Coilte

I use these and find them great. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-RED-RUBBER-GROLSCH-GASKETS-FOR-EZ-CAP-FLIP-TOP-BEER-WINE-BOTTLES-GROWLERS-/330996271749?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d10ea4a85"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-RED-RUBBER-GROLSCH-GASKETS-FOR-EZ-CAP-FLIP-TOP-BEER-WINE-BOTTLES-GROWLERS-/330996271749?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d10ea4a85[/url]

I always keep my basses in their hard cases.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1392115859' post='2364763'] I think that a bit of chat gets the audience on the band's side. I remember seeing Ryan Adams in Glasgow. He stepped up to the mic and said 'Hello London!', then turned his back to the audience and didn't say a word until he said goodbye, after he'd played the last song. I said to myself, 'that guys a bit of a knob'. [/quote] Al Stewart is the opposite. I saw two or three of his concerts back in the 80's. After each song, he'd waffle on for an average of three minutes. I ended up saying the same thing to myself...for the opposite reason. Ideally there is a happy medium, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer the Ryan Adams type any day.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1392114958' post='2364746'] Can't be doing with bands who don't interact with the audience, it's really not cool at all. [/quote] Tell that to Miles Davis ( a bit late now, I suppose). He was regarded as "Mr Cool" personified. He had little interaction with his audiences and often played an entire concert with his back to them. Granted he was one of a kind....just sayin'.

[quote name='Ba55me15ter' timestamp='1392114820' post='2364741'] I think it depends on what sort of show you're doing and what your patter is like. [/quote] I agree. For covers and even original bands, I think it is important to let the audience know that you are alive. Brief interaction now and then is good as long as it's not contrived. IMO the likes of jazz requires less banter as most people are there for the music and if the band are good, the music speaks for itself. That's not to say that the band members should be dummies for the evening.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1392104390' post='2364600'] Discuss [/quote] No need....life's too short to be dwelling on such trivial matters.

[quote name='bass2345' timestamp='1391973265' post='2363182'] So is it correct to say that what's natural is always what's best as long as you don't feel bad discomfort, not just here but in bass playing in general? Because sometimes I think my bass teacher has told me to do things when playing bass which I think I have not done naturally, at least not all the time, like taking my palm of my fretting hand away from the bass guitar. [/quote] As a general rule of thumb (no pun intended ) if something feels comfortable, works for you, does not cause any pain and is safe, i.e. it wont cause problems in the future then it should be OK. Sometimes with certain techniques we may not feel any pain [i]now,[/i] but if we continue using them, it may cause injury over time. Having said the above, there are tried and trusted methods that gets us playing in the most efficient way. They dont always feel natural and it takes time for them to become second nature. We pay teachers to teach us these methods, along with theory etc., so it makes sense to heed their instructions, unless you experience pain. An example is what your teacher advises you about keeping your palm off of the neck of the bass. Keeping it there seems natural, is not going to cause any injury problems, but it is not a very efficient way of playing. So IMO your teacher is correct.

I am not quite sure of your question, but my guess is that you are asking should your fingers be in line with the frets ? If this is correct, then he addresses this at around the 05.00 minute mark. It is not necessary to have the fingers parallel to the frets. They can be at a slight angle. IMO this is a more natural way of playing.

Lots of people use the third finger, but generally they do it higher on the fretboard. Using OFPF on frets 1-5 is too much of a stretch for most people and can cause injury if forced.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1391770189' post='2361041'] Don't forget how much fun it is to work hard, to study and to learn. The best fun I have ever had has been because of the work I have done, not just because I 'played' at something. [/quote] There is no denying that learning any instrument requires lots of hard graft. The point I was trying to make to the OP is there is also (or should be) a time to just relax, let the hair down, and...well...have fun just "playing" at something.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391770559' post='2361049'] +1 I don't think playing has to be fun. Fun is great, but I'd go for a sense of achievement and pride in a job well done over just fun on most days. [/quote] [u]JOB[/u] being the operative word here. Not everyone makes a living playing bass. I play for the fun of it. It is a hobby. That's not to say that I dont take my learning and gigs seriuosly. I too, have a sense of pride and achievement after a good gig, but I would not do it if I did not get fun and enjoyment from it. It all depends on your goals and your perspective.

