Bilbo

I am a member of a closed jazz research forum that features many of the world's leading jazz journalists and they have been recently talking about the issue of how few jazz musicians are able to make a living from only playing jazz (i.e. thay have to teach etc). With very few exceptions (Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny etc), most musicians limp from one festival season to the next taking any gig they can in order to pay the rent. Many of them have commercial outlets and some of them are consciously making money from a commercial gig in order to fund their jazz activities. Its real world stuff. We all like the concept of the uncompromising artist who suffers for their art but, in reality, why should the greatest players in the world live like tramps in order to produce an art product that is, at best, a minority interest. Its another romantic fantasy that doesn't hold up to close inspection. Early in his career, Joe Lovano earned less thna his wife, Judy Silvano. She was the hat check girl at the Village Vanguard. One top saxophone player (top 5 in the jazz world) was once asked whether he thought it had been worth it. His response? 'No'. He went onto describe how he had had to watch his kids grow up without many of the benefits that come from a secure income: decent schools, health benefits etc. As they get older many of these guys (in the US) get ill and can't get the help they need because they have little or no medical cover and no chips to cash in (no house to sell, no insurance policies etc). A great and influential cd from 1994 is not going to get you a heart bypass. These guys are just balancing the need to make a living with the need to make good music. In truth, if you have played heavy jazz to small audiences for years, it can be a real buzz to pay dance music for a stadium full. Money aside, its good to see people get off on what you do.

[quote name='XB26354' post='814995' date='Apr 22 2010, 02:14 PM']Seriously though, I don't think the OP should have to pay unless he/she wants a professional-looking chart with chords, parts etc. that would take hours to complete. I'd be happy to do any transcriptions purely for the practice and interest![/quote] Absolutely: that's why I don't want payment. Pressure to provide perfect charts, potential problems re: taxable income, breach of contract issues blah blah blah. Its a favour for other Basschatters, not a commercial enterprise.

I have used Rotosound Solo Bass for over 24 years with no ill effects. They are groundwound (smoothed off roundwounds).

To be fair, I suspect many of us are forced into selling gear by our personal circumstances as opposed to any deficiencies on the part of the gear. I have got three guitars and 2 basses but, in order to finance a double bass and associated accessories, I am going to have to let some of them go. Nothing wrong with them, I just can't get what I want without raising capital. So my reason for selling them is, surprise, surprise, because I need the money! Nothing wrong with them as instruments, perfectly good quality kit, but, in the overall scheme of economic things, I need to prioritise. So, 'great bass' can easily apply to something we have to move.

Some wise sage (Mick Goodrick, I think) once said 'the difficulty with finding your true path lies in the realisation that you are already on it'. I have said here before that I think many of us (myself included) can be distracted by the promise of a new piece of kit when the true improvements come from applied study, practice and discipline. I guess there is a kid in all of us who still thinks that that new piece of kit will be the making of us. Its a fools errand we have all been on. I guess we all need to find a balance.

Learn to read. Its more use to you than double thumbing, two handed tapping and playing solo chordal pieces on 42 string basses. After a relatively short time. you will be able to practice things that take you out of your comfort zone and introduce new variables into you playing. It will also make you a cut above most players and very employable. Anything else is just a series of party tricks that will impress a minority and bring you no discernable benefits as a player and/or professional.

Good point: The cds the tunes are from are usually listed on the threads and most of tehm can be bought as individual tunes in itunes etc. Anything you are particularly interested in but can't find? PM me.

If anyone has any requests for transcriptions, let me know. I will do what I can, time allowing (for free - I am not in this for the bread). Be reasonable: I am NOT looking for people to dare me to transcribe impossibly difficult charts. I just want to help if I can and to advocate for the value of reading and transcription.

I have posted about 30 transcriptions here under the Theory and Technique section. SOme of them are very readable for learners (straight quarter notes etc) and they get harder and harder. Just put 'transcription' into the search tool here and there are loads available for free. With Spotify around, most of this stuff is readily acccessible even if you haven't got the recordings. PM me if you have any trouble.

[url="http://www.eden-electronics.com/"]http://www.eden-electronics.com/[/url] UK distributors: First Line Distribution Ltd. 16 Teignbridge Business Centre,Cavalier Road Heathfield Industrial Estate,Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 6TZ Uk Contact: Phone: +44 (0)1626 830336 Fax: Email: Website: www.firstlinemusic.co.uk I have always found them really helpful.

White. Cos.

[quote name='steviedee' post='813485' date='Apr 21 2010, 10:13 AM']That's really cheap I lost the rubber foot from my endpin and it poked through the material in the bag,[/quote] INteresting. Mine has a hole for the endpin already built into the material.

Steve Swallow and Janek Gwizdala are both EADGC 5 string players. Can't say I like the extended range in either direction myself - low B is tooo heavy for may tastes and I find the notes that are high on the C string are a bit too pingy!! I guess it depends on what music you are playing.

I got one on ebay a couple of weeks ago for £33 (bid not buy now) There was one on there for 99p but it had days to go.

Nope.....I have enough trouble remembering my own name

She should also know that people look slimmer if they play a black bass. Everyone knows that.

[quote name='Les Paul Lover' post='812391' date='Apr 20 2010, 11:41 AM']Bilbo, thank you for the offer, but your bass is plain black - she won't like it like that!!!!! Sorry![/quote] Like I said; some of the boxes...