Linus27

Thanks Urb, its really reassuring to know that you have been through the same sort of thing as I am feeling now. Its interesting that you mention about improvising over chord charts. To get the ball rolling and see how I fared, I got the iReal app for my Itouch and downloaded hundreds of Jazz songs and then just jammed over the charts and it was a real surprise at how well I could do it and how much fun it was. Its been a great starting point for me. Thanks also for all the links, they are a great help. When I first decided to play bass some 23 years ago, I locked myself in my room for two years and studied solidly and came out and hit the ground running. So I am planning this year to do something similar and totally immerse myself and soak up as much info as I can. May I ask, how did you get started? What was the first thing you did to move over into the Jazz scene and away from rock etc? Did you just join a band, start a band or spend a long time studying songs? Again some direction or tips would be appreciated.

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1328704848' post='1531360'] [url="http://www.stefanredtenbacher.com/2012/01/08/the-funkestra-proudly-announce-their-monthly-gig-at-the-farncombe-cavern-on-the-outskirts-of-guilford/"]http://www.stefanred...ts-of-guilford/[/url] [/quote] Thank you.

I am currently looking at a total change in direction and a new challenge over the next year or two. My whole musical career has been a case of playing original music, either a mix of guitar based punk pop, folk, rock and my current project which is acoustic soul pop. However, as I get older (42 this year) and as times have moved on, I am finding that less people my age are going to pubs and clubs to listen to the genre of music I am playing. Its not a case of them not liking it, far from it as my acoustic band is doing very well (Mojo cover CD next month, radio sessions, Paul Weller tour support next month etc) but from a live situation, there are less places to play than say ten years ago and a lot of the venues seem empty. It just seems to be cover bands or teenagers playing to their mates. Nothing wrong with this at all but at my age, I feel like a square peg trying to fit into a circle. If I am also totally honest, I am getting a little bored of the whole thing. From a bass playing point of view I don't feel challenged anymore. This might sound really cocky but I have always been one of the most if not the most experienced musician in the bands I have played in as well as the most skilled or accomplished. I am also getting really fed up with playing to 5 - 10 people in pubs/clubs. I am getting to the point where I can't be bothered with it anymore. I am just bored of the genre and scene I find myself playing in as well as not feeling challenged as a bass player anymore. I feel old and need to put things in place for what i am going to do for the next 10 - 20 years as a player and playing the same genre to a few people is not what I am looking at. It would be great to be thrown in at the deep end and work with musicians who are better than me. To start from the bottom again, playing from the seat of your pants, having to think and work things out again knowing that you need to come up to scratch to match the talent of the other musicians. So, I think its time for a new challenge. I have a couple of ideas for two projects but need to research the feasibility of them first. I have always loved Jazz and my bass lines have always had some kind of walking part to them or jazz feel where possible. Ok, so when I say Jazz that really is a sweeping statement so what I mean is more Jazz venues and the type of music that is played in them rather than guitar based rock, pop, folk, punk etc which I have grown up with. However, I know nothing of the jazz scene and if there is one at all. Is it isolated to London and is it on its arse like a lot of other music venues or is it thriving with people actively going out and listening to bands? Where does one go to check out Jazz bands live and get all the info of new bands, venues etc? I only know of Ronnie Scotts, Jagz in Ascot and I think some Jazz club in Reading. After that i am totally ignorant to the whole scene. I need to walk away from what i am doing and have done for years as I am bored of it and feel i can't take it any further as a player and as a genre and come back, start again at the bottom. Sorry for the ramble but needed to get this of my chest and hopefully I can get some good advice, direction and input from people here.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328695936' post='1531160'] I'd love to. The current mrs discreet speaks of little else. [/quote] I am confused by when you say the current Mrs Discreet. Only last week I met three young ladies who claimed to be [i]the[/i] current Mrs Discreet and not a week goes by without at least one new lady claiming to be [i]the[/i] current Mrs Discreet. I just assumed you either had some kind of weird religion thing going on, very unlucky in love or Henry VIII

