Blademan_98

Dressing up as a tribute to a band known for dressing up is probably sensible I prefer to play in clothes anyway

Wayne recycled some strings my way - a BIG thanks to you

Oh my, GAS has just strck me...... again!

Welcome aboard

I spent a lot of time playing Jazz basses in shops. I really wanted one to match my (now sold) Strat. I just didn't get on with them Perhaps when I get more proficient, that may change

My Rogue fretless. It is the first bass I bought. It only cost £100 so is essentially worthless! I love it and play it everyday even if the plan is to practice on a fretted one, I use it to warm up

£814 on GAK....... Not that much of a bargain then

Money - Pink Floyd

Cool great video's

It's the 50w version and I use it to gig (in an acoustic duo) also. It's nice and light (just like the bass )

On my Viola I use a long strap and have tied it to the head stock ala an acoustic guitar. It works for me but doesn't look that cool

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1154205' date='Mar 8 2011, 06:16 PM']A life lesson learnt. Never again. Never marry and divorce peeps, as the song says: It's cheaper to keep her! Word.[/quote] Not a bass, but in the late 80's after the property crash and being made redundant I had to sell my beloved Fender Strat (USA) in white. Probably worth a bit now but I sold it for £80! (I needed to feed the family). I have since bought (and sold!) another one. I have got over it and made plans to sell everything else before letting another guitar go if it ever gets that bad

There's just toooooo many great bass players!

Welcome to the Forum

[quote name='JPS' post='1152564' date='Mar 7 2011, 03:09 PM']Thanks for the interesting answers guys, especially liked the idea of getting away from merely running the shapes and trying to play them and use them in a more musical fashion (I'm certainly guilty of merely running through the same shapes and patterns). Would you also include major and minor pentatonic and blues scales in lists of really useful scales (plus maybe mixolydian and dorian)? My next question is why do you practise scales? Is it for increased dexterity, greater knowledge of the fretboard, as a source of musical ideas for improvisation/solos etc? Is it essential to practise them i.e. if you don't improvise or solo etc?[/quote] I use them to retain the knowledge of note position and to help with fluid motion. I also find them good for warming up before a long session. Major minor and blues are for me a must :-)

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1152283' date='Mar 7 2011, 10:28 AM']I struggle to get past the idea that playing other people's stuff the way they played it is just pretending - one step up from a tennis racquet in front of the mirror. Tribute bands are just like taking the tennis racquet out in public - [/quote] Yep i will be taking my tennis racquet out next week :-) Look out for the violin shaped sunburst racquet :-)

[quote name='paul_5' post='1152019' date='Mar 6 2011, 10:54 PM']in today's market, about £8 [/quote] Let's make it an auction. £10 from the blademan. Oh er we might turn into the bay

Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend Just have to keep up with the practicing!

[quote name='thebrig' post='1151958' date='Mar 6 2011, 10:11 PM']First thing I'm going to do is install windows7, 64 bit version, after speaking to a few computer boffins, they seem to think it should make a big difference to the performance, and it would allow me to add another 2GB of RAM if needed.[/quote] Does your hardware support the extra ram? The OS will but thats only if the motherboard can take it. Just something you may wish to research before purchasing.

After reading other threads on here about scales, I have been trying a lot harder to run the notes rather than patterns. It suddenly falls into place and helps with getting a good variation in playing. As to which scales I practice, it's Major and Minor as stated with a blues scale to get me smiling

+1 on that If I am looking for inspiration I just let youtube to the hard work

I agree, buying all that for your laptop when there are so many dedicated rigs around. I started by buying a Korg D16. You can only record 8 tracks at a time but that is ok with me. I have recorded a full band 'live' with that and dumped down to a cd. I am hoping to upgrade to a more modern system soon (with usb for data transfer). I prefer to edit on a PC for ease of use but love just taking a single box along to record with. Blademan

Who is throwing buns? I agree a well rehearsed band playing anything is good. Just because they are playing all the songs from one band doesn't mean they can't be good. runs and ducks behind huge orange cab!

+1 to the above Good luck

[quote name='hellothere' post='1151040' date='Mar 5 2011, 11:17 PM']P.S What is the Pivot technique?[/quote] The best explanation is in the video but to sum it up: You play one finger per fret but (keeping the wrist straight) you move the fingers instead of stretching. It keeps the movement natural and doesn't cause stress to the wrist or fingers.