Marvin

[quote name='silddx' post='675904' date='Dec 6 2009, 05:24 PM']It's essentially the Daily Mail for anglers. I cancelled my subs after a while. A lot of the readership are pretty Daily Mail too, lots of anti-Eastern European crap going on. I've given up on the periodical stuff. I only read Chris Yates and Richard Walker these days.[/quote] I agree entirely. Always admired Chris Yates' approach to fishing. I wasn't going to buy BGM this month but flicked through it in Smiths on saturday and well the inevitable. Specifically Andrew Levy. Very good this month.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='676124' date='Dec 6 2009, 08:51 PM']I think its a good exercise but I wouldn't try and play that way all the time. Its good to build up hand strength and finger independence but its impractical for playing actual lines IMO. As ever, YMMV.[/quote] I was thinking the same myself. It's definitely something I'll use as an exercise and warm up.

I bought the Bass Handbook by Adrian Ashton, and one of the techniques he encourages is Supportive Fretting. i.e one finger per fret. But also not lifting the finger behind the note you are fretting. So if you play G Ab A Bb by the time you get to Bb all four fingers are still on the fretboard. I find I can do this more or less on each string separately however, he goes on to say that to develop the technique further then try it across the strings. Known as the Spider e.g you start on G on the E string and play the 4 notes in sequence up to Bb. Now when you come to start on the A string on the C, leave the fingers on the E string i.e pressing down Ab,A and Bb. Basically you only move the finger that is going to play a new note, across all four strings. The book says it is difficult and not to expect miracles. So I was just wondering how many can actually do this. Trying to leave my little finger in place and move my ring finger down a string I find impossible. Apologies if this makes no sense whatsoever, and to those who may not have needed a rather long winded and quite frankly sh1te explanation.

Haven't rated Angling Times for a while now. Much prefer Improve your Coarse Fishing and similar titles. Lots more to read whilst idling time away waiting for the next big bite.

Welcome from North Devon, a few miles from Barnstaple. (exact location a well guarded secret, well in actual fact no-one really has ever heard of where I live so it's just easier to say near Barnstaple). Lived in Exeter and Plymouth and I've got to say I prefer North Devon. Just kidding they were both good in there own way. Dive in and enjoy the forum. I've only been a member for a short while and it's a top class place. Considering the number of members from Devon and Cornwall we may have to consider convening a bass bash you know.

That was quite something. As the interviewer said a perfect example of textbook technique. Although let's be honest, he's not actually that good is he.

I think for me, my aim should be to develop a consistent technique. For example, practising crossing strings, consistent tone and consistent pressure with my fretting hand. In the last 4 months I have probably learnt vastly more than in the 4 years when I was playing in my late teens. And as such can see why what is regarded as standard technique is seen as best practice. However, I can also see that players will always find techniques that are not seen as standard that work well for them.

Congrats to you indeed.

It wasn't me guv I wasn't even near the place honest.

Welcome to the bass players playground.

Welcome

[quote name='JayGarrett' post='670842' date='Dec 1 2009, 10:55 AM']I'm more a Pornograffitti fan.......... I saw them on that tour - not bad for a pasty faced white guy [/quote] Me too. Saw them at Wembly in '92 I think, supporting Bryan Adams. Roger Daltrey came on as surprise guest during Extreme's set. Made my day that. Especially as my best mate's Dad went to see the same bill in Cardiff the following day but no Daltrey, damn shame as he is a huge Who fan.

[quote name='Alun' post='671602' date='Dec 1 2009, 09:43 PM']String crossing is one of the trickiest things to do on bass IMO. I would suggest the folowing exercise: 1, play 2 notes one each string ( doesn't matter what notes really, this is aimed purely at the picking side of things), making sure you strictly alternate. First do it with index then middle, and then reverse it so you'e playing middle then index. Slowly go from the E string to a, then, D then G, and back down again. Don't worry about speed, just aim for accuracy and keep the fingers alternating. Once that starts to feel comfortable... 2, same as above but with 3 notes per string but still alternating so the E string will be index, middle, index , the A string will be middle, index, middle, etc. Again, reverse it as well so you start with the "other" finger The reason I suggest making sure you can start with either finger is that most players will feel more comfortable starting with one or the other ( I certainly do) and may stumble if they have to start a pattern with the other one ( again, it definitely happens to me which is why I started doing this exercise) Finally, try one note per string. I say to do this last as I find it the trickiest of the lot. Hope that helps! Cheers Alun PS You can also do all the above skipping strings once you're happy with the string crossing [/quote] That certainly will help, Many thanks.

I'm in a no man's land with regard to technique at the moment. When I was younger, late teens, I used to play with a pick. No I've picked (not an intentional pun) up the bass after a +15 yr gap I can't for the life of me play with a pick - generally I have problems muting and hence create an awful noise. However, I really struggle getting used to using my fingers - only 2 at most index and middle. I have difficulty getting a good disciplined technique crossing strings. For example on the Brand New Heavies track Spend Some Time, in the chorus there is a run that goes across all 4 strings. Played cleanly it sounds brilliant but simple. I just get my fingers knotted up. I'm putting in down to beginners problems and will come with practice. Fingers crossed - perhaps not that's my problem.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='667653' date='Nov 27 2009, 06:21 PM']And no issues about us 'picksters'. Good for you! (Aside: What a nice chap. If only all bandleaders were like this.)[/quote] I've been known to be quite 'picky'! And here here, nice sounding chap, pity I live the other side of the country, sounds right up my street - well road actually I live in a road, well not actually in it, I've digressed again.

A good welcome to you there across the border. Upgrade for your amp, you could try searching through some old threads for some inspiration, I think one of mine is around asking a similar question. Cheers

That puts a bit of a different light on it really. Quite, AAAAAAGGGGGHHH decisions. That doesn't help much does it!

I'd stick with the band you are with, it sounds from what you say to be what a band should be. If you can do both, fine. But as I have 3 kids I wouldn't let anything come before them. Sorry if it sounds a bit preachy it's not supposed to.

Was very tempted to buy one earlier this year, a smidge over £100, and looked the part. Unfortunately, it would have probably just collected dust as I found it a little heavy. Still great looking though. A none bass playing ( and for that matter technically a non musician, I think you know what I mean) person I know seems to find it endlessly amusing that Westies are so highly thought of. Tw4t.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='669403' date='Nov 29 2009, 07:56 PM']Oh if anyone cares I made a video. [url="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=189122034164&ref=nf"]http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=...4164&ref=nf[/url][/quote] Very fitting. General violence, loved it.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='668255' date='Nov 28 2009, 01:45 PM']Got the track back yesterday, if you want to have a listen?[/quote] Liked it. Tight with some good energy. Mrs Marvin didn't realise that I had switched from we7 to play your track. Although I'm not going to tell you what I was listening to beforehand.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='642790' date='Nov 1 2009, 08:26 PM']I have no idea about the kit, I have no clue when it comes to drums.[/quote] That sounds like a drummer I know!

That is nice. I have a cheap bass, but can't take photo's. Saying that I can't play either.

Showaddywaddy, early '80's. Queens Theatre North Devon. Taken by my parents. First gig on my own (well with mates) punk band called The Vibe Tribe (formerly The Cult Maniax) somewhere in North Devon, but I can't remember the year. Probably early 90's. Brilliant night.

Sorry to have wasted your time, but the whole band thing has just gone t1ts up. Bal1s