Coilte

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1422651439' post='2675321'] The monthly badgering of people to get more involved every month pisses me off too - it's a bass players forum, not a recording forum. Maybe I'm in the minority but I don't really have any interest in any of that stuff, certainly not to the point where I want to get involved in a competition. [/quote] You may be in the minority, but you are not alone. I agree with the above....especially the first sentence. You'd imagine that people would have got the ..."we are simply not interested"...message, and leave it at that.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1422625801' post='2674771'] Why all the negativity for All Right Now? To repeat what I said in an earlier post, crowds still love it 45 years. Surely that says something? I can't help suspecting that there is a bit of musical snobbery going on here i.e: "It's a successful song that people like, therefore it must be naff, and quite definitely below me. I'm so much more sophisticated than that". If you're playing at home then fine, but if you're playing out in a (non tribute) covers band, then you need to play what people want to hear - and an awful lot of people want to hear All Right Now, Mustang Sally, Johhny B. Goode etc. Personally I'd have been quite happy to have written any of those three examples. [/quote] Got to agree with this. It's not the fault of the song itself that people like it so much and it always gets a good reception at gigs. While it's always a good thing to enjoy what you play, as a cover band, so to is playing what the punter wants to hear.

I read the thread title quickly and for a minute thought it read .."does anyone know about [i]flats.." [/i]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1422280267' post='2670589'] A couple of years back I had a first lesson with a teacher who told me to use 1-finger per fret in frets 1,2,3,4, with my thumb in the centre of the back of the neck. He went on to tell me, if you can't do that simple thing, then you may as well give up all hope of playing bass. I gave something (or someone) up, but it wasn't bass. [/quote] "Teacher" is a bit of a misnomer in that case. Having said that, there are a lot of teachers who do insist on the OFPF on frets 1-4. Another thing often insisted upon is to keep the thumb adjacent to the ring finger when fretting. This can cause all sorts of injury problems over time, because the carpel tunnel is narrowed or caused to collapse in on itself. It is an injury just waiting to happen. The trouble is, when the problem is finally realised, it is generally too late, and a visit to the doctor and/or a course of physiotherapy treatment is the order of the day. As with OFPF, it is a case of prevention is better than cure.

From the point of view of avoiding injury problems at a later time, IMO it would be a good idea to adopt Carol Kaye's method of picking. See tips #26 & 27 in this link : https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm

[quote name='odyseus' timestamp='1422221762' post='2670102'] I don't think I should continue perfecting chords, fret board exercises etc until I have this finger issue sorted ??? [/quote] IMO you would benefit more from a "little and often" approach. Spending an entire practice session just doing the exercises in the video would not be the best idea. I'd recommend spending five to ten minutes on the video clip exercises at the start of your practice session. Then do your other practice exercises [i]slowly, [/i]at the same time keeping an eye on the fingers. Then come back and spend another five minutes on the video clip exercises. If you have five or ten minutes to spare during the day, grab the bass and do the exercises. It should not take too long for the fingers to "get the message" and do what you want them to.

No problems wearing a ring while playing. Congratulations BTW !!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421775569' post='2664882'] Someone like Ed doing a good review is poles apart from some idiot playing a tab terribly recorded with a nokia 3210 though, look how hard it is to grasp Fender models and exactly what you get extra for your cash, often the big corporate websites are full of mistakes regarding finishes, nut widths, scale length, country of origin etc etc. [/quote] [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1421777175' post='2664903'] Ed Friedland's reviews are the only ones I've ever given any time to...and they are very good actually. (obviously this contradicts my previous statement....but to be honest I simply don't care ) [/quote] [u]Reviewing [/u][size=4]a bass is one thing, but actually giving a demo to hear what the bass sounds like is a different kettle of fish altogether.[/size] [size=4]I assumed that this thread was about the latter.[/size]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1421769456' post='2664772'] Some people just like making videos of themselves I guess. If it makes them happy and helps them to escape what could be the monotony of their humdrum life. [/quote] I doubt if the above would apply to the great bassist/teacher Ed Friedland (..or maybe it does... [size=4] ) [/size][size=4]who also has lots of bass demos on You Tube.[/size] [size=4]I accept your point all the same.[/size]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1421766180' post='2664710'] My observations are not about teaching videos or playing videos, just bass gear demos. All seesm utterly pointless. Too many variables for any of them to mean anything. [/quote] Got to agree with this. Quite apart from the acoustics of the place where the demo is being played or what amp/cab is being used, is the fact that your method of listening/watching the video clip is going to be a factor in the over all tone/sound you hear. A pointless exercise indeed.

