Newfoundfreedom

A moose being beaten to death with a clarinet.

Looks great. Following with interest.

I'm cr@p. I play because I enjoy it, not because I'm particularly good at it. I don't even aspire to be great. I have no desire to put in the massive amount of time and effort it would take. That's far too much like work and would totally suck all the fun out of it for me. I'm perfectly happy to be adequate.

None of the places I play, and very few places I'm every likely to play have house mix or monitors. It's all old school bring your own gear here. And as I'm married to the singer, I have no choice but to lug around a P.A, whether I like it or not.

Elephant ear tuners Glossy paint Fender logo

Not even close. Maybe do a bit of research. 😉

I've always wanted one of these.

My ex rhythm guitarist swears he cured his tinnitus through fasting. Something which he does for three weeks every year. The understanding of the effects of autophagy through fasting are still in the early stages, but it looks like the human body is capable of amazing things all on it's own if you give it half a chance. I'm neither confirming nor condoning. But it's interesting none the less.

One thing that's a real deal breaker for me is elephant ear tuners. I just can't stand the look of em. Which rules out pretty much all Fenders. For the most part, I can't stand painted basses. I can just about live with a colour wash as long as the grain still shows through, but a gloss paint job is an absolute no no.

Yeah I'm the same. Can't really knock them, I just don't think I'll ever play one. I've figured out what I like over the years, and it's usually some combination of natural wood, humbuckers, and small tuners. I just can't stand the look or feel of the Fender type elephant ears.

Yup. I did the same. I thought, ooh that looks really nice, then the more I looked the more it just looked off. Kind of like a girl I once met in Bangkok

Every bass I've ever owned I've bought based on the looks. Sad really. I'd never use a Fender (P or J) because i can't stand how bland they look. Although I acknowledge they probably sound better than 90% of the stuff out there. If a bass doesn't look good (purely a personal, eye of the beholder type deal) It just wouldn't inspire me to pick it up.

It's usually be too busy playing catch up with a few beers or vodkas to worry about eating.

I started this thread almost three years ago. It was mainly down to the fact that I hate performing in public. I find putting myself out there and standing on a stage in front of people absolutely terrifying. I just saw this posted on social media, and now I just want to give myself a slap! Kind of puts things in perspective. Especially as I live only about 300 miles away from the Ukrainian border, in one of the countries that could easily be the next on Vlad's list. I'm not a great musician by any means, but I'm pretty sure I'd be an even worse soldier. There but for the grace of God go I. Kind of puts things in perspective. https://fb.watch/bZSgysG536/

It worked for the Sex Pistols.

I've only heard of three of the acts in the whole top 40, none of which I'd listen to. If that means I'm getting old then I'm perfectly happy with that. Give me "Dad rock" any day.

For me on a purely personal level it boils down to one simple thing. I'm not a professional musician, music is my hobby, and if you're not enjoying your hobby, then why the hell are you doing it? You just have to figure out which parts you do and don't like, and work accordingly. I'm still trying to keep an open mind in the hope that gigging with the new, originals band will be a much more pleasurable experience, time will tell. I definitely enjoy the music more, but I suspect the crippling anxiety and imposter syndrome will still rear it's ugly head.

Good stuff. That's pretty impressive for a new originals band over lockdown. 🤘

I've done the same and absolutely hated it. So it's horses for courses. To be honest I don't even really understand the obsession with "getting the audience up dancing". I've been to hundreds of gigs and never once got up dancing. I go to listen to the music. I suppose again it largely depends on the type of band your are and the music you're into. Yeah if you're playing covers on a Saturday night down the pub, that's probably your mission. But if you're, for example, trying to carve out a bit of a niche in the local festival scene, it's a totally different ball game. I'd personally much rather play something I enjoy to a disinterested audience, than play something I hate to a bunch of drunks dancing. In my last (covers) band, the rhythm guitarist insisted on doing Rocking in the Free World. It was usually the last song in the set and went down a storm, but after about the third time of playing it, I knew I'd pretty much done with the band. If there's no creativity and we're just there to be a Jukebox to drunk punters, I'm just not interested.

Yes. I'm writing / rehearsing most weeks with my new (actually about 2 years old now minus interruptions) originals band. Now that Covid is settling down a bit, we should actually be able to get out and test the waters. First "gig" which is actually a small Festival in my garden with another couple of bands (or in my barn in the weather's bad) is in 9th April.

I could theoretically gig every weekend if I wanted to. (maybe even in the week too) the reason I left my old covers band was precisely because I didn't want to. Things are a lot different here in Bulgaria (and probably most of Europe) in that live music is very much still the in thing, and most bars, cafes and restaurants are happy to have live music pretty much any time. Especially through the summer months. Getting paid for it however is another matter entirely. The bars are happy to let you have a whip round or charge a small fee to the punters. If you can pull a few in you can actually do reasonably well this way and it's a win win for both the venue and the band. But actually getting paid by small venues (at least where I live) isn't really done. My old covers band are now playing a lot of clubs and larger venues in the surrounding cities and are getting paid, but split 5 ways it would barely cover the cost of fuel and a couple of drinks. If you're in it for the money here, you're probably going to be disappointed. I think you've got to really love it, and sadly, up to now at least, I just don't. However, what people have said about crowds responding to original music. I think that, if it ever happened, could be a turning point. I can't imagine a better buzz than a crowd enjoying, and singing along to something you've written and created. I think if / when that day happens, it'll be a gig I enjoy.

Yes. Although I assume that relates to I.Q rather than age.

Great turn of phrase. Yes indeed. Over two years ago since I started this thread, and in all that time I've played two "gigs". I use the term very loosely. They were actually private parties at my house with and half a dozen close friends during lockdown. I have my first proper gig in a couple of weeks time. I'm actually hosting a small festival at my house with another two bands and probably around 50-100 guests. So at least I don't have to worry about lugging the gear very far. It will be interesting to see if I still feel the same after this, as we're now doing all original material, which is something I'm far more passionate about, but likely to get a lukewarm reception from an audience who doesn't know the music. At this stage I'm not sure if I'm excited or nervous. But I know on the day I'll be bricking it. Hopefully not to the extent where I'm unable to enjoy it. At least we're first on, so if we're terrible by the time everyone's had a few, and watched the other two bands nobody will remember anyway. All three bands are breakaways from the covers band I was in when I started this thread. Myself, the singer, one guitarist and the drummer are now doing originals. Another of the guitarists formed his own band and they're also doing originals. The lead guitarist is in a third band still doing covers. So it will be good fun to get the gang back together as it were. Even if we're now split over three bands.

I normally hate stickers on basses, but that looks rather smart.

To be honest, I don't know the names of many bass players (or guitarists, and drummers) even in the bands I do like. I tend to listen to bands as a whole, and don't dissect individual parts. I've been a big Sister fan for years. I've been listening to them since the late 80's when I got Come Out And Play on vinyl, complete with popup Dee Snider coming out of a man hole cover. I must admit the bass has never particularly stood out for me. Maybe because i was listening to them before I even picked up a bass, or, as I said, maybe because I just don't listen to music that way. I'll have to dig out my old albums and give them a listen with fresh ears. Seems like as good an excuse as any. 👍