SpondonBassed

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1504707430' post='3366777'] If there was to be an 'evil' side to TAB, I'd suggest that it's its very existence, surely designed by the Beelzebub himself as a sure-fire way of causing strife between musicians..! Those that use it: carry on. Those that don't: carry on. It's become akin to the Jonathan Swift fictitious debate on which end of a boiled egg should be opened..! Tolerance, anyone..? [/quote] I prefer a pint if you're buying Dad.

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1504705915' post='3366758'] If it matters [size=5][b]it can be accommodated in standard notation by a small note saying which string to play a particular note on.[/b][/size] I know it will sound different, the question is, 1) does it sound different enough to require every single note to also nominate the string it must be played on, 2) could/would a composer/arranger trust that the person playing the instrument can adequately interpret is such that the "tone" will be correct, thus not requiring the detail and 3) how do you know the tab has the notes sounded on the correct strings and doesn't contain an error? Based on evidence I'd say it were 1 no, 2 yes, 3 you don't. [/quote] Tab just shows you.

[quote name='Bloc Riff Nut' timestamp='1504704155' post='3366740'] Whenever I place sponge under my strings, at the bridge, it throws the intonation out. I've tried varying compositions of sponge and it always alters the intonation. I'm placing it under the strings of my classic vibe Precision at the bridge ashtray cover. When an in tune string is tuned at the 12th fret it will show 1 or 2 red leds on my Korg Pitch Black tuner. Does anyone else have this issue? [/quote] http://basschat.co.uk/topic/311212-the-joy-of-a-bath-sponge/page__view__findpost__p__3366661 The link to Carol Kaye's advice might help you here.

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1504704605' post='3366744'] ...but does it really matter which of those three ways are chosen, since they all sound the same pitch/note?... [/quote] Sometimes I'd choose a note on the B string up the neck for its thicker sound as well as to minimise my travelling up and down the fretboard. The same note on the E string is slightly different. Maybe I am the only one to notice as I'm playing but even with the exact same note there are tonal differences across strings that can lend to the feel of what I'm playing.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1504703756' post='3366733'] Depends on the instrument. If it's a transposing instrument like the bass guitar then you play the notes a octave lower than written. If it isn't (like tuba and trombone IIRC) then you play the notes as they are written. [/quote] That's why I don't play the suzaphone. They don't write much tab for it either.

I hear more and more about young adults living at home with their parents who don't drive [i]for ethical reasons[/i]. Hmm.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1504702968' post='3366719'] I just know what all the notes are. It's never occurred to me that you can play an instrument without knowing what note you're playing. [/quote] Of course. You aren't in charge however. I've made my choice.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1504701877' post='3366699'] But that only works if that part of the score is written expressly for the bass guitar, otherwise there are three different ways to do it. [/quote] I may be wrong but isn't the bass part written always incorrectly to start with just to keep it on the stave?

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1504702017' post='3366703'] So someone says to you to play 8th notes on a B, what do you do? [/quote] I have a low B and it isn't hard to work out how many octaves and alternatives there are. What do you do?

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1504701745' post='3366696'] At the same time...[i]if you know your fretboard...[/i] it can safely be said that notation tells you where to put your fingers. [/quote] Trouble is it relies on your association of two abstract things through learning those associations. Tab shows you.

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1504699553' post='3366661'] I think Carol prefers a [url="https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips51.htm"]felt mute[/url] on top of the strings rather than a foam one underneath. [/quote] There are so many one liners I could go for here but not one of them is PC. Sorry, pass. Good link however. I wonder if that's similar in effect to the sweat band looking thingies that you see on sale for the nut end to damp the open strings?

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1504701394' post='3366689'] So..it's safe to assume that you don't know the location of the notes on the fretboard ? [/quote] I know my open strings. I have little use for note names other than that, if that's what you mean.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1504701162' post='3366681'] I agree. However it is necessary to know your fretboard first. In my experience a lot.. (granted..not all..).. of tab users don't know where the notes are on the fretboard. With tab, there is no need to know as you simply put your finger on for example, fret four of the first string etc. In this instance the note name makes no difference. [/quote] Tadda! Thanks.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1504699541' post='3366660'] If you want to sit around as a family and play those well known Funeral hits, TAB won't really help. [url="https://postimg.org/image/4v9zqvun7/"][/url] [/quote] Hahahahaha! Talking of one fingered grief... this topic is the place for it.

