Mikey D

I don't think I can describe how much I hate the look of that thing....pine!:!?

I have finally got my iSight out and working so thought I would do a couple of clips of me playing so I have something to look back on to see if I have improved over time. I have only had the instrument since February and to be honest I haven't put as much time in as I wanted as I have had to learn double bass this year. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvcfvSKP7Vg"]Giant Steps - Comping and Walking[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSA2_ZCY9-g"]Chank - John Scofield and Chris Wood's parts...at the same time![/url] I should mention that I'm not playing my bass on this, I am playing my 8 string hybrid affectionally called 'Jackie Brown' by my house mate. He's named all my instruments after Blaxploitation type movies... Comments/feedback always appreciated.

Anybody have any experience with the single 12 and 10 lightweight cabs? Output/volume? sound?

Ok, so I currently have a Phil Jones Suitcase and 4B which I am more than happy with soundwise, apart from the weight! I am looking for a combo or rig that will take 2 inputs and have the option to use them both at the same time as I play this bad boy: but I also need the amp to be capable of handling Upright bass and electric bass. It will mainly be used for rehearsals and smaller gigs so I don't have to lug around the Phil Jones, but ideally if it can cover most of the gigs I will do the Phil Jones will go... I am currently looking at this set up: So £499 and 3lbs!!! And whatever the Schroeder costs and 17lbs!! If I go for the light 10+ or maybe the 12+ if I want to be able to handle more bass... 20lbs for a dual channel 300w mini rig....oooh Opinions on either the head or cab? Any other combinations of combos that you guys recommend?

Overall the standard tends to be higher on the thursday as you have the jazz students and teacheres there, the wednesday ones can on occasion be a bit too samey with mainly 12 bar blues being called or footprints, but of course everyone is welcome and it is a good atmosphere to just get up and give it a go. Let me know when your heading up there, would be good to meet.

Yeah I tend to go every week on the thursday. I haven't played at it yet as I am not too confident about my upright abilities (they occasionally have an electric bass there). It is a little quieter than usual now that the students have gone, but come september it will be the busiest night there. There is also a jazz/funk/soul tye of jam every other wednesday aswell which I have played at. You should head along sometime if you are free.

This was filmed when we played at the Derby food and drink festival a few months ago...First time I played the tune, from a badly written chart. Thought I'd just share it: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BL689PWQNM"]MC4 - Break City[/url] Hope you enjoy it, ableit the fact it is very short.

[quote name='JohnSlade07' post='35810' date='Jul 23 2007, 09:40 AM']Thanks for that Mikey. So if I was playing over Dm7 - G7 I might play something like D, E, F, E durig the first bar and G, E, D, B during the 2nd?[/quote] Technically yes, but probably not as it doesn't create a good musical line really and that should be your aim. But as you are still learning there are many exercises you can do. I found this sheet on the internet a while ago, I think you may find it useful. Just work on each concept/idea one at a time just between two chords at first, and try to find every single possible way of getting from one to the other on every part of your bass. Then eventually start playing longer sequences of chord, then start mixing up the ideas, before you know it you will have some hip sounding lines and really know what you are doing. Not only that, but your knowledge of notes on the neck will be better than ever.

To outline the harmony clearly. Yes and Yes.

For electric: Steve Swallow - Enroute live with Scofield Anthony Jackson - as above For classic walking check out Oscar Peterson's Night train album. Ray Brwon laying it down.

At the moment. Sly and the family stone - I'm want to take you higher NHOP - Donna lee video on youtube...absolutely ridiculous... Jamiroquai - hooked up the 'chorus break' in white lines...oooh

hmmm, will have to try that sounds good. But for me Bb is just a note different and appears much easier

[quote name='paul, the' post='34966' date='Jul 20 2007, 09:42 PM']Trying to play "[url="http://www.theartthieves.com/mediafiles/Kurt%20Personal/Stevie%20Wonder/09%20-%20He's%20Misstra%20Know-It-All.mp3"]He's Misstra Know-It-All[/url]" right now. Of course the music I'm reading is a semi-tone sharp as well as the fact that I'm trying to visualize the treble clef as a bass clef - i.e, what would that be on bass clef minus a note. Then flattening it and trying to play it on a piano. Witch is about 6th nature to me. My brain can't cope. I'd love to be able to do what you can do Mikey D, but I don't think I have it in me. Do you have a good ear and voice as well?[/quote] Ear? My house mate says it seems good...when at a piano. But on bass? Pretty sh*t, but the more the course goes on the more I can tell it is improving. Hearing chord types and progressions. As for actual notes, no chance at the moment. Voice? Much like a grown up choir boy. Who has gargled petrol and razers from their youth. I try not to sing in public. But I do practice it a lot when playing as I have heard all about the benefits.

