Bilbo

I used to have a warm up. Two ocatve scales in all keys, major and minor. Two octave diatonic arpeggios in all keys. Fingerings patterns 1234, 3124, 4132, etc I think that was it.

I agree. Let the sound engineer worry about capturing a performance. You should concentrate on the performance itself.

A reading exercise, this it the synth bass line that underpins the song 'Onward' from the Yes LP 'Tormato'. The bass part is minimal in this tune and this part is essentially a quarter note 'walking' bass line (not in the Jazz sense but still a bass note pulse on which the harmony hangs). I took a couple of liberties when I couldn't really hear the note under the string arrangements but it is essentially all there. It is a useful reading exercise for relative beginners. Onward Yes Reading Exercise.pdf

I am a massive fan of solo playing, and I mean solo as in alone. I have recordings of gigs by a solo soprano saxophonist, bass players etc as well as the usual suspects of guitar and piano. I love the idea of one musician in tune with their art. Drum solos are like any other. Is it creative or interesting, does it move me? I have seen some great ones over the years (and some not so great ones).

I have played primarily fretless since 1986 in every setting imaginable. Try this. All the same bass.... Listen to Wal bass by Robert Palmer on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/sets/wal-bass9

The first section of 'I've Seen All Good People' from The Yes Album. Bit of a roast, this one. Your Move easy version - Full Score.pdf

'Your Move' by Chris Squire. An easier version for learner readers. Your Move easy version - Full Score.pdf

Chris Squire's bass part for the 'Your Move' section of 'I've Seen All Good People' from The Yes Album Your Move - Full Score.pdf

Jaco. I had just moved to London from Wales and was going to meet a friend who was already up there. As we were arranging to meet, he told me the news (he didn't really know who Jaco was but knew I was a fan). At this point, I hadn't heard the stories of his deteriorating mental health so it really did come out of the blue. Another shocker was Stevie Ray Vaughan. Another great loss. Others who came right out of the blue include Emily Remler, Kenny Kirkland, Kirsty MaColl and Michael Brecker.

I still have not got to it 😃

NOVA - Vimana Jon Anderson - Animation Greenslade - Time And Tide Joe Henderson - So Near, So Far Joe Lovano - Landmarks Marc Johnson's Bass Desires Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life There are so many

I have a Fishman Plat Pro but I can go direct into my Acoustic Image Clarus as it has phantom power for the mic and two channels that you can mix. I will see how it sounds. I have a few weeks until my next gig so have time to experiment but all advice is welcomed.

I have invested in a Realist which sounds pretty good (gigged it with a Jazz Quartet on Friday and in a piano /bass duo last night) and I have just pressed the button on an Audio Technica ATM350 microphone (see comparison video above). I am optimistic.

Last night's gig at the Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley St Mary nr. Felixstowe. A new venue for my Jazz East project. This gig featured Paul Higgs, Marc Cecil and Andy Watson. A great night's musiking.

I bought mine because of Percy Jones. I also had a Frunt amp. Remember those? No idea what happened to it but I still have the Wal.

McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones

Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen

Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian

Charles Mingus and Dannie Richmond

Wayne Johnson, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Berg

Phil Collins and Percy Jones

Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Daryl Steurmer and Chester Thompson

Bill Bruford, Dave Stewart and Jeff Berlin

Billy Sheehan on Ladies Nite In Buffalo from Dave Lee Roth's Eat 'Em and Smile album. The easiest read on here. Ladies Nite In Buffalo Bass.pdf

That all cows eat grass thing is part of the problem. It means that every note you read has to start with a process of identification that is time inefficient. You need to start with one note you can identify every time. Doesn't actually matter which one. Then add a second. A third. You need to see C not have to work it out. Imagine trying to identify a word by going ABCDEFGHIJ etc every time. You recognise A and you recognise G. Then add one accidental. Then two. And three. Simultaneously, you read rhythms. Quarter notes. Quarter note rests. Mix them up. Triplets. Sixteenths. It's not that hard, it just needs systematic attention.