mikel

"Home" by the Dixie Chicks. Country as a genre is not my thing but the wife likes it. Have been watching Ken Burns Country Music documentary and the DC came up in conversation. I played the Home album today and I have to say its great. Not your Stetson wearing yee ha type of stuff just great songs, great harmonies and some superb musicianship. In particular "Travelin Soldier" got to me, so I played it again while reading the lyrics. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a few tears. The power of the lyrics and the vocal performance put it up there for me as a playlist favorite.

It was, and so was House of the King.

Agreed. The same as "If it feels right it is right". Back to silly statements "You must learn to read music"

In general a sense of humor. Not all, obviously, we have our share of Cpt Obvious and people up their own ar*es but mostly a common sense of the ridiculous prevails. Wibble.

You are right it could, and as I said, I thought it would be easier for me to learn using my stronger right hand to fret chords. But, as the guy pointed out, right handed instruments are, or were back in the day, much easier to come by than lefties so he was not lying on that count or making a silly statement.

All true, but I love the way they reduce the very complex and strength demanding task, more so when you first start, of playing chords as "Fret chords" Ha, If only it were that simple. Also, when you first start you have to look at both hand to be sure of what you are doing so "Playing blind" is a bit of a gloss over. You could argue the picking hand remains pretty much in the same place whereas the fretting hand is all over the neck, and making constant adjustments not only for chord shapes but also for the different fret spacing as you go up or down the neck. Just a thought.

I wasn't taking a pop, no need to be defensive, it was a genuine belief. When I started playing It would have made more sense to me to do the difficult stuff with my stronger right hand. Does that not make some sense?

Well thats taught me something. I thought it would be easier as your left hand would naturally be stronger and make playing chords easier. You live and learn.

Use your amp and cab as traditional backline. Bass frequencies are not directional so position is not critical, as long as you and the band can hear it and it balances out front.

Grapevine. One of the legendary opening riffs that still make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Call it a cliche but its still a classic.

Hot Club of Cowtown at the Sage last night. Superb musicians including an upright bassist who is awesome. Great songs and spot on harmonies. Third time I have seen them over the last 10 yeas and they seem to get better every time. There version of Orange Blossom Special was jaw dropping.

Este, by a mile. No contest.

This. A bit like Born in the USS being used by an American president as a election song. Shows how stupid our leaders are.

Practice to achieve what? I could not commit to practice simply to fill in time, for me it has to have a goal. The goal for me is to maintain and hopefully improve my ability to play in my band or to ply in other more difficult environments. I could never commit to hours of practice simply for the routine, or work through music grades with no end goal. I cant see the point in being top grade in bass playing if im not going to use it. Just my take.

Oooooh, lovely. I must just go and put Close to the Edge on. I do love the sound of a Rick.

I believe its the same with all instruments. I have played with some great musicians and they always make their presence felt. Not through overt chops but by knowing what the song needs and, more importantly, what it does not. I played with a guitarist who was the master of restraint and great tasteful playing. Ask him to shred like a maniac, purely for our own entertainment, and he did it without breaking sweat, but it held no interest for him.

Everything. Obviously. Wake up.

You mean every bass player since really wanted to be a guitarist? Lol.

This. The tune always, always comes first. I dont care how much of a virtuoso someone is, if the song is not to my liking then its relegated to elevator music.

Aye, he was good with the Jam but meh since then. The Jam were young and angry now he is going through the motions.

I have no problem with people not liking some music, its personal taste, it just seems that the Later with Jools thread is a place for people to come specifically to post about how much they dislike the show. Week after week. If I dont like something I dont bother with it, rather than bang on about how much I really dislike it.

Im 67 and have been gigging either drums, guitar or bass, at various times, since I was 15 and never had a problem. I started doing weights, mainly core and general strength about 25 years ago. I have no interest in big muscles or "Bulking up" but a top physio told me that as you age you lose muscle mass and general strength so even everyday activities slowly become more of an issue. The strength exercises keep me in shape and a two hour gig in never a problem. Two sessions a week in the gym are enough. Use it or lose it, as they say.

+1. Awesome instrument, without even mentioning how little it cost. Unless I was just lucky and got a gem.

Couldn't agree more but it would seem more people prefer to post about things they don't like than things they do like.

Hell of a voice but all the yodeling and vocal gymnastics put me off. Most times, for me, less is more.