blue

Is it harder to learn how to play rock & roll today then it was 50 years ago? Back in the 60s we were just a bunch of kids, we aquired guitars and basses and someone knew a few notes or chords, we learned from listening to 45 rpm records and built on that. It worked. Blue

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1426695312' post='2720929'] Been playing for some 34 years now. Am nowhere near as good as I should be for having played that amount of time, but I can play what I need to for my band (and all those I`ve been in as well). I know a few scales, and nothing about modes - however I`d bet I`m already playing this stuff, just that I don`t know it. Drummers seem to be quite happy with my playing though, and I usually get called "steady" and "the man who holds it all together". Music is my hobby, what I do outside of the regular day to day life to have fun. Of course it would be great to be doing what I`m currently doing with my band as a job, but realistically that`s not going to happen. I consider myself lucky to have such a great hobby, and am thankful I took up an instrument that I love. [/quote] Great topic! I really like this site as opposed to some of the other sites. For one, a lot less trolling. I think we have everything here from bedroom noodlers to guys out there on pro level tours. And a lot of bar/pub band hustlers like me trying to make some money. You know the guys out there always looking for that next gig, that next couple of hundred bucks sitting in your wallet types. Me, sort of the same as Lozz. Been playing for over 40 years and I'm passionate about it always gigging and trying to learn more. I guess I'm average, Thing is it's hard to say. I don't know what I would sound like playing with real top shelf folks, never seem to be able to network myself in with those world class types. This is more than a hobby for me, I really depend on gig money to get me through each month. No family, hobbies or other interest for me. This rock and roll and electric bass guitar playing and singing is all I have. The topics here are really informative, my only complaint is, it's hard to come up with an intelligent response to some issues because in some cases the age and length of time playing and level of play is unknown. I'm 62. Blue

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1426566359' post='2719363'] ... or is it green..? [/quote] Clever 😃

I think it's a cool looking Fender, love the color. Blue

[quote name='Lucasade' timestamp='1426543414' post='2719248'] Hi. I'm currently living in Australia but I'm relocating over to the UK for an extended period of time in May of this year. I was just curious as to what the covers band scene is like there? I've played in covers bands for over ten years and would like to continue doing so once I'm over there, so my main question is, is there much work for covers bands there? In Australia, the covers band scene has changed drastically over the last 10-15 years. Most of the venues that used to put on bands now only put on DJ's, so there's not as many venues anymore for live bands unfortunately. [/quote] I think you will find it's changed drastically everywhere for cover bands and live rock/pop music. I'm not sure DJs are cheaper , I hear some of those guys get paid huge $$$$$. You know, that DJ stuff is not only in clubs , those guys are now involved in scoring music for big block buster feature films. I'm is the USA, these guys will give you their honest opinion on the scene in the UK. It's a tough business. Good luck Blue

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1426467675' post='2718342'] Check out "The Section". Him, Russ Kunkel and Danny Kooch played on most of the early Carole King and James Taylor Albums, Lee Sklar has gone on to play with almost everyone including artists as disparate as Phil Collins, Billy Cobham and Lyle Lovett. [/quote] Very interesting connecting the dots here. I always wondered how our local guitar hero ( Milwaukee WI ) Daryl Strummer got that gig with Phil Collins? Blue

To the OP. You might want to look at the Japan crafted Fender Ps and Js, the necks are thinner than those made in the USA and certainly thinner than those huge necks on the MIM models. I think I am unlike most bass players when it comes to these issues with Fender Ps & Js. I have 2 precision basses with thin necks I gig with from time to time, however I am not hardwired to any body style or sound. I am older , not to the point where I have issues with the weight or width of a neck. It might happen one day, but not yet. Hell if I was having those issues I could never play my Gibson LP Gold Top bass. You can imagine how much all that mahogany weighs and not the thinnest neck either.. If most of you guys picked up my German made Hofner Club bass it's so light it could easily float out of your hands. Blue

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1426370547' post='2717488'] Hey Blue Is that a guitar in your avatar?? [/quote] No, that is not a guitar. It's my Gibson Gold Top Les Paul bass guitar. I also have the Gibson ES-335 bass guitar. They're ok basses, I mainly use them for their stage appeal/ their looks. Blue

