thebrig

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1490910801' post='3269078'] I don't need a motorbike. My other hobby is driving trains for a heritage railway. 266 Litre diesel engine this weekend [/quote]Have you ever been down to my town Bridgnorth? the Severn Valley Railway is fantastic, mostly steam but does have a few diesels, and my local is The Railwayman's Arms which is on the platform of Bridgnorth station and is quite unique as it has never closed since it first opened in 1861.

I only started playing seriously nine year's ago at the age of 56, and I have been playing regularly a couple of times a month ever since, and because of back and neck problems, that is more than enough for me. Forming bands or recruiting new musicians has usually been down to me, and I have always been very careful to make sure that any new recruits fully understand that we only want to gig a couple of times a month, it might take a bit of time, but there are people like you who are more than happy with just a couple of gigs a month, so stick with it, I'm sure you will find or create a band with like-minded musicians eventually.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1490865310' post='3268567'] My definition of a rehearsal is that everyone arrives knowing their parts and you put all the pieces together in a band context. Things might have to be changed and honed, but working out the chords, inversions and arrangements should have already been done. You don't need to do any of that at full volume. [/quote]Totally agree, well said sir!!!

This is not a criticism of anyone by any means, it's just an observation, but I'm quite surprised by some of the comments so far, and the "[i]trust[/i]" thing has been mentioned a few times. I would hate to think that my wife comes to my gigs because she doesn't trust me, maybe I'm old fashioned, but for me, a good relationship is built on trust, if I had any doubts about our loyalty to each other, then I would find it hard to enjoy our relationship, and please don't think I'm being naive, of course some people do stray even after many years together, and if it ever happened to me, then I would have to deal with it, but in the meantime, we enjoy our life together (40 years) mainly because we trust each other. At one gig a few years ago, a very nice looking lady came up behind me when I was playing and she put her arms around me and rubbed her very ample breasts all over my back for the duration of the song, and instead of being angry or jealous, my wife thought it was hilarious and took pics of it, and we still have a laugh about it now. The other surprise to me is, "[i]why would my partner want to see me at work[/i]", for me, I just love playing, especially live, so I don't see it as being work. I don't really want to start up the old "[i]is it alright to play for nothing debate[/i]", but if people didn't want to pay us anymore, I would still do it, because I would rather play for nothing than not at all. If it was my only source of income, I think I would still enjoy it, and consider myself fortunate that I earn an income from doing something I love. I would say that the majority of top sportsmen enjoy what they are doing, and would probably still compete, even it they didn't get paid for what they do. I know many ex-pro footballers who play Sunday mornings and pay subs towards the running of the teams because they just love playing, and I also know, and I'm sure many of you do as well, a number of ex-named muso's who play the pub circuit for beer money just because they get a buzz out of playing live.

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1490613130' post='3266371'] I'll outline a scenario from recently to make it absolutely clear. We were at a lip-reading class, and the question was asked as to how we had lost our hearing. When it came to me, I said loud music because...etc. The lady next to my wife turned to her at once and asked if she went along to every gig, then was negatively surprised to be told 'no'. My wife suggested that it would be fairly odd if I went to her work every time she went... Get the drift? Why do random members of the public think like this? [/quote]Because going to watch someone in an everyday job [u]would[/u] be unusual, but surely what we do when gigging falls into the entertainment category, which is why it might appeal to some partners to come and watch us play, so why would it be considered strange that our partners might get some enjoyment in seeing us play? BTW, I don't consider playing in a band a job, for me, it's a hobby which I enjoy, and any money earned is a bonus, it's no different to when I used to play football, she would come and watch me play.

My wife comes to 95% of my gigs, and when I'm not gigging, we usually go to one of the live music pubs in town to see a band, so she does like seeing live bands anyway. She doesn't just sit there when we arrive or finish, she always helps everyone with taking the gear in and out, and she has a pretty good ear when it comes to sound checks. As a band, we like to have our wags come to the gigs, it's a social thing for them, it helps fill out the venues, extra money being spent on drinks which all helps getting repeat bookings. And she also thinks that bass players are the coolest sounding member of bands.

I used to live on the Hertfordshire/London border and I guess it would have been possible to travel by public transport to some gigs, although I don't know how I would have managed to lug my rig about, but where I live now, a car is a must if I want to gig, there are no buses after 6pm, and no train station, so any gigs outside of my home town would cost me more in cabs than my cut from the gig I'm afraid, and just getting to rehearsal is a one hour round trip.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1487692800' post='3241893'] No music or tab I'm afraid, but a great tune. Think it was Tetsu on the recording, Ronnie Lane having left the band just before. [/quote]Yep! it was definitely Tetsu.

