blue

[quote name='AndrewJordan' timestamp='1467970260' post='3087612'] Well, that's pretty much what I do too but If it's something a bit obscure that your trying to learn(as is the case with the OP) it can be very difficult if not impossible to find a youtube vid and if you do then sifting through them to find the best/most accurate one can be a very hit and miss and time consuming excersise in itself (I speak from experience). The "searching for notes" bit tends to happen more when you are just starting out. As others have said, this in itself can be a very valuable lesson and as time goes on you learn to recognise what you are hearing until the searching becomes a thing of the past(hopefully). One camp may say "Get lessons, lock yourself in your room for a few years, get your chops down, learn the theory, practice, practice, practice and then you wil be ready to fly" another may say "Just listen and then move your fingers around until it sounds right then get out and play some music". Either is a perfectly valid aproach but I think you know which camp I belong to [/quote] I guess, I mean who really knows. I don't even know which members are out there on the front lines sweating and gigging every week And who are the bedroom guys. For this issue, I would say the bedroom noodler is just as credible as the gigging guys. Blue

Depends on the band,the genre and venue. For a rock band playing a bar, a music stand looks pretty silly. Blue

[quote name='sykilz' timestamp='1467924122' post='3087427'] ^ this, without a smoking hot guitarist, Sheehan is just a bit of a racket really. I love the guy, but when he solos I have to get a drink, whereas when he plays with the guitars I love the way he sounds. [/quote] Some of you know my position on bass guitar solos. Never considered it a solo type instrument. I think if your playing traditional jazz soloing on the double bass makes sense. Oh, I'll make an exception for that solo that Tal took with Jeff Beck "Since We Ended As Lovers" Blue

[quote name='AndrewJordan' timestamp='1467922298' post='3087401'] A few questions for you Blue. How do you learn songs without listening? How do you play them without moving your fingers around? Do you always get it right first time? [/quote] When I'm learning a new song I use the best YouTube tutorial I can find. It's pretty strategic. I'm not searching around for notes. I never get anything right the first time. Blue

We need to get better at playing the large stages. We struggle with it. The dynamics are a lot different from a bar. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1467873003' post='3086805'] Shame it's not like that here, I love playing outdoors, always good crowds and good sound. Come to think of it, we did do a country fair last summer (probably similar to some of the fairs you're talking about) and got the same fee as we do for a good pub gig. Played the same two one hour sets, though. Just not many events like that in my area. [/quote] Yes, were lucky, but keep in mind ,we still have to put in the effort to get those gigs. They're not handed to anyone. But yeah, you guys know playing for 45 mins and getting the same or double your normal 4 hour show is a treat. Blue

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1467882449' post='3086897'] Seriously ? Sounds a bit hit and miss, and quite time consuming to me, [/quote] Agreed Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1467896208' post='3087120'] Why so..? who do you listen to? [/quote] I still listen to those artist on my list as well as a lot of the newer tutorials like Scott's Bass. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1467897457' post='3087141'] Ok,,, answered my own question with this quote. "Sorry, nor accepting any new applications at this time." The problem I have with that ..well, not really a problem for me.... is that that is a very insular set of references. I agree some of them may be required listienng... but you've rather missed out 30 yrs plus of bass playing so I think it would/may be hard to evolve your own playing if your references are only of that period...?? For example... Nobody listens to Louis Johnson ..who was probably THE 80's bass player with his work with Quincy Jones for slap as the style has moved on so much. [/quote] I think I had the great Louis Johnson covered with Larry. Not much changed in the 30 year gap besides bass guitar not being as prominent in a lot of the more commercial tunes as it was in the 60s and 70s. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1467870122' post='3086792'] Stanley Clarke, Jaco and Francis Roco Prestia were all born in 1951, Sheehan in '53. Almost half your list are only a few years older than you, no where near 10 years [/quote] Cool, well that's still my list. I never knew about Billy when I was listening to those on my list. Blue

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1467877906' post='3086847'] Mainly because it's difficult to play an electro version of Mustang Sally... [/quote] So cover bands in the UK are still playing Mustang Sally? I'm starting to think cover bands in the UK are very different than our Milwaukee cover bands. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1467827117' post='3086586'] I find his passion for playing and wanting to give his time to give advice really inspiring. I'm not big on Mr Big but i do like the Winery Dogs. I've seen TWD twice now and they were brilliant both times. Although I must say Kotzen in that band is awesome. He's 62, same or similar age to yourself. [/quote] Most of the folks I consider influences are on average 10 years older than me. Paul McCartney Chuck Rainey Larry Graham Stanley Clarke Francis Rocco Prestia Jaco Carol Kaye Sorry, nor accepting any new applications at this time. Don't get me wrong, I know Billy is a 'killer" bass player. Blue

