peteb

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1328014635' post='1520248'] Your attention seems to be solely focused on the cost of healthcare in the US, but not also on the earning potential and taxation system there. Over his professional life, Mr Rainey has been taxed at a lower level than self-employed people in the UK, and has been entitled to a higher level of deductibles. Without getting into the numbers in detail, for every dollar Mr Rainey has earned he has had between 10 and 15 per cent more in his pocket than those of us in the UK. Here, those of us who operate self-employed contribute in terms of class 2 and class 4 national insurance, as well as through the sums gathered in general taxation. It's also the case, without the backup of an employer, have to make provision for those scenarios which may/will arise, such as absence from work due to illness of other events. For someone self-employed in the UK, it is sensible to carry both private health cover (to expedite the time in which healthcare services can be accessed) and various insurances (to cover for loss of income), to reduce the impact that any absence from working can have, and that in addition to the cost of building up a fund for retirement. My experience tends to be that there are those people who live their lives thinking "it'll never happen to me" and those who live their lives thinking "what if?". If Mr Rainey, living and working in the wealthiest nation in the world, with the level of opportunity available to him, and the greater level of wealth left in his pocket after his federal government has taken its share in taxation, has either made no or inadequate provision for the "what if" then his predicament is his own cross to bear. He's had a lifetime of opportunity to make provision for this moment, and should be in a position to support himself without resort to internet begging. By contributing to Mr Rainey, all that you are doing is sending out a message to others, that it is all fine and well not to make provision for the future, that someone will come along and hand you the finance you need, when you need it, encouraging more and more people to labour under the misapprehension that, not matter what, no matter what they do, no matter how they live their life, no matter how little provision they make for their future, someone else will come along and pay for everything they want and/or need. [/quote] I can only assume that you haven't read the above posts on how difficult it is for people in such an unpredictable profession as Mr Rainey to afford and maintain sufficient medical insurance, nor the post on the prohibitant costs involved or the paradox of an overtly Christian society not taking care of those in need

Always thought that this was great playing from TF on this Glenn Hughes track - it's in tune and everything! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFHbOTW6bes"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFHbOTW6bes[/url] Nice little bass solo at 2:02

The trouble is that being a musician is quite an uncertain profession at the best of times and I would imagine that it would be considered a 'high risk' and therefore attract high premiums. Therefore, many musicians (even pretty successful ones) find that they do not have enough insurance when they need it. The guy who played lead guitar on Billie Jean (forget his name but a well paid session player on a massive hit on the bestselling album of all time) died from a heart attack because he was turned away from one hospital as he didn't have insurance at the time and didn't make it to a hospital that would take him. Phil Kennemore (the bassist in Y&T and a lovely bloke who I had the pleasure of meeting) died from cancer leaving his wife pretty much penniless as the insurance that he did have didn't cover his treatment. What some of the little tory boys here don't realise is that some of these guys were not in 'regular' employment with the medical schemes and reasonably low premiums that most office workers would enjoy and the uneven nature of their work would make it difficult to maintain a decent level of cover, even if, at times, they may have paid a out a fortune in tax (depending on the state that they lived in)! As bad as the NHS is becoming these days, at least that safety net still exists for those who do not fit the norms of employment....

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1327930681' post='1518914'] He is a US citizen, and has spent his adult life living and working there. He, as any other US citizen, knows how the healthcare system in his own country works, and the insurances he would need to carry being self-emplyed. There is no perhaps about the situation. But, as you rightly say, he had a choice, and his choice was to make no, or inadequate, provision for the situation which he has encountered. As a consequence, he must now live with the outcome, an outcome made from his own choices. As for this thread, highlighting his appeal, it should be in off topic, even applying the most charitable of definitions of subject-matter. [/quote] Nice to see that the cup of human kindness is overflowing on this forum once again!

Best to keep schtum for now - don't want to set any hares running! Good luck anyway!!

Sounds like a coked-up childrens TV presenter but who cares - a f**kin great player who has worked with some of the very best! Some people round here really don't know what they're talking about.........

[quote name='misrule' timestamp='1327678238' post='1515280'] Good choice. I use a TB into a Mesa 400+ into a Berg 610. Cheers Mark [/quote] That would be at the top of my list for a rig for this gig!

