blue

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1452666289' post='2952127'] What do you mean by 'dog' in this context? [/quote] It means to me his comment was " out of pocket " and I had to call him out on it. Blue

Love my Gibson LP Gold Top, but to be honest it' more for looks than anything else. Blue

[quote name='markmcclelland' timestamp='1452159211' post='2947008'] Blue, great to see you on here. As to what you said, I have to very respectfully disagree. First off, if your attitude is professional, then you've decided to take that attitude. Therefore, you decide if you're professional or not. But bottom line. If you get paid, you are professional. End of. No matter how good or bad you are. Also, if you don't get paid but think like a professional and take that in all that you do, then you're more likely to actually become professional. But yes. I get what you're saying about famous guys you wouldn't call pro because if X guy wasn't in Y band, would he be working as a bassist? In many cases, probably not. That's not the first time I've come across that. But still, he/she gets paid. So, profession? Bass player. Also, I think that no matter how good we get, there's always another ten levels to aspire to so there will always be that feeling of inadequacy or, 'Oh man, I'm still not pro yet.' Unless you are indeed Victor Wooten. To quote American Beauty, 'In order to be a success, one must project an image of success at all times.' Paraphrasing that. 'In order to become professional, one must project an image of professionalism at all times.' [/quote] I agree to a degree. Am I a pro, I'll let others decide that. Do I have a pro attitude, yes, very much so. Huge difference between being a pro and having a pro attitude. Blue

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1452159172' post='2947006'] Hi Blue. I don't have an axe to grind here I am just interested by the notion that being 'pro' is so important to some people? [/quote] I'm not sure it is. I'm around enough working bass players, it's never a topic of discussion or interest. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1452596604' post='2951390'] Well I get paid for playing the Dog & Duck, but it would never occur to me to describe myself as a 'Pro'. [/quote] I play bass guitar for a living and I wouldn't describe myself as Pro either. I think being a pro or considered a pro is something others might label you with. Blue

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1452653747' post='2952110'] It's a taste thing, and nothing to do with respect or anything else.[/quote] I say it is a matter of respect and one of the reasons your generation will never generate the amount of great musical artists as mine. Sorry guys, I had to "dog" the OP and I did. Blue

You'll have to examine why you want to put the bass down. Maybe it's just not for you. What do you want out of playing bass? You need to answer that. Me; I love getting people on the dance floor. I love live performance I love gigging, the more the better. I love the attention I love getting paid and making a living from it. I love being in a band with competent hard working, trustworty people. I love rock and roll. *I have all of the above. Blue * I didn't always. I learned from my mistakes.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1452634812' post='2951963'] Rock or heavy rock. I couldn't work out what all the fuss was with Lemmy. I thought he'd died years ago, and can only name one song, the ace of spades. [/quote] I couldn't name 1 Megadeath song. But I'm different, I'm evolved. While I don't know Megadeath,I know Lemmy started the band back in the mid 70s. Megadeath didn't mean all that much to me because it didn't matter. The reason it didn't matter was Lemmy had already sold me. The fuss is, Lemmy was the real deal, he wasn't pretentious and had this glorious perspective on rock and roll.He seemed to be a no BS kind of guy. C'Mon guys, get with it. Learn something about and respect history. Blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452640974' post='2952033'] There are loads of genres of music I can't stand, I wouldn't call them Blindspots though. I just don't like it. [/quote] Do you know why you can't stand it. And I mean intellectually. Not from a mere adolescent "I just don't like it" perspective. Blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452640974' post='2952033'] There are loads of genres of music I can't stand, I wouldn't call them Blindspots though. I just don't like it. [/quote] All this negativity is not going to get us anywhere. You'll never hear me critizing the bands and artists of the younger generation. I'm a little more evolved than that. So for you younger folks beating up on The Beatles and other musical pioneers, see where it gets you. Blue

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1452638330' post='2952015'] I'm with you on this. Some Beatles songs are OK, most not. Elvis, never seen what the fuss was about, I maybe like the one about the cake. [/quote] I'm learning more and that many bass chatters have no respect for the pioneers that set the ground work for them. For the most It's pure ignorance. Blue