[quote name='lefrash' timestamp='1467824743' post='3086570'] Brilliant input! [/quote] Well that's what happens when younger bass chatters put down Jaco. Blue

[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] Respectfully disagree. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1467844750' post='3086753'] Forgetting about the childish crap about music stands and not performing unpaid, it's an interesting thread because unfortunately this type of gig just not exist around here! We do get various motorcycle club rallies that are very similar in terms of PA, lights & staging etc. Everyone loves playing them as it gives you the chance to play on a big stage to a couple of thousand people, which is pretty cool for the average bar band. They usually pay the same as a well paid pub gig, although the bigger rallies may pay a couple of grand for the headliner (often one of the bigger rock tribute acts). Unfortunately a lot of these events are struggling financially these days and some have called it a day, but they are certainly great fun to play. [/quote] Agreed, Pete, in the Milwaukee area there are so many festivals and fairs the over flow of these events have nowhere to go but to the bar bands. Blue

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1467843488' post='3086737'] Do I really need to point out that my 'tribute band' comment was not entirely -- or even slightly -- serious? It must be a cultural thing. [/quote] Sometime things don't come across the way we think they do in text. Blue

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1467840281' post='3086708'] My unpaid non-Beatles-influenced tribute band needs some new music stands for 4 hour gigs -- they should have plenty of heft and good handles, and be good for metal. Any suggestions? [/quote] If your standing verticle playing an electric guitar, that alone is Beatle influence. One thing I have learned from bass chat is how much bigger the impact of The Beatles was in the US as compared to the UK. Back on topic, I think The Beatles had broken up before festivals became huge in The US ( Woodstock, Newport, Montery...) And I personally think they were too big for festivals. Blue

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1467832720' post='3086637'] Oh noes! You said the U word! I know exactly where this thread is going to go now. [/quote] Not at all, if people want to play unpaid gigs that's their choice. But you sure as hell won't find me performing unpaid. Blue

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1467806226' post='3086377'] ok, so maybe not clones, but back in the 80's Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen influenced a whole generation of players in successful bands, but despite being in 2 mightily successful rock bands and on the cover of magazines, why was there not a slew of players influenced by Billy? [/quote] I know he's a great player, but he's not relevant to me, wrong generation. Blue

It was so nice getting our 4 hour fee for a 45 minute show. We have several festivals coming up. These festival gigs also give me the opportunity to hear other bands. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1467792938' post='3086214'] All depends on the sound guys. Of course. I played the East Barnet Festival on Sunday, supporting the Trembling Wilburys. There were FOUR sound guys just on the stage itself, but they were dealing with four acoustic stringed instruments. It took ages to get the feedback under control but after that it was a real pleasure.[/quote] Nice job! Looks like it was s fun gig. Blue

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1467785415' post='3086141'] Tell us about the yellow P bass, that looks cool? [/quote] It's one of two MIJ 50s reissue Fender P Basses I own. They're from the early 2000s. I just started gigging with it again recently. Real thin jazz bass type neck. A real fun bass to play with round wounds.I took the black pick guard off. Bought the 2 used for a grand with hard shell cases. Blue

Ok , were a US bar band (keep in mind we are far from what would be classified or considered a professional band) and some of you, as I understand it are pub bands. Just a word to the wise and myself. Festivals in the US pay at least double what our 4 hour bar gigs pay. Performance slots are a small fraction of our usual 4 hour bar gis. I say enjoy these gigs and learn what you can about festival crowds, working on large stages with high end sound and lighting solutions and have fun.But understand the good times end at the end of the summer. Any comments on playing to larger festival crowds in terms of material and fronting. Pics Summerfest, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage (45 minute set), Milwaukee 7/5/2016. Blue

[quote name='AndrewJordan' timestamp='1467760758' post='3086081'] Just listen to it and then move your fingers around until it sounds right...........................thats what I do...... [/quote] I'm not sure how well that would work for the more complex bass lines if at all. Blue

[quote name='zbd1960' timestamp='1467754558' post='3086015'] Gosh, all this to look forward if I ever get to the stage of wanting to be in a group of some sort on bass. I've done this kind of thing for different musical styles/groups and you quickly realise you cannot please everyone in a group, so there has to be some reality check. Basically, a more professional approach, key to which is understanding people's capabilities/limitations. [/quote] Unfortunately your probably only going to find that sort of management in a professional band. Blue