Burns-bass

I used to teach a professional music qualification and it always depressed/bemused me that sight reading wasn't a key requirement of the course.

Your best aid here is a blank notepad. Sit down and create a practice plan and find 30 minutes at least a day. This is best spent in chunks. One of the best ways is to separate the rhythm from the stave. There are two great books I used. One was Joaquin Du Pres Sight Reading for Bass. The other was Modern Reading In 4/4. Both are great. Then I'd start by picking up a book in the style of music you want. I have one which is called 'Reading Contemporary Bass' which is cheap, and easy and teaches you some good syncopated stuff. Set some targets, and then make sure you breath and enjoy it. Oh, and recognise there's a difference between being able to sight read in real-time (i.e. be given sheet music and read the whole thing and play it perfectly at tempo the first run through) and being able to read music. The first is an incredible skill that takes years, the second is easily achievable. Anyone with a logical mind should be able to understand how to read music, then it's a case of practising to perfection. Finally, reading music is a useful skill but it won't necessarily improve your musicianship. I know classical players who can read the most complex figures and you'd assume they'd learn as much as they can, but they spend years perfecting a relatively simple Bach Cello Suite. All about the sound! It's an amazing and fun journey, and you'll make massive leaps very quickly which is brilliant.

Thought the unison parts on the Latin stuff was bang on, but you're a bit too insistent on the groove. If you're reading it's a typical issue. This is going to sound so stupid but you have to imagine yourself in 35 degree heat, chilled out environment, linen suit, mojito cocktail and looking out on a Brazilian scene that's just stunning. The fact you get the notes out at all is a good thing... Visualisation might sound stupid but it's a great way of getting a mood or a feeling in your brain. I'm talking here about the groove / solo section.

The one piece of advice I received was not to buy too many books! I used to be a teacher, so I have loads around, but I never really 'did' Jazz. My default was then to buy loads and get frustrated. In the end, I now use 3 of them. The first was Ed Friedland's Walking Baselines. The second is The Evolving Bassist The third is the Bass Real Book I used to work through examples in the Walking Bass book and then apply them to chord changes of familiar jazz tunes. I listen to the melody on a You Tube recording and try and get this down. It also helps to get out to watch some live music too and see if you can follow the melody, and then understand the tune. The Evolving Bassist is a good book, but quite challenging, with some serious leaps in it, so I am working through this slowly with a teacher. That's the other bit of advice is to get a good teacher. Having someone to give you encouragement or unlock some of the complexities is great. As you're probably great with the theory, someone playing your sort of music is great. Most of the pros I met started this way, subbing for their teacher and in the end improving.

Does it sound good and play well? Does it have a good set of strings and all the things you'll need? (Case etc). Is it set up properly? It's a tough one to offer advice, and there are some more qualified than I am. The aim is to get an instrument that's well set up, easy to play (within reason), comes with everything you need and - most importantly - sounds amazing! Buying a guitar unseen is usually OK because the industrial manufacture ensures at least a certain level of quality. They're also less likely to move, shift or change much. A DB is naturally a very different beast! Personally, I would look on the forums here and see if I can find an instrument with great strings, a good case and a proper set up that has been loved and used. Of course, the Antoni may be this bass. My concern would be that if it's sat around unloved and unplayed by a learner it may have some of the common set up issues you find on new basses. Hope this helps!

You're classically trained so I can offer no input on technique, as I'm useless. My practice regime is split between understanding chords and progressions, playing through changes, transcribing tunes and playing along with records to get melodies down. The iReal player helped me a lot, as did building in a solid amount of listening time. You can't play jazz if you're always playin'

I met Ali Friend once at Trinity (friend of mine was tour manager for Red Snapper before Basement Jaxx) and he was a lovely chap. I'm sure he has no recollection, but was very supportive and engaging. Send me a PM Rev - be good to see you out and about playing DB. Cant see from your site but if you're on the Rockabilly scene we may know some of the same people.