Please don't take what I have to say the wrong way. It is meant as [u]constructive [/u] criticism and this will be my last contribution to your thread. I am not a teacher and my own knowledge of theory is basic. However, IMO what you lack is a ​[b]CHRONOLOGICAL[/b] [b]PLAN. [/b]You started your thread by saying that you wanted to learn theory by way of jazz music because you read that Jeff Berlin suggests this. You were given some suggestions for this but for various reasons chose not to go that route. The thread has taken various twists and turns and is now at the stage of ..." a[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=4]ndroid apps for creating sequences." You seem to be diving in and out of different things with nothing definite in mind. How you intend learning basic theory this way is beyond me.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=4]This is worth a read :[/size][/font][/color] [size=4]http://www.talkbass.com/threads/doing-it-the-slow-way-guide-to-practicing-by-joe-solomon.125537/[/size] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828][size=4]Anyway, whichever plan of action you end up with...I hope it proves [/size]successful[/color][/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828][size=4] for you. [/size][/color][/font]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421516019' post='2662185'] Has anyone knowledge of the Tony Grey Bass Academy book+DVD? [/quote] I dont have any knowledge of that particular book. To be honest, you could be checking out books 'til kingdom come and the theory contained in all of them is still going to be the same. [size=4]IMO you have received an excellent response to your thread, with lots of great links and information.[/size] [size=4]There comes a time when it's best to bite the bullet, pick a book or link from this thread, knuckle down[/size] [size=4] [/size][size=4]and do the work. [/size] [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1421414217' post='2660904'] While you're there, why not pop into the local library and ask, or have a browse..? I'd be much surprised if they had absolutely nothing in the way of basic music theory. [/quote] OP, there is no shortage of music theory on the web, like in this link : http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Music%20Theory%20-%20Basic,%20Intermediate,%20Advanced.pdf The problem, as discussed earlier in this thread, and as you admit yourself.....is applying it.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421351030' post='2660318'] The Hal Leonard book is cheaper, but starts at a very basic level (covering technique as well as some theory; it's not just theory), [/quote] You could always get vols 2&3 separately.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421335289' post='2660047'] What do you mean? [/quote] Have you chosen to go with the Jazz Book, the Bass Method Book, Studybass etc . Have you decided how you are going to proceed with your learning ?

Just curious if you have chosen a course of action yet. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1421171126' post='2658006'] I thought all their albums were, apart from the first couple. [/quote] This was my belief also. I think I remember reading that Becker and Fagan tried no less than six guitarists for a short solo on just one track, before settling on one. [size=4] [/size] [size=4]Cant remember which track.[/size]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421159023' post='2657785'] So what does the Jazz book cover, if anything, that the Hal Leonard book doesn't? [/quote] The only thing I know about the Jazz book is that it is regarded as [i]the [/i][size=4]book on jazz theory. The "Bass Method" book is also widely regarded as one of the best all round tutorials.[/size] [size=4]My honest opinion, from what you stated in your initial post would be to start with the Bass Method book and when you have digested that, then delve into the Jazz book. [/size][size=4]At the risk of sounding like a broken record.....you would get the ultimate benefit from either book by working through them [u]with a good teacher.[/u][/size] Best of luck in the learning journey.....regardless of which book you choose. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421145664' post='2657540'] I read, quite by accident, that a flat IIm7 chord can substitute for a V 7 chord - something like that. How does that work? Or, more importantly, why? [/quote] You seem to be missing the point I made earlier about starting from [b]ground zero.[/b] Taking in snippets of information here and there is not going to help if you have not put in the ground work. It just causes frustration and further confusion. There is a lot of more basic stuff to get under your belt before you work on chord substitution. As you seem not to be aware of exactly how chords are derived from scales and how to harmonize a major scale, learning about chord substitution at this stage is futile IMO. This is what I meant earlier about having lessons where one builds on what went before. That "Bass Method" book is one of the best out there (IMO of course [size=4] ) for learning basic theory.....regardless of what genre you are interested in. It does not cost that much to buy, so why not give it a try ?[/size] [size=4]​In the [/size]absence[size=4] of a teacher, you could do a lot worse.[/size]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1421141505' post='2657464'] You need to learn how to use that information and what it means otherwise it's just knowledge without wisdom. [/quote] You do indeed need to learn how to use the information....so....get practicing using the "Bass Method" book(s) !! [size=4] The book has practical musical play along tracks for most exercises, utilizing the information gleaned from a particular exercise.[/size] [size=4]I still maintain that a teacher is the best way to go. Until you get one, perhaps the next best thing is to work on the book and if you come across something you dont understand, ask here on BC. I'm sure that people would be happy to help you out.[/size] [size=4]Best of luck with it. [/size]

