Silvia Bluejay

Hi Joe, and welcome to the site! I will leave the task of replying to the more specific among your questions to the experts here. What I would recommend, as a fellow DB/EUB learner, is that you take a few lessons with a real DB teacher rather than rely exclusively on books or DVDs. Having someone correcting your tecnique and helping you to avoid acquiring bad habits is invaluable. And another thing - is it necessary to learn to use a bow? I pluck my upright (there's a special technique that's different from playing the bass guitar) and I've never considered getting a bow. I suppose it'll depend on the type of music you want to play. Oh, yet another thing - be prepared: if you learn to play it correctly, so that it doesn't hurt you, you will fall head over heels in love with your double bass.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1329922233' post='1549795'] I should be hearing about stickers this week so hope to be able to add them soon! Cheers [/quote] Excellent. Thanks!

While even the smallest polo would look like a tent on my tiny size 6 frame, I would happily consider buying other types of merch, if you managed to expand the range beyond clothes at some point in the future. I love the bass guitar and double bass designs. Good work.

LOL Loving the idea of the BC blog. Please keep us posted (no pun intended)!

The pub meetup on Saturday after the show is still on AFAIK, with details to be shared when we meet the guys at their stands at the show. So, if you have time to join us in the evening, go for the Saturday ticket. Or even better, both days!

YAY! Three of us then!

[quote name='derrenleepoole' timestamp='1329832680' post='1548065'] The word I would use is frustration rather than contempt. Especially if you're playing your socks off and hardly anyone is paying attention. I don't have contempt at the audience for that, but it's frustrating nonetheless. [/quote] That I do understand. Many people are completely unappreciative of the effort it takes to get up on stage with a band and try to entertain.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1329832174' post='1548051'] Dream Theater are my favourite band and Dave Ellefson is my favourite bassist [/quote] Ooo... I sense a separate "fave hard rock/heavy metal bassist and band" thread coming! Off to check out and like your band on FB

Oh no! I sympathise - I've got a cut on the tip of my index finger on my fretting hand, which means no DB and a limited amount of BG playing for the next few days. Splattering blood on strings and fingerboard may look very hardcore metal, but it ain't fun. Hope that cut isn't too bad and your finger gets well very soon.

My experience as a relatively music-savvy member of the audience is that most punters have no musical knowledge whatsoever, and will only respond to songs they know and/or songs that are meaningful to them, such as their fave tunes from when they were teenagers, or university students, etc. That's the reason why some cover bands playing in certain venues choose - or are required to - stick to a decade or musical era (70s, 80s, Motown, etc.) and depart from it only to play very well known classics: they need to adjust to the age group of the majority of the customers in the pub or bar, and/or to the image of the pub or bar itself. Obviously, trendy places frequented by teenage and early 20somethings will require trendy bands to play for them. If you play in a cover band as your daily job, you will have your share of annoying "customers" just like any other employee dealing with the public - shop assistants, call centre operators, you name it. Unfortunately, it's a fact of life.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1329777930' post='1547354'] Good pick! Was my third ever bassline... tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuune [/quote] Fellow trad metalhead I assume? Good to know I'm not the only one left on planet Earth

I hope we've been up to your expectation so far, Jack!

That's fantastic! But I still believe that Thomann should have got the setup right in the first place, since they made you wait longer for delivery exactly for that reason. If they knew they couldn't offer the service, they shouldn't have promised it or made you wait.

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1329767790' post='1547075'] Do you ever look out at your audience and think "you pathetic bunch of idiots; dancing (!), singing along (!!) and generally having a good time (!!!) to Brown eyed girl, Walking on sunshine, Sex on fire etc, etc. It's almost as though you've never even heard of Camel or King Crimson! Losers!" Just sayin' like..... [/quote] Since I don't play live i'll give you the view from the pathetic bunch of idiots... At the kind of cover band gigs you describe I'm usually the girl at the front with the cheap camera, and I don't dance, nor am I inebriated - but I invariably have a good time. At MY kind of cover band gigs, I raise the devil's horns and shout along to Peace Sells... But Who's Buying, or Souls Of Black, or even to Die.. By My Haaand... I Creep Across The Laaaand (etc.). I've also been known to hold up a lighter to Every Rose Has Its Thorn. And to throw a jokey pair of lacy knickers at "Eddie" or "Diamond Dave".

Oh my, I've just posted on a GUITAR thread. I blame the 16 years I spent with a metal-turned-jazz guitarist

[quote name='Steve G' timestamp='1329671654' post='1545625'] Marty Freidman for me. He did a solo album which showed him in a different pespective (the name escapes me but 'Scenes' maybe?) from his Megadeth stuff, almost kind of classical in places. That said the way He and Dave Mustaine trade lead roles during the same song on a lot of their stuff is fab, Tornado of Souls being a personal favourite!! [/quote] +1. And Alex Skolnick!! Whether he's wearing his thrash or jazz cap - awesome either way.

Wow, gorgeous! I wish I had the space for a real DB. What's that with it being unplayable despite you asking Thomann to set it up for you? And they even made you wait for the privilege? Doesn't sound good. Have you got in touch with them to let them know and ask what happened?

Can't beat a Barry Gibb song I'm considering learning the title track in the near future. Will be finding the bassline by ear. Am I right in thinking that the original, recorded version changes key at the end?

Hey I'd rather not be carted off from something I've bought a ticket to! I'm a non-drinker too, so hopefully we'll find some nice non-alcoholic fruity/smoothie-y thingy to quench our thirst - failing that, good old H2O...

LOL and yes I'm up for it to all the above!

Hi Giamma, and welcome to the community. You say you're coming to London to work, so I assume you're no longer a student. However, you may like to have a look at Tech Music Schools' website as they have some info on coming to live here and finding accommodation with other students. They are based in Acton, west London. [url="http://www.techmusicschool.co.uk/student-life/accommodation.php"]http://www.techmusicschool.co.uk/student-life/accommodation.php[/url] Good luck!

Will do! I'm making a list of stands to visit to say hi as well as to check out the gear.

I'm sure they are only trying to help you. Don't be self-conscious - even the greatest virtuoso was an all-thumbs beginner once, and absolutely everybody I've spoken to says that it's always bloody hard to start out, no matter how talented you are. Even the guys at the music store were beginners once! Hang in there and get them on your side.

Wait until you decide to walk to your bass class carrying a damn upright on your shoulders! (Been there, done that, not keen or a repeat - too laborious to dismantle and reposition the bridge every time). Congrats Seashell! I've been in this a little longer than you, but feel the same and agree with what you say. In my case, I have an addtional thank you: Thank you to the ex for walking out, taking his guitar gear away, leaving a huge void in my life and inspiring me to fill it with bass gear and bass playing (as opposed to curling up in a corner and dying). I wouldn't go back to being a 'musician by proxy', and it doesn't matter that I'm rather crap on my five strings while the ex is/was very good on his six. As Len said, onwards and upwards.

Haha, we can team up and see if two bassgirls manage not to be patronised by anyone this year. I only had one occurrence last year, down from several at each event in the past, so I think times may be a-changing