SteveK

[quote]But, as you say, if it ain't broke...[/quote] IMO I don't think the OP realises that [i]it is[/i] broke, and [i]how[/i] broke it is.

How can you play any chromatic phrases with any accuracy and speed without your middle finger? You'll be seriously limiting your ability to play so many things. Take my advice and start trying to use it.

[quote name='henry norton' post='517488' date='Jun 18 2009, 03:54 PM']Losing your fingers means losing your job as well as your hobby for most people operating planers and table saws,[/quote] Sadly, a great sax player and great friend of mine did exactly that, about 15 years ago. His other passion, aside from music, was carpentry. Sliced through half the fingers of his left hand with one of those big mounted circular saws. Doctors re-attached the fingers, but sadly his sax playing days were over. End of career and end of hobby! You'll probably recognise him from [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPKDS5QP0Tc&feature=related"] [b]this clip.[/b][/url] unfortunately, most of the solo is cut. Oh, and handsome bass player, don'tya think?

[quote name='Johngh' post='509407' date='Jun 9 2009, 07:19 PM']No, he was at the Robin 2 at Bilston. He did his own stuff on Saturday night together with some Purple stuff and then on Sunday he did a whole set of Trapeze material. I had to miss the Sunday gig which was a shame, Saturday was brilliant though, as usual.[/quote] OK! Saw him in Bad Urach on the 30th. Caught 4 or 5 numbers. Said he had laryngitis and should be tucked up in bed...still sounded pretty good to me. Are pick users frowned upon? If so, don't know why that should be. As already mentioned, plenty of good/great players use a pick. Come on you frowners, step forward, make yourselves known...

[quote]I saw Glenn Hughes in concert last weekend.[/quote] Wasn't Bad Urach, Germany by any chance?

IME, there are [i]usually[/i] 2 reasons for being sacked: 1. You are a PITA to work with. 2. You're not musically up to the job. Neither can be remedied overnight, so, in that respect there is not much to discuss. Bands don't usually fire musicians for fun. My guess is that this has been building up for a while, you just weren't reading the signs. Text, Letter, Phone call, Face to face....sacked is sacked! Steve

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='481533' date='May 6 2009, 11:54 PM']or just buy a synth...[/quote] Could do with a **Yawn** emoticon. I, and many other bass players have spent virtually a lifetime attempting to master the bass guitar. I'm afraid I don't have another lifetime to reach a similar standard on keyboard. Anyway, why shouldn't bass players have synth sounds at their disposal?

[quote name='liamcapleton' post='479560' date='May 4 2009, 11:49 PM']Never really bought into the whole guitar/midi thing. I think if you wanted to make your guitar sound like a synth, then buy a synth instead. Maybe that's a bit close-minded of me but all the same...[/quote] Never got the logic of that argument...seems to have one obvious flaw!

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='476065' date='Apr 30 2009, 02:52 PM']Nope. Not for me. Bass gets tuned monthly.[/quote] Should've bought from a decent shop - got mine from a really good shop - bloke told me it was all set up - consequently, don't have to worry 'bout all that tuning stuff.

[quote]because he's a show-off.[/quote] Hmmm, aren't we all? My guess is that he'll only really ever be known as "That guy with the odd playing style".

[b]"Bulk up"[/b]? [b]"Put on a couple of pounds before you go"[/b]? Can someone please explain why? I've played these places many times in the last 25 years or so, and never once felt it was necessary to bulk up. Never once heard anyone say, "We should've bulked up before leaving home". These countries have food, it ain't expensive, and some of it is quite edible. Steve EDIT: When I say, "these places", I am referring more to the former Eastern Bloc countries.

Go Pre EQ and speak to the engineer about the sound you like, and [i]hope[/i] that he/she takes that on-board. By going Post EQ you'll be complicating matters. Maybe you like a bright sound with not too much mid, the engineer hears it and thinks, " hmm, that's a bit bright, and there's not enough mid" and adjust accordingly. You either use your own (trusted) engineer or hope for the best. EQ-wise the sound guy's going to do (pretty much) whatever he thinks is right anyway. Steve

[quote name='XB26354' post='463340' date='Apr 15 2009, 07:43 PM']Interesting replies, I thought I'd share my experiences as a player and teacher... The trick of learning intervals through the first two notes of a melody only works to show you an example of the interval. It doesn't really have a benefit when developing your ear, because you are hearing that interval over one harmonic sequence only.[/quote] I disagree. It's surprising how easy (with a little perseverance) it is to apply the method to other modes and scales. The trick that I suggest is not meant as an alternative to the more "traditional" methods, but, as a simple and surprisingly useful addition... something for the student to have fun with. Associating a tune to an interval is something I did in my formative years (musically speaking) and I found it invaluable. You don't have to have your instrument with you, You can hum the intervals to yourself while out walking, sitting on a train (first find an empty carriage though ) knowing that you have them correct, getting to know the sound that they make. After a while, when listening to music you'll know where a melody starts and where it goes, and then be able to apply it to your instrument. Of course, this does assume that the student is practising all the more mundane stuff as well. Steve

