seashell

Now here are some cats who can [b]really [/b]dance [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNKRm6H-qOU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNKRm6H-qOU[/url]

Thank you Doug! Although I had to watch with the sound off as am at work ATM. Can't wait to hear your backing track. I'll give that a listen asa I can I was appalled by those hat dancing men. They were all out of time with each other!

Forgot to mention - the estimable Steve Lawson is also now based in Brum. He runs various classes from time to time. Here's his website: [url="http://www.stevelawson.net/"]http://www.stevelawson.net/[/url] He's also a BC member.

OK I've voted. Now give us something for the laydeez...

SO difficult this month. I love them all!

I don't know of any website that compiles dates of masterclasses. But since you're in Brum you might like to keep an eye on this: [url="http://www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/locations/location.php?id=6"]http://www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/locations/location.php?id=6[/url] I go for my private bass lessons at AMS Birmingham. They do have masterclasses from time to time, although I've never managed to get to one as they always seem to be on a weekday when I haven't been able to get the day off. If you like their FB page you'll get regular updates about what they are putting on. Hope that helps.

And this: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TJjFEGNKlk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TJjFEGNKlk[/url]

This: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBuJB218UvU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBuJB218UvU[/url]

I might venture out East for this. I'll keep the date free.

The trouble is, I read this thread and the words just swim before my eyes. I know you are all being very helpful , but I didn't understand any of it. Like the OP, I wish there was some kind of book. I'm not knocking the great help you get on BC, but it's difficult to read and understand things off a screen when you find it hard to get your head round it at all.

Towel.

Moo (to quote the members' survey)

Farmer Giles put bells on his sheep. They were baa bells. (I'll get me smock)

[b]About us[/b] We are a female fronted rock band. We have wide ranging musical tastes ranging from The Beatles to The Offspring via The Cult, Dandy Warhols, Pixies, Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. We currently play covers at jam sessions and Open Mics. We aim to develop some original material as well, and get some of our own gigs (paid gigs unlikely!). We are looking for a [b]second guitarist [/b]to beef up our sound and give us scope to try out a wider range of material. We rehearse weekly in Walsall (usually Wednesday nights). We are all of different ages, backgrounds and genders. We all have day jobs and we play our music for enjoyment. Here's a link to one of our dubious videos: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAY848iYlxs"][color="#800080"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAY848iYlxs[/color][/url] [b]About you[/b] We're looking for someone who is easy going and looking to have fun with this, but committed enough to rehearse regularly and learn stuff in between. You'd have to be able to get yourself and your gear to gigs around the Midlands (so far we've played in Tipton, Nottingham, Stourbridge and Birmingham). But we don't envisage an hugely burdensome gigging schedule. If you think you'd fit in, drop me a PM. (Edited to add video link)

Many thanks Ian. Thought that was probably the case. Good old Basschat!

Quick question - is there a charge for advertising in the Musicians Wanted section? We're looking to advertise for a second guitarist and don't want to make any faux pas!

I've heard Alice Cooper describe himself as a 'vaudevillian'. He's putting on a show rather than trying to be a legitimate heavy rock musician, and he does that very effectively (I believe, although I've never been to a gig myself). I found his music OK, but it never grabbed me enough to buy any of his albums. Not that long ago, I heard some Alice Cooper on the radio and it really struck me how good the bass playing was! I had no idea who it was, so it is interesting to read the info about Dennis Dunaway in some of the posts above. I'm not that keen on him as a DJ. He plays some good stuff but his comments in between can be a bit banal and cringey. IMHO and all that.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1390215380' post='2342588'] What turned out to be my last house band appearance at the jam session yesterday. Haven't been sacked as such, landlord told by his boss that they couldn't afford to keep paying the house band. Shame, it was still popular. The previous landlord and landlady never seemed to have any problems but then the pub was busier then anyway. I think it's more of a reflection of how poorly it's being managed generally these days but that's not the house band's fault. Some of the regulars are talking about trying to keep it going by just turning up with their own gear and having a go. I've seen other jam nights done like this but they seldome last very long. I'll call in from time to time but I'm beginning to think it may be the beginning of the end for the pub which would be a real shame, it's the main music venue in the immediate area. [/quote] It's a real shame about this. Kev's jam sessions were such fun, and worked properly precisely because there was a house band to hold it all together. It was great to be able to turn up on your own and know there would be someone you could play with. Fair play to the regulars for trying to carry on regardless, but I suspect it might all end up in a bit of a shambles.

I don't attract many women.

I note they don't expect the female vocalists to play guitar.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1389831650' post='2338573'] I started of from scratch last year. I have zero natural aptitude or ability in anyway. I have no rhythm. My hands while not small, have very bad dexterity. My coordination is terrible. I have little patience for learning certain things such as theory. However what I do have is a determination not to give up and after 8 months of practicing most days to the point my hand hurts in varies places. I'm starting to get somewhere. And all aspects of my playing have greatly improved and I was even complimented by another bass player recently. I pick up and play something that I really thought when I started would be impossible for me. I'm lacking the natural ability to become a genius or great on the bass I know that will never happen. But I'm now sure that with enough practice and time most people can achieve a decent enough level. [/quote] This echoes my experience in many ways. Started from scratch 3 years ago and have been practising like buggery ever since. Especially in the first year. I do think I was blessed with a natural sense of rhythm though. I don't seem to struggle with that. It's just all the rest of it, especially speed and dexterity. It's well worth sticking with though. It's so gratifying to notice even small improvements. Like Twincam I have had a few compliments on my playing, which both surprises and delights me!

I'm ordering your tweed jacket and beret right now

[quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1389551056' post='2335442'] I like mine to sit just above the waist, pointless stuffing all those socks down my jeans if nobody's going to see [/quote] Top answer

It may be right, it may be wrong, it's certainly illogical, but some things ARE cooler than others. Xilddx in his leather trousers and silk gloves is cooler than a bloke in a football shirt tucked into a pair of M&S jeans. And low slung basses look cooler. They really do. Why? Well come on everyone, we all know a bass is a phallic symbol so it needs to go in the appopriate place. Even if you're a girl. That said, I don't wear mine particularly low, because I'm one of those people who finds it more difficult to play low slung. But sadly I'm not all that cool.

Yes indeed. I've been lucky enough to meet a fair few at various bass bashes - lovely guys and gals, all of them. I've also been to a couple of gigs/jams and seen a few of the lads playing in earnest - gjones, BarneyG and KevB. Each one an inspiration. :-) Not to mention Steve Lawson of course.