Dad3353

When I see a piano on stage, it's only from the name written on it that tells me it's a Steinway or a Bechstein (other factors are available...). If I close my eyes and concentrate really hard on the tone, I'm none the wiser, either. Maybe I'm just a Philistine, or a non-tone freak, but I really find it hard to believe that it's of interest of any but hardened bass buffs to even think of such stuff. If the maker's name is not on the bass drum, can [i]you [/i]tell if your drummer plays Pearl, or Tama, or Sonor, or ... (the list is long...). Is that an oak kit, or maple..? Birch, maybe..? These things are the subject of some drum forum sections, but raise very few eyebrows in more general circles. Counting the basses..? My eyes are shut, listening to those precious piano tones, so how would [i]I [/i]know..?

[quote name='mingsta' timestamp='1480289186' post='3183183'] Good stuff. I'll get myself a copy. Is there a chapter dedicated to music stands? [/quote] That wouldn't merit a whole chapter, perhaps, but there are many 'passing shots' that you'll instantly recognise..! Much more than that, too, of course.

I think that it's close enough to Christmas to suggest that this would be a very good present, either to yourself, if you've not yet a copy, or to someone around you that you really, really like a lot. A great read; not quite in the 'Tolstoy' category of modern literature, perhaps, but direct, straight writing, telling it just as it is. It's not 'cheap', it's 'inexpensive'. Order now to be delivered in time; I think they'll gift-wrap, if you ask 'em. Go on; you know it makes sense.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1480252910' post='3182779']... I did a solo bass gig on Friday, one bass, one amp, one ebow, one MacBook etc . [/quote] So what's the score if, for whatever reason, your bass has no output just before staring your set..? Just a curious question; I play drums, but don't bring a spare kit along. If my bass pedal fails, there's not bass drum. I'd do my best on the floor tom, probably.

The Good News is that I managed to play it through (and capture it, for replays...), so have now run it through a few times. The Bad News..? None, I'm afraid; in fact, the Official Term for pieces of this quality is 'Jolly Good; Jolly Good Indeed'. It's been quite a while since I've had the opportunity to listen to a solo piece as good as this. Criticism..? Well, I could, if you insist, but that'd be simply a question of personal choices and taste, rather than really spot-lighting flaws (maybe a tiny glitch where the guitar solo comes back in, close to the end..?). The composition is sound, the arrangement fitting, the execution spot-on, the lyrics worthwhile, the singing correct for context. It made me think, if comparison is to be made at all, of Trevor Reznor in his 'noisier' days. My choices..? I'd have chosen a 'thicker' snare, maybe doubled with snares on during the refrains..? I'd have chosen more tonal separation for the principal guitars, to better distinguish them, I'd certainly have doubled the vocals (not that they're not well sung; in fact they're really excellent...), simply to, again, 'thicken' the voice in the face of the wall of shred behind, and which I'd lower by a brick or two. Tiny production details, really, that don't brig discussion; they're just choices. All in all, you can be rightly proud of the work, and need fear no exposure. I'm perhaps not the harshest of critics, but if it's bad, I'd say it's bad. It's not, it's Jolly Good; Jolly Good Indeed. Well done, lad; we'd like to hear more from you, in similar vein or otherwise. Thanks for sharing.

Darn it..! I make a few precious moments available to give this a spin, and that's when Soundcloud decide to not respond..! Blast..! Hellfire and damnation..! Harrumph..! Never mind; I'll try to give it another go tomorrow (or soon, if it's not possible then...). To be continued...

Every band, group or orchestra I've ever been in as a drummer, I've been the most dedicated, stable, sensiib... Ooo look, a bee..!

