ambient

A good way to remember flat keys, especially to those playing a 5 string bass, is by remembering the notes at the first fret of each string. So they only need look quickly at their bass to see what the key would be, e.g the first fret on the B string is a C, E string F, A string Bb, D string Eb etc, and remembering that it starts with none, then one flat, then 2 etc. Sharp keys are the cycle of 5ths, so start on the same C, move up in intervals of a 5th, so up a string along 2 frets is 1 sharp and G, up a string and along 2 frets is 2 sharps and D, etc.

It’s one of these. https://m.thomann.de/gb/millenium_go_kart_solo.htm?o=7&search=1516479348

I did dozens of gigs all over the UK and in Europe via Eurostar as a solo bassist last year. You just need to plan exactly what you need to take on a gig, then sit and plan on how to take it. The photo below show my rig en-route to s show in Bristol. My bass in a Mono gig bag which also holds my MacBook Pro. I bought a brilliant padded container from Amazon, a little like one of those things Deliveroo cyclists use, but smaller. In there goes my combo and boxes containing my interface, and other bits and pieces. My pedalboard is in it's case. All covered by a large waterproof cover from Amazon.

What’s crisco? Chcken fat sounds disgusting. I should imagine it would be a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria too.

The guy from Pearl Jam.

Wonder why he tried to change how you play? Anyway, keep at it, 6 string bass is brilliant.

Watch videos of great 6 string players like Steve Lawson, who I ended up studying with in the end when I was having problems adapting to the 6. When I first started on a 6 string about 15 years ago, I was still trying to play like a 5, particularly with my right-hand. A good right hand technique is to follow the strings down as you move, so if you're playing notes on the D string for instance, then you might be resting your thumb on the E string. Muting is very important, and slightly harder to do due to the extra strings.

You're absolutely right, me too. Is it the symmetry do you think? Having the normal four strings with one either side.

I remember clearly the last instrument that I played that had been described as both playing like a 'dream' and 'like butter'. I could literally slide my hand under the strings at the 12th fret. It was more like Stork margarine and a nightmare.

There's a lovely version of this by Matt Garrison with Teri Lyn Carrington, I'm not sure whether he plays it on his EUB. I know what you mean though, Superstitious by Stevie Wonder for instance.

Yet they’ll still take your money.

Never have someone pay by Paypal and then collect. Paypal need a trackable delivery otherwise the buyer can make a claim against you.

Sometimes collection only, particularly on eBay can work in your favour. I bought my cassette deck last week from a seller. It was collection only from Leicester. A fantastic bargain, cost me a fraction of what others were selling for from buyers that were willing to post, even when factoring in the train fare and 3 or 4 hours I spent picking it up.

This. I was advertising a pedal on Facebook. Someone contacted me about it, we agreed a price, he then wanted to pay by normal Paypal, I said no and said I'm not selling to you. He got quite annoyed.

My bass is currently for sale, and collection only, but I am willing to meet. My reasons are: It's safer both for me. It's safer for the buyer. It's safer for the instrument. I don't get to lose a whole load of cash if the instrument gets lost or damaged The buyer sees and tries what he's buying. There's no chance of a very expensive and very lovely instrument either getting stolen, broken or lost. I used Parcelforce recently to send back a gig bag, the lady in the post office thinking it was an instrument started telling me about all the regulations regarding instruments. You have to really read the small print with regard to insurance. It's not necessarily just a case of popping the instrument into a box and applying some tape. I've travelled all over the country either delivering instruments or collecting them. The furthest up was Edinburgh and the furthest down was somewhere by Brighton. Train travel can be for very little if you plan your journey, plus it's a nice day out. I bought my Overwater from a guy who works for Overwater. The train to Carlisle cost about £30 return from Birmingham. Edinburgh was about the same. Liverpool cost me just over £10.

Chords are lovely on bass.