I would not consider knowing some basic theory as being intellectual. There is nothing intellectual about being able to harmonize the major scale. It is simply something you need to know in order to [b]really[/b] know the scale. It is like learning the alphabet and knowing how to use it in order to spell words. I remember when I had my first bass lesson which included some very basic theory. I though to myself..."how am I going to get my head around this stuff...?" The answer is to start at ground zero (otherwise you have to back track later on because you missed something along the way). Take it slowly and in [u]tiny bite size chunks.[/u][size=4] Dont move on until you are happy that you have the current lesson under your belt.[/size][size=4]The reason I linked "Studybass" is because it starts very basic and builds gradually from there. Another tutorial I can recommend is the "Bass Method" book. It comes in three volumes. Each has it's own CD. It is worth getting all three in one spiral bound edition like in this link :[/size] [size=4]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Method-Complete/dp/0793563836[/size] [size=4]I am by no means an expert on theory, but I'd like to think that I have the basics down. Feel free to P.M. me if you have any more questions. I wont have all the answers, but am happy to help if I can.[/size]

First, dont be too hard on yourself. No matter how good you are, there will always be someone better. Comparing yourself to the likes of Victor Wotton is a recipe for frustration and disillusionment......for [i]most[/i] people. [size=4] [/size] [size=4]IMO the normal advice of "[/size][i]get a teacher"[/i][size=4] applies here. If you have trouble finding a good one in your area, you could consider lessons via [/size]Skype[size=4]. [/size] [size=4]When you say you "know" scales...do you..?[/size] [size=4]1) Know how chords are derived from scales ?[/size] [size=4]2) Know how to harmonize the major scale ?.. i.e. do you know all the diatonic chords and why some are Maj and some minor ?[/size] [size=4]3) Know about intervals ?[/size] [size=4]​If the answer is NO to the above, then in the [/size]absence[size=4] of a teacher, this is a good place to start IMO.[/size] [size=4]A great site that explains theory in very easy to understand way is www.studybass.com[/size]

[quote name='Allie' timestamp='1420973400' post='2655560'] The Royal Scam - my most favourite album of SD. [/quote] Same here....along with their first album.."Cant Buy A Thrill". TBH, "Gaucho" would be a bit further down on my list. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='teddyt' timestamp='1420755082' post='2653194'] well I been playing for a fair bit today [/quote] Therein lies the problem. [size=4] It can be tempting to play for hours on end at a time, but the fact is that this is not beneficial to either your fingers, or the learning process.[/size] [size=4] [/size] [size=4]Try spending about 30 -45 minutes at one time playing for now. Then take a break and come back to it.[/size] [size=4]Little and often is the way to go. [/size]

Hi and welcome. [size=4] [/size][size=4]Playing the bass will be hard on the finger tips at first. Play for small periods at a time for a few weeks. Otherwise the dreaded blisters will form.[/size]