maldy

Superb mate - I enjoyed that. That would probably take me years to figure out!!!!

Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions - all of them are very much appreciated. It is good to know I'm not alone, but it is also interesting and thought provoking that some of you have a more practical outlook. I seem to vary between the two. The point I have taken away is that do I need the money and do I need the space? I don't desperately need either at this moment in time, so maybe I don't need to make a decision right now. I think if another bass really caught my interests then I would have to sell one.

I'm very lucky (or rather saved for a long time) to own five basses. I really don't need five basses, although I definitely do enjoy and like have multiple basses. Recently, I've kind of been thinking that I want to, or ought to, down size and one should go. I have two basses by the same company. One was my work horse bass and was my main gigging bass. I guess it has a lot of sentimental value. However it is also a great bass and worth keeping on its own merit. The other bass by the same company is a limited edition. It looks superb and feels superb. However, it has a sound that is not too dissimilar from the fore mentioned bass. It has a lot more eq and adjustments, but fundamentally it is similar. When I think about it I think this is the bass that should go. All the other basses would then be significantly different and worth keeping. However, when I get this bass out it just looks, feels and sounds so good, I wonder if selling is the right think to do. Naturally I wouldn't get what's it is worth new and to buy a bass of that standard again would cost more than I could get for it. Does anyone out there have selling dilemmas? Any thoughts about downsizing and not downsizing? Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong and getting too attached. I would be interested to hear anyone's views.

[quote name='foal30' timestamp='1388552007' post='2323389'] Sign of the Times probably the best record ever made by (predominantly) one person The Rainbow Children out there but deep grooves Parade Poptastic Come overlooked because it was in his difficult corporate era. Bland/Thompson are fierce. Lovesexy/Black Lovesexy is the commercial release, George Clinton in full effect Black is Black but some serious Bass chops from Prince and Levi Searcer Jr Avoid NPG, Rave2theJoy Prince association , Wendy&Lisa. both probably geniuses quite like Nikka Costa, light funk/pop MadHouse or anything with Eric Leeds on [/quote] The Rainbow Children is almost a bit too much on the religious overtones for me. However, musically I absolutely love it and don't read too much into the lyrics. The drumming, by John Blackwell, is superb. Prince always uses amazing musicians, but john Blackwell is something else. He has a fabulous groove and jaziness to his playing. So I agree that the rainbow children album is great to listen to. It is a shame it is overlooked quite a lot.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1384159400' post='2273241'] I can log in to SBL Insider Pro, but not the forum - is it a different user/password combination? [/quote] That is exactly what happened to me when I first tried it. I tried using the same username and password as my pro account. But what I realised is that you have register a different/new for the forum. It is not initially obvious. Hope that helps :-)

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1384108007' post='2272844'] Thanks Maldy, I'm on it! [/quote] Great - See you in the shed!!! I got a bit confused with the new layout at first. But to be fair I think they are still ironing out the bugs and stuff.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1384104886' post='2272798'] I've joined too but struggling to find the backing tracks to download. I've paid the £38 but it's still no clearer as some of the links on the site seem to go to random pages. Anyone else struggling? [/quote] Go to the normal site. Type in your email address to access the backstage area. Once in the backstage area there are a bunch of links when you scroll down to the bottom. Most of the backing tracks are here. Hope that helps :-)

Cool! I'm glad people are signing up. The more the better and I think it will be even more of a success then.

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1383767672' post='2268911'] I was going to ask people's opinion on this (I've visited his site many times before and found the vids really interesting). Looks like I'll be seeing some of you on the forums there [/quote] I find his lesson always unique and often make things I thought were complex seem more straightforward. I think the pro site membership at the moment equates to £36, which is £3 a month. That's not a lot really if you think you'll get use out of the workbooks and the other stuff he is offering. I think it is a real bargain and I'm really happy to contribute. I'm actually very excited about his whole site and the approach he is taking. A definite thumbs up from me. I also emailed him a while back with some questions. I didn't really expect a reply, but I got a very considerate response and feel he is just a super top bloke.

I think this looks awesome and the membership is probably less than a night out (I don't even get out that much!): [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/sbl-insider"]http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/sbl-insider[/url] I have signed up already! Hopefully see some of you on the other side!

