Marvin

My drummer likes me again and we off to make music. We had a session with a plank-spanker a few months ago. I'd only just started to play again so tied with being sh1t to start off with was rusty as. Anyway we turned up with 3 songs in hand to see how things would go, we'd get sort just over half way through and he started saying well that one's in the bag. I was thinking what about the rest of the song, you know where the key changes or the middle eight maybe? Are we not playing those bits? At the end he was happy with how things had gone and suggested another 3 tracks to do for the next session. Could we not nail the first 3 please? I must admit I ran a mile. I felt I would be wasting his time, he was good so perhaps he only needed to do the first half and the rest would just fall into place.

We have entered the era of the songwriter. The musician or virtuoso player is commonly ignored. Take for example when Guns 'n' Roses started up, who the hell wanted to be Axl Rose? Slash was the man, wielding his axe. (I know someone is going to disagree strongly with that). Flea aside, in the bass world we have signature basses for Mike Drint (or whatever he's called out of Greenday), hardly pushing the boundaries. Songwriters are supreme at the moment.

[quote name='jynxterstu' post='648623' date='Nov 8 2009, 11:04 AM'].....as I truly know nothing ! But I am loving the learning Cheers ! Jynxter[/quote] You are among friends here, rest assured. Welcome.

[quote name='Madman' post='648832' date='Nov 8 2009, 03:08 PM']One more thing...sorry about my sh*tty english [/quote] Welcome, As for your English, you should here my Portuguese it makes people cry with pain.

Congratulations all round. I think I would have probably ended up with something a little more basic [attachment=35992:05_08_15...teachest.jpeg]

[quote name='krispn' post='648181' date='Nov 7 2009, 04:20 PM']I too agree we should fire up a new thread every week giving our two cents worth of the Later..... line up. It passes the time if nothing else [/quote] I'm not 100% but I think there are only 2 more left in the series.

Not having owned too many basses I'm not overwhelmed with knowledge, however, I have an Ibanez SR and although the neck is slim it doesn't necessarily mean that it is automatically best suited for small hands ( i also have small hands). I coming to the conclusion it's the whole package. If your standing up for example how it sits on your body etc. So best to try a few out and just get to know what is comfortable. Don't get me wrong I do like my Ibanez and wouldn't hesitate recommending them.

[quote name='Linus27' post='645862' date='Nov 4 2009, 11:53 PM']Just watched it. Foo Fighters did sound like Tom Petty. I see Nate is still playing a Lakland through Ashdown ABM gear. Times Like These sounded good. Jay-z New York song was pretty good. The female singer had an awsome voice but not so keen on the rapping but I guess thats what he does. The song had so much space, the bass player could of had a field day and done some amazing stuff. The Guitarist was certainly was having some fun, just wish he was a bit louder. Nora Jones had nice hair. Quite 90's britpop. Stornoway reminded me of something Simon and Garfunkle would do. Not quite my cup of tea and the guys voice started to annoy me. Sting, also known as Captain Birdseye, did not do much for me. I am a big fan of Sting but this was just a little bland for me.[/quote] I think that sums it up perfectly.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='646615' date='Nov 5 2009, 07:42 PM']I put an on/off switch on this badboy and got rid of the volume and tone knobs, works a treat. [/quote] You also seem to have got rid of your D string. Possibly going for a Seasick Steve of the bass world? Or a drop D tuning?

[quote name='Mikey R' post='644796' date='Nov 3 2009, 10:32 PM']This looks like the band with this drummer was never actually formed, in reality it was just an idea the two of you were bashing about. Youve not invested anything yet so youve got nowt to lose. The guy is a good friend and is probably feeling a little unconfortable about the whole thing too, so just keep jamming since that what you both enjoy. Dont expect anything more than dreaming though, and if it does become a band then bonus. In the mean time keep your eye out in case something else turns up. Ive been in loads of pub conversations where all present agreed to form a band - very rarely did anything ever come out of it.[/quote] The intention was definitely to form a band, but all seems to have gone a bit fluffy. (sorry had to use that someone used it at work today and has had me smirking all day) [quote name='JTUK' post='644809' date='Nov 3 2009, 10:46 PM']I don't know how things are set up in your area, but in August we decided to start up a unit and took one or two gigs back then for November. It wasn't a great time to start as holidays have cost us about 6 weeks or so, but the driver of all this was to make the dates. I think you need to set targets to see how committed some people really are and there is nothing like a gig to concentrate the mind. Our players have had to learn 25 songs in the few months and a lot of that work is done at home. We aim to tackle 6 songs per rehearsal so everyone knows what we are working on...and might have a few extras if we riup through a few of them. You know who and what work hasn't been done but a few jolly-ups and wake-up calls has sorted that out. I'll go into the first gig next week as apprehensive as I have felt for ages ..and I do a lot of seat of the pants gigs, so I am used to that situation, but the target and goals are clear and it is obvious who has and can put the time in.. Have a chat, set out the plan and then watch out for any excuses why they can't be achieved... and then, hopefully you'll know. And also get out there and see what is what, do open nights and make muso friends so you have options should you really want to bin this one...[/quote] This is probably what is needed. The guy hasn't really got a job to speak of, no kids and his only preoccupation at the moment is he is improving his house. I've got the usual list of distractions kids, full time job and still trying to sort the house out, but am up for getting something started now. Proposing an action plan may be the way to test commitment.

