Spoombung

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1402422921' post='2473384'] Slowly. Lots of repetition. No metronome. Breaking it up into chunks. Learn it by ear first. Worry about writing it down later. Good luck! [/quote] Yep this is more of less how I do it. Endless repetition of the parts over and over again then I try and play the whole thing through. It can take days or weeks. Anything that looks like an arpeggiated chord - try and log that in you brain as a C major (for instance). Remember what finger to 'lead' sections of notes so you've got the right hand position to proceed to the next note cluster. Go a slow as you like at first. It's incredible how persistence and practise pays off in the end.

I think this is quite an important and overlooked subject in terms of playing comfort. My preference is for wide, low frets and a rolled fingerboard. That way the bass feels great and you get a minimum of buzzing when playing. It feels like the strings are 'melting' into the neck. I have two basses with thin, small frets and they are much more difficult to play without buzzes. They also feel spiky and sharp on the edge of the fingerboard as they're thinner. I would discourage anyone from banjo frets and thinner wire frets. Go for wiide as possible and low as possible.

I don't think music sounded better in the eighties at all. If you like clicking bass drums, gated snares, digital reverb and treble added to almost every sound and the instruments commonly heard on eighties pop records it means you like eighties production. That's all. The argument about digital formats and anologue vs digital and all that stuff is irrelevant.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419779642' post='2642636'] It's a nice looking thing, that's for sure. Don't think I'll risk ordering one, though! [/quote] Absolutely. I wouldn't recommend it.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419447982' post='2640137'] Ooh, I've not seen one of those before. What's it like? [/quote] It has the most amazing neck and great balance. Ordering the build and customer care was an absolute nightmare after the two partners in the company fell out acrimoniously. This all resulted in a three year waiting time and almost zero communication - so I have mixed feelings about it. Here's another shot of its blueiness:

New GMR bass

The Elegant Gypsy album had some of his best stuff. Saw him recently with Hiromi and didn't really enjoy his flabby, piezo pickup tone on his new Fodera bass.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1418657389' post='2632034'] Hope this works from my phone. See attached photo for the only 'stand' that should be used - my guitarist in action [/quote] Oh dear.

One of the worst things is jazz singers using stands. They're singing 'fly me to the moon' and they're reading the lyrics even though they've sung it hundreds of times before and it's incredibly simple to remember

I don't like to see singers reading lyrics, ie Brian Wilson. Suggests old age, disconnection, emotional detachment, poor memory and general disinterest in the song. Or can't be bothered learning the lyrics.

My funny little band, Prescott, are playing at the London Jazz festival at the Vortex on Friday. It's really hard getting you Baschatters to gigs, y'know! [url="http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/late-sessions-finn-peters-curates-2/"]http://www.vortexjaz...ters-curates-2/[/url] [media]http://youtu.be/ZZSLRUh-n3Q[/media]

[quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1415890906' post='2604891'] Ah Massacre! Two formative tracks for me... Legs [media]http://youtu.be/ETxtSbfpjHE[/media] FANTASTIC music... [/quote] I really like that. Have you heard them since Charles Hayward joined, BTW?

The astonishing Stars in Battledress [url="http://youtu.be/U5wx8sHGDzo?list=UUanBBuQuTco1aSaAqkwt9Mw"]http://youtu.be/U5wx8sHGDzo[/url]

Experimental meets Romantic, perhaps? http://youtu.be/Fk20h6a4fu4

Okay, here you go. Several people have asked me about this. There are several venues that feature free improv/experimental music. I would recommend [u]you go and see a gig first [/u]rather than send links to the promoters concerned. Talk to whoever runs them in person. In addition to Cafe Oto and the Vortex.... [b][size=4]The Dog House in Kennington - Vimeo have several vids from this venue - so maybe start there. Very Free-improv (two venues)[/size][/b] [b]Club Integral - several venues, so look them up - avant bands mostly and small ensembles[/b] [b]Lewisham Arthouse - Charles Hayward, the drummer, runs this. Invite only - so go to a gig first[/b] [b]The Hundred Years Gallery - Kingsland rd, a small basement space - small ensembles[/b] [b]Ryans Bar in Stoke Newington - I've seen small avant bands play there in the basement[/b] [b]The birds Nest in Deptford - loud, rough venue suitable for small bands[/b] [b]The Montague Arms, New Cross - run by a collective - stage/PA/ bands[/b] [b]Servant Jazz Quarters - Dalston - cosy basement venue often used by Club integral[/b] [b]The Mopomoso club - free improv - two different venues[/b] [b]Boat-Ting - a nice venue on a boat moored on the north bank. Monthly improv gigs[/b]

Hi Is anybody familiar with this 2x10cab? Any impressions? I tried a Markbass cab that tilted back in the same way and was wondering whether this would be a good substitute... Thanks

http://youtu.be/ZZSLRUh-n3Q Iceni bass in action

Had a great time with Steve Lawson, Colin Edwin and Lorenzo Faliciati at the Wayward Basses gig. All we needed was an audience! Everyone 'too ill' or 'at fireworks' or 'away for the weekend'. here's a couple of clips of Prescott http://youtu.be/ZZSLRUh-n3Q

[size=8][b]Tonight![/b][/size] [size=5][size=6][b]Special offers[/b][/size] and [size=6][b]guest list tickets[/b][/size] available for Basenoters on the night.[/size] [size=5]Try your luck and email me: [email protected] [/size]

We will also be offering Two Free CDs for anyone who has paid through WeGotTickets [url="http://www.wegottickets.com/event/288870"]http://www.wegottickets.com/event/288870[/url]

If any Basenoters would like to go on the[b][u] [size=5]guest lis[/size][/u][size=5]t[/size] [/b]for tomorrow's gig please PM me. We have a number of places left. Leave me your details and I'l put you on the list Kev

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1406678997' post='2513754'] A quick shot of some wooden ones chilling on the settee today [url="http://s.photobucket.com/user/dazer/media/BASS/424F94FF-A9F9-41A5-8BEB-357F8C30B636_zpsoqcovpsc.jpg.html"][/url] Rear shot [/quote] What a great collection. What is that one on the far right?