SpondonBassed

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1505306635' post='3370899'] I'm a fan of Rickenbackers, but this is just hideous! [attachment=253499:13848.jpg] [/quote] With my poor eyesight that looks like it says [i]Rickenbarker[/i]. In this instance it's appropriate.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1505944286' post='3375471'] I know at couple of players who are trying to be a big fish in a small pond and I think they look a little sad. Who wants to be anything in a small pond? Whatever size fish I could be, I always wanted to be in the biggest pond I could get into. To play with the best musicians, in the best bands and do the best gigs I could. I have been the worse one in several bands but I also did pretty well in others. I know I could/should have done better if I focussed and tried harder, but I was a lazy sod and still am! Ho hum! IME the bad guys are usually the ones that don't want to hear your ideas. If you have something worth saying the good guys are usually the most receptive. If you play in a band and worry about being fired you might as well not bother. Make them want to keep you. Some bands are very cut-throat but when you get to a certain level you're more likely to be fired because you don't "look right" rather than for musical reasons.The one thing to aim for is to always play better this time than you did last time. If you think you could play something better, ask and then change it. Be realistic and make sure you don't fool yourself. I've seen plenty of guys get fired who were convinced they were the bees knees. The Dog and Duck or a US tour? No contest really is there. [/quote] Fish, dogs, ducks??? Am I even in the right forum? I'm not really feeling the love for Coldplay in this thread. Poor old Chris. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SADub7W22Zg[/media] (Warning: The clip above contains large amounts of Cordenite. Watch from the safety of a lead lined string vest.) OT then; Plus one to being the lesser player in a band that would stretch my skills. So far all of the people I've met who have been able to earn from their talents have been so supportive of my meagre efforts. I feel empowered by this. I'd like to think that when I eventually set up a band that I will be able to get amongst better players. I mean, why would anyone form a band with players that aren't as far along with their skills as yourself? At my level that probably means that we're all going to be learning a lot as we go but that is half of the fun of it. If I can't get a sense of achievement from it what am I in it for? One of my aims is to make people stand up out of their seats and shake ar5e. If I get to that stage I think it still leaves room for improvement in terms of keeping a repertoire current. Of course, if people get up to shake ar5e at me in some sort of formation mooning team, I'd have to take the hint and retire.

Welcome Pauly. You will find lots of us "born again bassists" amongst the many working musicians and long-term experienced old salts. Good of you to join us.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1505887778' post='3374915'] work out what you want to know, then find a way to verbalise it so we can understand [/quote] Pardon?

I saw that a while back and I thought it looked contrived. Maybe they want to get the Chic stage-party thing going?

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1505838347' post='3374680'] ...And just wait until I've put the finish on top! [/quote] Now you're just teasing. Very nice.

I feel grotty for checking this topic out. Could you rephrase the question please?

I used to favour a low action. When I put my kit build together I ended up with a playable bass but only at max neck relief and with the saddles bottomed out on the B and G. The action is as high as I've ever had and been able to fret with precision. It needs a neck shim to allow it to be set up for low action at all. It's fair enough for a kit build. One day I might be ar5ed enough to do something about it. The thing is, it plays really well. It's got the nicest tone of any bass I've owned. This in part is due to it having a fully body with a nice set of D'Addarios as opposed to my headless stuff. I still think that the high action helps. My playing is adapting well enough to the higher strings up the neck so I'll carry on with it until there is a pressing need to dismantle it. What I'm interested to find out is how the low action will feel when I take out one of the headless ones again. I like a bit of a tickle on the strings for certain songs when the amp is up loud. The Beatles' [i]Michelle[/i] for an example. I also like to have a good old pluck or pick with a hard plectrum. I can do both now. Before I had to pluck across to avoid fret crash. Now I can pluck with impunity. I think its good to try all sorts of set-ups at least once or twice.

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1505756254' post='3374089'] Yeah, when I started (not that long ago) it was hammered in to me by my teacher that if you get lost "go to the root note and sit on it if you have to, but don't stop or the arse will fall out of the band". And as above, enjoy it. [/quote] Quaint imagery. It's right though. If you stop dead you are removing much of the the drive from the band. Root notes and deep relaxing breaths are the saviours in these instances. It's not been said in this topic yet but remember to breath well. Your body needs more oxygen than you might think during play. You don't want to hyperventilate. If you can recognise early that you are tense one or two deep breaths can help soothe the nerves.

I used to love [i]Never Mind the Buzzcocks[/i] when they had a round where everyone made up lyrics to bits of well known songs that were released with indistinct vocals. It is hard for me to understand the words on lots of poppy stuff. Am I the only one?