Does anyone have the music or tab to Pool Hall Richard please? I know it's a straight forward song to play, and I can put my own take on the bass line, but I would like to know what exactly is being played on the original recording, for some reason I'm finding it hard to hear the bass properly. I guess it's because my ears are well and truly shot! Maybe if you play it, or have played it in the past, you could let me know what you do with it. Thanks.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1484916365' post='3219649'] It might be prudent to have it checked by a medical expert first. Assuming it is a technique problem...check out the clips below. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=VRkSsapYYsA[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIYuqTsUlyM"]https://www.youtube....h?v=uIYuqTsUlyM[/url] [/quote]Yep, definitely get it checked out first.

[color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Mojo, it could be RSI, but unfortunately, it sounds like there is a chance that it is caused by arthritis, I have it in both thumbs and it has been a big problem for me for the past ten years.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I had a Trapeziumectomy on my right thumb about eight year’s ago, it’s an operation where the trapezium bone was removed and was replaced by an artificial one, but it didn’t work and I was in more pain than before, so six month’s later it was removed and they used one of my tendons folded into the space which then acts as the buffer between the bones, the result was better, but not great, and now I am experiencing as much pain as before the ops.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Because it wasn’t very successful, I did not go ahead with the second op on my left thumb, it’s still painful, but not as bad as the right thumb, and after each op, I was in a plaster cast for six weeks and then had to wear a brace for about another eight weeks.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I was advised afterwards by a different specialist, that he would never advise anybody to have the op because of the low success rate.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Here is some information on a Trapeziumectomy,[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][u][url="http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets/trapeziumectomy-january-2014.htm"]http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets/trapeziumectomy-january-2014.htm[/url][/u][/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]To enable me to play, I tend to rest my thumb lightly on the pickup with my wrist resting on the body of the bass, it’s poor technique I know, but it’s the only way I can play now, and with my left hand? I just let my thumb go where it wants to without forcing it to do anything it doesn’t want to, otherwise it becomes too painful.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica][size=2] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I wish you all the best Mojo, and I hope that you find a way of playing that allows you keep on going for some time yet.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color]

Good luck with it Nancy, we played on the Colin Young Show on BBC Radio Shropshire in August, and it was a great experience and really good fun. Enjoy!!!

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1484316400' post='3214627'] ...new band... [/quote]Yep, I've thought about it, but these guys are really good and it's one of the best bands I've ever been in, yes, they should be more considerate, [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]but to be honest,[/font][/color] almost every band I've been in has been the same. Is it just us bass players who are the sensible ones?

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1484305744' post='3214483'] This was my first thought too..... I've been in bands where rehearsal could be a wall of noise - and I well recall trying lots of different approaches, including mics positioned in different locations - in one band I even tried getting someone to record it, so the others could hear what was happening, but I think other members tended to blame the acoustics of the room / the PA / Someone else's amp being too close, or pointing the wrong way etc / the drummer being too loud or changing how hard he played (even when he didn't). So try the simple solution of earplugs first - might even help protect what's left of your hearing..... worth a try anyway? Good luck with it, and hope you find the solution that suits you [/quote]Thanks for the suggestion Mark but I've got earplugs and unfortunately they muffle the sound too much. Your right about the other members all blaming everything other than the fact that they are all playing too bleedin' loud!

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1484258739' post='3214211'] It can help, but channeling everything in to mono could actually make things worse. I'd suggest using a stereo mic of some sort feeding in to your IEM channel to get a better more coherent version of what is going on in the room. I'm going to try out a Zoom H1 handheld recorder for such a job actually. Even though it is a recorder, it has a line out direct from the stereo microphone elements that could be fed in to the IEM signal path. I've tested the theory with my Zoom Q8 camera and that seems to work very well, but don't want to take a big camera out all the time just to use the audio line out. Oh and the band won't turn down? If it's causing problems for your hearing, then it's most certainly doing the same for theirs too. Seems odd they aren't fussed about damaging the only set of ears they'll ever have! [/quote]I use a Zoom H1 to record our rehearsals all the time, I've never thought about popping some IEM's into the headphones out. I will get myself a decent set of IEM's and try that out next week, thanks for the tip. As for not worrying about their own ears? I've mentioned it so many times, and no pun intended, it falls on "DEAF EARS" I'm afraid, so I've decided that I will take care of my own, and if they don't care about theirs, then that is their problem from now on.

Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd Machine Head - Deep Purple And most of the Beatle's albums

My ears are shot to pieces and no matter how much I ask, no one takes any notice when I ask if we can rehearse at a lower volume.. I am finding it harder and harder to distinguish the various instruments, to me it's just a wall of sound, and sometimes it sounds like people are playing the wrong chords or the wrong keys, although I know they aren't. I don't want to spend too much time micing everything up, so my question is: Would placing a mic in the middle of the rehearsal room which then goes through a mic amp, and then into IEM's do the job of isolating the high volume and give me a decent enough idea of whats being played?

