MrDaveTheBass

No, nowhere near. Thanks very much for the link - it'll put my singer's mind at ease.

My covers band has been offered a gig at a Marstons pub, and we've been told that we'll be paid electronically via the Just Pay app. Up to now we've only ever been paid cash in hand. The app wants lots of personal information to set up an account, driver's licence, home address etc. And we're also worried that there might be tax implications. Has anyone else been paid for a gig through this app, and how did you go about it? Do we need to formally register the band as a business and declare earnings? Whose details did you give to the app? We're only an amateur pub band that plays once a month or so, and after rehearsal space fees and transport costs I doubt that we break even, though being paid for a gig definitely helps towards expenses. Our singer is concerned (as would I be) as it's his details in the app ATM. If anyone could share their experiences or offer any advice I'd be very grateful. Cheers, Dave

Yes! Go for the modern suction method rather than the old school syringing. It's a strangely pleasant experience.

I've sometimes had an issue when using plugs pushes earwax onto the eardrum and it hurts like hell. Try a couple of drops of olive oil into your ear overnight for 5 days and if that doesn't sort it go and get your ears syringed.

Good luck! I'll make sure that I'm beaming out lots of positive vibes, as I'm sure half if BassChat will be too. I'm sure you'll absolutely smash it.

Practice until the bass line is totally automatic. Don't be tempted to imbibe any Dutch courage before you play. Afterwards is fine. If you do end up making a mistake, remember to turn around and glare at the drummer.

Hi @Papabull I must admit I smiled when I saw your thread title. It really is one of those how long is a piece of string topics, and is a very deep and dark rabbit hole to fall down. Personally, I didn't use compression for about 30 years, then came on here and decided that I should. I then spent a fortune on various boutique compressors before eschewing compression altogether. Currently though, my amp is an Orange LBT, which has a bloody great compressor built into it, so compression is now very much baked into my sound. I'd very much recommend having a look at https://ovnilab.com/faq.shtml as I found it an invaluable resource. Enjoy the journey and try not to bankrupt yourself! 🙂

My advice is if you're already playing a fretted Squier P, get a fretless Squier P to match it. It'll make the transition to fretless much easier as your fingers will naturally fall into the right positions. Top tip: make sure both straps are the same length too!

Ask Lemmy. 😉

My eldest daughter, a very straight and respectable history teacher was appalled to find out that she was conceived whilst my wife and I were on mushrooms! 🙃 Our only defence was that it was the 90s, and pre-internet, so there wasn't much else to do! 😉 Even now, every October I get tempted to go out mushrooming, but so far I haven't succumbed. Maybe when I've retired and have less places to go and things to do...

"So Lonely" by The Police.

Small, quick and easy to set up, loads of usable FX. Bluetooths to your phone, so you can play along to YouTube, Spotify etc. I do all of my practicing through one of these.

I think most of this has already been said, but here's my tuppence worth, in no particular order: Most of the time don't worry about being emotional; worry about being in time with your drummer. For a song with room for emotive bass, consider a fretless. Play less notes, and let each note breathe. Do something with each note; slide, bend, slur or add vibrato. Don't do the same thing on every note, or let your vibrato become syrupy. Play it like you're singing it. Listen to the vocals and try and play a counter melody; think of it as a duet with your singist. Don't be overbearing; enhance the singer's performance, don't overwhelm them. Use dynamics; be quiet in some places and louder in others. A slow build/crescendo through a song to its peak can work wonders. Less is more.

If I'd known you were so trusting, I wouldn't have bothered to open the door when you came round to pick up the Laney the other week! 😉 How's it sounding BTW?