Good question! I started playing electric at 15, got reasonably good at it. Achieved Grade 8 standard, toured Europe and taught at a local music college. Sitting there once transcribing a track (I think it was 'Maybe it'll rub off') I realised I was bored with my sub-Jack noodling crap, so I sold all my gear apart from one bass and didn't play properly for the best part of a decade. I'd always loved the idea of upright, but never the reality. Then, when my wife became pregnant I decided to treat myself and spend the nights indoors with the new family as an opportunity to learn something new. The next best thing to happen was enjoying a free jazz concert (cost not music) in Bristol (where I live) and seeing Some amazing players I realised the complexity and beauty of the instrument. I also realised it's sheer size and physical presence meant that the sort of widdling virtuoso bollocks (sorry) I was prone to on the electric - and that bores me stiff - was impossible on upright. Its apparent simplicity is it's complexity, even though within one four bar phrase you have millions of potential options writhing the first few positions. I realised I couldn't do it alone so I plucked up the courage to get some lessons and create what I always told for my students: a structured practice plan. I'm now relearning theory and practical bass playing in a completely new context which is incredibly rewarding and exciting. I'm also now open to huge amounts of new music (some of which is very old!). I can also play through changes too, which is pretty cool. Favourite players? Hard one - I'd probably say the thing that kicked me into getting a DB was listening to Thompson play with John Martyn after rediscovering Solid Air. This is live which loses some of the enchanting quality of the album track, but gains some of its own allure: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_Utj4Aljc Interested to hear from others.

Different username (old band) but have been here from the start!

I like the story Nick, that sounds like a real friend you have there. It's interesting the physical intimacy you have with an upright translates into a different - and perhaps more intense - relationship than with an electric bass. I had a similar thing when I was searching for an electric bass. I used to import vintage basses from the States as a business, and could never find one I genuinely loved. In the end, I found one an hour away and it's been my best friend for years. Entirely impractical, and worth a fortune, but I will never part with her. In terms of upright basses, my plywood bass is perfect for local gigs, travelling to lessons, practising and so on. She's no looker, granted, but I've no complaints with the sound. It's a little agricultural though, hence me investing in something a little more refined for recording and so on. I agree with the principle of always buying the best you can afford, but I guess in this instance the OP may be dipping a toe in the water. This is for the OP now - if I hear of anything, I'll send you a DM.

Fair enough. I don't know enough about these instruments, but if people on here love them then that's enough for me. Personally I wouldn't buy a DB I hadn't seen or played, but I appreciate there are some amazing instruments coming out of the Far East. Particularly if cost is the deciding factor it's probably your only way to get something new. I guess the internet has enough advice on how to seat a bridge, check the soundpost is in the right place and so on. I'm conscious I may be annoying the original poster here as my views may not be particularly helpful.

I disagree that set up is unimportant, in fact it's absolutely essential. So many people give up the instrument quickly; becoming frustrated at battling with an instrument that's basically unplayable. Not to mention the risk of suffering a physical injury. Unless you buy a cheap instrument someone here has loved then you'll struggle for £600. I bought mine from a touring pro for £400 (friend needs the space). Even though this was used for gigs a new set of Spirocores helped. When a luthier checked it over it needed a lot of work, but £400 later I've a wonderful bass. If you're new to bass buying blind (even if you see it as an amateur you won't really know what you're buying) is dangerous. If I had the cash again I'd still do what I did because I love the way my bass sounds and feels, but I would consider investing in buying through a luthier who can set up the instrument properly. Sorry for babbling. Last thing to be aware of is that as soon as you start, if you can break through the initial fear and technical challenges, you might become hooked - which can be expensive. My focus for 2017 is figuring out how to pay for the Bryant bass I'm having built. If anyone needs any odd jobs doing, let me know!

Also, make sure you get a bit of history on the bass. I met the seller (recommended through a friend) and my bass had toured the country as part of a Buddy Holly musical apparently. Quirky bit of background. I'm currently getting one built so I will have to take of that instruments history all by myself!

Absolutely! I was referred to the incredible upright bass master that is Martin Penning by my teacher. He's helped me an awful lot with getting my old knackered (but cherished) bass to a wonderful playing and sounding instrument. An upright bass is a complex piece of design and engineering held together with glue and pressure. I certainly have no idea how it works, I'll defer to a pro.

Best advice I had was to get a DB teacher and get them to advise you. They should understand your technique and your requirement. They can also spot potentially expensive issues (although a luthier will help with that). Of course don't but sight unseen, but more importantly, listen to the bass! Cheap ones can sound great, but it's often hard to tell until someone plays it for you.

You can find Mexican Strats for about £200. I'd save a few more quid and get one of those...

Seems you've got this sorted, but I'd always recommend a Simon & Patrick. These are beautiful guitars that are fantastically well made and cheap as chips online.

It's brilliant. Just get out the real book, get rid of the bass and crack on. This is why I wasn't able to progress years ago (honest).

I had no idea how utterly amazing that iReal thing was. I'd never seen it before, but it's absolutely brilliant. Thanks!

Geoff is a legend. I really enjoy how straightforward they are. It's no substitute for real lessons, but they're a constant reminder of new things to try and how to avoid common issues. Incredibly generous really.

That's great. I have that DVD somewhere - an unopened present from the wife. I haven't opened it because I assumed I wasn't good enough. It seems that maybe I am!