Nicko

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1502032564' post='3348853'] I've been playing for around 45 years and have never specifically learned chord tones. However I usually am able to identify what chords other band members are playing from my knowledge learnt from, probably in order:- 1) learning thousands of bass parts for songs ranging in complexity from very simple to reasonably complicated. 2) learning all the notes on the fretboard and how to play phrases in different positions 2) learning bass parts played by favourite bass players 3) learning solos played by favourite bass players 4) having a very broad musical taste and listening to a very wide range of music 5) learning scales 6) learning modes 7) learning argeggios 8) along the way figuring out diatonic harmony and playing double stops or three notes chords 9) along the way becoming accustomed to chord tones like 7th, 9th, 13th, diminished, half diminished etc I think there is quite a misnomer that the bass guitar is a subset of a 6 string guitar - this is as wrong as saying a double bass is a sub set of a cello or violin - apart from the physical similarities their function is quite different - in the case of guitar v bass guitar the only similarity is theyre strung instruments and can be held the same way - the music played on them is completely different, requiring a different mind set to play ensemble. I have been told several times during my playing years that bass players can't be any good unless they can play guitar - I'm afraid that's nonsense. Learning chord tones per se can broaden a bass player's ability - however I wouldn't see it as a pre requisite - it can be very helpful in jazz when comping with a piano player in the band as seeing/hearing their chords can help in choosing notes on the bass. If you're going to do things on the fly it's also v important to know the effect playing say a 3rd note against the root chord is - because it will colour the music in a certain way (used quite often in Abba - an example is Dancing Queen). Otherwise the bass will probably play the root note (the safe option). The octave you play that in will have a marked impact on the sound though. [/quote] I think you completely missed the point I made in the OP. All of the above theory is great and we should all know those things as well, but we all know the best sounds will be those that are in the chord (unless you as a bass player choose to alter the chord by augmenting it). I'm simply saying the best notes are easy to find by imagining the guitar chordbox on your fretboard. Finding a bass note to resolve a lick - irrespective of the song's key - is easier. When I'm talking about augmenting what I really mean is using your guitar knowledge to play bass better (eg if you know a sus4 chord will sound good, why not build a riif on the 3rd/4th, or if you think an add 9 chord works in that song play a 2nd etc)

I would love to play in an originals band, but trying to find one that wants to make music for the sake of it is pretty difficult. I only ever see delusional 20 somethings who reckon they can form a band, rehearse for a few months and start touring as soon as they have an albums worth of material up their sleeve. Obviously a multi album deal, fame fortune and women will follow shortly after. I'm nearly 50 years old FFS. All I want to do is express my musicality in some way. I have sufficient kit to record a few things at home, but a total lack of vocals and insufficient skill with drum machine to make anything which can be published. And meanwhile I'll play in a covers band cos I enjoy playing to people who might appreciate what we do. As said before - playing covers is actually a challenge because you have to learn something that suits someone else's technique, not your own. We might, at some point, try to create some proper songs of our own if the warm up jam ever gives us a wow moment.

As a converted 6 stringer I find making up bass lines against a particular chord sequence very natural. I already know the chord, and visualise the chord shape on the fretboard, giving me instant access to chord tones without having to worry too much about scales, keys or modes. I know the theory and can do it both ways, but a deeper knowledge of what your guitar player is doing on the fretboard is a good thing. I think the way to improve my playing on the bass is to play more rhythm guitar, learn more about chord extensions and relax in the knowledge that my chordwork is as good as the guitarists in the band. Thoughts?

I'm looking for an amp that good for bedroom practice that also has facility to use bluetooth 'phones in place of a traditional phones jack socket. Does such a thing exist.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1501764298' post='3347217'] Saying pop simply means 'popular' (it's historical meaning I guess), completely invalidates the initial suggestion. There are SOOOOOO many bands/musicians as good as Level 42 technically (being the the example here) who also have good songs and are popular in their field. If you think there aren't, then you genuinely aren't looking hard enough and you should stop talking about it . If you're talking about Pop (capital P) as a genre then it's all about cycles isn't it, that said, it's all out the window now anyway. When Level 42 were in their heyday, you got in the charts by selling records, and people would only hear those records if you were on the radio or TV. Now it's also download sales and you can hear those songs via any thousands of methods on the internet. So comparing like-for-like is pointless. Sometimes they converge (i.e. major label money with actual good musicians), but not often, usually just individual artists who they think will sell a lot of units. Take Maroon 5 for example, they're all excellent musicians.....like really really good! But they write 'Pop' music, just because there's no slap bass or chorus effect on it....doesn't mean it's not as valid as Level 42 Si [/quote] You forgot to mention no one buys music simply for its technical artistry. If they did we would all have a full compliment of Pat Metheny and Stanley Clarke albums.

