solo4652

This is not going to be easy. I'm just back from rehearsal and the band decided to have a go at Long Train Running. Every covers band I've played in has done the song, and I'm very familiar with it. The guitarists didn't know the song (!!???) and were struggling to slow down and leave space, and the drummer was far too loud and energetic. I mentioned Chic and there was a disbelieving silence before rhthym guitar exclaimed "But we're a rock band, Steve". I did think of Word Up, but I'm really not sure how that will be received. Mama Said by Kravitz - mmm. That might be worth a try. Watch this space.

Remember it has to be well-known and singalong. There are some really cool suggestions here, but... Breaking my own rules, I've just written my own...

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I play in a pub-rock band - usual fare. I've been moaning about long guitar solos for a while now, and how I'd like to play something groove-based/funk. I've just had an email that says:[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]"Steve, we've been talking about our playlist. What is your best liked funk song that you'd want to do, and we'll get on it."[/color][/font][/size][/font][/size] Chosen song has to: [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000] Be well-known down at the Pig and Whistle. [/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000] Be simple to learn and play[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000] Ideally, not be from the 1970's (because we already do too much stuff from the 70's)[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000] Not need horns or keys (unless our guitarist can cover them with his guitar-synth thingy)[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]I've recently been jamming with a funk band covering Laura Vane and the Vipertones, Sir Joe Quaterman, Shaolin Temple Defenders. However, I'm not going to suggest these because they're not mainstream enough for the pub band. Remember, whatever is chosen has to fit in amongst Dr Feelgood, Oasis, T Rex.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]So, What shall I suggest?[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Steve[/color][/font][/size]

Well, we've found a new singer after 4 months of searching - and that's in Manchester where there are loads more people than the Lake District. We've had deluded people who couldn't sing one note in tune, karaoke singers who could only sing a maximum of 4 songs before their voice gave out, plenty of people who just failed to turn up at all, three people who really wanted to play guitar, one chap who wanted us to be his backing band for his solo act and one chap who arrived as high as a kite. It's been comical, dispiriting and frustrating in equal measures. We'd decided to split the lead vocals between everybody else in the band and we were getting on with adjusting the setlist accordingly when our ad on Partysounds brought the right person in. It may be that everybody else in your band will have to take on some singing while you continue looking for a lead singer. Good luck to you - I know full well how elusive good singers are.

Didn't sell at £500.

I won't be able to look at the bass before buying it. In that case, I think I'll pass.

Hi, I'm considering buying an Aria Pro 2 that has a series/parallel switch. The seller says that the switch works in one position but there is no sound when it's switched over. Is that likely to be a simply-fixed wiring problem or something more fundamental with the pickup itself?

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1357899432' post='1930137'] I was debating it but don't really have the cash or a true need at the moment so I've gone the other route and ordered myself some custom strings and hipshots I was after. So feel free to bid, but I've not heard back from the guy on payment and postage, I'm sure he's fine though your pretty safe as a buy these days using paypal and ebay. [/quote] No - wrong answer from you! I wanted you to say you'd be bidding so I didn't have to decide whether to or not. You're no help at all! Apparently, the combo weighs 24 Kgs, and that makes me think twice about buying it. That's substantially more than my Barefaced Compact + GKMB500 rig, so I'm left wondering what would be the benefit in terms of luggability. I'm going to pass. Still looking for a combo that's small, powerful, cheap and reliable - aren't we all.

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1357856380' post='1929745'] I sent him a message just confirming he was happy with PayPal and postage, it's very very tempting these combos are really light and loud and very tubesq [/quote] So, are you going to bid? If so, I'll hold off...

[url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/westone-thunder-1-left-handed-bass-guitar/1005478459"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/westone-thunder-1-left-handed-bass-guitar/1005478459[/url]

Just round the corner from me... I've asked the buyer if he'd be happy for somebody to call round, take the bass apart and check the date stamps before handing over cash. Wonder what he'll say.

Anybody know what it is?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Old-Gold-Electric-Bass-guitar-/110992053835?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33%26meid%3D4424967010750627513%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1031%26rk%3D1%26"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Old-Gold-Electric-Bass-guitar-/110992053835?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33%26meid%3D4424967010750627513%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1031%26rk%3D1%26[/url]

The only thing that keeps my nerves at bay is stupid amounts of practice and rehearsal. Once I'm confident I can actually play the songs without having to really concentrate, I relax, look forward to gigs and enjoy them.

You want to funk it up? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUsn880UWPQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUsn880UWPQ[/url]

What language is Robbie Shakespeare talking?

[quote name='gapiro' timestamp='1356094503' post='1906720'] A couple of simple reggae tips : You play on the beat, offbeat is guitars(or whatever, but you always play on the beat). Do not get sucked into lpaying on the off beat, as it screws over the guitarists The backbeat in reggae is on the 3. Often you will hear a note on the 1, then something faster on the 3 and 4 My favourite reggae thing i've ever done, was at a jam session, a couple of guys I hadn't met before had this idea of Take 5 in 4/4 and reggae beat......(see bad quality recording at [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cHaBy3_wSk&list=UUWHSVFROuxV6JdNsWtpLDpg&index=9[/media] ) [/quote] Ahh. I watched Ed Friedland's video on reggae and as a result I was concentrating on the 2 and 4 and was struggling. Interestingly, I was making progress with root, rest, 4, 5 which seems to tie-in with what you and RolandRock are suggesting. For now, I'll practise that.

Folks, My band's decided to have a go at this reggae version of Summertime: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAMm_VmOjA[/media] I've not played reggae before, and I'm struggling with it. I can just about play simple roots on the 2 and 4 but anything else, I'm flummoxed. Any advice, please? Steve Edit: original post read "... roots on 1 and 3". I meant 2 and 4.