ubit

Beyoncé has her place and yes, she is a great performer, but Beck, whatever you think of his music, is an all round musician, singer, performer, if you like. He writes and performs his own material, which in my book, makes you infinitely more talented and eligible for awards than someone who sings other people's songs. Not knocking old Beyoncé , who can fair chant when she wants and can also bust a few very shapely moves, but in my mind there's no contest. Maybe I'm biased as I tend to look to the musicians side of things. Whatever the result, I think Kanye has just made himself look even more of a dick than he was previously!

I am the singer and I was still the one who moved about the most. Our guitarist maybe struck some poses, but only in the one spot and our acoustic guitarist just did his usual standing stock still and looking like he's about to burst into tears, so yes, we certainly need lessons in using our space. I suppose it was better than one pub I can remember when I had to hold my bass at a certain angle, so that I didnt bump into the acoustic guitarist.

I would just embrace it, it's part of the sound and probably isn't as loud through the amp as it seems to you at the neck .

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423437251' post='2684875'] My band is a bar band, however in the Summer we play several festivals and fairs usually big headliner type stages. For me, I guess I'm like the OP, my experience and comfort level is bars and clubs. I have never been comfortable on big stages with big sound and lights. Could be merely an experience issue. My response, maybe me an the OP need more time on the big stages. Blue [/quote] I think you're right Blue, although we have played quite a few times on a big stage over the years, our usual is pubs either at floor level or on a small stage. It's probably just a comfort zone thing. I think my favourite gig is floor level in a big room, where you have room to move, yet still maintain that level of intimacy with the audience

It was the alcoholic variety of AA, which gives for an interesting evening. They get up and dance right away, tend to avoid slow dances, then start to wander off after the raffle, which is the EXACT opposite of a normal function night, when no one will get onto the dance floor until they are well oiled, but then , when you are winding down, won't let you leave! Yes I agree, it's great to have your gear safe, it's just the remoteness of being so far away and high above the throbbing masses that leaves me cold. Maybe it's just that we don't do big stages that often. We certainly did have a great stage sound. Digressing a bit, there was a thread recently about the worst thing that has happened to you onstage. I had one of those moments last night when I picked up the bass tuned to standard for our opening number, then realised the rest of the band were playing in E flat tuning. I'm also the singist, so had to mumble my way through whilst wanting the ground to open up. To the credit of the alcohol free audience, they danced away merrily. We quickly saved ourselves by playing the rest of the set in the proper tuning ( makes a big difference by the way ) so it turned into a good night, just missing the feeling you get playing a dance at floor level.

We played last night, at the annual dance for the A.A. and it was in our large town hall, which has a really big stage. We have played in this venue a good few times over the years and I've come to the conclusion that I really don't enjoy these big events. I much prefer playing a smaller venue where we can use our own PA and have much more control of the sound. Also I like being close to the audience. I know I've moaned in past threads about handling drunks who are in your face, but I think sometimes that's what makes it more rock n roll. This being miles away and elevated so high above everyone makes you much more detached. The amount of room is a bit disconcerting too, which is maybe just because I haven't developed my stage moves sufficiently yet. I think maybe it's just a bit out of my comfort zone. I would love to hear other opinions on larger stages and what your experiences/ preferences are.

It's so annoying, we managed to get AC/DC tickets by pure chance, but my mate had no luck apart from Getmein , who were charging double the face value! People are getting sick of this legalised touting. It's getting so you can't see bands now. It used to be easier for real fans to persevere and get tickets, but now a large amount, are straight away given to Getmein or Viagogo.

Well that kind of ruins my argument that people don't know what the bass is !

