Bilbo

Fantastic. Now we can all sound like him!!

Been a pretty much dedicated fretless specialist for 28 years this coming March. I much prefer it. I have to admit, though, I occasionally hear a fretted player and hanker, albeit momentarily, for that absolutely precise intonation.

Swallow's solo on 'Alfie' from John Scofield's 'En Route' cd is one of the most beautiful solos ever played on a bass and 'Shoe Dog', off 'This Meets That' is another absolute gem. Don't forget what a monster composer he is as well.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1390657513' post='2348002'] Here is my contribution. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuFScoO4tb0[/media] [/quote] A beautiful song.

[size=4][quote name='AL-the-Bassman' timestamp='1390649996' post='2347877'][/size] You weren't, i don't think I used melodies and bass lines that ascended and descended , even the progression relates to the way the builders in the picture are moving around the walls which relates to Escher , and a country theme. [size=4][/quote][/size] [size=4]Fa[/size]ir comments. I didn't mean to sound supercilious, just aware that my pitiful effort sticks out like a sore thumb. PS - I voted for yours

I approached Steve about writing his biography. Someone else was already doing it so I lucked out but his email was lovely. A true gentleman. I have been a fan for years and some of my favourite bass solos are his.

Interesting that I was the only one that focussed on the Escher at the expense of Reynolds rather than the other way around. Probably says something about my headspace.

Remember these bright young things (get the hair!!)? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhtSbptacb0

Still Life Talking is, for me, THE career highlight in a career chock full of highlights. Not a note out of place.

[quote name='AL-the-Bassman' timestamp='1390403458' post='2345023'] but the idea of the comp was to take inspiration from both the picture could have just been a texan in a hat..... [/quote] True but I tried to work on a country and western variant and got bored with it so thought 'Fcuk Burt Reynolds' and did what I wanted to. I don't care if I get any votes, just glad to get back on the horse.

I find him smug and unconvincing in every role he plays, like one of those guys who is the only person in the room that finds his own jokes funny. I cannot name a single film he is in that I didn't hate. So I ignore them.

Sounds older than he looks!! Reminds me of Suzannne Vega in tone (hope that doesn't embarass him!!).

Agree that the budgets are massively important but, as I had Sib. first, it was not a consideration.

I tried it and hated it. I find Sibelius much more user friendly. I wanted something I could use on a netbook (Sibelius would have overwhelmed it) so tried Musescore but everything took so long to do by comparison, I deleted it. Never actually completed anything on it!!

Love that everyobne loves him but I was never a fan. Loved the sound (bought the bass), just never got on with the music.

My rationale this month was the climbing figures going up and down simultaneously; this formed the cello/viola figure that underpins the violins. The rest is just a pretty little tune. With reference to Burt Reynolds, I did what I always do when I see him associated with anything. I ignored him. https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/up-the-downs

I think it is important to note that a six string bass, whilst having 50% more strings, has only about 10 more notes than a conventional bass. Bearing in mind they are at the extremes of the instrument, it is not surprising that the core of the instrument remains the notes on the conventional bass. Six-strings remain a specialist instrument rather than a must-have. I got rid of my 5s and 6s years ago as they were just wall art. Not much time for chordal playing on the bass. Just never liked the sound that much.

Got something. Will upload to soundcloud later!!

Sounds like a flamenco strum of a single note to me.

Nope. You make them up on the spot. You get yourself ready by educating yourself about chords and scales and by developing your ear etc but, fundamentally, it is about hitting the motherlode on the day. Most of use us achieve that about twice a year. The best guys about 4 times Have had a listen and it is a great performance, Bill (nice phrasing and a nice sound). One question (nothing to do with the video). You call it a transcription in the title of the thread. Have you actually transcribed it as in written it down? If not, I would call it a rendition not a transcription. Either way, good work.

http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F

It is about balance, surely. I can get off on a very straight bass line on the occasional tune but, all night? No chance. Some of it is personality; I just cannot do the straight eighths thing all night and stay interested in the gig. I could do it for one gig or a couple maybe but, after that, I would loose my enthusiasm for the music being played and, eventually, walk away. Yes, of course it is about the song but, if all of the songs 'require' that kind of bass line, I am going to quickly come to dislike the lack of contrast in the songs as much as I do the lack of interest in the basslines !!!

Last night, I found another mp3 I hadn't listened to since the gig (months ago). That was also better than I remember. I guess, as a player, you are hearing what it isn't whereas, as a listener, you are just hearing what it is. I get the difference between analysis and creativity but, when you are playing, you have to analyse your sound etc, surely, in order to ensure it is the best it can be? Maybe we should have soundchecked a bit longer (always difficult in an open bar). I think it was the sound more than anything. I hold the view that the swing is in the sound as much as anything and, if that isn't right..... Anyway, I get to do it all again this Sunday. With Art Themen.

I think there is a lot to be said for trying different fingerings etc. For years, I struggled with the main bass riff on Tubular Bells (the one behind the developing list of instruments). I could play it but is felt clunky. I saw Oldfield playing it on a documentary recently and realised my problem wasn't the line, it was my fingering choice. I picked up a bass and could play it immediately, without the hiccups. Some fingering patterns just flow better on some lines.

Love it.