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1504699481' post='3366657'] Yes it does. Simple example: There's one way to do it on the (4 string) bass.....its as clear as a bell. [/quote] So... where do I put my finger again? I have a suggestion but it is not polite.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1504698823' post='3366649'] I assume she picked up the tab when you went out for a meal. !! [size=2]Grabs his coat and runs...!!![/size] [/quote] Are you kidding me? As you well know you have to earn your place in the queue for her dowry when courting a colleen. She [i]scored[/i] a free lunch every time.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1504696540' post='3366617'] ...That's the beauty of being polyglot; more doors are open. Being expert in only one or another language is fine, but limits one to only that lone system. More is more, not less. All is good. [/quote] I went out with a girl called Polly Glot once. She only spoke one language though - cash.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1504696982' post='3366628'] ...I wrote a piece ages ago for oboe and 6 string bass, I wouldn't know how to start writing TAB for oboe . [/quote] I would have thought it was a challenge worthy of an accomplished musician like your good self. Heeheehee. Don't mind me, I'm not a musician, I'm not even a bassist. My whole life is a hack.

[quote name='Yank' timestamp='1504686822' post='3366504'] Thanks guys. There's a few different tunings that folks use, the main one being C G D A, like a tenor banjo which it was designed to give them a second instrument when Dixieland was on the wain and big band jazz was on the rise. Viola and mandola also use this tuning which if you capoed at the seventh fret is the same as a mandolin. Some tune them like the four high strings of a guitar, known as Chicago tuning. [/quote] [quote name='mikel' timestamp='1504689678' post='3366538'] Nice instrument. Has anyone tried ukulele tuning? My missus plays the uke and would like to try a tenor/4 string guitar, but is not keen on learning a new instrument. I foolishly implied it would be no problem tuning the same as the ukulele. I realise the strings would have to be swapped to maintain reasonable tension as a uke is not tuned low to high. Any ideas? [/quote] Has she seen a baritone uke yet? You can substitute the high G string for new low one to get incremental tuning too. You will need a wider slot at the nut and the saddle and bridge hole may need attention but it gives a nice vibe a bit like a Spanish guitar on the bigger body.

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1504650161' post='3366403'] Do those of you who use public transport ever feel uneasy about carrying your gear around, from a safety / security perspective? [/quote] Only when I carry one of my headless basses with me. The uneasiness is not from fear of theft or damage. It's because I carry them both in rifle cases and the authorities are extra vigilant for suspicious packages. I bet I get followed on street cams wherever I take one for a walk.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1504692136' post='3366566'] ...Notation is a universal way of communication, TAB isn't, it's instrument specific, but as a means to learning something it's fine, if that's the course that your personal playing has followed. [/quote] Again, no. It is a form of communication into which you have to be educated. Hardly universal unless you consider the universe to be populated solely by standard notation readers. Not everyone is literate or educated. We are never going to agree on it being universally acceptable.

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1504688869' post='3366527'] I thought I'd adequately explained this - standard notation shows the pitch, from which you can deduce the fret and string (from knowing your instrument). It won't tell you exactly which string/fret it is (there may be a choice, depending on the pitch, ie notes below G#/Ab on a 4 string bass, there's a choice of 1....) but then it is often the case that tab doesn't have the best position, simply [i]a [/i]position that the tab-writer thinks is the best one. [/quote] Then tab just shows you where to put your fingers. Score does not. You can't convince me otherwise. Forget the content for a minute why don't you.

Why are we even talking about correctness? Both systems are dependent on good source material. Are you saying that there are [i]no[/i] poorly written scores? Whatever system you use, if you don't hear what you expect for a piece you are working up, you look at alternatives, modify, improvise, beg advice etc. whatever system you've been reading. Before any intellectual wannabes get on my back again this does not apply to orchestral arrangements as a general rule. GIGO

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1504653128' post='3366413'] ...To those who say that tab shows you where to put your fingers.....so does standard notation!... [/quote] I don't agree.

[quote name='dyerseve' timestamp='1504618963' post='3366095'] can we keep the comments clean please gents... [/quote] [Imperceptible titter] I tried a Victoria sponge once under a bridge and got away with it. I am known locally as a jammy git though. I heard later that someone called Mary was on the lookout for me as she thinks she owes me a kick in the berries.