Thursday, October 11, 2012: Charles Mingus - Moanin'

Leo Fender introduced the first mass-produced electric bass, his Fender Precision Bass, in 1951.  It totally revolutionized music, allowing the bass to be amplified and thus take a much larger, more influential position within popular music, especially rock and roll.

In fact, there are those who argue that rock and roll would have never had the world changing influence it had if the electric bass had not been invented, or perfected the way Mr Fender had honed his instruments.

So, when people talk about "bass guitar", you can bet they usually mean the electronic bass.  But, that's not the only type of playing.  Before the 50's, especially, but even through today, the mighty Double Bass, AKA "The Doghouse Bass", fills the bill as the "real" bass.

There are many who have attempted to play this beast of an instrument, a small percentage of that who truly can say they're proficient, and a precious few who are masters of this craft.

Here's a stone cold master.  And a true bass legend.  Mr Charles Mingus.