AndyBob09

Nah, you'll be more than lucky to find a Stingray for £500.

[quote name='Salt on your Bass?' timestamp='1344960225' post='1771663']
They're obviously from the same school of thought as the band LostAlone's bassist in this months BGM:

"The secret of playing bass well is to be a lead guitarist for 10 years, then move onto bass. You'll pick it up pretty easy."

If I'd known that, I'd have picked up a guitar first! At least we all know the secret now!

Still a bit miffed that made it into a bass mag.
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Haha, LostAlone's bass player used to live just around the corner from me. I didn't know he made it in to BGM. When he auditioned for the band, he'd NEVER played bass in his life before but was a big fan so knew all the songs on guitar. He did the audition and within 2 weeks was touring Europe with the band ... On an instrument he didn't know. Excellent.

I mean, it's piss easy. It's got 1/3 less strings than a guitar, so must be 1/3 less difficult, eh?

If you don't mind me asking, how much did this cost in total?

[quote name='Mog' timestamp='1343767286' post='1755011']
[attachment=114592:STA71181.JPG]
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Is that a pube?!?!

My question is, if you're a through and through P player, why have the Jazz pickup? Aren't you as well just writing it off and having just a standard Precision? I mean, you can say you've given the Jazz pup a go and you're not happy so just resort back to what you know that you love?

Thanks man ... Just need someone with some cash to think that now ...

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1344039927' post='1759175']
they do.... scottish arts council paid for the production of withered hands last album (creative scotland as it is now) and they've funded a few other music things too
[/quote]

Man, no denying that Creative Scotland put in to music funding but I've always just seen a hell of a lot of art being funded by Creative Scotland - or the Arts Council, as it was.

Oh, and definitely bad example. I wouldn't recommend the week I've had to anyone! I've done nothing but play that sperm whale all week and I'm physically and mentally shattered and have not prepped at ALL for tomorrow night's gig - But it's electric bass so all is good there!

I feel good. I don't think I really ever get post gig depression as I'm out gigging at least twice a week so as soon as one gig is done, I'm prepping for another.

I don't feel sad or depressed that this gig has finished, but happy that I've found a new challenge and a new instrument. In a lot of ways, it's just the beginning of this journey. Knowing a lot of players who double up on both basses, I hope that I start to ENJOY it, as I didn't truly ENJOY tonight, but playing severe catch up on the rest of the band who had years and years of experience on their instruments, so hopefully the enjoyment will come out of the double bass soon. My teacher said the other day that it's his 'zen' and that I should make it mine. Hopefully a bit of patience and a good practice routine will do me the world of good.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1344036387' post='1759140']
You're a f***ing star mate! Well done! Bollocks of platinum! You deserve a very large glass of sperm with a lemon twist
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Can't I just have a pint? :s

13th Note is indeed a cool bar. I cut my teeth in there in a new band a few years ago. That gig went down extremely well.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that you weren't a fan of GOMA. I quite like that place. And yes, if only us musos could get the same arts funding that artists do, but good on them.

The fact I'm writing to you all, means that I survived and I did not die. Result. Another thing of note for the evening is that I was paid without question and swapped cards with the vocalists - Can't have been ALL that bad.

I'm not sure whether I should start with the bad or good parts of the evening so I think I'll just give it all in chronological order.

We started at 4.30 with a lot of fannying around, however, the keys and drums both showed up and on time - It just took until 5.30 that we actually started our rehearsal. One singer gave us charts and said, "but we're not doing it in those keys", so despite learning the tunes in one key and of one arrangement, she handed out something completely different and was told we were doing even THOSE charts differently. Nice. So, for a lot of the Ella ballads, which are hard enough to follow, required utmost concentration, whilst trying to follow the keys, who was leading, make sure I was in tune, and follow the charts. I just hoped it would all come together through the gig... So there was another vocalist, singing MUCH easier songs. Like, pop charts. Nice. Singing in the original keys that's on the records that was rehearsed. We just topped and tailed with her. Intonation and what not was nice - However, with no ballads, my arm was killing me - No fast swing though, so I was saved there.

We then rehearsed the male vocalist's three tunes. He seemed very laid back about it all and didn't really see the point in rehearsing - But, no. We really did need the rehearsal. So there and then, rearranged Bojangles but was fairly easy.

So, after a 4 1/2 hour rehearsal and finishing up JUST when the doors were opening, it was long overdue time for dinner. Sandwich from Tesco. Obviously.

So, back to the venue and the show was ready to start just as I'd inhaled my sandwich and downed my frapuccino.

The gig was staged that each vocalist would only sing a few songs at a time, then another vocalist then some burlesque, then another vocalist etc, so the compere in between songs and vocalists gave good time for a wee rest between tunes so that was good.

Fortunately the gig went as well as the rehearsal did for the pop tunes, if not better. There was good energy on stage and besides a wee touch on intonation issues, went well for db and my left arm didn't want to be cut off at any point either (I stretched and had a good warm up).

