Alz

Beerfest in a marquee with 400-500 people and a supplied PA totalling 500w!!!! Absolute nightmare and a lesson in how not to hold an event!!

Some pro bands are hardly any better!

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='641406' date='Oct 30 2009, 06:34 PM']I'm trying to play open strings more. I always used to avoid them but now I realise it's a whole bunch of new sounds I didn't know I had. The only trouble is that I'm actually having to relearn some stuff to do it.[/quote] I try and avoid them like the plague as they can have a different tone compared with fretted notes. Havig said that, I will always grab one if I need to scratch my backside or something.

[quote name='Alz' post='639622' date='Oct 29 2009, 12:05 AM'][list=1] [*]Be 15 mins early [*]Play everything [*]Know the material inside out and be a great sightreader (where no band calls are required) [*]Be fun to be around [*]Network like crazy especially with drummers and MD's [*]Keep your opinions to yourself [*]Learn to sing, backing vocals are very desirable [*]Have good gear especially leads and sockets that do not cackle [*]Timing, timing. timing! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [/list][/quote] Oh by the way, I forgot.... Go easy on the sauce and crack.

[quote name='Spoonman' post='637037' date='Oct 26 2009, 04:28 PM']Sorry if this question has been asked somewhere else, but here goes.. I'm trying to get going as a pro bass player. I'm in my final year of uni doing music at the moment so I'm trying to get afloat with something soon. I've got some stuff going on; for one thing I play with a singer-songwriter who I think has a lot of potential (was signed with RCA, but recently split - long story..), but not often does it earn me money. Basically I just wondered if anyone has a steady income from playing bass? And if anyone cares to share, what kind of stuff do they do, how did they get it started? Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks, Phil[/quote] [list=1] [*]Be 15 mins early [*]Play everything [*]Know the material inside out and be a great sightreader (where no band calls are required) [*]Be fun to be around [*]Network like crazy especially with drummers and MD's [*]Keep your opinions to yourself [*]Learn to sing, backing vocals are very desirable [*]Have good gear especially leads and sockets that do not cackle [*]Timing, timing. timing! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [*]DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD!!! [/list]

Thanks to Alun for letting me know about this event.....nice talking with you the other day. I'm looking forward to coming along to this.....should be great fun and a wonderful chance to network. For what its worth, I could bring some of my basses along although not all....don't have enough room in the car. If someone is interested to have a go on any of the following then let me know...... Status Empathy 5 (headed) Modulus Flea Custom 5 (5A flame top) Lakland 55-94 Classic KSD 705 proto-j Fender RB5 (Roscoe Beck 5) Musicman Stingray 30th Anniverary fretless (super rare!) with flats Cheers!

[quote name='dandini' post='232287' date='Jul 3 2008, 09:11 PM']Yes mate were playing at Remix at 2 pm in teh afternoon. Were one of 2 originals bands on so its gonna be a weird one!! Other bands include: REMIX ALLDAYER FREE ENTRY! Tokyo Outsiders (Indie/Pop/Rock) 2pm till 2:30pm Angry Badger (Rock) 3pm to 3:30pm The Twilights (Covers band) 4pm to 5pm ****Luke Rees???**** 5:30pm to 6pm Geometrics (Art Of Opposition) 6:20pm till 6:50pm The Ryes (Radio 1 / Jo Wiley Favorite) 7:10pm to 7:40pm Skeleton Jelly (Covers Band 60s to 90's) 8pm to 9pm Stormcell (Cover Band 70's 80's 90's) 9:15pm to 10:15pm The Leading Edge (10:30pm till 11:30pm) Then there are DJ's[/quote] You sound as if the DJ's rule the roost.....don't worry, they're all a bunch of talentless Mo Fo's who know nothing about the art.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='226212' date='Jun 24 2008, 08:52 PM']goodness me, that's gorgeous. Its likely I'll be in Dubai next week, working at the DSO building. Where are you based?[/quote] When do you land? My last gig in Dubai will be the 30th in Scarletts, Emirates Towers Hotel. You can try it out if you like! Can't say fairer than that!!!

[quote name='Higgie' post='224634' date='Jun 23 2008, 12:06 AM']Wow! That is nice. A good price too! Congratulations on your new bass [/quote] Thanks Higgie, just need to get to grips with the 17mm string spacing again!!!

[quote name='karlbbb' post='223859' date='Jun 21 2008, 08:53 PM']Do they not make 12-ohm speakers? 12-ohm speakers, 3 in parallel = 4 ohms![/quote] I guess if you had the money, anything is possible!!!!

"Masterblaster"

[quote name='Chezz55' post='223407' date='Jun 21 2008, 07:16 AM']NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! ! ! ! ! ! Listen to Dave Brubeck's awesome 'Unsquare Dance' which is in 7/4, a glorious time signature and a simple bass line but stay focussed or you lose it. Incidentally there's a video on YouTube of a Tap Dancing sequence to 'Unsquare Dance' - I think it's amazing. The most tedious bass line i've found/played is Fleetwood Mac's 'Albatross' (AKA Albert's Truss, Alba-dross etc) - 3 minutes or so of E - F# - E. Whenever I play or hear it I lose the will to lose the will to live. Chris.[/quote] Don't forget the main riff in 'Money'!!!

[quote name='SteveK' post='224269' date='Jun 22 2008, 04:55 PM']Getting a good take is more than getting to the end of a song without any mistakes - It's got to have attitude - it has to sound fresh. 20 attempts to get it nailed really is too long (in any case I'm sure that would be in contravention of your basic human rights ) If your drummer hasn't got it in 4 or 5 takes then you gotta take a break or move on to something else. If - when you come back to it - he still can't get it, then you basically have 3 choices: Simplify the part. Drop the song. Use another drummer Steve[/quote] Let the drummer record his part first then record your part after. Also, I personally have a problem playing a bassline note for note just like the record. Doesn't actually amount to anything. If I was in a situation where I had to endlessly redo a track, I would look at ways of making it mine, developing my own voice, approach it as if I was the original bassist and pushing the envelope. If band members don't appreciate it, find a band that does. The best musicians in the best bands are always at it....i.e. pushing the envelope.

[quote name='steve-soar' post='224407' date='Jun 22 2008, 06:57 PM']I love that Lakki in your pic. Burgandy Mist is the best colour for Fenderesque basses, IMO.[/quote] +1 I would love to have a '63 Jazz in Burgundy Mist.....Guy Pratt has one and it is delicious.

[quote name='Jase' post='223749' date='Jun 21 2008, 06:50 PM']Slightly off topic....but I prefer Dylan songs played by other bands....so does that mean Dylan murders his own songs?[/quote] Talking off Dylan, I think that Bryan Ferry's tribute to Dylan entitled "Dylanesque" was quite admirable. Guy Pratt really shows his class in the DVD.