Personally, I don't like them, but I'm sure many on here will see them as just another tool to aid performance. In my previous band, our guitarist frontman used one all the time and when he had to turn the page, he would flick it across with his finger which would result in his guitar dropping out for a second or two, which we found most irritating. I've never used notes or prompts of any kind for rehearsals or gigs, and I can remember the structures/intro's/endings etc without any problem, but I noticed that most of the people I've played with who do use notes/prompts, tend to make the most mistakes, so I think they come to rely on them and think of them as a safety net, which in turn results in them not pushing themselves to get the songs into their heads without them.

[quote name='12stringbassist' timestamp='1481110563' post='3189737'] I think why a guitarist gets the limelight is that they are playing some version of the melody of the song, that sticks out, at people. [/quote] Totally agree with this, if you play something like We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place you will probably get complimented on being a "great" bassist, even though it's really a very simple bass line to play.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1479475842' post='3176833'] I think the point is, they can't afford them, that's why they're spending Saturday afternoons hanging around the Apple stores. It's not handing anything to them on a plate, it's a part of their education. Art and creative subjects are,or should be a part of a balanced education. [/quote]But how many of those kids already have a computer of sorts at home that will run Reaper (free), but they probably want the best straight away, which is only natural, but they need to realise that you can't always have what you want without a few sacrifices in life. When I was their age, I wanted a Fender bass, but I knew it was never going to happen because myself and my parents couldn't afford one, I finally got my first Fender Precision about forty year's later aged 55, I'm now 65, I came from a poor background, no one helped me and I didn't expect them to, I was realistic even as a kid, so I helped myself in life without relying on others.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1479471982' post='3176784'] What you have to remember is that modern music isn't necessarily guitar based. Music education in schools today is everything from traditional instruments such as violin, which is what I started on, to brass instruments, and also music technology, using Ableton or whatever software to create music. Next time you walk past an Apple shop, look in and see all the kids in there, and look see what it is they're playing around with, it'll be Garageband or Logic Pro. [/quote]Agreed, and those who really want to get into music will find a way to get the instrument or computer and software of their choice, but why should it be handed to them on a plate? and if those kids are in Apple shops eyeing up computers that cost nigh on a £1,000+ to run DAWS that cost small fortunes, then I don't think they need our help. Like I said, I don't mind funding or donating instruments to children's homes etc, but I do mind my taxes going to fund kids who could get the equipment they need, if they were willing to sacrifice some of their other must-haves, such as, mobile phones, x-boxes, expensive trainers, etc...

When I grew up in the 50/60's, my parents didn't have two pennies to rub together, they brought up four kids on just my dad's wage which was not a lot, if he was sick he didn't get a penny, and most of the kids I knew were in the same situation, but somehow, we managed to get bands together because we really wanted to, I played bass on a cheap acoustic guitar until I managed to pursued my elder to lend me £15 for my first proper bass, but I still couldn't afford an amp to go with it and played it through an old reel to reel tape recorder until the speaker blew, having lessons was not a thing that even entered our parents heads in those days because they were way out of reach in terms of affordability. And think back even further to the early to mid-fifties, skiffle started by poor kids who rummaged around for anything that they could get a tune out of, they didn't sit back and say, we can't play music because we come from a deprived background and waited for others to help them out. Don't get me wrong, I donate regularly to charities and I have spent many years doing voluntary work for kids groups etc, but in today's society, people seem to expect everything to be done for them, and payed for by others. At my school we had a thirty minute music lesson a week, and we had to sit and listen to a classical piece of music of our teacher's choice, there were no instruments to play, and if we mentioned the music that we liked, we were told that it was not proper music and wont last. I'm not trying to make people feel sorry for me, all I'm saying is that we had a desire to follow music regardless of the hardships, if there are kids in genuine need of help, then I would be more than happy to help them, and I think it would be great to donate instruments to children's homes etc, but I have to agree with the OP on this one, a budget guitar costs a fraction of the gaming machine or mobile phone that these kids will almost certainly already have, in fact, a decent 2nd hand guitar to learn on would probably cost less than just one of their games. BTW, I do speak with a little bit of experience, I tried to encourage both my boys to play an instrument, even re-stringing one of my guitars for my eldest son who is left-handed, but they told me that they would rather have an X-Box or computer.

Tandro purchased a couple of pedals from me and the transaction was perfect, highly recommended. Cheers!

Thanks everybody, I've emailed Jon Shuker to see whether he can help me out. If you have any more suggestions, they would be most welcome.

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, I will follow them up tomorrow. Cheers!