ambient

[quote name='zbd1960' timestamp='1468086001' post='3088553'] OK - I'm a 'classically' trained singer (but amateur). I don't do solo.... A lot of singers (not all) have no proper training in technique, which leads to straining of the vocal chords (in brief - tuned shouting rather than proper controlled vocal production). This means that the voice tires very quickly and is easily strained. So one option, is that their voice just isn't very robust due to poor technique. Thi can explain lots of sore throats etc. Alternatively, they've picked up a bug and you can't sing if you've got one - and there are plenty of those aroudn at the moment. [/quote] That's what I was going to say, there's a difference between a singer, and someone who can sing. Trained singers that I've worked with spend time slowly warming up before a performance, a bit like an athlete I guess.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1467991202' post='3087920'] A good quality music stand like one below can double up as a laptop stand. The top part will lie back flat or at an angle with the lip stopping the lap top from sliding off. We use one for our PA mixer http://www.terralec.co.uk/other_stands/cobra_adjustable_music_stand/33216_p.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwnv27BRCmuZqMg_Ddmt0BEiQAgeY1l2-KMgRUhUvo4pLyoleMr0mcdwCtto6gNJvTUxXpi7AaAs9O8P8HAQ [/quote] I used to use a stand like that as my effects table. I sit down for these gigs.I covered it in Velcro to hold the pedals on, it was great for that, it meant you could position it perfectly. I'm not sure that is fancy trusting my MacBook on one though tbh.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1467988045' post='3087883'] This one: [url="http://www.staggmusic.com/en/product_detail/cos_10_bk.html?backp=1"]http://www.staggmusi...bk.html?backp=1[/url] [/quote] That looks great thanks, I saw one of those earlier on Amazon. Even got a little bit for the interface to sit on .

Can anyone recommend a decent one ? I have some gigs coming up with an experimental duo project. I use my MacBook for processing. Must be light and strong. 😊

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1467980137' post='3087759'] or don't know when the starting chord isn't the key. [/quote] I know, there was a jazz band I played for last year. The guy who's band it was, was forever saying the key was the first chord. Invariably that' was actually the II chord of a II V I. I kept trying to explain but just gave up in the end.

A trombone player friend of mine can switch between bass and treble clef, and transpose into any key on the fly.

My one gig from last weekend, Me and my music stand are behind the one sax player and his music stand. It all depends on the gig I guess. I've done lots of dep gigs for function bands where I've sight read the set, and never had a complaint.

It's amazing the number of people who aren't able to correctly tell you what key something is in anyway.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1467892266' post='3087060'] Sight reading tab is easy! I don't understand your argument at all, it's as if you're arguing for the wong side. The whole point of tab is that you don't have to think about which string and fret to go for. Musical notation is a lot harder to learn and apply as you have to go through several extra layers of thinking: Tab: - 8th fret on the A string, BAM! - I don't even care what note that was, I've already played it. Next! Music notation: - Ok I've worked out that dot means an F - Where are all the Fs? - Which one is nearest to my hand and will work best considering what notes come before and after? - Eeny meeny miny mo Granted tab is useless for conveying rhythm. But it's also very difficult to get right via traditional notation so I just listen to a recording and get it instantly without having to decode marks on a page. [/quote] Knowing what position to start playing something at comes with experience. It's also why I like playing a 6 string, I can play everything from a fretted low E up to a high A (10th fret C string), in one position. The first thing to do when playing a part of a chart, is to quickly scan through it anyway, so if you're playing a normal 4 string bass, you'd generally have a good idea where to start. You look out for the lowest note that you have to play, and the highest etc. Rhythm is annotated perfectly with standard notation, even very complicated and syncopated rhythm.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1467890179' post='3087031'] I'm not playing in bands that require sight reading, in fact it would be rather frowned upon in a live situation, [/quote] Depends on the gig I guess. Both of my last weekend's gigs involved sight-reading with charts on a stand. Every member of the band was reading, even the drummer, though for her it was just for the structure. Each to his own anyway. I don't see any point in discussing it. My favourite gig at the moment is actually totally improvised, and pretty much untranscribable using tab or standard notation.

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1467886032' post='3086954'] I suppose because I grew up in the pre-tab/Tab/TAB world, I have never seen the point in it. A lot harder to learn and apply than standard notation for me. I have to stop and think about which string I am supposed to be hitting and THEN which fret. Almost think writing out the letters for each note would be easier to follow quickly. Can you guys seriously sight read tab? [/quote] I've never seen the point either. It's like reinventing the wheel. There's already a tried and tested method of notation that has developed over the few hundred years or so. It enables people playing a huge variety of instruments to play a lot of ridiculously complicated music. So why faf with something that doesn't impart enough information for a performance, and you have to use in conjunction with a recording of the piece. Like I explained in another thread earlier though, I came to bass in a kind of backwards way. I've always thought it was TAB though, but no idea why really.

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1467882860' post='3086902'] That's how I started out. I put on an Iron Maiden record and then moved my fingers around the fretboard until I found the notes that sounded correct. Really, isn't that just how everyone used to get started? Now I just go to Youtube and let someone teach me Whatever technique or methods you use, the only way to improve is to put in the time and effort. Eventually your ears get more used to spotting intervals and it does become easier. Also a grasp of very basic theory helps of course. [/quote] I came at bass playing backwards I guess, so I do find some peoples ways of doing things odd, so you'll have to excuse me. I started on violin and learned to read etc. Then switched to classical guitar and again sight-read stuff, and learned what the notes were on the fretboard. When I switched to playing bass, I assumed that the only way to play was the way I'd had with the other instruments. I expected to join a band and be given music to play. It never really occurred to me that you could play any other way. It was actually a bit of a eureka moment when a guy in a music shop that specialised in books, told me that most players just use the chords to make thier own lines. I'd gone in looking for books with printed lines in, having previously seen books full of piano and guitar chords, I just assumed there would be a bass version.

I had a USA Marcus Miller 5. It wasn't exactly brilliant, considering it's rather large price tag. It's finish was rather average. The neck pocket was too big, and cut at a funny angle. You could fit a coin into the gap around the neck. It had string through body option, and had little cups on the rear that the strings passed through. These weren't fixed in, and fell out if you didn't string through them.

[quote name='AndrewJordan' timestamp='1467822744' post='3086551'] But yeh, just listen to it (using the best tools you have available) and then move your fingers around untill it sounds right [/quote] Seriously ? Sounds a bit hit and miss, and quite time consuming to me,

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1467066997' post='3081021'] Get a six. �� [/quote] This ^ Makes much more sense 😊. When I switched from 4 to 5, I just mentally prepared myself, ie I mentally learned the new notes, which isn't hard, there's only 5 including the open B. I then visualised myself playing familiar lines, scales and apeggios on the bass before I bought it. I got it and gigged it the following day.

It's a skill you'll develop over time. However learning to play properly rather than just leaning the notes for a song is something you should aim for.

What harmony and fretboard knowledge do you have ? Knowing the notes on the fretboard, and a basic knowledge of harmony helps loads. If you know the chords to the song, then most bass lines are constructed out of the notes making those chords, or from the parent scale. The first note of a bass line is often the root note. If you don't have much knowledge of this, then it's maybe an idea to start to improve it,which will help no end in working out bass lines.