lowdown

I got hold of a nice duet album today.. Keith Jarrett and Charlie Hayden - Jasmine. Nice and laidback. Preview Video Garry

A nice load of freebies here from Antress. Enjoy............ [url="http://antress.myweb.hinet.net/"]http://antress.myweb.hinet.net/[/url] Garry

[quote name='BigRedX' post='954380' date='Sep 13 2010, 09:16 AM']And while we're on the subject of on-board pre-amps maybe someone with a good knowledge of electronics (flyfisher?) can explain the attraction to me. I already have tone controls on the pre-amp in my rack, and I would have thought that it's much easier to build a good noise-free tone-shaping circuit when you don't have to worry about getting it small enough to fit into the control cavity of a bass and having to be powered by batteries?[/quote] Not sure what a tech reason would be. But for me, i have done plenty of stuff where i just plugged the Bass into a DI box and had to use headphones, and the onboard pre-amp gave me the extra tone shape control, and with that a signal bump. Garry

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='953534' date='Sep 12 2010, 01:34 PM']kinda wish I hadnt asked now [/quote] I am glad you asked - it's been a comical read...with a bit of mines bigger than yours thrown in Garry

[quote name='dood' post='952783' date='Sep 11 2010, 03:10 PM']I noticed two differences. I think the other differences were too subtle to say for sure that the upgrade made a marginal impact. The first was that my top end had a more pristine 'sheen' to it. Especially recorded through quality monitors. I also noticed that when I slapped hard it sounded less choked. - or indeed 'compressed' - Which in turn meant my bass appeared to have more bottom end 'thump' to it.[/quote] I have an 18 volt system - and i agree with that. Garry

Does 18 volt go up to eleven so its that bit louder? Garry

[quote name='silddx' post='952019' date='Sep 10 2010, 05:12 PM']Way too much hassle and dealing with disorganised idiots on a constant basis. Making a living in music is difficult unless you are happy to be a mechanic, and a damn good, highly reliable one at that.[/quote] Funny thing on your first point - thats why i went full time, to get away from the hassle of dealing with disorganised idiots on a constant basis. Your second point is a bit more realistic though. These days it easier to add a few more strings to your bow as well Like teaching Bass students, production music for lib companies,Supplying midi files to companies. Arrangements and music for education and schools and whatever.Teaching music tech etc. Its all out there due to the ease of delivery over the internet. But at the end of the day you still need to get your contacts together.But if you get involved with some of the other stuff i mentioned above - they can kinda go hand in hand. As for just earning as a Bass player, apart from your chops and skill level i would defo get your reading chops together, and it goes without saying about having good lugs, all those together make you more employable.Although there are none reading players out there, it just limits the work avaliable to you. The rest is as any other job, being reliable etc. Garry

Just dragging this over from the sight reading post. Nice bit of sight reading practice in 3/4 here.[Out of position playing as well - lots of it] You might want to brush up on your Russian first. Enjoy. [attachment=58528:BASS_ETUDE.pdf] Garry

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='951310' date='Sep 9 2010, 11:52 PM']My Cyrillic is a bit rusty (and my Russian speaking g/f is in bed) but I think it says "Concerto Etude". It's a Simandl study.[/quote] Sorry, yes i know its from the 'Simandi studies for Double Bass', But i was not sure what the title was. It comes with a Piano track on a CD - and i believe there is around 30 tracks. [ the track Cd's are not named - just numbered] Just a bit of a headache working out what piano track matches what study/Etude... Actually on another Simandl note, the 'Simandl method for Double Bass' is a must have for newbies [ along with a teacher] on upright with some great fingering exercises/ [url="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eRDClHJoa0YC&dq=Simandl+bass+method&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=b8uJTLTqN4_QjAeXkuWVBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false"]http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eRDClHJ...p;q&f=false[/url] On the reading front, i have managed to sustain a full time muso career for over thirty years. So apart from all the advantages that Bilbo often mentions for practicing and skill, without sight reading i would not have been able to drag it out so long. But if you get your reading together it opens up other side shows in the music business for creating work. Along with a good set of ears and transcribing skills, you can get into arranging, converting midi files into scores, for various things including school band parts through to feature films, and download sites where you get a track and a score /sheet music. Although you would also need skills in Sibilius and Finale... Also the teaching side of the business, the ability to teach sight reading to students strengthens your credentials as a tutor. its all out there to grab and make a consistent career/living in the business.So if your shows/gigs dry up a bit there is always something to fall back on to...or run in tandom. There is more to sight reading than just reading Bass or Piano parts.it can earn you money in ways you might not have thought of. Garry

Here's something to help everybody on their way. Has a Russian title, so have not a clue what it is... I do know its a Solo piece for Double Bass. But its also a nice melodic chop buster for electric bass with staples on the fret board. Enjoy... [attachment=58512:001.pdf] Thankfully not something you would see in a pit on a working day... Garry

