musicbassman

'Hottest' ? ....... What are we, back in the '80's ? Anyway, wheres Mononeon and Sam Wilkes ? 🙄

Wow, that's what my darling wife said to me when we first met !

I would suggest that this list is not way different to some cover band's lists NOW ! - easy to laugh, but there again if you're asked to do a gig for someones 60th birthday then this list (with a few exceptions) might still be spot on, and exactly what the punters would want..

Yes Mick, me too. Never venture any opinion at all really should be my current gameplan. Auditioned for a long term dep gig a few weeks ago. Just a rock covers band. A new rehearsal venue for the band, apparently, and it was immediately obvious on arrival it was going to be acoustically appalling - an old village hall with brick walls and a high ceiling. Guitarist arrives late, proceeds to turn up to 11, and suggests we 'warm up' with 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Jeez. I can't hear myself play at all, so when the noisefest has finished I suggest that 'maybe we need to take the volume down quite a bit' 'No', says the guitarist, 'your amp isn't loud enough' He then avoided any eye contact or communication for the rest of the session The evening went steadily downhill from there, and about an hour and a half later we parted, agreeing to 'stay in contact' (yeah, right)

Yup, another trick is to show a pic of your 'original purchase invoice' (reasonable enough) - which just might happen to show the full contact details of the original purchaser (i.e yourself)

I nearly bought it, but I tried it out and it wouldn't play Rhythm Stick properly, kept fluffing some of the notes, so I gave it a miss...

OK, many people have covered this, but i think the attention to detail here from the whole band is exceptional. Bass player is the Brazilian Michael Pipoquinha, who I think is only about 18 now. *really not jealous at all..... sniff......*

His behaviour was completely ridiculous. Why is it that some 'musicians' try to justify behaviour which in any other field of human endeavour would be absolutely unacceptable ?

Yup,- and they absolutely nail it. I'd really like to see this novel idea turning into a regular thing for these guys. I just hope it doesn't spawn a load of dodgy Youtube copycats looking for clicks. It really takes massive talent and massive cojones to pull this off successfully!

One bass, one strap, now let's get on with the music. There, I've said it. * runs and hides *

So maybe we all have our personal definitions, and that's just fine. My personal definition is when someone knows that they're playing something WRONG, rather than right. So that's all about developing a good musical ear, which can take many years for us mere mortals. I remember when I'd been playing for about a year and I first learnt to reliably 'hear' a fifth interval. What a sense of achievement!

Here is clear evidence that relic-ing can never look quite like the real thing!

....... Ahem ................

You know how sometimes you put a song together in rehearsal and it just 'works' almost immediately? And other times you can work and work on a song trying to get it to sound right and trying to polish a t u r d comes to mind? I reckon its all down to some sort of basic rhythmic conflict - usually between bass and drums, bass and guitar, or guitar and drums. So I think it's sensible to break the song down into its core elements play the song through with just bass and drums, just guitar and drums etc, and try and source the problem. Easier said than done. Even if done with the utmost tact prepare for denials, hissy fits and name calling, especially from guitarists! Why are some musos so defensive that even if its b.obvious there's a problem they won't admit it, or throw their toys out of the pram? The songs never going to sound better unless you pipoint the problem. And don't get me started on drummers with dreadful, weak, or non existent kick drum technique - just about impossible to lock together with the bass.....

DITTO ! 1968 - Saturday morning 'rehearsals' at the drummers house. There were six inputs on the only amp we had - a VOX AC30, so there were two guitars, a bass and three mikes plugged into it Must have sounded......err......fantastic! 😀 👍

If the time signature is the main thing you remember about a song then I would guess that the song may be rather weak. Here's an example where you only become aware of the 5/4 time as the song progresses - it doesn't bite your face off as soon as you hear it, it just feels natural. From the very wonderful Cardiacs - here's 'Day is Gone'.

Thanks Skankdelvar, for writing such an excellent article and providing all us BCers with free entertainment! Lots of glorious detail there. Never mind playing the bass, you should be a comedy scriptwriter.

No one's mentioned the rarely available Roadworn Gaylord series with the distressed truss rod yet...

My usual practice technique these days By stingrayPete1977, 10 hours ago in General Discussion

Putting a band together from scratch that fires up on all cylinders from the off is a big ask, and then putting a gig diary together for a completely new band becomes harder all the time. Ask yourself if you're happy with what your new ready made band is doing in terms of: - the type of material, - the standard of playing, - the type of gigs they are doing, - their ages and personalities (as far as you can judge) - their location - you don't want to be driving 60 miles each way just for a rehearsal If you're happy, then this ready made band might be very hard work initially but if it works out you've potentially saved at least 18 months of blood, sweat and tears. And possibly frustration beyond belief! The fact they've headhunted you is a massive plus, and any reasonable band of likeable people will certainly not be expecting a recording studio level of performance for a 1st gig. Playing with a good feel and locking in well with the drummer might be considered more important.

Wow - there's a whole new instrument family there just waiting to be discovered

I hope these two topics don't get mixed together or confused in any way by some over enthusiastic members...

Yup, been loving Knower for a couple of years now... - and don't forget the wonderful Tim Lefebvre - digging in so far on this track that I surprised he's got any fingers left

Lets see now... Purchase this and you'll immediately get a fantastic gig and maybe some New Age friends, although you can't actually really play ! Free enrolment into School of Gullibility ! Contains shakric crystals! Monks (or something similar) chanting whilst it was made! Built on a ley line, and then suspended on warm stones for 3 days ! Genuine Realisation Mantra written on old scrolls concealed in neck pocket (plenty of room there) !

Bubinga 5, you have good taste! ☺️ I remember a friend playing me some of 'The Truth' album - first time I'd heard of this guy. Obviously some of that could sound a little dated now, but the standard of playing is A1. Any idea who the bass player is on this? - Obviously joined by an umbilical cord to the drummer, never to be cut. I wish i could play like that (or maybe work with a drummer who could even make that possible!).