seashell

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1407142055' post='2517606'] A lot of finger players find fast 8 type passages hard, 'Dakota; is a typical example, as they can't get it to run as smooth and driving as with a pick which would make it easy as it is a simple up and down stroke. Playing 8's smoothly with alternating fingers is one thing.... but when the line is exposed with no gtr double, it is doubley important. A cheat would be to use a single digit pluck... [/quote] Don't mention Dakota - my band wants to do that next!! Seriously though, thanks for the tip.I'll give it a go, though I don't know if my single digit is up to it. Funnily enough I've been trying (for my own amusement) to play the intro to Bombtrack by RATM, and found myself just plucking with one finger. That is BLOODY fast though, and I'm never likely to have to do it for real!

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1407146949' post='2517677'] A bassist is a bassist is a bassist..... [/quote] Very true. But women are still under-represented in the world of Bass (although it seems not as rare as lead guitarists and drummers! :- ) , so it is lovely to see their achievements celebrated. I am also very happy to say that since I've been playing (only 3 years) I have had every encouragement from all I've encountered, especially from the good folks of BC. ([size=3]I will also admit that the sight of an old gal with a bass does seem to have a dizzying effect on mature gentlemen. And sometimes younger gentlemen But then all musicians are sexy, right?[/size] )

Rebel Yell by Billy Idol manages to be boring and difficult all at the same time. Difficult because it's so bloody fast it makes my fingers bleed. And don't tell me I should try using a pick or I shall get grumpy. :-(

Another vote for Big Bands here! I'll try to catch the Prom :-)

I love what Jennifer Condos does on Tito and Tarantula's 'Tarantism' album. Tito has had a couple of female bassists since she left, it seems but I'm not familiar with their later albums. I also love Este Haim for her attitude. Best female player I've ever seen live is Yolanda Charles. And she's a great singer. And also seems to be a really nice person. Oh, and she's beautiful of course. I hate her, lol!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1406994576' post='2516527'] Seashell and Bluejay...both lovely gells... ..oh yeah, and Tina Weymouth when they're not about.... [/quote] Ooh you flatterer. Tee hee :-)

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1406462549' post='2511613'] Headlined the Ash Music Festival nr Aldershot yesterday, 6-7 slot. Had a ball, turned up with a picnic and a few beers early and watched a few of the other bands who were all good. Usual assortment of dancers and nutters having fun with us. A great day!! Our very own Seashell turned up with a friend, good to see her!! http://youtu.be/VoDXb4yJJ6I [/quote] It was a lovely day. All the bands were really enjoyable. Especially Colin's band of course. It was good to see a female fronted band for a change. Stacey is awesome! :-)

The three I'd rescue from a fire would be: Led Zep 4 Deja Vu by CSNY Get yer YaYas Out by the Stones. If I could only take one it would be Led Zep 4 (natch) :-)

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1406331157' post='2510788'] I think for me, my number one album I totally adore, musically, tonally and production is Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring. I think Supertramp - Breakfast in America would also be included. Simple Minds - Street Fighting Years is also a great album. [/quote] Interesting. The Colour of Spring is a great album but doesn't come up much on lists like these. I've got it, but I haven't played it for ages. I'll have to give it another spin! :-)

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1406234217' post='2509704'] Can't really count Billy Connolly as he was a musician turned comedian! [/quote] Ditto Dudley Moore, I believe.

John MacEnroe plays guitar I believe. Also Bruce Willis is a pretty good singer.

I've seen this on FB, so it is going round locally. Really bad news Edit to day: Oh and BTW, I shared it on FB with Bob Styler of Stirchley Music Exchange. Hope that helps.

