Coilte

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1395004541' post='2397732'] Taking such a hard line stance based on just one person seems a bit rash. [/quote] What hard line stance ????? The OP posted asking for tips on playing with a pick. I provided links to Carol Kaye's web site which provides such tips. I happened to point out that her method was a common sense one based on long term safety, as well as being an efficient way to play. It is all the same to me (and I'm sure to Ms Kaye too) whether people reject or accept the advice, because that is all it is.....i.e. [i]advice. [/i]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1394989979' post='2397445'] The Carol Kaye method may avoid RSI issues but it's done nothing for her memory. Like a Swiss cheese, it is. [/quote] What will your memory be like at the age of 79 ?

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1394981678' post='2397307'] On that basis though, I think we should offer advice that walking to the pub will one day wear your legs out , and that is why sometimes on the way home they don't work so well QED. [/quote] Well....unless you can afford to be chauffeured to and from the pub, you don't have much choice. Whereas you can choose which pick method to use. As "Dell Boy" would say...."You know it makes sense... "

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1394971123' post='2397166'] Nah, you need these for metal (including black metal)... [url="http://www.guitarplectrums.co.uk/fusion-tones-variety-pack"]http://www.guitarple...es-variety-pack[/url] [/quote] Ah !!.. I see.....The "cheapies" will do for metal.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1394968022' post='2397116'] Don't be too sure about that... [url="http://www.guitarplectrums.co.uk/treasure-tones-9ct-gold-guitar-plectrums"]http://www.guitarple...uitar-plectrums[/url] [/quote] Are they good for metal ?

Lots of people are using the terms "correct" and "incorrect" with regards playing with a pick. There is no definitive technique, but there are tried and (generally) trusted ones. Carol Kaye has being playing bass with a pick for fifty plus years and has never suffered from doing so. The problem with CTS and RSI is that they take a long time to show themselves. So just because a person has being playing in a certain way, and is not experiencing problems [i]NOW[/i], does not mean that they wont in time. IMO a technique which delivers fifty years of injury free playing (in her early days she played for up to fifteen hours a day), while not guarenteed, is a safe bet. While it is neither correct or incorrect, it's track record should at least convince people to give it some consideration.

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1394912961' post='2396694'] I've been a pick player for 25 years, entirely without injury. In fact this is the first time I have ever come across someone even suggesting it. [/quote] Take a look at the "Talk Bass" link I posted in post #4.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1394910754' post='2396650'] Oh I can do it...it's just uncool! [/quote] Dont feed the trooll !!!

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1394902041' post='2396519'] I use palm muting with a pick. I have been playing for many years and have never injured my self doing it!! [/quote] .....yet !! It can take many years for the problem to manifest itself. Just like repetitive strain injury does not happen over night.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1394898882' post='2396469'] * Get used to muting with the edge of your 'picking' palm. That's pretty essential for faster single note parts. [/quote] I would agree with your post....except for this advice. If muting is required, IMO it is better (safer.. from an injury aspect) to use a sponge under the strings.

As has been said, try out lots of different types of pick. As with other techniques to do with bass playing, playing with a pick can present injury problems if you are not careful. While nothing is written in stone, it is generally accepted to move from the [i]wrist[/i] as apart from the thumb. Below is a link to the iconic pick player Carol Kaye's web site. Here, she gives details about her technique. See tips # 26 & 27. [url="https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm"]https://www.carolkay...ation/tips1.htm[/url] Also, here is a lengthty discussion on "Talk Bass"about the merits of her technique : [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f21/why-i-keep-hammering-carol-kaye-pick-method-452467/"]http://www.talkbass....-method-452467/[/url]

Recently I have been advertising for and answering adverts here in Dublin for band mates. It is the old story of plenty of interest, but when it comes down to nailing a day and time, coincidentally people's grannies get sick, the maintenance man is calling, the car is booked in for a service, a holiday short break is booked..etc, etc Naturally, people have work and personal commitments and time is scarce, but if people cant agree on a common few hours a week to rehearse or simply jam, then it begs the question why they reply in the first place. I know there is the element of people getting "cold feet" but this is not an audition for "Steely Dan", just a group of people getting together for a jam/practice with maybe a gig later on. The way I see it is, if the interest is there, the time will be also. End of rant !!

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1394465289' post='2391604'] I guess paying more attention and working out what is happening is something I don't do enough of though. [/quote] Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. Listen closely, imitate, then "borrow" what you need to make up your own bass lines. As for playing solos, I have been listening to blues for the last forty years and IME bass solos in blues are rare.