I have some sympathy with AM1. A question I've been asking myself for quite some time: Where are the exciting, intelligent arrangements? The killer bass/guitar riffs? Where are the virtuoso guitarists, drummers, keyboard players etc playing music that excites? Please don't point me to any jazz. I know there's some great jazz out there and I appreciate a lot of it, but sometimes a man's gotta rock. Someone, a month or so ago, posted a link to The Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein". I seem to remember that the general consensus was, "[i]They don't make 'em like that anymore[/i]" or, maybe, that's just what I thought. Anyway, you get my drift. Any pointers gratefully received. Steve I'll check out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as suggested.

Not sure what you mean by "hearing notes". Perfect pitch perhaps? If so, can't help. However, A simple trick to learning intervals is to associate the first 2 notes of a tune that you know to an interval. For example: I'm sure that you know the theme from Jaws, the bit when the shark's about to strike, well, that's your minor 2nd For Major 2nd you could use first to notes from Eastenders (the soap) Now apply your own tunes to all the intervals. You may have difficulty in finding one for Major 6th...My Way (the song made famous by Ol Blue Eyes) should do it. Even nursery rhymes have their uses: Pop Goes The Weasel = Major 3rd HTH Steve I should add that with time and practice you won't think in terms of nursery rhymes or soap tunes, you'll think "Oh, that's a minor 3rd" or "that'll be a perfect 5th then" and immediately apply it to your instrument.

[quote]I know the guitarist from Sick of it All, frontman from Dillinger etc all try and bulk up a bit before heading onto the road.[/quote] WTF Why would they do that? I don't know these guys, but they obviously inhabit a different world to me. It's when I'm on the road that I tend to do my [i]bulking up[/i] Steve

I'm keeping my gob shut!

Don't know any musicians who make "physical preparations" for a tour. A good book, MP3 player, laptop will all help pass any boring travel time. If you or any of your bandmates are into backgammon or chess, a travel set would be good. Steve

[quote]Paul Jackson is the don![/quote] Then you may be interested in this CD/DVD by my good friend and fellow band-member, Jimmy Copley [url="http://www.jimmycopley.com/"]Slap My Hand[/url] The live DVD (filmed in Japan) features Paul Jackson. The CD features PJ, Pino, Jeff Beck and many more. Check out the samples on Jimmy's site. The CD, while being a studio album, is about as live as you can get, ie. No overdubs (vocals apart) and pretty much first takes. Steve

[quote]I couldn't tell who the drummer is but there are some serious mistakes in the drumpart.[/quote] Are you sure that the "serious mistakes" aren't just edits in the clip? (there are many) Steve

Mostly it's down to "nerves". Before counting in think about what you are doing,[i]relax[/i] for a few seconds, don't just rush in. Think of the key part of the song, the riff, the chorus melody etc, and hum a couple of bars to yourself and [i]then[/i] count. Sometimes it may be a little fast or sometimes a little slow but you should be "in the ball park". Steve EDIT: casapete, I know that you weren't after advice, but the tip may be of use to someone.

[quote]Chris Slade has played with loads of artists, sometimes he's done tours for some bands without necessarily appearing on the original albums. He's toured with ACDC, Dave Gilmour & Asia as well as those already mentioned.[/quote] Indeed... ...He also spent many years with Manfred Mann's Earth Band...but they're rubbish, so we won't count them.

[quote]ably supported by ex Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade.[/quote] Wot?...the same Chris Slade featured in [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Monp42hqw"]this clip[/url]? 'e gets around, don't 'e !!??

[quote]It makes me laugh when people with about 1/10th the talent of these guys come on here and comment about their playing.[/quote] hmmm! A couple of points: 1. You know nothing about me. 2. This is a forum... A place to debate an issue or express [i]opinions.[/i] [quote]Copeland = favourite drummer of all time Sting = one of the main reasons i play bass.[/quote] OK, you're a fan and the band obviously means a lot to you. FWIW I think Sting is an outstanding songwriter and the band made some great records. The OP, however, asked for opinions about the rhythm section. My feeling is that there are two quite different aspects to The Police: Records and Live shows. As I've said, they've made some great records, but film of the live shows that I've seen (mostly from 70s and 80s) gives the impression of "Heads down and first one to the bar" Of course, one man's "Frantic and grooveless" can be another man's "Exciting". I'd certainly be interested to see the Certifiable DVD though. Steve

[quote]The BBC has apologised after Bono called Chris Martin a "w****er" live on Radio 1[/quote] Yeah, but was he stating a fact, or was it just his opinion...after reading this thread I'm not sure of the difference.