Can we just challenge this idea that non-musicians do not appreciate technical ability! Punters are generally very impressed by displays of musical virtuosity as long as it is presented in an entertaining way and they are not constantly beaten over the head with it!

Great fun - always liked Uriah Duffy's playing!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1327234795' post='1508026'] Mmmm. thats good advice, and its all very well for Billy to say get in a band.. but what about actually studying music... ive been in lots of bands that expect you to be able to understand music theory and chords etc... i wonder what theory he knows and when and where did he learn....? [/quote] Billy says that he doesn't know about music theory! I think that the point is that he learnt everything that he knows by being in a band and gigging!

[quote name='Clarky72' timestamp='1326730894' post='1501163'] I was there too.. Absolutely awesome gig. Am I wrong for thinking that Kenny Aronoff did a better job than Chad and seemed to fit the band a lot more? [/quote] Why bother comparing them - they're both great! Having said that, Aronoff is a monster.....

[quote name='fender73' timestamp='1326199592' post='1493614'] erm...yes it does - you heard Extreme III? [/quote] Yea, I see where you're going with the Extreme III thing! Bottom line is that it's not a particularly good tune.....

As ever, it is all about context! Someone here posted a clip of The Las playing 'There She Goes' and the playing is awful - really grates on me. But it is a good tune and the original record is great so for it will irelevant for some people that they are not very good players VW is the polar opposite of that - he is showing off highly developed chops for an audience at events where people are going to see just that. I can appreciate that for 20 minutes (although I'm not really a VW fan) , but I probably won't buy the album or spend a lot of money on a ticket just to see him Of course, he wouldn't play like that in a different musical situation as he said himself. But showing off tricks at a trade show should be seen for what it is and not taken too seriously - what is wrong with seeing a master craftsman showing off his trademark licks anyway?

I think that Van Hagar were great but just not the same as the original Van Halen, who were my favourite band!

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1325798058' post='1488056'] Dead right, Pete. It hacks me off the way people use the word gig for a concert or a performance. The Royal Correspondent's use of the word was not inappropriate. Gig came from the time when most musicians were freelance and Jewish. Having got an engagement the musician would say 'God is good'. Hence Gig. [/quote] Can't say that it bothers me at all, just goes to show how language evolves and words can take on slightly new meanings (as Len said above) The term has always been used by musicians and actors - interesting to know that it has a Jewish origin!

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1325772709' post='1487417'] A permutation of all three, the weighting of each depending on the circumstances. Wavering off topic ..... The word 'gig' seems to be more and more adopted by people to mean 'a job'. A mate of mine talks about having a 'gig' somewhere when he means a business meeting with other fat men in suits. The worst case I've heard is a royal correspondent on the BBC saying her 'normal Christmas gig' was watching the Windsors go in and out of Sandringham church. That one made me feel a bit nauseous [/quote] Actually, that is where the word 'gig' originally comes from - it was originally slang for a paying job rather than specifically a concert / performance

I did replace the pickup in my 95 Stingray with a passive EMG for a while, but then changed it back The thing about a Ray is that it does have a very distinctive sound, which is bit of a problem if you don't like that sound....!

Just to be awkward….. I’ve recently got a Fender Jazz – lake placid blue, RW, white pickguard – beautiful looking bass but I couldn’t get on with it, either the sound or playing wise It went to Jon Shuker for some work and came back with a severe fret dressing and new Seymour Duncan pickups / active circuit! Sounds great now and plays hell of a lot better………

[quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1324141443' post='1471257'] Most people would agree that a plectrum gives more speed. I personally can't use one (grip problems) so I just use my fingers. If you can use one, it should give you a greater turn of speed [/quote] Rubbish - Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris and countless others [quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1324141452' post='1471259'] I play all rock numbers with a pick, it gives you more volume [/quote] That is what that knob on the far right of the front of your amplifier is for! [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1324142300' post='1471268'] Simple answer is you use what's right for the song. [/quote] I don’t get this mantra “what's right for the song” that some people keep repeating on here – obviously you should play the right part for each song but does that mean that you have a completely different sound and approach to how you play on every single song? Why not develop your own style and sound that maximises your potential as a player and becomes recognisable as part of what makes your band unique…!