I think it is a bit cheeky that they asked you, even if it is a small amount. They've now put you in a awkward position, which you shouldn't be in as you were doing them a favour. I don't think you should pay out if principle, but then that may make you look petty (even though you are not). I'd make a joke that you don't have the cash and maybe the other bass player should cough up since you are doing him a favour!

I really like that. Look forward to hearing more. Good luck with the launch.

Absolutely loved that video. Great covers.

Good advice :-)

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1382088294' post='2247654'] Up at 5.30am, cup of tea, one hour's practice. Repeat everyday. That's what works best for me. I can only manage an hour a day, realistically, but I make sure I do it no matter what. This way, I can get home in the evening and not have to try to fit it in. [/quote] That would be my ideal and was my plan. I prefer getting practice done early, rather than doing it late in the evening. However, for the last seven months my one year old has been waking several times in the night and getting up between 5:30 and 6 :-(

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1382088616' post='2247659'] What does he want to achieve? [/quote] I think he wanted to be able to play the bass lines to songs really well. He could do loads of scales etc, but not many songs. That's my interpretation. I think his point is knowing what you want to achieve and practice specifically for it. Which is kind if obvious, but it suppose many of us don't.

I haven't properly practiced my bass with any sort of routine, or intent for far too many years. When I first started I was really dedicated. Then I joined a band and just learnt songs for the band. Then I had a family and everything has gone out the window! The irony now is that I have far less time, but feel more motivated than ever, to practice. Even if it is just for a small amount each day. Obviously that is better than nothing. I've been provisionally working on a plan based on the sound ideas here: http://www.how-to-play-bass.com/bass-practice.html I was interested what methods, philosophies, approach other people took. How long you managed to practice, what you practice, where and when. I'm just keen to absorb as many good ideas as possible. I know it can be a very individual thing, but tell me what works for you.

I have to admit when I first watched the OP video I wasn't that impressed and switched it off half way through. I think this is partly due to the direct comparison to Victor Wooten, who I think is absolutely amazing. I'm so used to his performances being generally flawless and seemingly effortless, that the OP video didn't compare. That's just my opinion and honest first reaction. I've been following this thread and there has been a lot of interesting comments. So with an open mind I've watched the original video again. However, I tried to watch it fresh and not stand it up against VW. In this light I can appreciate that what he is doing does involve a lot of skill. It is not fully to my taste and not something that makes me personally go wow. However (I don't know the original song btw) I suppose it is impressive to some and some may be amazed that he has translated this song to bass. So fair dues there. Also this is a live recording and the sound captured doesn't sound wonderful. But such are live recording sometimes. That's not necessarily the bass players fault. I prefer VW. He does stuff I'll never be able to do and that impresses me. I also like listening to his solo pieces and flectones work. That floats my boat! I'm sure there is, or will be someone who impresses me more than VW one day, but that chappy in the OP doesn't do it for me. But that's not a bad thing, just a reflection of what I personally like :-)

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1381527263' post='2240480'] How about this guy then? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUZh_Cbw6Q [/quote] I really enjoyed that! And that dog! I thought he was going to walk off camera half way through!

A good few years back I saw the flectones live in Vegas. I was absolutely blown away. Victor did have a brief solo spot, but it was definitely more of a band effort. One of the best and musical concerts I've been to.

Thank you for this. It is good to spread the word. Gladly I already subscribe to Scott's lessons. He is awesome. Just wondered what Janek had to offer. I suppose you can never have too much learning material...

Hi, is anybody here a member of videobasslessons.tv? I'm trying to work out what you get as a member and what people think of it. I realise there are obviously video bass lessons, but wondered if there were downloads (either backing tracks, or pdfs of the lesson music as well). Also, I'm no where near ready for all the advanced Jazz soloing stuff Janek does, so was unsure if there were lessons of a broader nature. I've tried looking on the site, but apparently it has just been re-designed and there is not a lot of info of what you get for being a member. I'm kind of interested as I believe membership is discounted for this weekend only. Any thoughts, or experiences are welcomed :-)

I think the tone sounds good :-)