bassace

Probably not. We jazz tarts freelance all over the place, thanks to the telephone.

46. Which surprises me because my health has been a bit ropey this year, with a serious lung infection in Sept and it seemed like a lot fewer. So, although well down on my usual tally, nearly one gig a week with 12 bands is OK. A highlight of the year was meeting up with Tony Bennett’s DB player, Marshall Wood when they were playing at Symphony Hall. I remarked that he must have a dream job; he agreed but said that it necessitated being away from his family for 212 days this year. So I suppose the moral of the story is keep things in proportion, be careful what you wish for.

And a Happy Christmas to you too.

Me too.

Did you get your order confirmed Andy? I did.

The payment has been taken from my credit card account and no cancellation yet from GfM so we’ll see. It’s no big deal right now. Actually it might not be a deal at all...................

And they’ve just confirmed delivery on 28th. I’ll get the For Sale ad ready, or perhaps put it in a raffle.

I’ve just ordered one at £40.26 incl delivery. And that includes an amp! We’ll see.

iRealPro is a great resource, I’ve got it on iPad and my mobile phone. It means that if I get a freelance gig - which 90% of my stuff is these days - I can arrive at the gig not knowing what tunes I’m having to play but managing to do it off the Pad. These days I don’t ask what we’re going to play but what shirt I need. But don’t let this detract from ikay’s generous initiative.

Right: In the spirit of teamwork (!?) I’ve just come off the phone to an old band mate of mine. Guy Fletcher OBE FRSA is the outgoing chairman of PRS and he has emphatically confirmed that the is no copyright on chord sequences. Not sure whether this is good enough but if Ped would like his phone number I could find it for him. Probably after Christmas though. And on that subject, Happy Christmas to all you too. Don’t go outside.

So this started with a generous offer from ikay to share his library of chords. And then all sorts pile in and the whole thing descends into the usual forum mire. Quite pathetic really isn’t it? I suspect that some guys here won’t venture out after dark without a comprehensive risk assessment and a man with a torch.

Sorry, I meant chord sequences.

No I’m not a lawyer specialising music copyright (sic). But take it from me, chords are not subject to copyright.

Melodies are copyright, chord sequences aren’t.

Plus 100! I suppose I should be very impressed by all this theory but I’ve grown up listening to and playing jazz. My ears are my friends and I get by OK, plus with a chart or iReal Pro if needed. If you asked me what I’m playing I’d probably be to unable to tell you precisely, beyond ‘The right notes’. But keep making those jazz sounds, guys.

I suppose I’m getting on a bit but still enjoying getting gigs coming in. But due to my advancing decrepitude there are a few compromises. I don’t travel so far these days, used to do Leeds and back from Oxfordshire quite regularly, Keswick in one day once. Ive fitted rollers on the DB cover. My amp and cab are lightweight. Ive got a high stool I can perch on if I need to. When I get home the wife stays fast asleep and, more worryingly, so do the dogs. Otherwise a three hour gig is quite doable.

I bought my Solo from Paul a few years ago. He said to take it away on a week’s trial. On the way out I suggested he make a note of my name and address and he said yes I suppose so. I loved the bass for its singing qualities and nice easy action on Spiro Mitts but I could never get it to amp properly - there was something wrong which I couldn’t pinpoint. After trying all sorts of pickups amps and cabs I just gave up and went to see George Martin who sold me a top of range Solo in px for my Martin Concert, still for a lot of dosh. And it played and amped beautifully. But my Bryant was still unfinished business, a stone in my shoe if you will. I took it in the opposite direction to you, BB, to Laurence Dixon in South London. He did virtually the same work as you had Martin Penning do and at a similar cost. The result, I now have a very nice bass that I do all my gigs with and a very expensive Martin that stays at home and hardly ever gets played. Enjoy your bass.

What is it with dear Paul Bryant? There have been countless basses of his which have needed a wider bridge to cover the bass bar, mine included. Mind you, once this mod is completed the bass becomes a great instrument. I love mine and I’m looking forward to a host of gigs in the New Year. Is this a recent purchase, BB?

And a hamster for the tweeter?

Our 18” Cab was so big we put a door in the back and hung the band jackets inside when we were between gigs.

Me, I’m just a lawnmower. You can tell by the way I walk.