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328694291' post='1531129'] OMG, you're [i]that[/i] Linus! Get out!! Nice selection of wigs and harnesses, btw. [/quote] HAHA you should see my collection of attachments. They are quite impresive

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1328694169' post='1531127'] So it was you peeping in the window last night, didnt recognise you because you had that mask on [/quote] No, thats no mask, thats what I normally look like

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328693608' post='1531119'] Aww! Go on... I'll post pics of the current mrs discreet in her sleeping pants in return. [/quote] I have those pictures also and I admit, they are pretty good

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1328693300' post='1531114'] [sub][i][sup]Didn't happen[/sup][/i][/sub] [/quote] Yep, we all know he lives alone with his pet goat called billy

[quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1328636666' post='1530482'] Tell us the figure when you find out [/quote] Ok will do. Really interested personally as on our wiki page it says 5,000 in the first week which a. seems quite impresive and b. I never knew. I can't really see it being much more though but its nice to know.

Many thanks and replied to.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1328631451' post='1530355'] MCPS [/quote] OK, it seems I can search the database for the album. However, my PRS membership has expired as it was so long ago and I have to pay £30 to sign up to be able to search for it ... Bugger

My old band 12 years ago, was signed to a label and released an album. I know that in its first week we sold over 5,000 copies. However, what I would love to know is what the total album sales were. Is there any way of finding this information out?

[quote name='jcater' timestamp='1328619217' post='1530028'] PM sent [/quote] Thank you. I have just ordered one. Not a bad price either. Just need to sort out some kind of hard case for the Reidmar now.

[quote name='jcater' timestamp='1328603298' post='1529666'] I have sent dimensions to Roqsolid. Waiting for a price [/quote] Cool stuff. Please keep me posted as I will buy one also.

Top job fella and great little tune.

[quote name='jcater' timestamp='1328550095' post='1528935'] Has anyone ordered covers for the classic 12 cabinets. If so where from. Was thinking of Roqsolid but thought i would check here first [/quote] I need covers badly for a small tour in March so if you find anyone that does them then let me know. So far I have not found anywhere yet.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328177423' post='1522955'] Dammit! I was going to suggest that, but thought it was too flaky! ...It's too flaky, by the way. [/quote] I was going to suggest BC Frosted Corn Flakes? Is that a bit flakey?

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1328174426' post='1522881'] Me bums already shaved, im up for it Blimey Michael, you stalking me [/quote] Keep your friends close and your enemies closer or in your case with your backs to the wall

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1328174156' post='1522877'] How about BC Mankini's [/quote] Don't go there Ped, I did warn you He'll only offer to model it for you also

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1328099546' post='1521712'] I suddenly love fanboys! [/quote] Oh don't encourage him, thats what he wants you to say. He'll be writing to you next offering you cheese sandwiches, picture of his model train collection and offering to take you on holiday to Southend On Sea. Before you know it, he will keep bumping into you in Sainsburys and turn up at the pub calling you mate. Mark my words, it will end in tears. I bet he has your picture on his headboard now

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1328097796' post='1521662'] Just ordered a black and silver to hang up with my BC tee shirt, and my TB Tee shirt and cap in my wardrobe :-) [/quote] OMG fanboy alert

Personally, not much wrong with TF fretless playing in my eyes. Possibly a bit cliche but then not many fretted bass players are original so I would say they are cliche also. This is very evident at shows like NAMM etc where some named bass player will get up up and either play a slap fest or a slow jazz groove contraining lots of runs and scales. So I think to single out TF playing as cliche is possibly a little unfair. What does annoy me a bit about him is his constant over emphasising of everything, for example, I'm going to REALLY groove, or I'm REALLY going to lay down some GREAT line etc. It was all just a bit me me me and how great its going to be. Still, his Fender bass is awsome and I want

I have the 60 and its amazing. Bought it blind as it fitted my needs and it was so good that I trusted buying the Classic 112 cab and Reidmar which is awsome also. I use my Classic 60 for rehearsals in my acoustic band. It is very loud and full sounding. If you are using it with a drummer then I would get the 120. If at home and acoustic rehearsals then the 60 will be fine.