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1452631859' post='2951921'] The sad news of David Bowie losing his cancer battle got me thinking about how I hardly know anything about him or his music. That might sound odd but hear me out. I grew up in a really musical house, my mum and dad were Beatles mad, John Lennon more than Paul. My dad played guitar and was in bands for most of his life, he favoured singer songwriters like James Taylor, Janis Ian and Don McLean my mum raised us on a healthy diet of Motown, Northern Soul and acts like The Drifters and The Platters. I consider myself to have a good all round knowledge of most of the legends of the last 60 years or so, but David Bowie is my music blind spot. I was at rehearsal last night and the guitarist knows nothing about Pink Floyd, the drummer said he had never listened to a Doors record. Anyone else these gaps in knowledge, especially where 'the greats' are concerned? [/quote] For us baby boomers into music,we grew up with the "greats" so it's hard for us to miss any of these artist. David was great and was always surrounded by greats. Blue

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1452517348' post='2950666'] Would you turn an applicant down because their choice of vehicle didn't meet your standards? [/quote] The question is about reliability. I would only be concerned about vehicles that wouldn't be reliable transportation for gigs. Blue

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1452512302' post='2950554'] Not sure if I agree on the "change your playing" bit. A hollow body bass with flatwounds, makes me play very different to how I'd play an uber modern slap monster. Some instruments simply command that you play it differently. [/quote] I guess I get that. If I'm playing one of my Ps,I'm not going switch to my Gold Top Les Paul for no reason. It's is like you say,plays differently. Blue

Suffragette City Blue

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1452514215' post='2950601'] I'm guessing it's American for "is your car reliable?". [/quote] And You guessed right. When your offering someone a job with money it's a completely reasonable question. Blue

I have several cool basses,amps and a nice effects pedal board. I'm not buying anything. Blue

My first thought was, there has to be an easier way. Adjust, in the end it will make your playing experience a lot more efficient. Blue

We still hear a lot of what's the best bass or amp for this or for that. As if the bass can change your playing or make you a better player. Only dedication, focus and study can do that. Scott delivered the message in real nice "matter of fact" style. Blue

This is awful. He was a real cool cat. Space Oddity, how cool was that. David's art will always be relevant. RIP blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1452297360' post='2948769'] Great, thanks for posting. He was a very underrated bass player in my opinion. An inspiration to McCartney y'know, along with Jamerson. Wilson used session players later in the BBs career, notably Carol Kaye on Good Vibrations. I think so anyway. I may have dreamt it and can't be bothered to Google it. [/quote] Carol actually came up with the " Good Vibrations" bass line. Blue

The Rolling Stones, June 24th, 2015. Blue

I don't get these guys that think they can "wing it" through an audition, like they're going to fool someone. I also don't understand bands because I think these types can be screened out pre-audition. [list] [*]Are you currently in a working band [*]How long have you been in the band [*]How many gigs did you play in 2015 [*]Tell me about your gear [*]Are you married, does your wife mind that you would be gigging at least twice a week [*]Do you have young children [*]What year car do you drive [/list] I never audition for bands that are not established and making money and have a professional protocol. If I don't know the audition material like the back of my hand, I'll cancel my audition. Blue

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1452275797' post='2948465'] I've done two gigs in four years. I've got two P Basses, one with flats the other with rounds, because when that 3rd gig comes knocking I want to be ready for anything! [/quote] Off topic, I've been trying to make the point that a lot of guys no longer like gigging or can't due to life circumstances. Blue

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1452102972' post='2946455'] Michael League is great! I certainly would describe Snarly Puppy as 'pop', so you might enjoy it! For me, Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala, Michael League and MonoNeon are top of the 'inspirational' list and watching their playing inspires me to play and practice harder :-)[/quote] Not my thing at all. What kind of music is this? It's not rock and roll or pop. It's not funk,it's not funky. Is it some kind of progressive jazz? Blue