[quote name='Riot_Code' timestamp='1405895097' post='2506334'] To go with the plaster idea, you should try climbing tape, it works better against sweat and abrasion than standard plasters, should work though a gig! [/quote] Ah, that sounds interesting. Have you used it at gigs yourself?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405887950' post='2506221'] You just need to play more - or simply exercise your fingers by doing something that's likely to give them callouses. [/quote] Yes, or not play so hard as others have mentioned above. Trouble is I get a bit over excited and don't realise how hard I'm playing. (Steady now)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405867535' post='2505965'] Does help. I find roundwounds really shred my fingers... and frets. Flats will still hurt your plucking finger(s) if you play too hard/too often though. I'm using Status Half-Wounds as a viable compromise between the two - they go 'thump' and they go 'boing' as well. [/quote] Status Half-Wounds are the bollox. They feel nice and smooth, and like you say they go 'thump' and 'boing' as well. I still get blisters though! :-)

I was always a great believer in fabric plasters. Found I could play with fingers plastered up, no problem. However I have recently learned a thing or two! :-) Last Sat we played an hour long set in a hot sweaty pub. Since I had already had a bass lesson and a two hour rehearsal that day, my plucking fingers were all sore and blistered. I duly applied the plasters. But by the last song in the set, it was so hot & sweaty the plasters were coming unstuck and flapping around a bit. And my fingers were all sticky. I was just praying I could get through the song without becoming totally stuck to me E string! So I'm going to have to rethink the plaster idea.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405710579' post='2504671'] NOOOO!!! I bet you liked that pink biscuit tin on Bargain Hunt this afternoon as well, didn't you? [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Yes. Yes I did. They was robbed.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405704373' post='2504538'] It would be all right for a girl though, I suppose... *runs away* [/quote] Well I like it! :-)

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1405501369' post='2502373'] [attachment=166853:IMG_4695.jpg]Did a cracking gig at the Jam House in brum last night with my NotStrictlyJazz Quartet. We did covers of jazz-funk tracks by Stanley Clarke, Victor Bailey, Marcus Miller, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Grover Washington Jr etc. and it went down a storm. [/quote] Let us know when you play there again and I'll come and see you

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1405457230' post='2502152'] Just for you https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Nr0_s0C8cmE/U8LxzsMGtYI/AAAAAAAAC80/ngQAclUGO-k/w1358-h759-no/IMAG0034.jpg [/quote] Hat, sunglasses, waiscoat, beer holder and above all ..white Fender P. Couldn't possibly get any cooler!

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1405341981' post='2500946'] Penn Street beer festival, last band in the Hit and Miss pub garden before the footy final, so 1st set was great, but people thinning out as time went on. Still, first time outdoors with these guys, and our PA just about held up I think, all in all great time and weather was spot on, hopefully some pics floating around later. [/quote] Hope the pics show you resplendent in your sunglasses

Well, our progress to full on gigging band gradually continues. Saturday night we had a proper gig in a pub, full band, hour long set. We got off to a flying start, hit them with all our best numbers (all covers) and it seemed to be going quite well. Then we started faltering a bit as we progressed on to things we didn't know that well and hadn't rehearesed enough. Nevertheless, after our final rendition of Rebel Yell by Billy Idol there were a few cries of 'more'! We made the mistake of providing them with more - Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana. We usually do this quite well, but it's in drop D and guitarist took about a million years to drop down (some technical issue with his instrument I gather). So by the time we finally did it they had all gone off the boil and our exit was somewhat of a tumbleweed moment. What was brilliant about the whole evening was the band we were supporting. They are called Gunners Law, a hard rock 3 piece who are really excellent. If you are in the Black Country I urge you to see them! They were [b]so [/b]supportive of us as well. Not only let us use their back line (by prior arrangement) but also helped us with our sound check and setting up. Then actually watched our set and provided encouraging applause. Real gents. Their bass sound is amazing - bass player is a man-mountain with long flowing hair who really commands a presence on the stage. His bass really thunders through your chest - brilliant! The other highlight of the evening was the obligatory eccentric dancer. Middle aged bloke with his face painted like a dog. Doing a little dog-dance infront of the stage - with his hands held out like paws and shaking his bum as if wagging his tail. Shouting out 'Woof' to show his appreciation. So all fairly normal for the Black Country then.

Reall great blog Sylvia. It's a lovely record of a smashing day. :-)

Ah yes, I remember it in the late 90's when I first moved up to Brum. Somewhat bittersweet memories due to personal connections and all that, but a great little venue and sadly missed. I remember it standing alone in an industrial wasteland when all the surrounding buildings had been knocked down.

Alas, I can't credit for the cookies. So who was the mystery provider of baked goods? :-)