Coilte

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1427878443' post='2735255'] .Anyway, I am used to pain [/quote] I'm afraid that's not the point. The message it is trying to give you... is.... Anyway, I genuinely wish you all the best and hope you have an enjoyable gig.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1427816348' post='2734589'] True, but it's not too late to move your position so that it doesn't hurt. [/quote] If your body is crying.."STOP"...that is it's message that all is not right and it would be prudent to heed the message. What happens if the "new" position also hurts ? I'd rather be a recovering "wimp" and not do the gig, than a "re admittance to hospital" macho man hero. YMMV etc.

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1427815503' post='2734576'] As pathetic as I know it is, I dont want to go to the doctors because I dont want to wear a hearing aid at 22 in case I get laughed at. [/quote] Twenty two is very young to have such severe hearing loss. The hearing aids available these days are much more advanced than they used to be. No one would notice that you were wearing one. They can be calibrated to suit your particular requirement. I'd recommend that you at least check them out. They'll make your life a lot easier.

There is always "Google". That's what I use if I'm not familiar with a certain brand or model. You can also get reviews.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1427810231' post='2734499'] if your body is shouting 'STOP!' [/quote] ...then it is too late to call in a dep.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1427748764' post='2733914'] I am more interested in the opinions of other bass players who have more idea of what is involved than my surgeon would, who has not played any gigs as far as I know [/quote] Your surgeon...not us bass players....is best suited to know what effect a physical strain like standing (even sitting) for a two hour gig, is going to have on your over all recovery. I understand your dilemma, but as has been said already....what price your health ?

I can see both sides of the debate. However, IMO going by the "Introductions" forum, BC seems to have a steady influx of new members on a daily basis. Which leads me to question the notion that the forum needs extra promotion from the likes of BG magazine. I only ever bought three issues and found the content was not worth the price. IMO, the magazine has more to gain from this new arrangement than BC.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1427799822' post='2734316'] No. And I can hear up to 16kHz which is unusual for my age. Mainly because I've used ear protection for decades. I'm not generally a sensible person, so all the more remarkable. Even if you think you play in a quiet band, your hearing is compromised. Much is said on here about making a big outlay for top-quality ear protection and it's good advice - what cost your hearing - but I've always used earplugs costing about a tenner and while obviously not as good, they have made all the difference. Any ear protection is better than none - in my experience. *Hides in wardrobe to avoid many posts to the contrary* [/quote] Great post Discreet. Wish I had done the same as yourself when I was younger. What with playing in rock bands as a teenager, and going to loud concerts/gigs, the result is that my hearing is pretty bad. I use custom plugs these days to try to retain what little of my hearing is left. I often hear people say.."but my band plays at a very low volume, so I dont require plugs.." I usually end up reminding them with two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist... "playing low"...would still require you to wear hearing protection. I think the message is catching on though. I often come across young musicians wearing ear plugs.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1427711635' post='2733222'] quotations from actual posts [/quote] Goes without saying.....only from the "good" posters. Congratulations bluejay.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1427556836' post='2731727'] I think maybe a slower more sensible stretch and warm up would help with the initial hand pain and fatigue instead of me rushing it when cold. [/quote] I think that would be a good idea. IMO the hands and fingers need a [u]gentle and slow [/u] introduction of about five to seven minutes, before the more severe "work" starts. Also, just as important is warming [u] down.[/u]

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1427540856' post='2731528'] I do have a warm up routine but it takes at least 20 mins to feel right. I switched fretting hand techniques not so long back to a more standard style and im still not 100% with it, although already an improvement on my horrible previous technique. If im not warmed up feeling my hand tends to fatigue and hurt very quickly. I will give the Carol Kaye warm up technique a go. [/quote] Are you using "technique" as a warm up ? After the warm up I described earlier, I pick up the bass and do some slow chromatic scales above the fifth fret. Even after the stretching routine, it is prudent not to dive headlong into fast complex playing. Another two minutes or so, of slow scales, arps etc is a good idea, before finally settling into "regular" practice.

