly one of the most interesting and eccentric basses I've ever seen. It's definitely characterized by the carbon-fiber finish and the distinctive headstock, not to mention the roman numeral inlays. The active electronics for the humbucking pickups give it an edgy sound. Just look at all the controls...

It's only fitting that one of the most original bassists to grace rock with his rumbling basslines designed it. 

John Entwistle is also known for his explorer-styled bass. 

The natural finish with gold hardware is quite aesthetic, but like the custom Alembic Dragon's Wing.

Alembic is well-known for their meticulous, handmade custom basses. 

I think it's a crime not to give those thru-bodies natural finishes... the "racing stripes" look excellent.