[b]Leland Bruce "Lee" Sklar[/b] (born May 28, 1947 in [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee"]Milwaukee[/url]) is an American musician I didn't know Leland was a home town guy. Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1426366306' post='2717451'] Unless you have a rig specifically for hire that you don't need and don't care about, for me it would be a "No". On the occasional double bill when the other bass player wants to use my amp, my response is always "No". My reasoning, I can't afford to replace my rig if anything were to happen to it and people treat and use equipment differently. Blue [/quote]

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1426239320' post='2715917'] No. However, we have played a number of very big motorbike rallies, and at the better ones we have been very well looked after - free entry & camping all weekend, free food and drink from the organisers' backstage area. So, same fee but treated better, and less spent by us, all seemed very fair. [/quote] I never think much about food and accommodations. You can't take those things home with. Money, is where it's at. This sounds like a corporate type event. It also sounds like there's a lot of money changing hands. I say get some of it and charge at least triple your rate. It's a business, make some money. Blue

I would say band 2. The indie band would be a good match for you and your restricted availability. That's if the indie market is anything like it us in my region, Milwaukee WI. Being available every other weekend would not be a problem as Indie bands gig so infrequently. Blue

[quote name='geoham' timestamp='1426319719' post='2716838'] Played two songs with my originals band Scarlets on STV Glasgow. Was a fun experience! [url="http://t.co/DSgFNV1wbO"]http://t.co/DSgFNV1wbO[/url] [/quote] Your band sounds great, focused and controlled. Love your songs. Nice job! Blue

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1426154075' post='2714917'] Hmm, I'm not sure if this conversation is worth continuing or not after this. Your response has actually quite angered me so I'll try to keep this on point. We both have opinions that seem to differ; I think she's a professional musician using the tools in her arsenal to put on a performance, you don't agree - fine/whatever, that's what internet discussions boards are for. Now this is where I feel like I'm addressing a child but it needs to be said - you don't go into discussions then accuse people of being sexist when what they've said is quite clearly not. Calling me that is incredibly offensive & shows a complete lack of understanding of the issue or even the meaning of the word. The irony of it being the person that started this thread saying it is not lost on me. I think I'll have to go back to the classic threads of "which fender?", "I hate Fender" & "Ashdown - to spontaneously combust or not?" - much less subjective ;-) [/quote] I'm on "hottie alert" 24/7. When I watched the clip I was so blown away by her bass playing I didn't even notice what she looked like. I went back and watched again. She nice looking but she did not come Carlos, look or present herself as "look at Me, I'm. This hot chic and I play bass. Daryl

Stevie was on Letterman last night. I think this performance is insane. Every note is spot on. Another example of one of the [i]"once in a life time"[/i] artists that emerged in the 60s. Love the Fender Rhodes Piano. Enjoy; [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atfXUqCC1C4"]https://www.youtube....h?v=atfXUqCC1C4[/url] Blue

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1426085363' post='2714183'] As someone who doesn't suffer in the slightest with nerves I've got to say Happy Jack's suggestion sounds absolutely spot on--nice work Jack! [/quote] There are many things in life that terrify me, however getting on stage to perform is not one of them. My first gig at 11 years old back in 1965, I couldn't wait to get on stage. Some of us just love making fools out ourselves. I agree with Happy Jack too and I know you'll be fine and get through this unscared. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1426069773' post='2713931'] No. I find it easier to do standing up with a strap-on. OK, while I'm here... fingering A minor, G-string, bottom, bass players go deeper, slapping, both hands, wood, etc. etc. [/quote] I don't think most clubs I play would allow me to perform wearing a strap on. Blue

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1425993190' post='2713141'] Fender decided to turn a Blind eye and look where that lead them and now Gibson are doing the same and we are seeing fake Gibson basses, even SG specials landing daily, the latsest snide offerings. The only people who appear to get upset are those wanting to buy snide. [/quote] The Gibson fakes come with the nice cases with the Gibson logo. I have an ES-335 & a Gold Top Bass, hope they are real. Blue

Again, she's a great player in my book. what I'm really trying to say to all us average players is; [i]"Be careful when your playing to pre-recorded hits through head phones from a sitting position. It's very easy to fool yourself playing in that ideal environment and above all overestimate your abilities."[/i] Blue

