RhysP

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1454078116' post='2966227'] I'm going for a piece inspired by this thread.... not quite sure how to convey that in musical form but 'll give it a go. [/quote] I think the best way to do that is to come up with some kind of vague half idea & then get Skol303 to sort it all out for you.

Is it of vital importance that they have to be vintage style saddles? If not just replace them with something better with a single string groove on them.

I notice Blue hasn't said how old he is in any of the "how old are you?" threads, which is quite ironic seeing as he mentions it in pretty much every other one...

I've just retired on ill health grounds, so I'll probably be on here 24 hours a day until I die.

Why the sudden surge of interest in how old everyone is?

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454077786' post='2966219'] We’ll then gauge the response and either keep it running (tweaking the format as we go) or kill it off and pretend it's all Twincam's fault. Sorted [/quote] What do you mean "pretend"?

I was 50 & 51 in January. I need a multiple choice answer.

[quote name='alibabu' timestamp='1454075324' post='2966168'] How about providing a short drum track that everyone has to play along with? Then it would be easier to compare the tracks, as they would have to relate to the groove. The only problem with this approach is of course that it would require all to be able to merge the drum track and the bass track in some way or another, but it will at least not require any production skills. [/quote] The current composition challenge doesn't require any production skills, not as a prerequisite anyway.

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1454064110' post='2965895'] I'm just suspicious of people in general. Probably because I hate everyone and everything. [/quote] This is pretty much me too.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1454071678' post='2966073'] Well i think the inspiration bit could work on "genre", and then maybe whoever "wins" gets to pick the next moths inspiration. So maybe they could choose "something inspired by Jaco" ? I dunno. . . . Might work [/quote] The problem that some people seem to have with the current composition challenge is that the recording skills required for it are perceived by some to be beyond them. If you start saying a piece for this new "challenge" has to be inspired by a certain bassist then I think it's inevitable that some people will start moaning that they don't have the necessary ability to be able to play a bass line in that manner.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454070677' post='2966048'] [b]Thirdly[/b]... and this is perhaps my main concern... if we go ahead with the idea and it proves unpopular, then we may find ourselves ‘pestering’ the BC community to get involved in [i]another[/i] challenge-type activity, which might end up being detrimental to the one music challenge we have that works (albeit modestly). I don't want to "rob Peter to pay Paul", so to speak. Tricky! Further thoughts very welcome [/quote] I can't see why you'd have to pester people. It appears that there is little interest in this idea - if you choose to go ahead with it anyway & it proves unpopular then why can't it just be allowed to die a natural death?

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1454069513' post='2966021'] My point is that at the time of my life when I first injured my back - I was a little older than you in my early 40s - I used to be very strong: had a strong back/legs from squats/deadlifts/rows etc, was completely used to lifting heavy things but all was to no avail when my back went - just leaning over to measure with a tape measure. [/quote] I was the same, I used to be really fit - cycled a lot & spent a lot of time in the gym working on cardio, lifting weights. My back went getting out of the bath in 2008 (I was 43) & I've not been able to do any exercise, apart from walking, since.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454068505' post='2966001'] I don't play in a band and haven't done so for [i]ages. [/i]A young family and busy work life preclude that sort of commitment, but it's something I'd like to do when the time is right. But just for fun. My main passion is writing and producing music - and playing bass is a means to an end in that respect. I have an 'audience' of sorts. My SoundCloud page has over 20,000 plays; I’ve had my music broadcast on the radio and played by DJs in some fairly large venues (the biggest being 2000+ clubbers at a gig in Paris). None of which is a substitute for playing live, of course. It's a very different 'buzz' entirely. But I'd guess that my music has reached a lot more people than that of most regular pub bands. That's the beauty of the internet. It can't provide a stage (yet...), but it can put you in touch with plenty of listeners [/quote] Hearing something I'd written played on the radio was the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me musically. Incredible feeling.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1454014358' post='2965540'] I think the name of it should be "Play any old sh*te challenge". [/quote] I'm happy for it to be used if that's what the people want.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1453993316' post='2965108'] So honestly relax there I promise that was not directed at anyone. [/quote] It was quite clearly directed at anyone who didn't agree with you. You can't ask for people to give their opinions on something & then start getting all arsey because some people don't think it's a very good idea.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1453978410' post='2964804'] I like this idea! It's a good compromise between making it super-easy for people to have a go and tackling some of the pitfalls of running it as a 'challenge'. So this sounds like the most viable way forward to me. Any other thoughts? [/quote] I think if it's going to be done then this is the only way of doing it. There's no way it can be done as a 'challenge' without some kind of criteria (picture or whatever) to work with.

[quote name='Sausages' timestamp='1453926863' post='2964388'] Out of interest, how do you older guys (older age bracket, not older than me ) get on with finding people to play with; I am struggling a bit. [/quote] They encourage us to be sociable & stay active in the care home.

I remember him reviewing one of the first Yamaha BB series basses too.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1453936333' post='2964542'] As I suggested it would have no pics or ideas for a composition, just to make it simple for everyone. It can be inspired by anything or if you've been messing around and you have a few notes strung together that sound good then great. Or if you have something a little more complex you've been working on great too. Doesn't have to be a really simple bass line either. Although I'm hoping to encourage simpler play, just too really attract anyone no matter what ability or what equipment they have. Something the whole basschat community can get involved in for a bit of fun together. Without feeling that you have to be good at the technical stuff (or playing even hahaha) That I hope would be the general idea. [/quote] So it's basically the "Play any old sh*te challenge" then.

How exactly is your idea a 'challenge'? Without a picture or something to provide inspiration what are the criteria against which the bass parts would be judged? You don't have to get that massively into the whole recording thing to submit a piece for the current challenge, it's meant to be about the musical ideas, not the level of skill shown in the recording.

[quote name='Staggering on' timestamp='1453913535' post='2964175'] How many actually replied to the survey compared to the number of users on the site? [/quote] There is only a relatively small group of regulars compared to the overall membership figure. If you look at the members list you'll see that a hell of a lot of people have only made a couple of posts, and they were probably trying to flog something. I'm 51, but age doesn't necessarily have anything to do with anyone's current attitudes - I hated gigging when I was doing it in my 20's.

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1453908601' post='2964091'] The Jug is basically a tips jar for the band. A bit like the busker's hat. [/quote] It was always referred to as 'passing the hat round' in Cardiff. This was back in the 80s/early 90s mind. Don't even know if it's done anymore as that was probably the last time I saw a band in a pub.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1453856011' post='2963588'] What projects Rhysp? If there is no stage or audience, I would have zero interest. A good option for some all the same. Blue [/quote] I mean writing & recording projects, which is what has always been my main interest. I never liked gigging, even when I was doing a lot of it. I have no desire to be an entertainer, I just want to be involved making music that I like. I've worked on studio projects for songwriters that I've really enjoyed, but have turned down the offer of playing the same music live with those songwriters after the recording has been completed. I'm about to get involved in the music for a film that is being made locally. I won't make any money from it & I doubt if many people will even see the film when it's finished, but I'm far more excited about doing it than I ever was about playing live.

You missed out the "Get involved in musical projects that don't involve gigging" option.

Emily Portman - Coracle