How do you create a bassline? This question is not just for bass players. It’s for producers and songwriters, who are likely to be programming their own bass parts in their DAW. Keyboard players can do basslines in their left hand; guitarists do them with their thumbs. And even if you never create or play …
Tag Archives: Amy Winehouse
Back to Black
For my latest column, MusicRadar assigned me to write about “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse, since the movie of the same name is about to come out. I didn’t have a relationship with the song or with Winehouse generally before starting on the research, but my students are very attached to her. The column …
Prepping my rap and rock class at Montclair State
This summer, I’m teaching Cultural Significance of Rap and Rock at Montclair State University. It’s my first time teaching it, and it’s also the first time anyone has taught it completely online. The course is cross-listed under music and African-American studies. Here’s a draft of my syllabus, omitting details of the grading and such. I welcome your questions, comments …
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