bass_dinger

The bits arrived, but I have not yet looked at them with any intent or plans. It is currently a box full of components, and a small processor, which I can wire together to make lights flash, and buzzers buzz. Only once I have learnt how to do that, and how to create 13 independent switches, will I add a midimuso chip, to generate MIDI signals.

Tell me more, please. Is this a known technique, an established way of learning? I saw a short and tantalising video clip, which hinted that failure is a part of learning, and that it is acceptable (good, even), to fail while learning. Is that a thing, or am I justifying my incompetence? In other news, I am enjoying working though new pieces at home, and refining it in the lesson. What I don't enjoy is learning the pieces in the lesson - "B♭ C#, G ... no no no ...". I am also struggling with the requirement to get each piece exactly as written. I am not good at dynamics, and I find it difficult to get them exactly as my teacher wants them. It seems to me that my teacher and I want different things from the lessons. Using a footballing analogy, he wants the perfect free kick, a well-performed box-to-box run, a display of dribbling around the cones. And I want time on the pitch, getting used to the ball, and controlling my nascent technique through trial and error (my errors are a trial, for him...), and the occasional lucky shot of a piece well played. When I play a piece, and reach a level of competence, even without completing it, that is a success for me. Moving on to another piece is another opportunity to learn. However, my teacher sees it as giving up. I think that I need to tell him what I want - to play with the piano and explore what I can do, rather than to play three pieces perfectly. In summary, I don't think that ABRSM grades are what I need to teach me the piano - they simply measure my skill level. @SumOne, how are your lessons going?

I understand that sentiment, I think. For me, it is about the thrill of the chase - finding an obscure bass guitar, getting it restored, researching which piano I want. But once I have it all, I then need to sit down and play it, and learn to master the instrument. Last night I opened up a box of stuff which I ordered from Kitronik.co.uk and got bored while I was taking it out of the box.... Retail therapy doesn't work well, for me!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrx7zg9y9ko "I'm not overly attached to the bass but it would be nice if it went to someone who'll play it rather than shut it in a vault. It plays really well," the musician said. "In 1988, Panter sold the bass but bought it back in 2010 to use when The Specials reunited."

Sometimes, it works out well for the viewers. "We are at the Iranian embassy..." But generally, I agree that it is pointless to film cars skidding on a snowy road, or watch ministers entering 10 Downing Street.

That's boss-level help from @Richard R - first tells me that I have a T2 fail by precedent (fair enough). And then shares a link to an excellent magazine on Raspberry Pi project, with an article on building a Yamaha DX7 clone based on a Raspberry Pi ("Fail again, fail better..."). My package from Kitronik arrives between 9:17 and 10:17 today. Until then (and until @neepheid arrives to pronounce my failure), I consider myself innocent....

I have this morning ordered a Raspberry Pi kit, https://kitronik.co.uk/products/5325-the-kitronik-discovery-kit-for-raspberry-pi-pico-included along with other bits (add-ons, jumper cables, break-out kits, expansion boxes). So far, not a fail. However, my plan is to learn how to use the Raspberry Pi architecture and develop a device that can detect 13 different switches. I will then combine it with a 13-note organ-style pedal board (purchased in 2025) and a kit that uses a Raspberry Pi Pico to generate MIDI note signals. https://midimuso.co.uk/index.php/pico-midi/ I will then plug it into a EMU Classic Keys synth rack unit, via MIDI, and pretend that I have a Moog Taurus. However, I will have made the instrument myself, out of bits that are not primarily musical gear (apart from 4 MIDI connectors, and the EMU) So, is a DIY instrument a fail? Is this the same as a luthier making a bass guitar out of some bits of timber? Or the equivalent of making a Bitsa bass, and pretending that none of the bits are fails... In summary, I purchased a non-midi pedalboard, and some electronics, with the intention of creating and then having a midi pedalboard in 2026. Have I failed Tier 2, or will it only be a fail once it works?

Welcome to the thread, and well done for spotting that it is about encouraging us to improve musical skills. I was impressed at how quickly you went from buying "a keyboard stand this year so I can learn to use the keyboard I bought years ago" to "new digital piano, synth and guitar incoming!" - both posts are timestamped "8 hours ago" on my system! It is always good to see that sort of reckless abandon from new players, because it distracts Chief Referee @neepheid from any infractions that I and others might be about to commit.... Keep it up, @brickers!

I would say that desire is not action - that is to say, the fact that were considering it, does not mean that you would have done so had Mrs Machines not offered. You could have left the shop without the bass. However, only you know whether you planned to buy the bass had she not offered. So, technically, this is an unsolicited gift, and it feels like you should remain in the game. He's gone soft in the head! Parsnip Head by name, @neepheid by nature!

The word "hacking" is more likely to describe a congregant's cough, rather than how they access an IT device...

I recall that I would previously remove my wedding ring, and place it on a music stand while playing. However, I can't recall why wearing it was a problem. However, my fingers do seem to fatten up occasionally, which necessitates me removing my ring, leaving a ring-shaped impression underneath. At other times, it is loose. Odd.

What other suppliers and brands did IEM-users find? I would like coloured foam inserts (just for fun) but I mainly need to know that the insert will fit the shaft of the ZS10s (4mm, apparently). Most of the ones I have found on eBay have a diameter of 4.5mm - will that extra half-millimetre cause a problem, or make no difference?

Thanks to @MichaelDean and @EBS_freak for the advice. It looks like I will be ordering a set of Comply Memory Foam tips, to see if these will act as an effective upgrade for the ZS10s. These tips are compatible with the ZS10s https://www.complyfoam.co.uk/products/isolation-series-500-core-memory-foam-earbud-tips?variant=38150374260934 I will report back with my findings. And if the Comply tips don't help, then I will follow @spyder's lead and invest in the 215s. Generally, it was interesting to hear that different people have different preferences for in-ears - there is no "best", only "differently suitable".

Thanks for that excellent tip....