Bilbo

I have a dilemma you can all help me with. I want to form a tribute band to make loads of money and stay in hotels in Dubai but I can't afford any new gear so the question is, which bands have a bass player who uses a Wal fretless and has a big enough following to guarantee loads of gigs. I tried a Brand X tribute but it went nowhere. PS I look like Rolf Harris

[quote name='TimR' post='978034' date='Oct 5 2010, 10:03 AM']Very good point. At which point does it mature and at which point does it go off?[/quote] To extend the metaphor, its not that its inedible when it is past its sell buy date but its just better when it is fresh. The problem (its not really) with music is that, for many people, hearing something very old but for the first time can be just as uplifting as hearing a brand new product. A 17 year old who hears 2112 for the first time today may think Wow!! And that's cool. I have something in my mind about relevance; some things just don't travel well, but hearing a 2, 20 or 200 year old piece for the first time can produce a genuine and legitimate buzz. My problem is at what point does this marginalise/constrict new developments? Its nice to hear a new take on the world instead of the same old stuff.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='976897' date='Oct 4 2010, 11:47 AM']No he doesn't- it's an octave down from that (i.e. the bottom four strings of a BEADG five string set tuned down a tone).[/quote] Got you. Must sound like a tractor reversing.

I just believe that there is a lot to be said for the aspiration of creating something fresh and orignal and not just regurgitating the same old same old - this applies to all genres including jazz, which is as guilty as anyone of taking the path of least resistance. Music as mostalgia is what gives us the predictability of X Factor etc. Like food, its better and more nourishing when its fresh, be that KT Tunstall, Trivium, John Taverener or Phronesis. You can, of course, do both, as many here do. I guess thats the most realistic compromise.

[quote name='chaypup' post='977481' date='Oct 4 2010, 06:44 PM']Where's the evidence that music is dying? As far as I can see, there are new genres springing up weekly, more people are in bands, musical instrument sales are way up and there is almost unlimited choice in listening to music. Where I live, I have a choice of at least 5 or 6 live acts every night within a very short distance. Music is thriving! [/quote] You don't live in Felixstowe, do you?

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='977314' date='Oct 4 2010, 04:30 PM']Not so much Bilbo, I feel dirty, I play music I do not like, for money, I can feel a 17 year old version of myself chucking fruit at me every time I walk on to a stage. Still, a gigs a gig, and I am a shameless whore.[/quote] At last! A man of integrity who owns his own deviance!! Acknowledging the problem is half way to solving it. You have my respect!

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='977254' date='Oct 4 2010, 03:50 PM']..... once we said it was as cheesy as it is, and that we dress up like twats, they were throwing money at us. And it keeps making more and more money, and a bigger following than I ever expected Good times.[/quote] Hurrah for you.

Labelling theory!! Marvellous! Doesn't matter what it is, its the label that counts! Its all about marketing. Makes perfect sense on every level.

I don't think that's right, Linus. I have seen bands doing covers at theatres (60s music a favourite for them - not me, hate the s***) and tribute bands doing pubs (Railway in Ipswich used to have 3 a week). You can't generalise (or is that a generalisation ). I guess some of its is about how big the show is. If its lasers and dancers, you won't get it in a pub.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='977130' date='Oct 4 2010, 02:23 PM']The trouble is that audiences on the whole don't seem to want to hear the sort of covers which stretch & challenge the bassist![/quote] EIther that or the music that stretches the bass player is too hard for the guitarist and drummer to pull off!! Give the audience what you assume they want, I say.

I loved Tormato for a long time. Doesn't hold my attention now but some of the bass playing on that LP was stunning. Really strong songs, really great playing, great production. But my favourite Yes related product was Jon Anderson's 'Animation' LP. Still sounds fresh today.

I have never worn ear protection and have had no problems. I think it is because, whilst I can do the occasional loud gig, its is not often or sustained. I like the idea of ear plugs but hear some scary stories about the prices and, because I have never had a problem, I don't follow it up. Perhaps I should.

You've got a piccolo bass. I have a five string double bass that is strung EADGC so yours is just like it without the low E.

Always been happy (but, then again, where basses are concerned, I am easily pleased)

[quote name='blackmn90' post='976329' date='Oct 3 2010, 07:31 PM']Does anyone own either of these? Im confused as to what the differences are and which to get.... Also unsure if the fake book is bass parts or piano charts of his compositions[/quote] The 'more than a fake book' title refers to the fact that there is some history in there and its not just charts. The charts are mostly head charts with some detail on bass parts, multiple horns etc but no detailed transcriptions of Mingus' bass playing. Defintely worth the money, especially now we can listen to the tracks on Spotify (I had to buy all the cds - although I have never regretted it). Also recomended: Myself When I Am Real - Gene Santaro (excellent) Mingus - A Critical Biography - Brian Priestly (intelligent read) Tonight At Noon - Sue Graham Mingus (more personal but genuinely moving)

Yes, that is the idea with jazz standards although there are many who take the easy route and just play the parts. I think its a personal thing. I can do all of the things required to make a covers band/tribute band work (and do, just like everyone else here) but, at the end of the day, I (as in me, personally, as an individual, on my own, with noone else involved, by myself, independently of any others) just can't get nearly as excited about doing (or listening to) covers as I do about original work. Even when I buy jazz cds, I tend to avoid 'standards' albums, although thats by no means an absolute. When I play covers, I can enjoy it on one level but my satisfaction is not nearly as great as it is doing something genuinely creative. But its not all about me is it?

Yes, I did the same and it works perfectly well, although I got a little clip on tuner as well for £7 that is more convenient when you are at home and not plugged in.

Stop it.....

Its a great dvd - I have it but didn't know the tunes titles.

Great band. Really creative and groundbreaking throughout. People accused them of self indulgence but I have to say ythat I find most pop music far more self indlugent than this (ooooo, eeeeee look at me, I'm dancing.....)

[quote name='Linus27' post='974757' date='Oct 1 2010, 11:51 PM']I would love to do a Jazz trio/quartet but then I can't play Jazz for toffee [/quote] Doesn't stop most of us

There is probably an element of truth in that, silddx. I suspect there are many, particularly older players, who picked up the bass in splendid isolation without the benefits of mentors, teachers, proper instruction etc and were able to make more sense of it then the guitar as monophonic instruments make more sense than chordal ones at an early stage. As one develops, things get more complicated but, in terms of 'getting started, playing bass in a covers band is probably the shortest distance between picking up a musical instrument and gigging. Now we have the internet, instruction dvds, colleges on contemporary music. Its all more accessible now but, in the recent past, for a lot of us, it was the bass or nothing.

[quote name='Conan' post='974028' date='Oct 1 2010, 02:13 PM']. But I still don't see how or why that gives you the right to question or criticise the motivations of others...[/quote] We all have the right to question and criticise the motivations of others, just as they have the right to ignore us and treat us with utter contempt. None of this matters, guys.

There are now 25 people reading it.

I have posted a couple of dozen charts here with dots for this reason. Put 'transcription' in the search heading and mark it headings only.