Faithless

Too much hassle. I've just got myself "Cello Drones". I'll probably get the famous "Tuning CD" as well - I didn't really like those timbres on that CD, but it contains some intervals, which is cool, so I'll snap those.

Some interesting stuff about practising with drones: http://davidvaldez.blogspot.com/2010/09/drone-exercises.html

http://www.navarrorivermusic.com/cello_drones.php

I've just found some stuff on Talkbass... http://www.karnatik.com/shrutibox.shtml

So I'm looking for a way to set up some sort of accompaniment, via some software or via my Microkorg keyboard. What I need is a 'endless' single chord accompaniment, that doesn't impose any time/tempo, so basically just a long drone, if you like Is there any way to set up that, via some software maybe? I also have a Microkorg, but havent got my head around doing so - maybe the arpeggiator is the solution there? THanks for the advice, Laimis

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1334126376' post='1611116'] Why is it unbearable? Because you idolise Janek and think he can do no wrong? I am sure he appreciates you crusading for him here, but please, allow for others to have their own opnions. If it's dull, it's dull. Long ago, I probably also thought that 'fusion' was a by-word for 'interesting' simply because it was music for musicians. Having looked deeper, I found that much like anything else, plenty of fusion is pap. Janek's latest album is pap. Irrespective of whether or not the album consists of composed material or jamming and improvisation over rough ideas, a lacklustre product is a lacklustre product. To me, Janek's music just sounds dull. You may prefer a different adjective. Insipid, bland, tedious, for instance. You might say it lacks soul or passion. Listen to a [i]great[/i] fusion band like Weather Report. They could compose and they could improvise and come up with the goods every time. It sounded exciting, it felt natural. Is it beyond Janek to ever make music I will find interesting? Who knows. I am,not going to flagellate myself simply because I don't like his new album. Quite frankly, the Crusaders in this thread are fighting a losing battle, simply because the concensus on this forums tends towards the sanctity of the individual's choice, rather than a mob-mentality deciding what we should all like. If I fancied some of that I'd join the EBMM forum! Their arguments have been more eloquently put by others more well qualified to defend their points of view countless times before, but as this thread quite proves, you simply cannot bludgeon someone into thinking the same way as you by going "i'm rite and ur rong' over and over again, in spite of what the Crusaders might think. [/quote] Wow Can you quote where I idolised Janek or his latest album in here, please? I didn't even like the album, not to mention idolising him or the CD. Saying that it's dull with no further explanation is not an opinion nor a constructive criticism. I wish I could see you do this (the very same way Janek did this album): assemble a four piece band, no rehearsals, use only brief ideas for tunes, don't add ANY solos from anyone, and jam the sh*t out.

I think some guys are missing the point about this album with discussing 'creativity' and 'compositions'. Janek didn't compose pretty much anything at all on his latest release - all he had was a few sketches and rough ideas to derive the stuff from. What followed next, was an impromtu jam session. So if you're blaming him for not having the right creativity, then you're equally blaming all the other guys that were featured on the album, which includes Mark Guiliana, Jojo Mayer, Tim Miller and Justin Vasquez. Are you sure? Kjb is right saying that nearly everyone has the right to [negatively] criticise others' work, not to mention that no one has anything better to offer. Saying that one 'lacks creativity or his stuff is 'dull, derivative pap' and not point out why, is not a constructive criticism. I'm not arguing about taste, but saying that the stuff is dull, is just unbearable, IMHO.

For those who're saying Janek's a 'pretender', I highly recommend getting to see him playing live. Not on Youtube, but live, in 10 meter's distance. He's playing with much more fire than Had. As for comparing him and Hadrien - I think there cant be two more different players than these two. Janek's very melodic, and nowhere as chopsy, when Feraud's playing is pretty much built around chops. He's trying to get into composing lately, but it's a long way go for him. I've heard quite a few accomplished players who're following him, and they all say they'd like to hear Feraud in like 10 years time. In the end, I wish to see, how would a mix of Gwizdala and Feraud would look, I mean, a mix of melodic player & mature composer + great chops.