[quote name='clunkie66' timestamp='1505737427' post='3373858'] Hi all, Thought I'd share that I have my first gig coming up next Sunday - big deal for me at age 51 and been playing for a little over a year. I've been asked to stand in occasionally for a local 50s/60s rock n roll and country band, some easyish12 bar blues stuff I guess, but a few more tricky numbers as well. A set list of 30 odd numbers so a steep learning curve. Playing in a smallish venue, audience of 40. I think I'm ready as I'll ever be, excited and bricking it in equal measure! Any advice welcome... [/quote] Have fun, above all. You will make the odd mistake but if you accept that and learn from it it is a good start. Do let us know how it goes please.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1505726906' post='3373746'] Blimey, '[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tristram Shandy', there is a name from the past, and still going ? [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]A Soul act I used to work for, played the Mecca/Baileys/Romeos (chicken in the basket clubs) a lot in the 70's,[/font][/color] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]I think they worked for the same agency.[/color][/font] [/quote] Andy Kealey is the only band member who's been in it from the start. There was a bit of discussion about the old Mecca days when Vince Eager got chatting with the band. It's staggering when you realise that Vince has been doing his performances since 1958! It really was a privilege to be able to jam with these chaps. You can find the band here; http://tristram.server303.com/

[quote name='Raymondo' timestamp='1505725727' post='3373734'] Thanks for the links ....I am in Portugal when the gig is on but I have "followed" the club page so will keep an eye out for the jam and future gigs. [/quote] Cool. We might bump into each other. If you see the beard say hello.

[quote name='Raymondo' timestamp='1505722883' post='3373704'] TRISTRAM SHANDY ! Crikey those boys were always good....the "house band" at The Palais in Nottingham many moons ago ...always playing bang up to date covers...I was in awe of them. I must try to remember when the next one is on ...I am in Ilkeston so plenty of buses to Spondon. [/quote] They're playing here in October; http://www.spondononline.co.uk/spondon-events/oct-2016/tristram-shandy-band.html The FB page for the club; https://www.facebook.com/SpondonLiberalClub/ I think the next afternoon jam is in mid October.

I was given the heads up about a new local jam yesterday by Len_Derby of this parish. It's right on my doorstep at the Liberal Club in Spondon! It is necessary to point out that the Liberal Club does not have political affiliations. Rather it was called the Liberal Club in the days when sobriety was much more common. The club was a place where people could legitimately be liberal and have a bit of a sing-song whilst relaxing in good company. The Sunday afternoon jam is hosted by a band with impressive credentials - Tristram Shandy; [url="http://tristram.server303.com/"]http://tristram.server303.com/[/url] It's from 3 to 7pm. They are doing it on a monthly basis as well as the established Jam at the Wilmot Arms, Borrowash. I went along. The band made me feel welcome as we chatted before the event got underway. I stepped up for a go and did Route 66 with the Shandy's drummer, guitarist and a local singer/harmonica player who shares an interest in motorcycles with myself as it turned out. Jim, the Shandy's bassist, commented favourably on my kit-built PitBull. He said the low B string sounded solid when he had a go. It was quite an endorsement coming from someone who uses a Fender P. I was delighted to hear it in the hands of a competent player (at last). His Markbass combo pumped out chest-thumping notes. I enjoyed using it. As the afternoon went on, the room filled up. We even had a VIP in the form of Vince Eager. He got up with the band for a bit of a banter and sang a few numbers. The stars of the afternoon were the family who consisted of Dad and his two lads aged roughly between twelve and sixteen by my guess. The younger lad was shredding on a wireless Gibson SG while his brother played drums and Dad held down the beat on bass. The boys were not lacking. In fact the younger lad has a lot of his performance chops worked out already and he was using the entire floor as well as the stage for his moves. He was making eye contact and flicking his headstock at targets in the audience. He ran the entire length of the room and duck walked back to the stage. He did a mock backwards stumble off the stage landing deftly on his feet. The killer move was The Spasm where he lay on his side and spun using his feet. He finished by playing his guitar as he held it behind his head. He didn't miss many beats throughout. In the years ahead I'd say this young lad is going to be a bit of a local star. I have to say that this monthly event could not have started at a better time for me and it is walking distance from our house! Talk about being handed an opportunity on a plate. In case I haven't said before; I've had massive encouragement from people here on BC and on every occasion where I've taken my bass out of the house. Over a period of seven years of not going out since I moved from my own house to move back in with Mum I lost touch with many of my friends. Because of BC I've made new friends with members both on the 'net and in real life. I have to thank everyone who knows me for their unquestioning support. Thanks too to Ped and his army of excellent volunteers for making this forum work.