[quote name='dougal' post='950296' date='Sep 9 2010, 09:43 AM']I used occasionally to do a jam night at the grey horse in Kingston, which Robin Bibi set up. Recently a novice drummer was asking about jam nights in the area, and now that one seems to have died a death. Anyone know of any others? Preferably in Egham, Woking, Guildford or Kingston, but not too fussy...[/quote] This looked like the place for jam nights... [url="http://www.eirlysrhiannon.com/jam.html"]http://www.eirlysrhiannon.com/jam.html[/url] Garry

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='947966' date='Sep 7 2010, 09:20 AM']Seriously, though - how long does it take to Google a combo to find out the spec? Less than five seconds?[/quote] Exactly.....and you are going to get every minor detail, if you want it. A seller might have purchased an amp thats several generations old and things get missed or even glossed over. Always worth doing your homework, Even if its just to pass onto [b]your [/b]buyer when you sell the combo because it aint loud enough. Garry

Not sure it gets me out of bad moods. But this track always puts a smile on my face....[album version] Garry

Great Tune, with great musicianship and top vocals... Bob Babbit on Bass. In fact he played on tons of stuff around that time, more than likely as much as Jamerson. Certainly a lot of biggies. From his site “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (Stevie Wonder), “The Tears of a Clown” (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles), “Mercy Mercy Me” (Marvin Gaye), “Ball of Confusion” (the Temptations), “I Got a Name” (Jim Croce) and “Midnight Train to Georgia” (Gladys Knight & the Pips. In fact the list goes on and on...! Garry

Great stuff... I love the matching shoes that Rhonda and Shelia B are wearing. Garry

[quote name='JimBobTTD' post='939422' date='Aug 29 2010, 04:07 PM']And no, I don't see how one goes about attaching keys to them either. But that's what they are! [url="http://www.bombayduck.co.uk/wedding/wedding_gifts/Bride-and-Groom-Etched-Silverplate-Heart-Keyrings1299"]Link[/url].[/quote] You are not supposed to attach keys to them, they are for the attention of vicars at Gay weddings. So the vicar knows who's who. Garry

Simple... You dont have to do anything. Pick one up at a time. The heaviest one would be the fretted. [all that extra metal and junk called frets] Garry

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='938310' date='Aug 27 2010, 06:01 PM']I must admit I love that version no have the album but haven't listened to it for years. I never realised it was guy playing though, I'll have to dig it out.[/quote] Just been having a listen on you tube to some Jimmy Nail... and he has down some good stuff. Garry

Guy Pratt's line on this Jimmy Nail American GI marching toooone. Garry

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='932635' date='Aug 22 2010, 11:53 AM']You big Jessie! Pete had to drive up! [/quote] Just been thinking - 2 of the mountains we went up on 'birds', the 3rd was in a BV, Which might have been Mt Kent [this was in the 90's] my memory is a bit vague! So after trips in BV's - i think i can kick the Jessi tag into oblivion.. Garry

[quote name='bluesparky' post='932662' date='Aug 22 2010, 12:14 PM']I've done that gig too! & Alice, & Byron.[/quote] Done that trip 7 times...... Only did it for the 4 days on Acsension Islands. Garry

[quote name='funkypenguin' post='932988' date='Aug 22 2010, 07:15 PM']Bari Sax - Tom Scott[/quote] Great all round Sax player , mainly Alto on a lot of the USA cop shows of the 70's. Have you noticed him doing Bari in the concert at the end of the funk brothers [Motown] video....? Garry

[quote name='JustaBass' post='932264' date='Aug 21 2010, 09:06 PM']Glenn Hughes :- vocal Frank Marino :- guitar [b]Any Fraser :- bass[/b] John Bonham :- drums[/quote] So you are not bothered who's on Bass then - as long as its a Scotsman. Garry

[quote name='Stingray5' post='931605' date='Aug 21 2010, 04:09 AM']I heard about the ISM some years ago but realized it's pretty much geared toward Classical musicians, composers, conductors, etc., though they don't actually identify it as such. They also have a database of orchestral instrument tutors that does include guitar (Classical) and of course double bass but, typically, not bass guitar! <horrors! > There are a few smaller societies and organisations for musicians (e.g. - The Association of British Orchestras (ABO)) but if your area of music is in either rock, folk, jazz, soul, funk, country, blues, etc., then it's gotta be the MU. [/quote] The MU is the guidline for what the basic pay rate for Musicians should be, not the ISM. Any producer, fixer or Broadcast company [BBC etc] would use/issue the MU pay structure/contract on their guidlines. Of course a lot of pubs/clubs do not always abide by those, as you all know. You will always try and get more if you can, but the MU scale would help you when negotiating as a base rate. This would be any style of Music,Classical,Jazz,rock or what ever. The ISM along with a few others are just a gentlemans club, dont really do much, a bit of a throw back to the golden days, and infact a bit of snobbery involved. A few years ago the MU were starting to become a bit of a joke [way behind the times with technology and Music styles] And only really catering for Broadcast and West end/Theatre Musicians. but they have now re-branded their whole approach. Garry

On top of a mountain called Mount Kent in the Falkland Islands. You had to get up there by helicoptor.. The gig was in side a load of giant containers welded together to make some kind of accomadation. In fact the gig was at three different mountains and they all look the same [ all welded together] Garry