leschirons

Had my very first bass lesson with Henry Thomas at his house. Great player, sh*te taste in wallpaper.

Interesting post this. I voted wish them well. No offence but I feel there's a little bit of dented pride in there somewhere. I hear what you're saying about loyalty but it's not as if they're taking a gig and not telling you. I know "telling" is different from "asking" but if I were in your position (and have been) I would call the dep and ask if he wanted a hand learning the numbers as there exists the possibility that he's not as good as you and that could mean a potentially bum gig that would harm the band's reputation which then reflects on you indirectly. It also puts you in a good light with others. I've depped loads of gigs and had my bands use a dep on just as many occaisions due to having some other commitment on a particular night. Looking to join any of those bands has never been on my agenda and if a band I play in wanted to permanently replace me with a dep they'd used. it's time to move on anyway. Don't worry about it.

Great album and great playing from RHT. Love that bassline on Colibri. Fave solo for me is Kim Stone on High-roller (Rippingtons live in L.A.) Old hat now that some will pooh-pooh but at the time, it was perfect for the number.

Keep it simple to start with, economy can be great sometimes. Assuming you're right handed, stand on his left (as you both face the stage) as it's easier to see the kit, the kick pedal and his hands. Watch for any pushes coming up ( our drummer sticks them in randomly without thinking if it compliments the song, twat) It also helps if you get to be mates outside the band. Oh, I forgot, it's also easier if he's a competent drummer.

[quote name='TheButler' post='552843' date='Jul 27 2009, 03:38 PM']I'll copy/paste the e-mail here, don't care if they see it haha: Hi Jamie, Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but after much deliberation, we've decided to continue on without you in the band. We appreciate your efforts over the last few weeks, but we're can't really see it working out, and this is perhaps as much to do with the fact we have been together for a few years now and would struggle with anyone new, as it is to do with you. I'm sure you'll have no problems finding a new vehicle for your bassing - there are plenty of folks looking for guys like you - so all the best. Thanks again, Jon TBSC.[/quote] They make it sound as if they're carrying on without a bassplayer, no mention of any replacement. No matter what their reasons for pushing you out, these situations should at least warrant a face to face or at the very least, a real voice on the phone. As we put ourselves forward as musicians, we should all be able to take constructive criticism and if I were slung out, I'd want to know the real reasons, critical or not. If it's my playing, then I need to improve it (assuming they're qualified to comment on my, (or your) playing. If it's simply political, a clash of personalities or the old bassplayer returning from 3 years in Australia, you were on a loser from the start and better off out of it. It's always a dent to the pride to be in this situation but try to find out what the real reason was. You'll probably find out it was one of the above reasons and NOT your bassplaying. If you're the sort of guy who would have spoken directly to someone you were sacking in your band, then they don't deserve to be playing with you anyway.

You two aren't the Chuckle brothers in disguise are you? You're as bad as each other.

I think a lot of all this is down to preference and set-up. By way of comparison, yesterday, on the way back home, we stopped by a huge guitar shop near Poitiers. I'm after an electro acoustic with no particular budget in mind. If it feels perfect at the nut and sounds good, that would be the one for me. Like most purchases, I'm attracted by the visual aspect at first, then all the other issues. Maybe like most, I will not buy the best sounding / constructed / playable bass or guitar if it's ugly (to me) I picked up and played a €400 Yamaha, used €500 Alvarez, a new €800 Martin and a €2,000 Taylor. The Alvarez won hands down. I guess the point of this is make sure you check out all the non boutique stuff as well as there is some seriously great stuff out there for not a lot of money. I could see the Taylor losing 25% of it's value straight away. If it's the same for the Alvarez, it's not too much of a problem.

+ 4 so now 1704

[quote name='OldGit' post='530229' date='Jul 2 2009, 08:48 AM']Sounds brilliant .. This has to be a contender for a Basschat "Explain this picture" contest [attachment=28114:King_of_the_blues.jpg][/quote] I guess it's not everyday you see Tudor royalty with a Godin acousticaster. i seem to remember reading they were Fender men in the 16th century. I suppose as it's Fairport, they're allowed to be a tad eccentric.

Nice one, congrats. hope it all goes really well for you.

Myself and Mrs leschirons just got back yesterday from Nantes in north western France where I had the good fortune to meet, and chat to, a couple of bassplayers I'd always admired. Fairport's Dave Pegg and Les Holroyd (Barclay James Harvest) The gig was a rock opera based on the life of Anne of Bretagne. It was one of those quite special nights as it was set in the centre courtyard of the chateau ducs de Bretagne (fabulous backdrop) We are pals with the French rock guitarist Pat O'may who was doing all the lead guitar parts and ended up in the front row of the VIP area (free beer and pancakes) Both guys came across as really nice and down to earth and with time to chat despite being obviously knackered (gig was three and a half hours and they were all in full period costume) Sorry, no pics of them as camera battery was flat at this point but here's a few other shots. (Mrs leschirons showing off her VIP pass, James Wood and Chris Leslie on stage and our mate Pat in full rock pose. Dave Pegg was on bass for all of the night and Les Holroyd was playing Henry the seventh so was vocals only. The other UK players were Chris Leslie, James Wood, Gerry Conway and Simon Nicol. There was also some serious stick bass playing from Bob Callero. The "opera" was written by Alan Simon and was performed by over 60 musicians throughout the evening. The only concern is the threat of a few "bevvies" with Les Holroyd if we go to Paris in October to see BJH with full orchestra. Might have to go on my own.

I dug out Truth by Jeff Beck last week. Simple, bluesy and seriously good.

This only becomes an issue when you want to play with different musicians or move on to different type of music. In addition, your opinion of how good you are is always different to someone else's opinion of how good you are. If you're able to play all the stuff you enjoy playing, then you're doing great. If you'd sh*t yourself if Larry Carlton or Steve Lukather asked you to get up and jam, then you're not at their level. Why worry. I have no doubt when you listen to other bassplayers in clubs and pubs etc, you subconciously know what level you're at.

[quote name='ahpook' post='513500' date='Jun 14 2009, 05:59 PM']i love my jazz bass (1987 MIJ btw) but i only ever use the neck pickup, never the bridge. to my ears it's a much fuller sound. but each to their own of course !![/quote] Weird ain't it. I love the bridge pick up with the tone rolled back for that Chic sound.

If I were you, I'd get the band to drop that one and just throw in a couple of Leonard Cohen songs.

Calm down, calm down. Would it help if I bring in a lawnmower comparison slant to things?

Not renowned for having the greatest build quality or tone but it'll do the job and for the price, not expensive.

Nice one Zoe, a great pic and I'm sure a nice memory to keep. Cool to meet a bit of a legend once in a while.

Welcome back, also from France. Nice basses.

Welcome to the forums. Interesting user name, don't suppose there's a slim chance you're into metal is there?

Never picked up one of the basses but have owned two Parker guitars. Both were absolutely superb in tone, playability and build quality. The added bonus that they weighed about 3 ounces made them a pleasure to play.

[quote name='neepheid' post='504029' date='Jun 2 2009, 04:38 PM']Practice, practice, practice. And plenty of practice as a band - don't do what I did and do my first gig off the back of only 3 whole band practices. Try to relax. If you make a mistake, keep calm and carry on - join up the song as soon as you can. Try to enjoy it. It seems like you've got a reasonably relaxed gig for your first one with probably a supportive and captive audience. Good luck.[/quote] This is all top advice. The only thing I would add is to book into a Travelodge, trash the room and sling the telly out of the window.