Author Archives: Jonas

New iApp: iRealBook

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iRealBookMy latest download from the iTunes App Store is iRealBook. Developped by double bassist Massimo Biolcati from Brooklyn/NYC, iRealBook features the chord changes of more than 600 RealBook tunes. Due to copyright laws, melodies and lyrics are missing – but as a bass player, you don’t necessarily need them. Having 600+ tunes in your pocket is great, but being able to transpose them instantly to any key is a killer. “Round Midnight in A major? No problem, dear vocalist … !“

You can choose tunes alphabetical, by composer or style, and you can put together playlists. Existing tunes can be corrected or changed, and you can add new, own tunes to your library. Fellow musicians without iRealBook, but an iPhone, can get particular tunes by email.

I rate this iApp five stars!

Main Features of iReal Book 2.1 :

• Song Editor that allows the user to modify existing songs and to create new ones.
• Ability to share user modified or created songs via email.
• 600 songs included (see Song List page).
• Each Song can easily be transposed to any key.
• Each chord sheet fits on one screen, no need to scroll.
• Big fonts, easily legible from a distance.
• Night theme option (white notation over black).
• Swipe to next/previous song.
• Ability to create playlists.
• Eb and Bb transpositions for horn players.
• Option to disable screen auto-lock.
• Growing database of songs (requests and submissions are welcomed).

New verison: Band in a Box 2009 for Mac

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PG Music has recently launched a major Update of the Band in a box music accompaignment software: version 2009 for Mac. Most impressive new feature is RealTracks: while older versions (version 12, released in 2004) have still used MIDI instruments, the 2009 version comes with a variety of different great sounding tracks and styles. Real instruments, recorded and cut into smaller units of e.g. 4 or 8 bars can be put together by BiaB to complete new changes. So finally, Biab knows how to swing … there is no demo version available, but you can get a brief preview at Youtube.

Lehle

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Sunday Driver
Sunday DriverType: preamp/buffer
Features: input impedance 1 MOhm/4MOhm (switchable), gain control
This little box has not much features, but is very effective: it has a switchable input impedance of 1 or 4 MOhm, which helps to get the best from your piezo pickup. The signal is preamplified without any modification. It is suggested to be used as a impedance matching buffer for electric bass amps (which usually have too low impedance inputs), as a cable driver for large stages, in complex effects set-ups, or as a recording preamp.
available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de
www.lehle.com
Basswitch
Type: preamp/buffer/DI-box/…
Features: input impedance 1 MOhm/10MOhm (switchable), semi-parametric EQ, two inputs with a/b switch, effects loops, mute switch, tuner out, DI out, booster
basswitch

How Low Can You Go?

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Dust-to-Digital has published a 3-CD-Box with early american recordings of the double bass. This box comes with a 96 page booklet, and covers music „from tuxedoed symphony ensembles to tipsy calypso bands to honkytonkers in oil-field dives, from elegantly gelled tango orchestras to jazz combos in unspeakable speak-easys to methed-out rockabilly trios“ …

(Thanks, Edward, for this link submisson)

Quote: Billboard Magazine 1926

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All over New York it has been noticed that, with most of the prominent bands, the string bass, alias ‘bull fiddle,’ alias ‘dog house,’ is replacing the tuba. Leaders agree that the string bass has a far greater carrying power than the tuba, and that it blends much more effectively. Practically all of the exponents of the tuba double in string bass, so the only inconvenience resulting from the switch will be the difference in sizes of the instrument cases, which, take our word for it, is plenty.

Billboard, April 10, 1926

Stradivarius – Myth and Music

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Stradivarius – Myth and Music is the name of an exhibition that will be shown at the Wallraf Richartz Museum at Cologne (Germany) in spring next year. From 5 March 2010, the celebrated picture gallery will be host to over 50 stringed instruments from the hand of the legendary Antonio Stradivarius (1648-1733).

The exhibits are largely from private collectors and only rarely put on public view. Additional loans will be made by international museums, high-ranking foundations and celebrated musicians. This, the largest selection of Stradivariuses ever assembled in the world, will be shown exclusively at the Wallraf for just 17 days – from 5 to 21 March 2010. Parallel to this, a concert series is planned in which renowned soloists will appear at the museum and play their very own Stradivariuses.

 Update: the exhibition has been cancelled!