wintoid

That's a lot to live up to

I've got a similar story. Probably around 1987 ish, there was a week long JRSM Jazz Rock Studio Music course run at the Guildhall School of music "in association with Rockschool". A bunch of us signed up and Henry was the bass teacher. A room full of bassists, and the first thing he did was to ask each of us to play a bit. A nervous chill went round the room, and someone volunteered to go first. Well this "student" was a pretty awesome player, and I remember thinking "wow what's Henry going to be able to teach this guy?". After the bloke finished his little bit, Henry asked him to play it again, and then delivered a fantastic improvised bass solo over the top of the guy's playing. I was in heaven. I don't remember how my own audition went, but I would probably have been in the middle of the pack.

Hi all, I actually joined a while back but have been more of a browser than a contributor. I thought I should say hello properly. I'm a 52 year old guy who grew up obsessed with the bass from a fairly early age. Jaco, Mark King and all that. I started playing at around 13 years old, maybe earlier, on borrowed instruments at first. My first bass was a Westone (?) Rail, which just looked like the future to me! I'm a computer guy, and that ended up being how I made my living, but as soon as I was earning, I wanted to get myself a really nice bass. I wanted a Wal. However, at the time I was able to find credit from a music shop that did not have Wals but had Warwicks, so I ended up with a 4 string Warwick through-neck which took me 2 years to pay off. Over a few years I accumulated a nice little collection of analog synths and studio gear, but when we had kids, I sold most of it. Needs must. I downgraded my bass at that time from the Warwick to a Hohner B2A, which I still have. It has lain unplayed for nearly 2 decades now as I have been consumed with bringing up my kids. During lockdown, I've found myself interested in music as a hobby again, and have been playing with Bitwig as a DAW. I've got a reasonable soundcard now, so fished out the Hohner and had a go at recording it. I need new strings! Don't like the sound recorded with the active circuitry engaged, and it's a bit quiet in passive mode, but it's passable for now. I still want a Wal! Anyway, I'm here, and grateful for this resource and all you nice people. Thought I should say hi! Cheers, Simon