Johngh

Just bought a Yamaha TRB 6er of OTPJ, great deal, very easy to deal with. No complaints at all. Thanks Rich

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='483951' date='May 9 2009, 07:25 PM']I didn't bother with lessons when I changed to 6 string bass, again I learned the hard way and it took a few lessons from Steve Lawson and a lot of hours practice to get my 6 string playing sorted out, floating thumb and damping/muting etc.[/quote] Funny that, when I changed to six string bass I found the floating thumb thing came natural. Only problem I have is the string spacing as it is different on my Status and my Shuker, I've only really noticed now I'm getting into more complex stuff.

[quote name='maxrossell' post='483933' date='May 9 2009, 07:02 PM']I can see where this is going. Wahey.[/quote] Me too, don't worry I've got my xray specs on !

Self taught, but now I'm getting into playing more complex stuff I'm thinking of taking some lessons.

Is it me or does Paul Gilbert look like Jay Kay. Good to see em back though.

Can we please leave comments about the Reading Thread out of this thread. That thread was closed, and I won't allow it to get carried over onto this thread. Also please stop the personal slanging match, and play fair or I will close the thread, although I don't see why mods should keep having to close topics because of a few individuals. I won't have any hesitation in dishing out warnings if this continues. Can we have the thread back on topic now please. I thank you !

[quote name='rslaing' post='479535' date='May 4 2009, 11:10 PM']"At the end of the day some of it must be down to what level a musician wants to play at." Exactly. And if any musician wants to develop themselves, then they will educate themselves in all aspects of the musical arena. If they don't, thats ok too, as long as they are happy about it. "Nowdays I'm quite happy to plod along in cover/tribute bands." Then there is no need to learn to read music. "I still don't like the idea of sitting there playing and reading it all of sheet music, it just ain't rock and roll is it." Maybe not, but I would rather have a sheet of music in front of when I have to learn a tune, than have to listen to the original over and over while I am trying to pick out a decent bass line. And I would also want to know the tonal centres and chord patterns etc so perhaps it could be improved and make it more interesting both to me and the other musicians and audience. Having the ability to read makes things so much easier. But if you are happy enough doing what you do, thats great. Personally, I just want to learn more and have a better understanding of what I am doing. Each to their own eh?[/quote] I have often thought about learning theory more, but I don't have enough time to devote to it. I've only just about found enough time to devote to my latest project. Your reply to my post was just about spot on.

At the end of the day some of it must be down to what level a musician wants to play at. Nowdays I'm quite happy to plod along in cover/tribute bands. I did the whole originals thing years ago, had the record deal, the band had some success, did a session with Tommy Vance on the Friday Rock Show, supported Def Leppard, you know, that kinda stuff. And before anyone asks, no I'm not going to name drop the band. I've never been able to read a note, so what ! I've had a ball. If I was aiming to score music, compose my own tunes, apply for orchestra/theatre gigs, then reading would be of benefit. As things stand, reading is not of benefit to me, so I'm not going to waste my time learning. Not that I have much time for anything nowdays anyway. I still don't like the idea of sitting there playing and reading it all of sheet music, it just ain't rock and roll is it.

OK Neil, just wanted to clarify. I was told last night that nothing was going to happen until early June. I've given Jill a call in the meantime.

Or NOT so urgently required as the case may be !

I prefer active basses, just for the versatility really. Get a bit miffed about having to gauge when the batteries are going to go though, I've only ever have em go once during a gig, and thankfully that was just at the end of the first set. Rapid change during the break, then off we go again. I one had an Alembic Mark King that was so sensitive on the controls it drove me nuts.

This is "The" Alice Cooper band. He's never had a bunch like them since they split. brilliant. [attachment=24714:cooper.jpg]

I've played by ear for over 30 years and I've always done OK. I can learn tunes by ear incredibly quickly, and have been able to do so since I was a kid. I suppose reading music will lead to getting the theatre gigs etc, but like Beefy said, its not everybodys bag. Interesting case last night though. I tried out for a new band last night, never met any of the other musicians before. The keyboard player had music all over the place, we had to play a song in a different key to the one she had on her music, and she couldn't do it, totally lost. Having a good ear is the key folk's. There is no way I'm sitting there reading the dots, its all to automated for me. Oh and while were at it, they should fire all orchestra conductors as well, biggest waste of space I've ever seen.

Hope it all works out for you CK. Keep us all posted.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='474996' date='Apr 29 2009, 12:57 PM']I mean why does it have to be a gradual thing? Why should there gradually be less typos, less adverts masquerading as articles, less borring reviews? Is the editor so busy that he can't read the mag from cover to cover with a red pen?[/quote] Got to agree with you Beefy. There is no excuse for typos in a magazine. That's what spell checker is for.

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Which means I can upgrade my gear to BIGGER cabs

I recon some of it is if a player gets stuck in the covers band scene, you kind of get stuck in a rut with it. I don't think it helps a player at all. I did the original band thing years ago and nowdays just plod on playing covers, I can improvise to a degree, but thats it. I also have a good musical ear, and can pick stuff up very quickly. Also, if you see some of the guys that pop up on you tube for example, its enough to make you want to quit. Now I just stick to what I'm good at, and also try to learn new grooves to improve. Also, I was in a tribute band, and am just joining another one at the moment. I know that if I don't get the basslines exactly right, some officiardo of the original band will pull me up about it.

Your Red and Blue Wal's are 2 of the nicest basses I've seen on here, and there are a lot. The blue one is a serious piece of kit.

[quote name='Linus27' post='454890' date='Apr 5 2009, 08:31 PM']Well, just got an email for the band saying it was great playing with me yesterday and would I like to join the band. WOOOHOOO, so looks like I did an ok job Once again, thanks for all the help and support guys.[/quote] Thats absolutely brilliant, well done.

Great thread this, with some terrific advice. Only thing I'll add is if you have musicians you know to start the band with, then that's great. But starting a new band up, and auditioning people who have answered musician wanted ads at the same time, can be soul destroying. Out of the 2 band's I've just joined one is an established function band, the other is a new tribute project that will be ready to gig in the next couple of months we hope.

[quote name='spike' post='453241' date='Apr 3 2009, 12:29 PM']Turn up on time and just be yourself. As tBBC said, remember you're auditioning them as much as they're auditioning you. Good luck![/quote] That is a key point, check them out as well. We had a singer audition for our band. We fire up and our guitarist is messing about just strumming along because "he wants to hear the singer sing" we tell him to play correctly, he refuses, singer is excellent, but refuses to join band because of guitatarists attitute. Band folded about a week after that. Set up your gear as quickly as possible, and if they are still lugging gear in offer to help out, speaks volumes that ! Just relax, when they ask you what song you want to start with, just tell em you know all the tunes so you don't mind. Then blow em away ! Good Luck with it.

[quote name='leschirons' post='452773' date='Apr 2 2009, 09:40 PM']I'm intrigued now. Is it possible to read really old threads? How d'ya do that?[/quote] Go to the top of the page to My Assistant. Then when the box comes up click search. Type in what you are looking for, and off you go.

It seems like it. Although to state the obvious, it will depend on what batteries are in it in the first place. I bought a Status S2 direct from Status about a year ago, and the batteries in that were Duracell Procell's that were fit as standard. I was playing the bass the other night and it was perfect, I put it down for a couple of minutes and then picked it up to play again and it was dead, changed the batteries and it was OK again.