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1394455322' post='2391450'] I've worked through the Liebman book and Ed Friedland's one too. [/quote] IMO with blues especially, there is only so much academic learning that you can do. After that, it is a matter of [i]listening[/i] to as many blues artists as possible. Some suggestions I would give are Buddy Guy, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (John McVie's work here is very under estimated IMO), Freddy/Albert/BB King and Johnny Winter...to name a few.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1393979992' post='2386668'] Reason for asking questions about them was just that it's odd they are so cheap [/quote] My guess is because they are not selling.

"Strings.ie" are based here in Ireland. I have not dealt with them personally, but the owner of the site posts on a local forum and the site in general seems to be popular. I have not seen any negative reports. Having said the above, I dont find their prices very competitive. I buy my strings at : [url="http://www.lordofthestrings.com/"]http://www.lordofthestrings.com/[/url] Never had any problems with this site. See if they have what you require.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1393798367' post='2384524'] it depends on the sound you want. [/quote] +1. I like both rounds and flats. Each has their place depending on the music being played. [quote name='aceuggy' timestamp='1393798959' post='2384538'] Would quite like to try some flats. Any recommendations? [/quote] I'm sure that you'll get lots of recommendations. My personal choice is TI (Thomastik/Infeld) jazz flats. They are expensive but worth it IMO. They have very low tension though, which is not to everyone's liking.

Joe Hubbard's chord tone sudoko would seem to be what you are looking for. Print it off, and tackle it when/where ever you wish. [url="http://www.joehubbardbass.com/852/chord-tone-sudoku-part-1/"]http://www.joehubbar...-sudoku-part-1/[/url]

Google is your friend ! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heads-Up-Strap-weighted-guitar-strap-for-neck-heavy-guitars-/230943983972"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heads-Up-Strap-weighted-guitar-strap-for-neck-heavy-guitars-/230943983972[/url]

Another good cover here from MarloweDK : [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opDEoTZnrwg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opDEoTZnrwg[/url]

I agree entirely about Cetera. A very under rated bassist and AFAIK has never got a mention here on BC. Apart from his amazing singing voice, his driving bass lines played a big part in the over all "Chicago" sound. On the subject of "Chicago" : Drummer Danny Seraphine's book gives a good insight into the workings of the band. A good read IMO. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Street-Player-My-Chicago-Story/dp/0470416831"]http://www.amazon.com/Street-Player-My-Chicago-Story/dp/0470416831[/url]

Hi, Sorry to hear of your problem. You are certainly taking the right course of action by seeing an osteopath. No, dont give up the bass, but rest up for a while. When you get the OK to play again, you could consider some of these possible reasons for your problem. The height you wear the bass. Experiment with different heights and see if it makes a difference. Tensing up without realising it. Sometimes we are concentrating so much on playing that we tense up. Try to be aware of this. Playing in front of a mirror and observing your stance might help. Play for short periods of time then take a ten minute break and do some stretches (see link below). If you are sitting, make sure to do so on a chair with a back to it, rather than on a soft couch or the side of the bed. Wear the strap while sitting, and ideally the strap should be a minimum of 3 wide. Your osteopath might give you some exercises to do. You could also try doing some yoga stretches before and after a practice session. Make sure you are recovered before trying these, as otherwise they could make things worse. [url="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=yoga+for+back+pain&sm=1"]http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=yoga+for+back+pain&sm=1[/url] Hope you are back playing soon.

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[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1392640755' post='2370888'] I managed to play a riff at full speed, the second riff was out .... Then I filed it to try again if and when I'm a better player :-D [/quote] No better way to make yourself a better player than to keep at it. Otherwise it will always be "if"..

Yeah, it's a great bass line. It is an ongoing project/challange for me. Like others have said, I approach it at around 80-85 BPM and increase the tempo gradually. Sometimes I'll get close to nailing it, but so far.....no joy. Someday......!! On the subject of good work outs for the left hand..... I can recommend "Bass Aerobics" by Jon Liebman. IMO it is a lot better than the "Bass Fitness" book, in that the exercises are a lot more musical and longer. They are played at a fairly fast tempo, so the same approach as "Rhythm Stick" is required for them. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Aerobics-Book-Jon-Liebman/dp/1423495632"]http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Aerobics-Book-Jon-Liebman/dp/1423495632[/url]