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1426026732' post='2713676'] Thank you. When you say compensated, do you mean paid? If so, then yes, we had a publishing contract, a recording contract and a merchandise contract. We were also wise enough to negotiate how we got our money. Rather than giving us our advance in one lump sum, being 4 youngish guys it would be a financial disaster and it would had been blown on all the trappings of rock and roll very quickly. So we negotiated that we got it paid monthly like a wage. It kept us on the straight and narrow for sure. We also negotiated with the record company as part of the deal to sign us that they would pay for us to all have new equipment. I got £5k so I went to the bass centre in Wapping and got a Musicman Stingray, a Fender Precision and the top of the range Hartke rig. Awesome shopping trip and got to keep it all as part of the agreement when we sued the record company Yeah but you are still playing and doing your trade which has got to be a good thing. You could say I'm a minor has been or flash in the pan but you have sustained it longer than I have. Likewise, you know guys who will never get to gig and that is a real shame as we know how much of a buzz that is. It's all perspective. [/quote] Thanks Linus, All wise words. I feel a little better today, a few gigs for May came in today, YEAH! blue

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1426021751' post='2713602'] I feel the same for Haight-Ashbury . I reckon i would be disappointed though. Not sure i would feel the 60`s vibe [/quote] I get that, for me, I think my appreciation and ability to understand the Beatles history and Liverpool will be higher at 61 then 20. In other words, I'm saying visiting Liverpool in my 60's will be the better experience. Blue

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1426023213' post='2713624'] For me it's a combination of things but mostly getting tired of it for little reward due to the scene not being so prolific. Also, if I am honest, feeling my age a bit and the fire in my belly going out. I was fortunate enough to get a record deal. It took 10 years of playing in bands but I got there. It was a dream come true, to go on tour, be on TV, radio, a couple of John Peel sessions, radio 1 road shows, songs in adverts, CD's in shops and to work with big name artists. It took a hell of a lot of hard work, all self driven by the band members and equally as much to maintain it. When it ended, I admit it was a big pressure lifted off our shoulders. Still, I joined a few bands after but it was never the same. Going from having a tour bus, crew and great gigs to sh*tty pub gigs where nobody was really interested and unreliable band mates was just depressing. I was still really enjoying the playing and songwriting but the frustrations were really setting in. I was so used to every band member giving it 110% and being totally focused to then having to deal with people who would not turn up for sound check, rehearsals, forgetting to buy batteries or strings so they could not play was just off the scale for me. I admit, I had been very spoilt but by now the energy was pretty much gone. So, for the last few years I've just done some studio work and enjoyed it. I've also enjoyed getting some dream basses and noodling at home. I've also realised that life is too short. I've played for 25 years and had a great innings. I know I have been very lucky having my dream come true and I have a lot of great memories but life really is too short. I want to have another 25 years of new adventures and experiences. I believe it's better to close a chapter and open a new one and only being 44 I still have lots of things to see and do. Plus, nothing stopping me opening a new musical chapter later on in life. [/quote] Awesome story, you obviously worked hard and deserved everything you got. However you didn't say if you were compensated appropriately? I guess in some ways I'm lucky, I have not and will probably never see the side of the business you did. For me, it's always been bars, clubs and a few festivals and fairs. At times I get upset with myself, but then i know guys of my vintage that have no gigs and no gigs in sight. blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1425823344' post='2711057'] I think I must be the only person in the universe who doesn't like Stevie Wonder. [/quote] I would say your probably right. Blue

[quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1425913545' post='2712116'] So what's the diffence between someone performing or playing a song on you tube, and playing the same song at a gig..... viewers or an audience...its the same thing. [/quote] There's a huge difference between sitting and playing along to a recording with head phones on. She can play her butt off, however she is playing with world class musicians and there's a click as well. She's light years a head of me, however I doubt she would sound the same live, standing up and without the world class backing track. Respect Blue

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1425921206' post='2712265'] Talented, youthful and good looking.[/quote] Dead on point, it's what it's all about and if I had to prioritize those attributes; [list=1] [*]Good Looking [*]Young [*]Talent [/list] Respect Blue