Marvin

I'm probably going to get a lot of disagreement, but personally I cannot think of an album or track I purchased solely for the bass line or player - although it might have a great player on it. I don't love Nick Drake's Three Hours because of Danny Thompson's playing on it, it's a great song. Suffice to say I went to see Danny Thompson play and it bore me so much my arse nearly fell off. Although this may be heresy on a bass forum - I've never heard a Primus track I liked, don't like the Chilli Peppers, never heard anything from Clarke, Wooton, Miller or Lee that has got me interested. We do need the innovators though. They influence others to make great music.

[quote name='silddx' post='609624' date='Sep 26 2009, 09:23 PM']I'd just keep at it if it were me. I'm pretty organised but I'm quite the procrastinator. I've got three bands at the minute, although two are not at all busy, one is though and the other two will be picking up soon. I have a full time day job with a lot of responsibility, studying hard for a diploma required by my job, love going fishing, have to cook almost every night, love to go to the pub, etc. etc. It's hard getting a balance, but you can do it. Calendarise as much as you can and get a feel for your week. Do plan for yourself a bit of time out to chill. I reckon you'll be fine. It's getting a picture of my life in my head that works for me. I can sort of see my life for the next month in my head. It makes it easier.[/quote] Please don't tell me you have kids as well. If you do it will just confirm to me that I'm as organised as the large untidy pile of paper(s) that sit on top of this computer desk almost obscuring the screen. To the OP, just see how it goes.

[quote name='stevie' post='608359' date='Sep 25 2009, 09:19 AM']Don't be tempted to buy Bass Guitar for Dummies. It's utter tripe.[/quote] [quote name='silddx' post='609303' date='Sep 26 2009, 03:31 PM']I have a copy of that, It's not utter tripe. It's arse water.[/quote] That's 3 of us so far then. I agree that a tutor is probably the best way to go. However, if the OP is like myself then finding time to devote to actual lessons can be quite a task given everything else in life that demands your attention. Hence that's why I have plumped for a couple of books. With a book I can sit down at the end of a day for 10mins or 2hours whatever I want. Or if I am satisfied I have interacted enough with the kids for the morning I can send them off to watch TV and I get my book out. I've got Adrian Ashton's book, which is alright. As some have pointed out, when you don't understand something, i.e it makes a jump you don't quite get, you can't ask questions. It does spend a large proportion teaching you how to read sheet music. For me I don't know when I would be in a situation when I would need to read sheet music, especially as sheet music for bass is not exactly in the top 10 sellers list. That aside I do feel I know more than I did before. You could always dip into the Lessons on here. As for my copy of Bass Guitar for Dummies, might be time to recycle that one.

[quote name='silddx' post='609405' date='Sep 26 2009, 05:27 PM']Yeah I only use a couple of models at the most, the ampeg and the Sub Dub pre, with a little compression. BUT, I use a fair few effects on some of the songs I play live and being able to have stereo chorus, flangers, delays, synth type sounds, with great distortion models, etc. is so useful for me. I use the volume pedal a lot too. I suppose really wanted opinions on the quality of the core tones, personally I doubt anyone could really tell the difference between them and a real amp and cab, especially in a full band setting. Very subjective though, I didn't really like many of the tones in that video.[/quote] Had a look at that the other day. Saw you had one via your sig and was intrigued. I liked it and was impressed by the sheer amount of sounds you can get out of it. Never really sure what to make of something I hear over YT as it gets pumped through my computers crappy speakers. But you can't not be impressed.

Well thank, something, (best not to mention gods or god like things), everything is back to normal. What with the site down I almost had an incurable GAS attack. Could have resulted in something ridiculous being purchased

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='608786' date='Sep 25 2009, 10:01 PM']Why's it always got to be so, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?[/quote] So true. I've also suddenly realised how much time I spend on here.

Past - Free or Blind Melon Present - Muse or Radiohead

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='606116' date='Sep 22 2009, 09:26 PM']Its understandable - he's bound to have been knackered. He probably had to draw something earlier.[/quote] And sharpen his pencils.

[quote name='silddx' post='605582' date='Sep 22 2009, 01:57 PM']That's a really weird thing to say![/quote] I couldn't agree more. I've heard others say that and I've always thought it, odd.

