julietgreen

So this happened: We had a fun little rock covers band - female led - always popular on the local gigging scene. A couple of years ago the backing vocalist left to have a baby and then last year, the rhythm guitarist for similar reasons. The vocalist invited her mates to come and take on those roles and we did a few gigs. We then had a hiatus while the vocalist herself went off to have a baby. Not long after we started rehearsing again, the two newbies said they didn't really want to be bothered with it, and that prompted the lead guitarist to say that he was keen to give up playing guitar and focus on jazz keyboard again. Since it was only the vocalist and myself, on bass, that still seemed interested, she decided there wasn't much point in carrying on - it was meant to be fun after all. Oh well! All that practising of Muse 'hysteria' not much of a waste of time then! On to new things, I suppose.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1491929976' post='3276590'] The barrel jack probably goes through a chunk of wood - which would have to be machined out to enable a standard type to be fitted with a metal mounting plate, or an alternative fixing hole made in a more accesible place, (unlikely!). I would say best to replace with a Switchcraft made Stereo Barrel Jack socket, they're the best available IMHO & will probably last as long as your DeArmond original - as long as it's not mistreated. HTH Cheerz, John [/quote] Cheers, John. I've replaced it now and am very happy!

I'm playing an active bass - De Armond - that's probably got the same barrel jack it had in the 80s when it was made. Of course, it's worn now and crackles or cuts out if I'm not careful. It needs replacing, but I was wondering if there was an alternative. Can I replace it with something else that can be adjusted as it wears, for example?

Always thought of music as a mainly collective thing. Even as a 'front line' musician (sax), though soloing is fun, I like the rhythm/harmony aspects more. I didn't play much bass when I wasn't in a band - which is why I nagged to get back into one. I find the stuff I learn at home on my own fades quickly if I don't play it out.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1464686117' post='3061348'] I play in a rock band but I love all types of music. I love the gigging but can never find anybody who wants to play funk, latin, fusion, ska etc. etc, so I play along to that stuff at home. I find the rock stuff generally undemanding compared to other genres. [/quote] Couldn't find a latin bass player for love nor money when I was in a latin jazz band!

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1463238642' post='3049859'] Tell them when you feel you've nailed it then you'll play it, until then they'll have to wait. No one else in bands seem to get this sort of pressure. In my experience if the guitarist or singer struggles with a song the it's 'oh well, never mind, we'll try something else '. Bass player has a few issues then it's 'just get on and learn it, and quickly '. Really boils my waste blood. [/quote] You're very right.

My 'other half' is a veteran sound guy. When he was 'with' a band on tour, there was a certain amount of mucking from all the techs and some of the band in just to get the gear in quickly, but he would never expect a band to help if he's hired for a gig. It's a mixed blessing if people want to help - they're more likely to get in the way or do things how he doesn't want! When we use our own sound guy, we all help, but if we hire someone in, we don't feel we have to help. We've got enough gear to lug about as it is.

Last night, between my own 'charidee' gigs on sax, Chris Gibbons (guitar). Nice funky blues stuff with a great, relaxed but rhythmic bassist. Last high-profile band was Uriah Heep in Leamington Spa. It was pretty damned cool - they seem to have gotten their umpteenth wind with a new album and much touring. Mick Box in his element and outstanding vocals gymnastics from Bernie.

Just read all the posts. I will continue to work on precision and muscle memory. Thanks for the responses - they help. With regard to ... [quote name='dood' timestamp='1463319306' post='3050400'] When I have taught the bass line to my students, they have often tried to figure it out by tab. The note choices are often correct but the hand positioning is often wrong or needs help. Once corrected this is a huge help. Then we start slow, observing the 16th note count and getting the note quality together. The rest after that starts to fall in to place. [/quote] The part I'm not sure about is the descending semitones on those two riffs. I'm currently doing it from pinky down the frets, one finger per fret. Is that wise, or is it better to use an index, middle combination and move the hand down?

That's what I'm doing, thanks. It's a credibility barrier thing. I don't see how I'm going to get faster and looking for reassurance that it does happen! Pressure to get it 'up to speed' from band as usual!