Nice one OP....enjoy !

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1427538704' post='2731507'] . Then I'm ready to go! [/quote] ....asleep !!

While your body in general may be warmed up from certain activities, the parts that take a front line in playing the bass, i.e. the tendons that move the fingers.. may not. People often refer to "strength" being required in the fingers in order to play well. All healthy people have the minimal strength required to fret a note. What is required is to warm up the tendons that facilitate the [u]opening[/u] of the hand. Very few daily activities can do this. This is why, IMO it is well worth taking the time to warm up (and down...afterwards) with gentle stretches. There are lots of clips on You Tube. OP, if you know in advance that you are going to be trying out a bass, you could try a Carol Kaye warm up tip. Hold the arm straight. Gently press the thumb against the index finger. Hold for seven seconds. Release. Repeat with each individual finger. Now, gently fan out the hand and fingers for five seconds. Release for five seconds. Clench the fist (dont force anything), with the thumb on the outside for five seconds. Release for five seconds. The whole routine takes less than three minutes. Time well spent IMO.

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1427381540' post='2729679'] Why's my avatar on there then? ☺ [/quote] You're obviously in cahoots with the Mods !!

It seems to only feature pictures of the "good" posters/contributors !!

[quote name='Thump' timestamp='1427303835' post='2728631'] I like the sound a good hard pluck makes. [/quote] That could be a part of your problem. As I see it, another part might be playing for too long at a time. My advice would be to give the fingers a day or so to recover. Then play for about half an hour to forty five minutes a day for about five days to a week. After that, increase the time to an hour. Ease back if you feel any pain. One other thing to consider is whether you are pressing down too hard when you fret. It might seem annoying and frustrating not to be able to play when and for as long as you want, but it should only be for a short time. Besides, what can be more annoying and frustrating than having those dreaded blisters.

Let's all hope that trivialities like the ones in this thread are all we'll ever have to gripe about.

One of my pet dislikes is...[i]"at the end of the day..."[/i] as if nothing happens in the morning, noon, or evening !

Yes, it is a great site....as is : http://www.talkingbass.net/

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1426689633' post='2720824'] Enthusiastic Amateur. Have been in a couple of bands for fun. [/quote] Ditto here. I enjoy taking the learning process as far as I can. I am lucky in that I have the time to do so, as I took voluntary redundancy from my job a few years ago. At present, I am teaching myself to read music. Might never use it, but I get a kick out of picking up a written piece and (...very slowly at present...) being able to play it. I'd say I am around the intermediate mark. Have had a few teachers, but generally self taught.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1426679416' post='2720602'] I haven't checked but I thought most of the bass work on Street Life was Felder..? [/quote] Felder plays bass on Street Life// The Hustler and My Lady. Johnson is on Night Faces and Rodeo Drive, with James Jamerson Jr. on Carnival of the Night.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1426593686' post='2719582'] I find myself listening to this looser, groovier incarnation of Weather Report more often than the Jaco stuff. [/quote] I agree. While there is no denying the genius that was Jaco, I find myself drawn more towards Alphonso's style of playing. Perhaps he's right about the "no money beyond the first five frets" though he can certainly "leave the cage" if the need arises. He certainly stays within the first five for most of "Night Faces" but his lines here, have such groove and panache that there's no need to go higher.

It is a shame that this bassist hardly ever gets a mention these days. I was listening to the Crusader's "Street Life" album the other evening, and enjoying his amazing contribution to the album. He especially excels on the "Night Faces" track. Just thought he deserves an airing here on BC. Night Faces : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLojRO8NV3E

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' timestamp='1426536411' post='2719093'] And for thinking/playing outside the box on the verses - play in the major key a tone lower than the first minor chord. In other words - the first chord is A Minor, so you play around G Major. Everything will still be from the same key, you'll just have some nice (and hopefully) pleasant surprises. [/quote] My theory is not up to scratch, so I'm a bit confused here. Should that not be [b]C[/b][b]maj [/b]instead G of as this (C maj) is the relative major of A minor ?