Sad news. I was listening to Chas Hodges picking the 'tracks of his years' on Radio 2 last week. He has worked with some real greats. End of an era. Too easily written off.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='603796' date='Sep 20 2009, 06:22 PM']Tabs? Tabs? What's all this "tabs" nonsense? Can't you read proper music?? [/quote] Directions to location of proper music please.

Oh the list is endless

I'm not in a band and regard as greedy and selfish that others on the forum have multiple bands. Come on share it around Would seriously love to be in a band at the moment, covers or original, just for the kicks really.

How do you get to be an anonymous member?

[quote name='johnm' post='601229' date='Sep 17 2009, 12:44 PM']I still think he's out of tune.......... [/quote] People tend not to like it when you play out of tune or when you play Dido.

[quote name='henry norton' post='601087' date='Sep 17 2009, 10:13 AM']Who needs tablature eh?[/quote] Me. Definitely me

Sincere thanks. The riff was out of a book. What it didn't tell me, in the bass notation, was that the guitarist was playing G7 and F7. Hence the bass riff now makes sense, as it has a minor seventh. So I do feel somewhat foolish for not noticing that. I think where I get tripped up is recognizing when intervals have been altered, partly due to the vast number of permutations. This is where I have to improve I think. My wife has also told me that the 2 music teachers at the school where she works would probably be willing to answers a few questions. Again thanks.

Right, I am determined to learn theory and be able to understand music when it is placed in front of me. I don't necessarily need to but it is just something that p1sses me off not understanding. Any suggestions on a book ( or other) that will explain music theory, particularly how it all ties together. For example. If a piece is in Cmaj. The stave shows a riff in G then a riff in F. What, apart from the route, should you play. The piece I'm looking at shows for the riff G - G,D,G,D,F,D,C the F riff - F,F,Eb,C,Eb,C,Bb. The guitarist is play G7 and F7 respectively. At the risk of sounding really thick, how does all that work. So I want a book or something that really gets to the point. Is clear, for someone who has never really studied theory but also got some detail to it.

An overlooked

[quote name='Jobiebass' post='600752' date='Sep 16 2009, 09:25 PM']Im slowly coming back to the idea of unpacking my gear again. not even been 24 hours. Just read most of this [url="http://www.studybass.com/lessons/harmony/"]http://www.studybass.com/lessons/harmony/[/url] which kinda makes me wanna continue theory. Which makes me wanna play lol.[/quote] I dip in and out of that site. I found it quite good, like i said previously wish the net had been around when i started

Blimey, I have enough problems playing with my natural hand let alone swapping over.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='600431' date='Sep 16 2009, 04:38 PM']In order Neither did I when I started - I just liked it enough to keep trying to make it. What theory I know can be written on a fag packet and I've been gigging for 30 years I don't listen to music much either You think mine fell out of the sky?? Nope - it came gradually Neither are half the blokes riding round in Rollers Of course I count roots , thirds* and fifths so you can write your own stuff. * except I don't know what a third is - honestly.[/quote] Being in a ZZ TOP tribute act a knowledge of thirds would be counter productive. And probably add confusion. For the record I love ZZ TOP and if your ever down in Wurzel country I'll be along to hear you playing TOP stuff

The one benefit of selling my gear was that it was crap. So my gear now is a lot better and cost me less. How technology advances.

I quit and sold all my gear 10 years ago. I was never very good, much in the vein of a root note monkey. Anyway sold my stuff and always thought I might have done the wrong thing. 4 months ago bought small set up. I'm still rubbish but really determined to be a better player this time. Last night spent 2 hours trying to nail what sounded like a simple riff, and failed but, I'm not going to give up. My technique can be ropey, fret buzz caused by not pressing down positively etc. The one thing that is a lot better picking up the bass this time is the internet. Take this forum for example, then there are all the resources with regard to theory and teaching on-line, wish they had been there when I had started. So pass all the waffle, if you have enjoyed it in the past, then it is probably the people you are playing with. ( I also hate when guitarists go ' play us something then '). I wouldn't give up, but ultimately it is up to you. Maybe just give it break for a while. By the way, anyone know of any bands needing an ageing bass player, who is not that hot, in North Devon? £75 for the Shuker if you do decide to give it all in.

Did it look like this? [attachment=32835:images.jpg]