thepurpleblob

Thanks guys - I *can* play it - sort of - but it's one of those were it's ok at the start of the song and is all over the shop by the solo bit I'll keep at it!!

[quote name='blackmn90' post='1339158' date='Aug 13 2011, 10:18 PM']to build up accuracy at speed play it slow at first to a click and then speed it up until you reach the required tempo.[/quote] Hmmm... I'm struggling to play it *at all* against a click - even slowly. I don't seem to have got that syncopated bit in my head. There's something to work on

[quote name='daz' post='1339155' date='Aug 13 2011, 10:16 PM']I thought Bruce Foxton was always a pick player in his Jam songs ?[/quote] Yes - Mr Foxton played it with a pick. I would if I could

The line is D B and A. How would that go. I suspect it's plucking technique anyway, it usually is. I can't play with a pick. I drop them. I've tried - honestly.

Last week our very good guitarist announces that he's not enjoying it any more and is leaving. Just to top that, today our singer has a heart attack. It looks like he's going to be ok, but still. AND he's younger than me. Ho hum....

I think I've had a realisation that technique wise, I'm probably as good as I'm ever going to get. I've played for a bit over ten years - I'm now 47 - and I've steadily got better at it. However, about 5 years ago we played "A town called malice" and I really found it a struggle to get through without it all falling apart. So, recently, in my latest band up comes that song again. Exactly the same - the line is just too quick and no amount of practicing seems to make any difference. Oh well.....

[quote name='dmccombe7' post='1332226' date='Aug 8 2011, 03:29 PM']Valid point about open air venues with multiple bands playing the same stage. Not sure but is the backline hired rather than individuals bringing their own backline. ? Most musicians can adapt and use whatever is available provided it is of a reasonable standard. To my knowledge (and it is limited) when this type of venue contacted you they would tell you what they had arranged for backline up to that point and would that be suitable for the band. On some occasions a list was made from the bands requests and a compromise was made as to what and who used what gear. Most bassists would bring their own bass though so no getting away from the fact Fenders were more popular. Cheers Dave [/quote] I have no idea what the situation is. I would have thought the bigger bands would use all their own gear, but I don't know. I was just amazed - I sat through band after band after band and it was Fender, Fender, Fender. I don't think I even spotted one of the "usual suspect" copies amongst them. I have a theory it's down to the record company marketing department - "you don't look like a proper bass player unless you have floppy hair and a battered Fender jazz!!"

[quote name='chris_b' post='1332121' date='Aug 8 2011, 02:22 PM']Good grief!![/quote] Don't panic... it was slightly tongue in cheek

lessons lessons lessons lessons Having said that, When I started I had taken the trouble to learn the patterns for the major and minor scales and played them up and down the neck to death. It's takes a bit of time to build up enough strength and flexibility in your hands to be able to do anything much at all so some boring scale practice isn't a bad idea.

I didn't read through all this, so someone may have already made the point..... In your average pub gig playing Summer of 69 and Mustang Sally a 3 grand Ken Smith or suchlike will sound rubbish. A boring old Precision / Jazz / Stingray looks the part and sounds the part. I watched my way through a lot of the T in the Park repeats over the last few weeks and I can't remember a single player (and for most of them it's their day job) who wasn't playing a Fender... usually through an Ampeg or, just maybe, an Ashdown. Real musicians don't play fancy gear

The little shop up the road from me (Magnum Sound in Wishaw) seems to have everything... it usually involves some head scratching and digging in the back of drawers but they keep all this sort of stuff. They do do repairs, though, which probably makes the difference.

If there's one thing I learned in the motor trade... a genuine "cash in the face" offer is always to be thought about. Any item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and that offer might be all you are going to get however much you don't like it. Having said that, there is notional point where the punt is clearly cheeky. I've had cars for sale for 20K and someone comes around and offers 10K. I'm not sure what they think you are going to say BTW... "no offers" or "firm" is just another way of saying "please don't buy this". Don't do it !!

There's way more variation in 5 stringers than there is in fours. Four strings have been around for 60-odd years and the range of neck shapes and string gap is pretty much a done deal. Fives are all over the place so you need to try a few. Having said that I can play a 5 perfectly well (I actually started on a 5) but find a 4 more comfortable and get's the job done just fine, so that's what I use 90% of the time. You don't actually need one - even less so if you can manage drop-D (although, yes, I know it isn't quite the same thing).

