mikel

A change of technique would be playing with less force. Its an easy thing to practice. I can be a heavy hitter, when I want to or it suits the situation. We practiced for two months, once a week, in the singers big garden shed and keeping the volume down was essential. Now I can play the same songs at living room volume or stadium volume. Its simply down to desire and practice. If the drummer refuses to modify his playing, ie being a proper musician, you might want to get another drummer to suit what you do and where you play. Dynamics are an essential drumming skill.

I also play drums and playing more quietly is not that difficult. If I can do it etc. Start with lighter shorter sticks. It helps a lot, less weight behind the hit and less leverage. Rehearse at a lower volume and after a few practices he will find it easier. If he plays from the fingers and wrists rather than big arm movements it helps. We all have to adjust to smaller venues and the drummer is no exception. Dynamics are the key.

A good gig is the band playing well and the audience enjoying it. A GREAT gig is when the magic happens. That all too rare night when everyone in the band is "On" and the musicians are almost telepathic. When everything you touch turns to musical gold and the components of the band fit together like a Swiss watch. When even one or two of the songs you have played for years, and are not that fussed about, just take off. The audience picks up on this and you can feel the energy flowing back onto the stage, adding more fuel to the bands fire and lifting things even higher. It can be in the local pub or the local arena, whatever, the feeling is the same, emotion and energy. That is a great gig.

Seems to me the only band member who needs a wig is the one not sporting the item. The guitarist was a bit hesitant with his first few licks, dragging a little, but he improved as it progressed. Nice bass playing.

Can depend on the room you are playing in, and even where you stand in that room. Bedrooms have nice soft furnishings, carpets, curtains etc. Most practice rooms and gig spaces have lots of hard reflective surfaces and tend, one would hope, to be much bigger than your bedroom, so you can have the sound bouncing back at you. Modify your sound to fit the situation.

It's probably more to do with what you want in a bass tone has changed over the years. Also, you obviously have way too much money to waste on high end instruments. i will send you my address and you can send the ones you have not played for more than 3 months to a deserving home. Mine.

Fine, but he has not been asked to sing. The audition is based on the 5 songs they have asked for. Anything else is an extra. Nail the 5 they have asked for, be polite and friendly and you can do no more. Any preparation not based on the 5 songs is wasted preparation. Do what you are asked to do and do it better than the rest of the guys they are auditioning. That way if you dont get the gig its not your fault, its simply apples and oranges.

Hah. If you are using in ears and an electronic kit you could probably practice in the living room, we used to, with everything going through the desk.

Back in the early 70s we recorded a demo in a local studio and took it down to London to tout round the record companies to try and get a deal. Island records were interested and the guy got on the phone to the Marquee, while we were sitting in his office, to get us on that night so he could see us play. Me? at the Marquee? Bloody hell. Sadly the bill was full that night and we were off home the next morning back to Newcastle. The guy said he would be in touch and gave us his card. He never got back to us and never took our calls.

Its 50-50. If you really want the slot then get everything you can out of the 5 songs you know. Know them in the dark, know them in your sleep. That is what they have asked for and presume they will judge you on that parameter. You could wing it on those songs and learn another 5 but If another bassist has nailed the 5 asked for better because they concentrated on them then you could blow it. You may only get to play 5. Compromise. Practice the 5 you know but pick two others that are not too challenging so you can throw in " Do you want to do another couple of songs?" If they already like your playing on the original 5.

I always though that If I was ever lucky enough to have an integral double garage I would convert at least half of it to a practice space. As its already brick, with a proper roof and concrete floor, the conversion would be fairly easy.

Back in the early 70s I looked the part. Skinny, long haired and had no problem getting women. The down side? I didnt have the rock star talent. Still dont.

Wow, that's cheap for all that insulation. You have done a great job for what is very little money in the attenuation you say is that good. Are the windows and door simply double glazed or are there two units in each opening?

The more you spend the better it will be. Wooden sheds/cabins, more so if they have a wooden floor, are simply a sound box. Like an acoustic guitar almost. Lots of insulation will help but timber has little mass so dont expect it to be soundproof or to reduce the volume outside by much.

Hell yes. What a load of tosh. Kylie was on last week boy is her voice weak and all over the place. No wonder she has so many backing singers she couldnt carry a song in a bucket. Just show that if you get most of your kit off or wear lots of fancy frocks you can make it in pop music. It works for women also, so I am told.

Looks fine to me, heartily sick of Fenders. I love the look and growl of the standard Rick but sadly they are too big for me.

They are all good musicians but the fact remains, basses are big instruments, and smaller people make them look even bigger. I was not saying its wrong, I was pointing out that 34" is too big for me personally.

I get that, but from the other perspective. I am 5'5" tall and weigh 59 KG so a 34" scale looks like I am a child playing an adults instrument.

Short, 30". I am a little guy with small hands so it makes the first 5 frets much easier. String tension is reduced when using the same gauge strings and short scale basses are often lighter so its a win win situation for me. Tone wise I have never noticed any difference between long and short scale basses, others may argue that point.

Because its Rock and Roll not a classical concert. Nothing wrong with distorted guitars, or a bit of feedback. Some of the best gigs I have ever been too were in sweaty bars and clubs with no Big PA or computer mixing desk. I embrace technology when it suits the situation, and I use hearing protection when I feel the need. If its too loud you can vote with your feet and leave.

Bands and audiences are wimps. If the music is too loud, you are too old. Use a smaller amp and drive it harder. Point the speakers at the wall behind the band. Put a miced speaker in a back room like Gary Moore. Its not supposed to sound like a Hi-Fi its supposed to be a Rock and Roll gig.

Quite, but we are just talking about doing the basics. Get the basic sounds ok and a not perfect mix is forgiven. Keep it simple.

Ian Anderson has some travel sized acoustics made by Manson. They sound fantastic. Manson's thought a guitar that size would sound poor but they were proven wrong. Anderson's excuse is "A tiny guitar makes a little guy like me look bigger".

I was told back in the day by the guy doing FOH for Yes "Its better to cut a frequency rather than boost another to try and compensate"

It has more control knobs than strings, always a deal breaker for me. Simple is best, a bit like me really.