The Ella ballads were awful, however, I think they'd be just as awful if I was on electric bass - Possibly not, because I know my way around that much more though. What I had in my charts and what the pianist was playing definitely were NOT the same things. Thankfully he carried them EXTREMELY well and I just left him to it in the end because I was adding utterly nothing to it.

Overall, I don't think that I shamed myself and most importantly, the guys on stage seemed appreciative of what I was playing and I certainly do believe that I can go away with my head held high - Though, I couldn't look the vocalist singing the Ella tunes in the eye as she left the stage.

Anyway, I'll start and practice that big sperm whale daily so that I'm prepared for the next db phone call that comes.

Final day in the shed: Without wrestling too many whores, I had one run through of the set for tonight. Because of our god awful, and to be frank, non existent rehearsal yesterday, we're meeting today at 4.30pm to rehearse, soundcheck and what not. Let's just hope the keys and drums turn up for rehearsal today.

I thought that too much time in the shed today would be somewhat counter productive. I'm only going to tire my left arm, not build it, so once through the set will have to do. It hurt and my left arm wanted to give up through my final practice session but I kept going through, with the knowledge that tonight WILL be a lot more painful.

However, charts written, tunes learnt, I'm going to 'wrestle this whore' into the car and head for the rehearsal/gig. It's taken 3 years of my Double Bass sitting in the corner for me to get a gig on it, and one week to 'learn' how to play it. I just must keep it up and hopefully lots more gigs will come in on it and I'll now be able to advertise myself as a bass guitar/double bass player. Exciting.

My next update will be tonight post gig. Maybe even tomorrow morning.

EDIT: Oh and thanks once again for the words of encouragement. I'll try and get some audio recordings. There's a burlesque act too ... Would anyone care for video recordings of that? I jest!

Day 4 in the shed:

I've spent less time in the shed today due to my teacher phoning me at 1pm this afternoon to offer me a db lesson for 2 so I hot footed it in to town to get my first db lesson. My teacher spent a lot of time speaking of bowing and went over a lot of really cool exercises, some of which would apply to electric bass too. We spent a lot of time chatting about the bow and intonation too. I shedded the tunes for an hour then went to my rehearsal.

We spent an hour and a half at the rehearsal waiting on the pianist and drummer (both no - shows) then I had to leave at 7. Time well spent. Not. At least they didn't hear me to sack me - And I've not heard of being sacked on a gig, though possible, I'm sure.

I feel I've come on the least today as far as prep for this gig is concerned, despite my lesson.

Tomorrow is going to be a case of seeing if I can keep going for 7 tunes at a time (2 x 7 song sets tomorrow night).

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys - And for the words of discouragement. I say thanks to the words of discouragement because it is you guys that have the nut screwed on and realise that this task isn't truly possible and have tried to make me aware of that and to steer clear of the gig.

Anyway, that aside, and my total ignorance of the words of discouragement;

Day 3 in the shed - I got all my charts sorted which is always a massive bug bare of mine. A friend helped me out with charts as I always utterly lose the rag. Now with chords in front of me, I can kind of see what I'm doing and where I'm meant to be going and what not, and it's coming together nicely. After day 3, I've not played the set in it's entirety. I hope to get that done in day 4.

The drummer did call me late last night though to tell me that there IS indeed a rehearsal today. Drummers, eh?!?! It's nice to be informed of rehearsals but with 17 hours notice, it's hardly ideal. Anyway, I'm pleased to be getting a rehearsal - Is it too late to be sacked at the rehearsal if they really think I'm not up to it?

Oh! And another plus point, at the rehearsal I took the db to yesterday, the guitarist - huge jazzer - didn't think I was awful on db. He just hopes that Cherokee or something hard swinging won't be called on the night to fill time. Ha!

Today I hope to be competent on all tunes by the rehearsal at half 5. Wish me luck!

Did I ever mention that the first big band gig I took, I couldn't really read at all? I'm now playing in three big bands and none of them are looking to replace me. Ropey "first times" seem to be my forte!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1338734817' post='1678594']
One of the aspects of Jamerson's playing that is seldon commented upon is the gift he was given of harmonically relatively sophisiticated songs like this. His concept was fairly narrow in some ways but the material he was required to play on gave him a huge canvass on which to weave his magic. A great player in the right place at the right time.
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"The gift he was given"?!?!

Please! Not one of us has a gift. Jamerson didn't have a gift, Jaco, Mark King, Wooten, Marcus - They don't have gifts. They sit and shed for HOURS. You see them on stage and hear them on a record for a moment, what you don't see is their lifetime of dedication to make that moment seem so effortless.

Gift indeed!

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1343773261' post='1755179']
If anybody knows of a chippy that still sells a deep fried mars bar, I would like to know. Been looking for bloody years!
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I don't think that chippies necessarily have deep fried Mars bars on their priceboard but most chippies that I know sell sweeties. Just ask them to deep fry you a mars bar?!?! If they sell Mars bars, there's nothing stopping them dipping it in batter and flinging it in the fryer...

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1343752152' post='1754648']
I guessing that our man here probably doesn't have too much of a problem with pre-gig nerves!