[quote name='bass2345' timestamp='1391705654' post='2360457'] I think that at least a few will probably say ‘Do what seems/feels best for you’ [/quote] IMO they would be giving you good advice. The only thing I would add is..."provided it is safe"....i.e. it is not going to cause injury. There is no one- size -fits- all, when it comes to technique. It is up to each person to find the technique that works for them (again provided it does not cause injury problems). Having said the above, it is generally accepted that minimal movement of the hand is the most beneficial way to play. Using the thumb as a pivot instead of stretching the fingers is the way to go. As with learning anything, this will probably seem hard to do in the beginning, but worth it in the long term. You could try doing finger independence exercises like in the link below. There are others on You Tube too. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg4vZvwyaaI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg4vZvwyaaI[/url]

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1391686977' post='2360119'] What is all of this I, bIII, VI, V, bVII ? Is that some different way of writing notation? [/quote] I am not an expert on theory, but AFAIK roman numerals only refer to the [u]chords[/u] of a given scale. Intervals are referred to as a flat 3rd.. b3...or a minor 3rd.

Things seem to be looking good for Scott. From the "Talk Bass" forum : "Scott had a stent put in his left anterior descending artery, which was 95 percent blocked. This artery is known as the "widow maker" because it's the one that takes you out if blocked. Everything looks fine, but he needs to change his diet to avoid saturated fats. Prayers and good vibes seem to have worked."

I think the best way to approach trying out different things is to use it as a kind of reward, after doing the "work". For example you could possibly do say an hour of focused practice. Seemingly, after this amount of time, the brain goes into over load and needs a break anyway. After that, you could spend some time experimenting with different techniques or whatever else takes your fancy. I dont know if anyone ever told you but.......bass playing is supposed to be fun !

Hopefully he'll pull through. Good job that his wife mentioned it to her friend. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery Scott.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1391377882' post='2356566'] I figured out in my case it was dehydration. [/quote] This is quite often the cause of cramps, as well as playing on an empty stomach and not warming up in advance of a gig or practice session, with gentle stretches.

I'd be careful about using the OFPF technique on the lower (1-5) frets. Everyone's hands are different and there is no one size fits all. Some find the stretch from say F on the E string to G#, too much, regardless of how long you have been playing. It is just as easy and much safer, to use the thumb as a pivot for large stretches. You dont say how long you have being playing. My guess is not too long. Otherwise your hand would not be tired from being moved. It takes time to build stamina and dexterity. Give your hands time to adjust. Pivoting is briefly mentioned half way through the second clip below. The OFPF is a great technique, but when starting out, it is prudent to only use it higher on the neck. As your hands adjust, then by all means, move down the neck. Here are some clips worth checking out : [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w[/media] Here is a similar type of thread from the "Talk Bass" forum. [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/fret-hand-stretch-1050962/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/fret-hand-stretch-1050962/[/url]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1391262968' post='2355095']. Great musicians are great musicians, but let's not get carried away that they are all wonderful, saintly, paragons of virtue. [/quote] In fairness, I doubt if most people expect their musical heros to be "wonderful, saintly, paragons of virtue." Everyone is human and far from perfect. However, as in Baker's case, when your own son says (it is in the film) that it probably would have been better for all if Baker had not fathered him, it puts things into some perspective.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391257577' post='2355019'] Why should stupid question get nice answers. [/quote] Fair point, but with Baker you never know what responce you'll get to [i]any [/i]question..stupid or otherwise.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1391254084' post='2354966'] Still, I guess there's no law that say great musicians have to be nice people. [/quote] That's true, but it's the unfortunate people that had to work with him, who I feel sorry for.

[quote name='Mog' timestamp='1390850076' post='2350401'] You be surprised how much oil comes off you fingers/hands and how quickly airborne particulate matter can become lodged. [/quote] +1. Also, minute particles of skin can get lodged between the wraps.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1391241666' post='2354826'] Thanks I enjoyed that a lot. maybe it was tough for people growing up around the war time? [/quote] I'm sure it was, but Baker seems to blame everyone else except himself for the situation (including financial) he finds himself in. Everyone on the planet seems to be his enemy. There is more to this than growing up in tough times.

[quote name='bass2345' timestamp='1391178885' post='2354210'] Thanks everyone. I've spoken to an experienced nurse that I know (I realise she's not a doctor but she's still a medical professional) and she basically said or gave me the impression that since the pain has not come back, at least not as badly, for a few days, and since she got the impression that the pain did not last for a long time continuously I shouldn't worry about it. On the basis of what she said and what I've been experiencing, I think it would probably be a waste of the doctor's/patients' time and a waste of practice time if I stopped playing and went to see the doctor. [/quote] That's good news. If the pain flares up again, then see a doctor. It is always best not to ignore pain or play through it.

Should you stop playing for a while due to severe pain you experienced days ago? Most certainly [b]..YES.[/b] Plus as has been mentioned several times and worth doing so again... see a doctor. Best of luck and I hope you are back playing soon.