Pete Academy

I played in a funk covers band in the 80s and we started to do some songs that had lower register synth bass. I bought a failrly cheap 5-string and was taking two basses to gigs. I then decided to invest in a good five-string and have used one ever since. In Nearly Dan we do songs that feature below E, so I always use one for that gig. However, I much prefer playing my Jazz. Saying that, with a five it's fun to throw in those low notes now and again.

Really tight playing, Great sound.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1066082' date='Dec 21 2010, 07:59 PM']I tell you what, Pete - if it were me I'd employ you anyway and pay your travel expenses. I'm a sucker for buxom redheads...[/quote] Think of the extra business she would attract.

[quote name='poptart' post='1066013' date='Dec 21 2010, 06:44 PM']...............you know that is not a bad idea................I will looking for someone soon.............. [/quote] If only I lived closer, Mark.

In Nearly dan I use no effects. In the past with other funk bands I've used Octavers, Touch Wahs and an Akai bass synth. But generally I use nothing.

[quote name='walbassist' post='1061995' date='Dec 17 2010, 08:26 PM']Call me a soppy old git, but I'd go for Bonnie Raitt's "I can't make you love me". My theatrical side also has a soft spot for "Come what may" from the movie Moulin Rouge.[/quote] +1 on the Bonnie Raitt song. Personally, I hate bad salads.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1062775' date='Dec 18 2010, 07:00 PM']Your tone is determined by the way you play. There is note choices and timing, but would you recognise a dude from their stuff being played on a keyboard? I once read that tone is 85% fingers 10% bass and 5% rig, and it has stood up pretty well. Of course, volume is 100% rig, and that is the important bit for me.[/quote] Good post. I would say it's virtually all down to how you play.

[quote name='Conan' post='1062746' date='Dec 18 2010, 06:35 PM']I agree to an extent. However, if I am pleased with my tone, I enjoy playing more. If I enjoy playing, I tend to play better and with more enthusiasm. That makes the band sound better and everyone is happy. If I can't get a tone that pleases me, I find playing a bit of a chore sometimes. That can't be good.[/quote] Dead right. I have a tone I love - burpy fingerstyle and smooth slap. I hope our soundman reproduces that through the PA. If I'm happy with my tone on stage, I play much better.

Love Chris Squire's playing, but apart from Roundabout, Yes have never appealed to me.

[quote name='TomKent' post='1060016' date='Dec 15 2010, 08:44 PM']It's a tad pricey isn't it? haha[/quote] Certainly is. $39.95. What does that equate to at the moment? But I have to admit, it sounds quite fascinating. I would love to see how Marcus's albums are put together.

I'm not into recording these days, but this looks fascinating for those that are: [url="http://www.mixsensei.com/en/videos/tutorials/marcus_miller"]http://www.mixsensei.com/en/videos/tutorials/marcus_miller[/url] I'm tempted to download it anyway.

Great tunes.

Go the whole hog and have a Roscoe.

As someone who doesn't read I relied on tabs quite a bit during my musical upbringing. However, because I can't read, I've developed my listening skills to the point that I can usually nail a bass part by ear. Is ear training better? Personally, I think so. How many people rely on electronic tuners? The ability to tune by ear is pretty non-existent, as is the ability to add up numbers without the use of a calculator.

I remember last year when I had a gig with a band that only occasionally gigged. We basically played the same venue every 3 months - a wine bar that was populated by drunk people looking for a late drink. I got to the point where I got in from work and couldn't be arsed to get ready for the gig. The other band members were feeling the same. Yet I recall when I was a young lad, every gig would have me excited for at least a week before. It's all about familiarity. Generally, if you're a pro musician, you'll eventually treat gigging the same as any day job. It seems great, but you're actually putting in more hours than a regular job, what with the travelling, setting up, etc. Also, I tend to find that if you think a gig is going to be great, it generally turns out crap. But then vice versa.

Class player, class band. Excellent.

Two gigs I'm proud of are Glastonbury 2000 and The Blue Note Club in Milan a few years ago. Played bass on 'Lonestar Rising', the B-side to Robbie Williams 'Rudebox' Apart from getting paid for the session, it hasn't earned a penny in PPL, as it hasn't had any radio plays.

Many times it's down to frequencies. If you play in the same frequency as the guitarists, you will be battling for who is being heard. I've had this problem in the past with keyboard players. Try putting more mids in your sound. You might find you then cut through their bass/treble heavy sound and you'll suddenly be heard. Worth a try. Or tell them to turn down!

We have loads of Youtube cliips, no problems.

It's quite possible. I've known this before.

[quote name='SteveK' post='1048277' date='Dec 5 2010, 02:53 PM']It's called [i]a retainer[/i] - not that uncommon. Been on retainers myself in the past.[/quote] Does that mean the artist is still free to pursue other musical projects?

[quote name='lowdown' post='1048424' date='Dec 5 2010, 05:08 PM']If you do that you will have an army of anti slap Basschatters hunt you down and cut off your thumbs. Garry[/quote]

[quote name='lowdown' post='1048069' date='Dec 5 2010, 11:06 AM']Same for me - he has been doing the David Letterman show for god knows how long. Dug this old one out from years ago. Garry[/quote] On of my favourites. This should go into the pro-slap thread.

I remember seeing a documentary about Jamiroquai, where the band was on a fixed wage for doing nothing.

Nate Watts is Stevie Wonder's bass player. Darryl Jones tours with the Stones. Carol Kaye and Jamerson's day job was playing on classic hits. Someone I know has the contract for the Wogan show and gets to back best-selling artists every week. Who do you think has or has had the best bass playing job? Do you have it?