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1505513870' post='3372590'] I've just got back from seeing an 80s tribute act with my wife and was quite shocked by the attitudes of some of the male members of the audience toward the female dancers. It seemed that quite a large chunk of the male audience think it's OK to repeatedly wolf whistle and shout out smutty comments at the dancers throughout the show. I overheard a conversation between one of these men and the lady that he was with, during the interval, where he tried to justify his behaviour by saying that "they love it, having all these men oggling them". To be honest, I found it deeply embarrassing and awkward. Now, am I being too sensitive, do I need to lighten up a bit? Is it just a bit of fun or was a right to feel awkward and embarrassed by this behaviour? How do you feel if / when you or your female bandmates are on the receiving end of this sort of thing? Is it just par for the course or is it something that should have been kicked into touch many years ago and has no place in 2017? If it does happen to you and you don't like it, what do you do? Do you react or just ignore it and carry on? [/quote] It doesn't happen to me at open mic nights (yet). I am not sure what sort of attention I'd attract if I wound up me hips, paramedical probably. See photo on the left.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1505558030' post='3372791'] Yes, I thought it might be The Hazlitt after seeing your location. I was at the show as well and although I don't recall what was shouted out, there were quite a few wolf whistles etc. It's unfortunate, but I think the likelyhood of getting a few hundred people into a room and there not being a few people in th crowd that can't keep their gob shut is fairly remote. I would usually say that it's the right thing to do to challenge unacceptable behaviour as and when it happens, but doing that at a gig is almost certainly not going to end well, which could spoil it even more for others. I also don't think it's the right thing to challenge it from the stage as long as the words/whistles are directed to those performing. I don't think the female vocalist or dancers were bothered by it at all. [/quote] I am assuming, Hiram, that there are adequate security measures in place at the venue and should the "high spirits" turn sour they would be all over the situation. I don't see a need to worry in those circumstances. Folk let off steam. It's why they go out of a night.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1505588489' post='3373065'] Not to mention poor old Tom Jones, who has to walk around the stage with girls knickers [s]on[/s] [i]stuck to[/i] his head. [/quote] I slightly altered your statement.

[quote name='Yank' timestamp='1505553987' post='3372731'] This might not be politically correct, but if the female is wearing revealing, provocative outfits, isn't this the response they hope for? I doubt that can-can dancers in years past were expecting mere polite applause. [/quote] Careful now.

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1505595010' post='3373116'] At uni there were 2 Andrews; one had red hair and one had dark hair - so I was known as dark Andrew. [/quote] That's a cool nick name. Only slightly sinister.

I just saw myself. My comment above was simply because I didn't find a hook in the tasters that I heard. On reflection I realised that mine was the reaction of a pop music consumer. Having slept on it, I have decided to buy the album on disc. I may even prise my wallet fully open and fork out for the LP. With the exception of Vittorio Cosma I have enjoyed each of these musician's work in their respective bands. I couldn't really call myself a muso if I didn't look beyond that. Also, I feel a certain loyalty to these artists. Even if I remain unstirred after listening to the album I will know that I have not disregarded the efforts of these musicians without a fair appraisal. I am happy to pay to do so given the excellent track record that they all have. Actually, it would have to be really poor to not find something good out of a whole LP so I'm ordering it later. Vittorio Cosma on Wiki [url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vittorio_Cosma"]https://en.wikipedia.../Vittorio_Cosma[/url] Vittorio's background on IMDB is interesting. I have not heard his film scores as far as I am aware. It is that unknown element that might prove to be the secret ingredient for me. Vittorio Cosma on IMDB [url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0181897/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0181897/[/url]

[quote name='Mototech' timestamp='1505602051' post='3373144'] Hi folks, I've poked around on this forum for a while & decided it was about time I joined. Looks like a friendly & informative place. Brian. [/quote] Welcome Brian. Friendly, informative and [i]sometimes[/i] one-bat-short-of-a-belfry-full but usually fun. Good of you to sign in, as it were.

Sweet. Pretty good for an impulsive buy.

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1505551651' post='3372716'] Versace [/quote] Of course my dear, anything you say. I suppose you could alter the pronunciation according to whether you were are a cheese and wine party or a ferret fancier's meeting.

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1505494745' post='3372408'] If my car reg hadn't said so, I'd never have claimed to be ace. Although I do play bass. Quite often. [/quote] Thanks for putting me right. 'Til now, I had been pronouncing your screen name like I do when I say "Liberace". Heeheehee.