Bilbo

'A Quick Sketch' from Herbie Hancock's 'Quartet' recording. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quartet-Wynton-Marsalis-Herbie-Hancock/dp/B00004SFRH/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1286795570&sr=1-4"]Herbie Hancock Quartet[/url] Also, try some jazz ballads. Basic root movement but it will start to give you a sense of what is going on with the harmonies.

I actually believe that the thing that attracts us to playing and excites us is the same whatever part we play in the process and finding a new way of 'getting involved' is always a pleasure, whether that is singing backing voc, starting a home studio or playing a new instrument.

Not my ususal list of new purchases but more personal affirmation. I did a rehearsal yesterday with the rhythm section of a Colchester based jazz quintet and it was a blast. Great sound off the double bass, more playing of the instrument that fighting with it () and ALL original material, just the way I like it. Sounds exciting if a little raw around the edges. Still learning to get the best out of the material. Some hard charts as well but worth the effort. And I have also booked a recording session for my own band. Jazz is just the [i]best[/i].

I have never met a musician who didn't have more technique than s/he knew how to use.

Yep, that's what I do and you can use it to check your intonation to if you are of a mind!!

Get hold of Mark Levine's 'Jazz Theory' book and find a teacher (for theory, not bass - so it doesn't have to be a bass teacher).

I have found it!!! GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!!!!! [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11491237"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11491237[/url]

I find that wooden finished basses date less than painted ones.

Been loading up my ipod and rediscovered a cd from Puerto Rican saxophonist David Sanchez called Obsesion. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Obsesion-David-Sanchez/dp/B000024C1R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286292332&sr=1-1"]Obsesion-David-Sanchez[/url] Great latin jazz. John Benitez on bass. This is the real deal!!

[quote name='farmer61' post='978221' date='Oct 5 2010, 12:31 PM']My advice is play jazz and learn to read music [/quote] Get thee behind me, Libertine!!!

[quote name='lonestar' post='978253' date='Oct 5 2010, 12:56 PM']. For me Steve Hackett leaving was the final nail in Genesis' coffin and [s]then there were 3[/s] then they became the Phil Collins band.[/quote] Ruggish!! Snowbound, Many Too Many Follow You Follow Me are all classic Genesis. Duke was also a very strong album: Guide Vocal has long been a favourite and Evidence of Autumn (b-side to Misunderstanding/same era) is top drawer stuff. Duchess is stonking, Dukes Travels - all great stuff. Even Mama had some good stuff on it but, by then, it was a case of change or die. If they hadn't started dealing with shorter song forms, they would have disappeared even sooner. You can't blame Collins for that.

[quote name='markstuk' post='978123' date='Oct 5 2010, 11:26 AM']Mick Karn used to play a WAL fretless I believe.. So are there any Japan tribute acts? And you get to wear make-up as well which should alleaviate the Rolf lookalike issue .... [/quote] There isn't that much make up in the world! Although I am part Indian.....

[quote name='leschirons' post='978129' date='Oct 5 2010, 11:28 AM']You could just start playing anything and then ask the audience.... "Do you know what is yet?"[/quote] Brilliant

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.