The Kingston show thing, I think had nothing to do with Janek's music, as they must have been playing stuff from Bob Reynolds repertoire. I think Janek will do his album Europe tour only in autumn, or something, I may be wrong though. As for the album - I don't think it should be taken as an 'experiment that didn't work out' - yes, it's jam, as it was supposed to be so. As for his sound - it was also supposed to sound like that, as Janek wanted a particular vibe on his stuff, that's why it's pretty much an heavy effected and OC2'ed bass all through. He's one of those guys that isnt crazy for bass solos on his stuff - which, I think, shows his maturity as a composer - if it's a bass player's album, it doesnt mean it must contain a bass solo on every tune, or even on a single tune for that matter. As other BC'ers may confirm, being a religious Janek's fan for years, and digging pretty much everything he'd done, I didn't enjoy his new album. I liked the previous one much much more, but then, you can't really measure the two, as they're two different worlds. I want to like it, but I just,err.... can't. I wouldnt be suprised about this 'jam-album' kind of thing - this is something that quite a few NYC folks go for these days - you don't even need to go far to find some similarities - just check some previous Bob Reynolds' stuff. easy L

Hey Tom, What do you mean by 'musicians behind pop tracks'? Do you mean guys in the studio, or the session guys that stand behind pop acts live? easy L

[quote name='phil625sxc' timestamp='1333112981' post='1597611'] As Faithless says, learn the notes on your 2 new strings, as others say, practise lots to get used to it, apart from that just have lots of fun with chords & extra harmonics and the other possibilities it opens up - and then remember not to use most of them on a gig unless it's appropriate !! :-) [/quote] It applies for the whole instrument, not a particular number of strings. If you haven't done it before, regardless the bass (4/5/6 strings, doesn't matter), you should be having a hard time with the exercise. There are note duplications on more than two strings - on a 6 string 24 fret bass there are 5 duplications of middle C note! That's why exercise applies to all of the strings. Remember to be patient, and don't use metronome, until you can do it effortessly out-of-time. Metronome should only kick in after months' of work.

It's all about extended range of options and more duplications of notes Joe Hubbard reccommends this exercise to everyone, it's especially cool when doing such transitions,and it's just a great start to familiarize yourself with the instrument http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sS0hhfezQ http://www.joehubbardbass.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/The-Random-Note-Finder-Exercise.pdf

i've been listening to new Janek's thing, and, while it wasn't much of a surprise, what's gonna be on CD as I've seen some album taping sessions, I must say it left me cold. I wish it was the opposite, but it felt like I was listening to someone else's record that Janek had bass duties on.

[quote name='jonthebass' timestamp='1333030657' post='1596461'] Well I can report back that The Voice UK 'battle' stage was blinkin long loud days and no fun to work on whatsoever I hope they paid you well Faithless [/quote] What is that you're doing in the show? The whole preparation thing for the Battles shows (as we filmed them in 2 days) was really heavy - long rehearsals, very little breaks. As for the money, well, it always can be better, but it's not bad where it is, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH-wWyvlf9k&list=UU34RErDKWerQx7YAhflWX-g&index=2&feature=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eegsxq7RsA8&feature=relmfu

Ok, so the last "Battles" show is up and running on Youtube.... [b]Michael Bubble - Feelin' Good[/b] [b]Elton John - Don't Go Breakin' My Heart[/b] [b]Anastacia - I'm Outta Love (synth bass)[/b] [b]Whitney Houston - Queen of The Night (synth bass)[/b] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxVELFa_yBQ&list=UU34RErDKWerQx7YAhflWX-g&index=5&feature=plcp[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgk6MIQFU8U[/media]

How about quarter notes are not 'swing rhythm'? (Beginning and then 4:05) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2XnB5G6oSc[/media]

Hey guys, I can't wait to throw you videos of the last "Battles" show - this time we'll have tunes from Michael Buble, Anastacia, Whitney Houston, and Elton John. - There's gonna be some skanky synth bass featured in quite a few tunes... And, Jake, I bet you won't be dissapointed with singers this time , bruva, trust me! Stay tuned!!! PS As for the future, during Live Shows, which are gonna kick in two weeks, I'm gonna start using Aguilar amplification (not sure about the cab though, yet) and hopefully, Moog Lil' Phatty Synthesizer.

Thanks, bruva! I know what you're saying about singers, but I think one reason they're sounding kinda 'weak' is being overly compressed and maybe due to some other mixing/mastering nuances that I don't know - all I know is that it, according to lots of folks who've been in arena, that Live thing sounded so much better than the outcome, that you get to see here. We've been pretty mad about engineers that mix the final thing for TV - I hope that next year we'll get someone from abroad, maybe the Holland show engineer, who really knows his stuff. easy L

This is just something I don't get about music tuition in colleges - I think, one is supposed to be a good musician, rather than essayist, and spend most of the time on practice. I bet it this sh*t must be driving you crazy, Jake. Take care, L

[b]Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me [/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfPXcIh_vnM&feature=related