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1480119200' post='3181889'] I always see that clapping as mocking and or ironic. [/quote] Is this from experience gained over years of your playing before a public, or just a personal trait..? How about the 'glass half-empty' test..? How does your toast fall; jam-side down or not..? ... No, I usually post in all sincerity, except when suffixed with a Smiley (Deadpan...). Still, I can see the alternative interpretation, much like the 'two white faces or one black candlestick'. This time it's genuine appreciation for having got the ball rolling (not like that there Skol fellow, skivvying off at the critical moment... ). Well done, Lurks, old boy; well done.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1480099507' post='3181719'] Oh my days... [/quote] This gives some slight exoneration to my occasional fantasmes of becoming the Fat Controller..! I have partial qualifications for the post (but control little, in fact..! ). Still no voting up and running, though. AWOL again, le chenapan..?

http://youtu.be/Al2EosfXRqw

http://youtu.be/K2Xc20kBpeA

Aw shucks; t'was nothing ([i]gazes at carpet, hands behind back, twiddling pointed foot to and fro[/i]... ) The trick is to use the 'Share' link from Youtube, pasted into the post, then to remove the 's' from 'https' at start of link, that's all. Simple, really. And the band is fine. Merits better than the auto-volume sound recording. No way of mixing in a feed from the PA..? Good stuff; will go far.

http://youtu.be/0n674L2wx5A

What happened to that nice Mr Lurksalot that did such sterling work a short time ago..? I liked him; he had the knack of getting the trains to run on time. ...

Well done, that man..!

Make up a picnic lunch box, with scotch eggs and sarnies, or leek quiches, a tomato and salad; maybe a yoghurt..? Use a disposable cardboard box; job done..?

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1479936074' post='3180465']...However, the 'freedom' of improvisation does not come easily to me... [/quote] One 'trick' to improve this is to sing along, or hum, an accompaniment to anything, anything at all, on the car radio, adverts on the telly, CD's you're listening to. Different melodies, different rhythms and/or beats, or just drone notes or harmonies... Let it come out naturally, without looking for any particular structure, and see how it develops. Not just bassy stuff, either; anything goes. Best practised when one is alone, rather than in a cinema, of course. Hope this helps.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1479920663' post='3180324'] Many sellers don't seem to know that payment as a gift is not free to the buyer, if that buyer is not registered with PayPal... [/quote] There is a buyer's fee even if one [i]is [/i]registered with Paypal. Years ago it was free, but that was changed; I can't remember when (but then again, I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, either..! ). Paypal is fine, I find, between trustworthy folks; it can go wrong, as can any scheme, even cash (forged notes, anyone..?). One has to be wary, especially when dealing with strangers, whatever the system. Just sayin'.

Doesn't word exclusion help at all..? Searching for 'Fender -Squier' would bring up only ads with the word Fender, as long as there is no mention of Squier. Not perfect, but what is..?

I don't think that 'stretching' is really the right term. The string isn't any longer afterwards than before, it's just more 'settled in', or 'bedded'. The pulling, extra tension and all just takes up any slack there may have been (and usually is...). Maybe for nylon strings on a classical guitar; they can stretch, but not steel strings. I may be wrong, of course, and the result is pretty much the same, I suppose.

Ha..! The world is small. Say 'Hello' to Doug from me, the next time you see him, please..? We're homonymous, you see. Ha..!

Basses and guitars get the same treatment from me (or rather, us, as our eldest and our youngest do the same...). Fit the new string(s...), bring up to pitch, then, holding the string in the middle, gently lift the instrument and give it a gentle 'bounce' its own weight for a second or two. This beds in the string, at the ball end, ensuring that it's well and truly in its place, and also at the tuner, ensuring that the turns are tight around the peg. It's always necessary to re-tune after this, but from then on, the tuning (electric, folk, nylon guitar, baritone, bass...) needs no further time to stabilise. This has been my (our...) procedure for decades. I've buddies that don't don't do this, and have to play and tune up for a few days before stability sets in. I say 'don't'; that should be 'didn't', as most have changed to my (our...) technique since, having witnessed its benefits. YMMV, of course.

An old thread, but I'll mention it just the same... 'Cranked' volume can be controlled quite effectively by turning the cab face down on a carpeted floor. This'll tame even 4x12 cabs, but works very well for home combos, too, as long as heat dispersion isn't an issue. Valve warmth without the shattered windows. Best with sealed cabs; 'open-backs' could have a cushion over 'em. Just sayin'.