[quote name='dazza14' timestamp='1501848644' post='3347750'] I don't want to name and shame a pub who is now being run by, hopefully, a better landlord. The pub has a bad reputation as it is without me adding to it. [/quote] I thought it was the new manager who refused to pay. In that case you should name and shame.

How do you define pop music these days. Are Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Rag n Bone Man pop?

Aside from the 4 hour set I dont understand why he would insist on at least 2 lead vocals i a 3 piece.

I saw him live in the late 90s and he hadn't really lost any of the magic, although he had to sit down for most of the set his playing and vocals were spot on.

Not really my bag, and he's got a massively overinflated ego. If you want classical mixed with rock you might want to check out Ozzy's first two solo albumns (Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madma)n - Randy was classically trained and he integrates classical lines into proper rock.

I find it inconcievable that a professional keys player who has the ability to sight read would lack the necessary theory knowledge that would enable them to both identify intervals and hence go "off dots", or improvise a line when given a chord progression. When I did my formal music traning this was an integral part of the course.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1501108024' post='3342636'] Try before you buy is always the best option, especially if you're spending a lot of money. However, saying that, I have bought some great guitars online. All 3 of my basses were online purchases, as were both electrics. Only 1 acoustic (solid wood) was a shop bought guitar. Local shops should always be supported, but if you're after something different or a little bit special, then why not. Remember to get plenty of pictures, some detail off the vendor, and if anything doesn't feel "right", then walk away, something else will turn up soon. [/quote] I'm on the outskirts of London, and "local" guitar shops are few and far between in my area, but there's loads of choice in town. The item I'm looking at isn't stocked at many places and where it is stocked its expensive compared to ordering on line - only by 30 or 40 quid. Plenty of places I've been will set up the guitar to your liking at no extra when you buy.

I'e always avoided doing it because I've always been worried that the guitar will not be set up as well as one in a shop. Am I being stoopid? I'm quite happy to showroom to find the right guitar.

It takes all sorts I guess, but against the advice of other members my personal experience of trying to learn an instrument from a book is not good. Theres no substitue for proper tuition. I say this as someone who was self taught for years before taking some lessons. I learnt more in the 3 years of lessons than I had in 10 years of trying to do it myself.

Perhaps you should write a blues song about being misrepresented in surveys? Nobody loves me but my mother, and she could be jiving too.

When I was teaching I had a student called Wayne King. Fortunatey he was about 8 ft tall and about the same across. No one seemed to rip the p*ss.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1499337665' post='3330803'] Have you got a 'DFA' knob on your amp? [/quote] The line out.

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1499260555' post='3330349'] Are you scooping the mids out of your sound? If you are, try eq'ing them back in as it'll make the bass appear louder and more prominent in the mix even though you're not actually turning the amp up. If you're not scooping your mids out, then I've got no idea! [/quote] Quite the opposite. My graphic is set with a sad face.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1499341262' post='3330833'] Yes. If the band wants more bass. . . . step up and bloody well give it to them! [/quote] Its trouser flapping volume already.

We recently changed froma 5 piece to a 4 piece. Although the singist is filling in a bit on guitar, we have lost one guitar sound form some of the songs. The band are constantly telling me to turn up my volume, but its as loud as it ever was in the 5 piece. It seems counter intuitive to me that the bass would need to be louder in a more open music format. Am I wrong?

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1499248889' post='3330227'] Fender recently did a Gary Moore strat, it was around £13000 and they were all pre sold so somebody must love these creations. Good on you if you have the cash. [/quote] Is the Gary Mooore one a slightly shorter scale length, hard tail, single cutaway, set neck with a Gibson logo?

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1498726869' post='3326551'] ............... As I left rehearsal last night, the keys player and guitarist were talking about Meatloaf... [/quote] Theres a thread entitled "reasons to leave a band"

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1498220137' post='3323210'] As I see it some one said 'the worst ad you've posted', and others took it to mean 'the worst thread you've started', i.e. an attack on Blue rather than the ad. I really don't know - I could be wrong (after all, there's a first time for everything). At the end of the day it's athread on the internet,. If you don't like it, or you would have done it differently, then you can always just ignore it. Keep it up Blue. I find your thoughts on stuff interesting, especially as it often highlights differences between the US (well Milwaulkee at least) and the UK 'scenes'. [/quote] It was me what done it. It was a critique of the ad, not the thread. The fact I posted on the thread is evidence I find it a useful discussion.

How the hell can you be "somewhat" level headed. That word in the sentence would put me off completely. Other than that there is nothing to encourage a response. If these guys are writing original music why can't they come up with an ad that sells the band. Worst ad you posted for a while Blue

Big fan of EXL160s, although they are a bit too bright when I first fit them.