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1423170900' post='2681855'] I've seen the evidence of people on youtube playing whatever bass line, and I listen and it sounds unlike like the original, with the tricky bits missing, or played like each note has been dead for a very long time. So I suppose it depends on whether you can play a bass line and make it sound GOOD (subjectivity disclaimer) that really counts. Some of the simplest bass lines are the hardest because they depend on feel rather than athletics. So far, this thread seems to have been mostly about the athletics [/quote] That is indeed, a very good point because sometimes simple bass lines can sound "off" because of a lack of the simple nuances like feel . Your sound can make such a difference too. A simple bass line played with a sh*t sound, and poor timing, can sound wrong. I don't think its that important to be able to dazzle on the neck a la so many of the yoo choob brigade who think hundred mile an hour slapping is what we all want to hear, as much as lay down a solid base for the song to be built round. I , personally take on the role of lead singer, so maybe I steer away from really complicated bass lines, but some of the best , most catchy songs ever written , have simple bass parts.

TNT by AC/DC! Ok, just joking, but any of Geddys stuff just does my head in. Dig by Mudvayne is a bugger too!

KiOgon, I got de name wrong mon, but ya got the drift!

Try asking Koigon, he's the man for that info

Yip !

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1423043437' post='2679824'] I once played a didgeridoo set at a pub in York on Australia Day. As I was getting a drink after the set, a lady asked whether my circular breathing technique could be employed in a bedroom context! [/quote] I once asked the wife what was her biggest fantasy and she said it begins with d, ends in o and it fits down here. I exclaimed where the hell am I gonna get a didgeridoo. Now I know !

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1422922035' post='2678546'] Not seen this Rush documentary before. It's a nice one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TwUp-TP350 [/quote] How can anyone, who watches this, say the music has no heart and soul? Ok, you might not like the band, but to say it's lacking heart and soul is just wrong!

If you can eq the bass drum, try to push the mids. That's where you get the punch rather than the boom . Get the 200 area pushed!

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1423038661' post='2679758'] As you say it's human nature to want to meet your heroes and it is also part of the price of fame. Alex Lifeson handles it with good grace whilst Neil Peat doesn't... [/quote] Is that the drummer from the Scottish islands?

Yeah, I'm old enough to realise that we are not responsible for bringing in loads of folk, but one particular occasion, we had a great sound, people who might have left stayed and I think some folk got on their phones, because it turned into a really busy night and we were told it hadn't been that busy since so and so played. Everyone said they enjoyed it including the bar staff. The landlord said he would definitely get us back, then nothing!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422973451' post='2679008'] I don't really get this - you only notice the bass when it isn't there. I would imagine most of us play in bands with guitar drums vocals and perhaps one other instrument (probably second guitar or keyboards). In bands like this if the the arrangements are properly orchestrated and the sounds have been chosen appropriately so that each instrument has its own sonic space, then all the instruments are of equal importance and any one instrument dropping out when it shouldn't would be massively noticeable. [/quote] I second that, but still think punters and puntettes don't seem to notice the old bass, or realise that the beefy sound they are hearing is down to the bass player. They just think it's part of the guitar sound.

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1422970860' post='2678975'] ..."because you're getting them all wrinkly". [/quote] That made me larf that did!

I really don't understand when you are a new band, play a blinder, the pubs rammed, the owner raves about how much he enjoyed it, the locals all say that was the best night we've had in here for ages, and you never hear from them again.

I agree, with my limited experience of famous people, I exclusively don't talk to them.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1414001416' post='2584747'] I dont really notice things like this anymore, nut width, neck width, neck profile, jumbo frets, skinny frets, no frets, 34" 41.3" or 35" scale. I think I've become lazy and complacent rather than super skilled or anything [/quote] Did I write this???

[quote name='fatwull' timestamp='1422874716' post='2677694'] Guys and gals, do you still get the odd doughball asking you to "put on a slow one" like you were a DJ putting on records?? [/quote] Yes, lots of times, which further goes to show that the vast majority of punters have not got a clue as to what's going on! I remember s while back, being in this girls company and she said, oh they are really good. I was shocked and couldn't wsit to tell her the reason they are good is because no f***er is playing anything. It was glorified karaoke with nothing but backing tracks and a couple of mediocre singers! Bash humbug!!!

Well done mate, break a leg