Do you play it? Did you have to work up to it? Any tips? (I've looked through the archive threads already). All advice and encouragement gratefully received.

I have something similar - Raynaud's - and I've noticed recently a combination of possibly related causes/symptoms. In the past I have had shoulder issues (pain and immobility in the rotator cuff), tingling finger-tips and the same cramping, dystonic effect you seem to be describing. Lately I've read about impingement of the ulnar nerve (and something you can apparently do called 'flossing'!) and have considered whether these things are all tied up. I have yet to seek medical help, but will probably do so soon. I would recommend the same for you. Get them to also think about and discount musicians' focal dystonia.

Gotta confess a love for the gravel: Bonnie Tyler, Rod Stewart, Kelly Jones. Old school: Eric Burdon, Helen Reddy Cyndi

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1458837017' post='3011417'] Well Paloma Faith was an interesting choice for a judge this year but she comes across really well... wrong voice? [/quote] Loved her voice on 'New York'. Have been less impressed recently.

I played sax in a latin jazz band. The biggest problem was getting a drummer and bassist who could play that stuff. We pretty much gave up in the end.

[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1439761311' post='2845617'] If the venue want to pay in beer, that's fair enough, that's their prerogative. As is yours to take the gig or not. It's also yours and their to negotiate. What's the problem? [/quote] The problem is that I'm not a soloist. I'm in a band, so it's a collective decision. If the other members of the band want to accept the gig, it puts me in an awkward position and potential conflict with the band, which I don't want.

We've been offered a NYE gig at what I would consider an unreasonably low fee. It's difficult to explain to the band that it's not good on principle to accept less and less for gigs, not through over-inflated ego, but because it denigrates the whole business and gives people the impression that musicians don't need to get paid much. I know this is an old argument, but what bugs me further, is that we're often given the bonus of '...and free drinks.' For the heavy drinkers in the band, this could amount to an extra £30 - £40 quid's worth, each. For the non-drinkers, it's worthless. Saying anything makes me feel churlish. Thoughts?

Work gets in the way - definitely. During term time, I have a 10 hour day at work and then a couple more work-related hours at home. there are better things I could be doing.

They had a damned good drummer. That's not even in the ratings.

We tried 'don't stop me now' once and it went down like a brick. My personal least favourite in our current set is 'hit me with your best shot'. I just don't get the appeal.

Well I like Hoagy Carmichael and he likes Rush...

[quote name='adamg67' timestamp='1436191619' post='2815765'] Obviously you need to get it checked out properly, but if it is focal dystonia, you might want to check this out: [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/odds-and-sods/the-gloves"]http://www.scottsbas...sods/the-gloves[/url] - if Scott can play like he does with focal dystonia, there might be no need to panic. I can't speak for the man himself but if you got in touch with Scott he might have some advice on working out what it is. [/quote] Yeah - I'll definitely get it checked out if it happens again. I'm going to go back to my De Armond for now and see if that helps. I've been playing a different bass recently and it's not quite as comfortable as the Pilot, which is a long-scale and a dream to play. I changed because I wanted a passive bass and to try a shorter scale. I'm hoping it's regular cramp, but the symptoms are pretty clear and the triggers were all there: stress, trying to overreach myself, a change in instrument, increase in playing/complexity/speed.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1436113371' post='2815058'] My advice would be to... [u]be sure[/u]... by a visit to a medical expert. It is not recommended that you use the Internet to diagnose medical problems. Hope you get it sorted. [/quote] Totally!

This happened to me again at my gig on Friday night - in the same number. I think I had taken every precaution and piece of advice offered - so thanks for all of those. However, I suspect what is going on is actually [url="http://dystonia.org.uk/index.php/about-dystonia/types-of-dystonia/focal-hand-dystonia"]focal dystonia[/url]. It describes the symptoms pretty well. The fingers 'lock' and won't do what I want them to do, but there's no real pain associated with it. It's to do with the mapping of the fingers in the brain. It's a bit of a bummer, if it is, because it may well put paid to my playing.

£150, maximum. However, kits are available for £10 if you're lucky - you just have to look.