To the OP - good luck if you go ahead with the gig.....
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Pre gig nerves never really get me. I sometimes wish they did. I think it'd give me a much needed boost up the arse!

Day two in the woodshed: Half of the set is kind of cool. Half of my prep time has gone. I think that's kinda alright? Tomorrow I've got a rehearsal (not for this gig unfortunately - No rehearsal is being had for this one at all!) so will be against the clock then to get the db out when back in the house after the other rehearsal. I may take the db to the rehearsal just so I'm getting my hours up on the thing.

I'd have suggested a play, a pie and a pint in Oran Mor but it looks like they've stopped it over the summer and it's coming back in September. Damn. I'll keep scratching my head.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1343673982' post='1753561']
+1. I usually urge people to 'go for it' (as there's never any risk to myself ) but in all good conscience I can't do that in your case. It's going to be like pushing a wardrobe with a noisy hoover in it up a spiral staircase while simultaneously having that nightmare where you turn up for your Maths CSE in the nude - for two hours! Don't do it! Or if you do, we'll need a detailed account of the catastrophe! And a professionally-shot video of the whole disaster!
[/quote]

I'll get a video if you like? I could compile a best(worst) bits compilation.

I'm practicing little and often just now, trying to keep the blisters at bay. The good news is that a song has been cut from the set list and that i have more or less nailed one tune ... Just 12 more to go and only 4 days to do it in. Simples. I've arranged a lesson midweek too. I'll see what my teacher says to it then. He says to just practice until we see each other.

Back to the woodshed.

[quote name='Salt on your Bass?' timestamp='1343665659' post='1753383']
Id advise the band of your predicament, but the fact youre prepared tö do it and youll need tö Slam it for four days. They can either go with another dep, or go with you.

I think the important thing is its an informed choice on their part. I wouldnt want a dep blagging it personally.

If youre keen tö get tö grips with the db, good opportunity tö have a crack and let them know you can in the future once youre ready.

If love tö say go for it, but Could be a very long uncomfortable gig otherwise and sounds ike your rep could be on the line.
[/quote]

Yeah, I said to the drummer last night that as far as db goes, I own one but am not great on the thing. I know for a fact that I'll be way down his call list - Having never been offered a gig from him before and know for a fact he has a huge musical circle to pluck players from - There only is about 6 or 7 pro DB players in Glasgow that I can think of, of that style.

And yes, being a pro gig, my rep is very much on the line.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1343665660' post='1753384']
Depends on so many things. It could be a disaster or a revelation but please do tell afterwards and let us know how you get on.

If it were me i'd be doing some chord sheets so that there would be something to hang on to when/if it starts going tits up.

Good luck.
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Yeah, I'm gonna write up some charts beforehand. I think that's what tonight is going to be for and then I'll start my long week of just shedding.

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1343666325' post='1753400']
Another thought - is the gig a full acoustic one? If not, have you got a pickup? If so, have you ever used it at gig volume? Double basses are big resonant boxes and most of us regular players spend a lot of our time fighting feedback - it would be shame if halfway through an Etta James track, your bass started making noises like a jump-jet taking off.
[/quote]

Erm, I have a pickup on it. I've never heard of DB's feeding back lots but I'll keep my gain right down in the hope that helps a lot?

Cheers for the heads up on the warm up for stamina. I hadn't thought about that one! I'll look up some good warm ups and things. It's 14 tunes over a couple of hours with some Burlesque dancing and compering in between times. I'd imagine we'll be playing two sets.

Last night I received a text from a drummer asking me to play a gig this coming Friday. I told him I was free and was good for it. His reply was that it was on double bass, asked for my email address to send me a setlist and told me times to turn up ...

There was just one tiny problem - Despite owning a double bass, I've basically NEVER played it. I obviously had the chance to reply that I couldn't do it but decided to take on the challenge.

None of the tunes are bass heavy and nothing too intricate. It's all vocal jazz a la Etta James, Ella, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday etc.

I feel a bit like that TV show from a few years back, 'Faking It'.

If I shed the setlist over and over for four days, do you think I'll be able to make it? It's one of these gigs that'll mean I'll either be in good rapport with the rest of the band and may get a few more deps out of it or that they'll make sure I never play in Glasgow again.

Eek.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1343586281' post='1752405']
I honestly can't remember for certain, but being a stubborn b*st*rd, I probably stuck at it until I'd got it.

For years I've tended to be given pieces to learn that I'm either already half familiar with or understand where the tune is going and know the points where the bass doesn't want to be.
[/quote]

For the past few years, I've just been coasting. I used to have great chops but down to sheer laziness, I just lost them. Having now been stuck in a simple function band rut for a few years, I'm desperate to get out so I've started playing bass seriously (again) and studying hard pieces. In this instance, it's Michel Camillo's Not Yet with Anthony Jackson on bass. It's a toughie, but I'll stick at it with plenty tea breaks.

Thanks man.

I was in love with it for years but have just fallen in love with Cloudburst's Precision, so one's in, the other's out unfortunately