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1323887951' post='1468341'] I say this all the time, but studying music at University has to be one of the silliest ideas going these days. It's a lovely thing to do if you have no aspirations to own a house or get a job, but in the real world, a music degree is as much use to an employer as as a wad of used toilet paper. You might enjoy indulging your hobby for a couple of years but beyond university and the meagre pickings of the music world you'll not have much to show for the colossal debt you've accrued. [/quote] Sorry, but that’s b0ll0cks mate! It is very true that the age of the session musician has diminished to the point of being almost irrelevant, but there is still a demand for music only now it is in entirely different ways The one guy I’ve known who has become a millionaire from actually playing music was always a very good but uninspired player (no where near the best), but has made his money from composing music for computer games. Guess what – he’s got a music degree! Another guy I know makes a decent living from composing background music, jingles, etc – again he has studied music I don’t think that it matters too much when it comes to live work, thru having that background can’t hurt! However, the piece of paper you get from a music degree is in itself pretty worthless! To be honest, it is certainly true that you may struggle to make a good living just from playing life and all my mates who do play for a living have to supplement their income by teaching, freelancing for PA companies, etc I think that it is a given that in taking a music degree you are committing yourself to actually making a living from music as it is not going to help you get a job in the same way as a History (or other non-vocational) degree will….. To the OP – good luck, it ain’t an easy way of making a living!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1323551090' post='1464562'] One more for Guy Pratt, plus Beyond The Bass Clef by Tony Levin. However, the best 'muso' book I've ever read (and I've read a few) is Rhinos Winos & Lunatics by Deke Leonard, brilliant and hysterical. The prequel to this, Maybe I Should Have Stayed In Bed is also wonderful. [/quote] Much as I appreciate the sheer talent of Mr Hughes, I'm pretty sure that Guy Pratt's book will be a much better read! Been trying to get hold of Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics, but whenever I see it on Amazon it's always going for a small fortune! PS. to the OP, I would strongly recommend the Guy Pratt book for a holiday read - it's laugh out loud funny.....

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323479342' post='1463908'] So what intellectual process did you go through to arrive at this conclusion? I don't have a choice about making music. I HAVE to do it, or I wither and die. I tried it once. Don't misunderstand me, I get a lot of joy from writing and playing, but I get plenty of pain too. Music without humanity is just machine or language operation, or manipulation for financial gain. [/quote] There is no intellectual process, playing music is what I do and always have done and to an extent is what defines me It can bring with it a certain amount of frustration when you cannot achieve what you think that you are capable of, but the main reason for playing is for the joy of doing so (a few quid at the end of the night doesn't hurt) Most of the best players I have met in many years of being in bands are the least precious about the process of making music!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323477832' post='1463900'] I read it recently Pete. People have all sorts of complex motives for making music. Some people do it to get shagged, some do it as a political tool, some do it to heal themselves. You surely can't advocate only one facet of motivation, or tell people to stop feeling how they feel and expressing their feelings through music. Life isn't all KISS and Westlife mate, where would we be without music that came from the pain and beauty of what is to be frail and human? Music teaches us about what it is to be human, whether that's Son House, Miles Davis, or Stravinsky. [/quote] I kind of agree, but the principle motive for making music should be for the sheer joy of doing so - be it pop, metal, jazz, classical , blues or whatever.....

All I am trying to say is that playing music should be a positive thing that one should take joy in and should not be over intellectualised I don’t know if you have read the Bill Bruford autobiography (as referenced in the Robert Fripp thread), but just compare his rather joyless outlook on playing music to that of Roy Haines, the veteran jazz drummer, who he seems so in awe of and who was still touring at the age of 83, purely for the love of it………….

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323473566' post='1463864'] Pete mate, with all respect and despite the compliment, that is such an unkind and ignorant statement that I'm having a hard time understanding why would make it, assuming you have read all the posts on this thread. [/quote] I don’t mean to upset you or anyone else, but I think that you and others are expecting too much from music, despite it’s obvious importance to your life (and to mine for that matter) The one time that I had anything like serious problems in my life, it had a negative impact on my playing (despite being a bit of a refuge), simply because it affected my concentration levels. I think that you should enjoy playing music simply for what it is rather than projecting any other problems you may have into it…… edit: that this a general statement and is not especially meant to relate you