[quote name='JTUK' post='644729' date='Nov 3 2009, 09:22 PM']I wouldn't cut off your nose to spite your face, if it means not doing any playing, but the ground is set now... I'd stick with it as long as you see a purpose to it.. but I wouldn't be so committed if a decent offer came up..and I'd probably be actively looking as well. If you want to play, then one of the first things you have to have, is the desire to do things efficiently and be available, IMO[/quote] That sort of sums up my undecidedness. I don't want to turn my back on something that may go somewhere. However, recently I haven't really been getting an awful lot out of it, TBH. ie the musical divergence. I'm not sure if I read too much into it but I was taken aback a little when he said he was considering joining up with this other geezer only a few days after stating that he was too busy to commit to a band. I have a rule lately that if you fu*k me about once I move on, I've got a bit p1ssed off with people wasting my time. I don't know.

Welcome. I would write that in French, however when I was at school many years ago I was only taught to ask where the train station was and how to order ice cream. Enjoy the forum it is most excellent.

Quick history. Met a drummer about 6 months ago, became good mates and have spent a fair time jamming. He actually got me back playing after a 15 year gap (so effectively I'm still a beginner because I never really learnt anything the first time). He was looking to get in a band and after a while asked if I'd be interested - like he needed to ask, really . Bit more practice and I'm feeling ready so suggest, a couple of months ago, we start looking around at forming this band. Drummer says he's busy until past christmas now - all of a sudden, then lets slip he's thinking of taking up an offer from another bass player. He doesn't take up the offer but it seems to have soured the whole thing and then music wise we seem to be diverging. [b]So here's the rub[/b]. Do I stick with it - not particularly happy with the strange atmosphere or the music OR do I just walk away. There seem very few opportunities to get bands going in this neck of the woods - it's all a bit disparate. What annoys me though is that the guy who I was going to ask to be our singer has just got a band together and has only just filled the bass part. Doubly p1ssed off because he's a good mate of my brother's and a top bloke (although he did offer me the dep job, diamond) and doing stuff I really get into. Waiting around has then cost me. I don't want to p1ss this drummer off, but I've got a nagging feeling it just ain't going anywhere. If none of this makes any sense I sincerely apologise.

Tomsk. Well what can you say about the boy. He's obviously one of the most underrated players ever. Makes Wooton, Clarke and Miller look like amateurs.

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='641365' date='Oct 30 2009, 06:02 PM']What's the deal? Is it really worth [i]that[/i] much? I love Norman (one of the nicest bass legends i've met - buying elites in my shop, i thought endorsees got freebies?)[/quote] Maybe to a collector.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='640893' date='Oct 30 2009, 11:19 AM']Oh yes, indeedy. 12 bar in A, means I can do the whole song one-handed. Leaves the other one free to sign autographs. My [i]very good [/i]friend Victor Wooten (or Vic-baby, as I call him) was [i]enormously[/i] impressed by this when he caught my solo set in Pillerton Priors village hall. Expect a few surprises on his next tour. [/quote] Are you telling me there are more than 4 notes on this bass thing? Send my best to Victor.

Excellent news. I always like a happy ending.

Is the queue for second, third, fourth etc rate bass players looking for a new band? Count me in then.

[quote name='silddx' post='638502' date='Oct 27 2009, 09:19 PM']I'm wondering if you realise who [b]Alan Coran[/b] is, rather than Alain Caron. Apologies if you do.[/quote] Ah you've Called my Bluff

[quote name='silddx' post='638471' date='Oct 27 2009, 08:57 PM'] [/quote] Many thanks. However, it has simply compounded an already acute situation. [quote name='silddx' post='638447' date='Oct 27 2009, 08:33 PM']Hah hah! Brilliant I can listen to Alan Coran for a very long time.[/quote] I'm obviously not as lucky as you.

I've never listened to 'bass orientated' music. Neither have I even heard of Alain Coran, which only leaves genetics to explain the other.

I never realised he played without a pick. He does keep his hand tight together so it is difficult to tell. Always liked the sound he gets.

I appear to have got the wrong weapon. Me trusty Ibanez seems to be derided for being lightweight, without kudos or style or likened to celebs I distinctly dislike. I'm off to sulk in a corner.

Quite a time and place for everything. I can't slap...well TBH I haven't ever tried.