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Happy 2020!

I announce to my dear friends in the channel that this year I leave my regular job, and dedicate myself to Music in full-time. Therefore I am at your disposal for musical services and of course continuing with the online lessons.

In 2020, the fee for online lessons will drop from 20 Euro (one hour). This will also apply to the current students, of course! Please do check all information at the Online Lessons page. I will be glad to answer your questions by email and help you to accomplish your goals learning the bass.

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Thank you and Happy New Year “Hopefully, Eventually”.

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Posted on 04/01/2020 in Lessons, News

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In The Bleak Midwinter

Wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Posted on 23/12/2019 in Chris Squire bass covers

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Manouchka – live in Coimbra

Earlier this month, I guested at a live performance with Manouchka, a gipsy jazz/manouche band composed by my old friend Nuno Marinho (Guitar) and Marian Yanchyk (Violin), also guesting Bruno Neves (Guitar).

It was the second time we played together as a quartet and there was a great atmosphere at the venue, a bar named Liquidâmbar, right in the center of my city, Coimbra.

A very special occasion also to play my grandfather’s double-bass, which is now in great shape thanks to the work of luthier Catarina Torres at Torres & Dase Luthiers. The instrument plays now very comfortably, and has completely opened its sound.

I made a small montage of some parts of the show – hope you like it!

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Posted on 25/11/2019 in News

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More transcriptions by Simon Gilman

This week I received news from our friend Simon Gilman, who contributed 9 years ago (tempus fugit!) with his own bass transcriptions of Yes and Chris’ songs, in which I had played the (audio) bassline.

Those were Astral Traveler, Starship Trooper and Hold Out Your Hand.

This time, Simon has written another set of transcriptions using my videos as reference, and was kind enough to share them again with us, this time in pdf format! So, without further ado, here they are!

A Venture_Bass score by Simon Gilman

Awaken_Bass score by Simon Gilman

Does It Really Happen_Bass score by Simon Gilman

Looking Around_Bass score by Simon Gilman

On the Silent Wings of Freedom_Bass score by Simon Gilman

You can also visit Simon’s YouTube channel and watch some more of his work and bass playing!

Thank you very much, Simon!

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Posted on 17/09/2019 in Chris Squire bass covers

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Ensemble Trakia 45-Year Concert

This summer, at Plovdiv’s Ancient Theatre, I attended Ensemble Trakia‘s 45th anniversary concert. Once again, a fabulous show with Bulgarian traditional dances and music. In my recording you will have the chance to hear very well the double-bass of my good friend Stela Petrova, who has featured on a special video generously recorded for me, demonstrating some applications of the double-bass in Bulgarian folk. One great opportunity to know how the bass works in this unique kind of music, with several meter changes and complex arrangements, but always with a genuine essential soul.

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Posted on 31/08/2019 in Bulgarian Music

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Madrigal

Bass pedals cover for “Madrigal”. A lot of the work consisted in getting a sound on the bass pedals close to the original. I think Chris also was very thoughtful in that respect – he didn’t choose the usual “Taurus” sound which has more contour with raspy highs. That’s why I think he went for the “Tuba” preset, which sounds much more discrete. Of course I wanted to underline the bass line but I realized that too loud would be overpowering all the song, so I tried to find a balance. It’s possible that Chris would like the pedals to sound louder in the album. Unfortunately, the video clip version has bad audio – perhaps a good quality of that mix would be as Chris liked. In any case, the notes are what I hear from that version, so it’s Chris’ choice (discounting any mistake from me). I especially like the B he plays over G major, (1st inversion) which he uses to descend to D, in the final verse – that was mixed out of the album version.

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Posted on 17/07/2019 in Chris Squire bass covers

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Sir, you need to calm down – Live with Paul Gilbert

Here’s one more beautiful memory of the Masterclass show with the fabulous PAUL GILBERT. “Sir, you need to calm down”, a track from his latest album “Behold Electric Guitar”. With the great Sérgio Marques on drums and your bass player, on April 12th, at my city – Coimbra.

Once again, my gratitude to Marco Matos of Virtuosos da Guitarra for the invitation to play for one of the greatest guitar players in the world.

You can watch the previously released post, with more videos from this show.

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Posted on 15/07/2019 in News

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#playforChris5

Dear Friends,

Once again “Play For Chris” is here. The 5th edition is again a very special one. Not only because of a larger number of participants – 26 (!) – but I am sure you will feel it by watching all different contributions, reading the heartfelt text messages displayed, along with so many fantastic performances in various kinds of instruments, recovering Yes classics, or forgotten songs from all Yes’ history. Of course you will also notice the prominent presence of tracks from Chris Squire’s solo album “Fish Out Of Water”.

Many thanks to those involved, for your dedication and initiative, which made “Play for Chris”, yet again, ” the light burning brightly”.

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Posted on 27/06/2019 in Chris Squire bass covers

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A night with Paul Gilbert

On April 12th, I had the great privilege to play for Paul Gilbert, at the occasion of his Masterclass show, in my hometown, Coimbra.  In fact, it all started two months before, when I was invited for the event and began learning all the material: 10 songs, including rock classics from The Beatles, Gary Moore, Scorpions, among others. Paul Gilbert also sent three original songs from his new album “Behold Electric Guitar”.

I would like to thank Paul Gilbert for this incredible opportunity to play and meet in person one of the greatest rock guitarists.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Marco Matos of Virtuosos da Guitarra for the invitation and my partner in crime Sérgio Marques, on drums, who did a terrific job and was a joy to work with, throughout the rehearsals we did together. Finally, to Américo Silva and his team at Music Light, for the excellent sound and stage work.

Below are some of the songs from this memorable show, which I hope you will enjoy watching!

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Posted on 25/06/2019 in News

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Owner Of A Lonely Heart

“Maybe there’s another way to do this!” – So here’s Owner Of A Lonely Heart, made with all my basses. Hope it will be fun for your to hear the different tones. Special thanks to Vítor Silva of Mars Picks for the picks!

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Posted on 10/05/2019 in Chris Squire bass covers

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