[quote name='leeonbass69' post='1316553' date='Jul 26 2011, 07:14 AM']I'd give anything by Niacin a whirl, there's no singer or guitar so it's a little easier to hear into the recording [/quote] Not heard of them/him/her/it but I will go and investigate - thanks for the tip EDIT: Oh - That Sheehan dude showing off Not really what I meant but cheers.

I have some sympathy... I can play something correctly at every rehearsal for weeks and then fluff it at the gig. The trouble (with me) is that I a bit of a tightly wound person at the best of times and can sometimes get a bit too tense at gigs. In my case it's about being well rehearsed, giving myself plenty of time and double checking everything OCD style. My point, if there is one, is to attempt to work out what troubles you and then to figure out the best way to work around it.

[quote name='XylemBassGuitar' post='1312899' date='Jul 22 2011, 04:03 PM']I actually thought it really [i]was[/i] a pretty genius idea. I wasn't sure that thepurpleblob was being sarcastic by calling it that either. Er, were you being facetious Adrenochrome? Maybe I should just have a little more coffee early before posting on BassChat But really, I do think this is a great idea. You'll focus more on the slide/hammer/pull-off techniques and it will also probably help you keep things more mellow and laid back. Plus, if you get really good at playing with your fret-hand only, you're halfway to having really good double-tapping technique.[/quote] I did think it was inspired. I've no interest in double tapping mind you

[quote name='silddx' post='1310248' date='Jul 20 2011, 01:08 PM']Kevin, you have the magic touch. You have great tone in your mind and fingers and it all comes out with great beauty. Immensely expressive playing that really touched me. I can't stand this kind of solo bass normally, I think the timbre is all wrong and it sounds so much better on guitar, BUT, not in this case because it sounds rich and has its own voice. I only watched it because of what Bilbo and lowdown said. I'm glad I did because for five minutes my life was greatly enriched. Great technique is completely pointless unless you know what to do with it, and you have an aesthetic. I sense a little hint of competitiveness in the composition, but no more, it's really really beautiful! Congratulations.[/quote] Yeh - it's surprisingly non bass like. If I hadn't seen the video I think I would have struggled to be certain what it was played on. No offence to Kevin but this musical style does nothing for me but it was impressive playing.

[quote name='Adrenochrome' post='1307133' date='Jul 17 2011, 09:54 PM']Try playing with your fretting hand only.[/quote] Genius!

I was really sick of playing drums and percussion. Everything was heavy and nobody will help. So I now play the bass - everything is heavy and nobody will help !!!

I was listening to a couple of tracks the other day (I'll spare you with what) and there was some really wandery bass that I liked. It was easy enough to spot the notes - minor pentatonic noodling - but what stumped be was the style. Very laid back with lots of slides and/or hammer-ons and/or pull-offs. I was really struggling to get into it as, I suppose, I only ever really play one note at a time rock stuff. I know this is a properly vague question - but any tips or recommendations for getting into this type of stuff and upping my technique a bit.

I think you need to unpack which aspect you are having trouble with. I *can* (or could) site-read to a reasonably high standard when I was a percussionist but I'm pretty rubbish reading for the bass. Partly it's because I don't have a great deal of need to do it (except for the personal satisfaction) and partly, I think, because beyond the basic level it's about linking what you see to muscle memory. This takes time and you have the added problem that (unlike other instruments) there are loads of different ways to play the same thing. I haven't done this myself but maybe some of the more formal techniques that double-bass players use may help.

Oh look.... Fender has made a Stingray HH Appear to be available in the UK... [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Fender_Blacktop_Precision_Bass_Black/FEN-014-8500-506"]http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Fender_Bla...EN-014-8500-506[/url]

I dunno... I think in the UK we have an "as long as you did your best" approach. However, I work with a lot of Americans and their attitude is more "don't get in my way I'm going to be the best". That's (I presume) a cultural thing and it probably tends to make them more successful at whatever they do. However, I know enough about this stuff (to know what I don't know) to know that it is a complex issue and "common sense" appearances can often be very deceiving.

How many sheets is it? Can you photocopy and sticky tape to achieve a "wide" version of the music? Failing that can you partially do that so that you can turn the page when you are not playing? Failing that, get someone to turn the page for you.