[quote name='kjb' post='35129' date='Jul 21 2007, 10:53 AM']Could you do this before you started your course, or is something you've learned since. I'm thinking of doing the jazz course next year, either that or the bass degree here [url="http://www.icmp.uk.com/"]http://www.icmp.uk.com/[/url]. I can sight read bass clef, but I struggle with treble, and as for reading and transposing, I have to pencil the notes in. You've kind of put me off Birmingham conservatoire a bit though with having to learn to play upright. It would make more sense though seeing that I live in Birmingham.[/quote] If you love Jazz then this is a great course as you are with like minded people who are really into it, but i your musical interests lay elsewhere and you jsut want to get your playing to a high standard then you may not enjoy it as much. There are oipportunities to do other styles, but jazz is really the thing obviously. To be fair if you were a good electric player and didn't want to play upright then that may be ok, but I really do get the impression that if you say you aren't willing to learn then you won't get the place as many other people are. Aswell as the actual double bass players that audition. I think I said before, can't remember if it was you or not I don't mind havin a meet in teh conservatoire over the summer and go over a few thigns.. Also, aren't you the one goign to Sligo? Can talk more there in person. To answer your question and to not threadjack-I could do it already. I have always had access to treble clef and Bb parts so just learnt to read them. Eb is much harder and I am not so fluid at it.

Done. I'm looking forward to seeing the transcriptions. Saw Jonathon play at the jazz cafe a few years ago wtih GC and he grooved his ass off.

I have the Ibanez GWB35 and it is made of bass wood. It is ridiculously light. The lightest bass I have owned.

I can sight read bass and treble clef, also depending on complexity, reading and transposing Bb and Eb parts on the fly. If you want to be a complete musician I personally think it is very important and there is really no excuse to not learning it or giving it a go, as with anything. It can't do anything but help you progress on your instrument. As a music student i use the skill a lot: on gigs when a tune is called i don't know but they have the score/real book etc. For recording other peoples compositions, for learning transcriptions and parts for bands. Being able to look at and actually analyze the music on the paper is also a great skill to have as then you can actually get the concepts into your playing. Most people don't need the ability to read, but I stress learning at least a little to everyone i teach. Also, I don't use a metronome that often personally, but when I do it tends to be for walking practice with the click on 2 and 4 or if feeling fruity on the swung 'and' of 2 and 4.

I'm gutted I didn't know about this sooner. Anybody got an update on what he talked about and played?

Laurence...Woop!

Dear Mr Elixir, Please endorse me as buying EAD bass strings and adgbe guitar strings is a very expensive affair for my custom Wes Lambe Guitar. Um, I'm not to great yet...I'll be back in 3 years with another letter. M. PS, I do play bass pretty well tho... Seriously, I have considered approaching some companies to see if they have any B stock they would be willing to give to my conservatoire, can you believe there are no amps here...rubbish.

I have recently been reworking my 3/4 finger technique to play fast lines and bebop heads...it is going quite well. I started playing like this when I actually picked up the bass when I saw a Billy Sheehan article, in Total Guitar I think!?, but most things I played didn't call for it, but now I am playing some seriously burning jazz, the effortless of playing with 3/4 fingers really does help. Still along way to go practice wise, however I prefer using P-I-M-(with the occasional A depending on line I am playing) as I can get alot more consistancy and speed than playing I-M-R or R-M-I. I am thinking of filming how I play donna lee, as supposedly it's a little different to most!?

You would be a lunatic to miss Metheny and Mehldau in London...prob more on the pricy side, but definately definately worth it. [url="http://www.culturekiosque.com/travel/item11318.htm"]Info[/url] Or you could get yourself over the 606 club. [url="http://www.606club.co.uk/index.htm"]Visit My Website[/url] Sunday 1st TAMMY WEIS CELEBRATES “CANADA DAY” with Special Guest STEVE WILLIAMSON-sax. Tammy, a popular regular at the Club, is a fine Canadian singer now resident in London who performed to great acclaim in her native Vancouver for some years. Her love for the American song book has led her firmly in to the area of the classic Jazz standards, which she performs with a wonderful sense of melody and swing. Her debut CD, “Legacy” has been universally well received, and has led to appearances on national TV and radio as well as gigs at both the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals. Highlights in London include playing with Jamie Cullum at the Jazz Café and Ray Gelato at Birmingham Symphony Hall. This gig also features the excellent saxophonist Steve Williamson (Julian Joseph) and one of the country’s finest pianists, Tom Cawley. July 1st is actually “Canada Day” (much to Tammy’s excitement!) so expect something a little special tonight! “Tammy Weis has a deliciously haunting voice.....this is how it’s supposed to be done” John Beaudin 103.1 FM; “She’s the real deal” Time Out

[quote name='kjb' post='24122' date='Jun 27 2007, 07:43 PM']Do you play live with her, I live in Birmingham and love watching live jazz ?. Also I don't suppose you know any drum students looking for a few gigs do you, we have to share our current one with about 4 other bands.[/quote] Not so much, being a bassist I play with quite a few trios and quartets, mainly functions and things. I do know quite a few very good drummers who would always be up for playing, is it paid? Also, the link I gave to Lydia, she is always up for playing and swings HARD! I can pass on your number if you want. The best place for jazz in Brum is the yardbird on a thursday night first band on about 8.30 with a headline national act, friday at symphony hall about 5.30 for the free rush hour gigs and whenever there is anything on at the conservatoire. The jazz orchestra gigs are always worth a watch as well.

A few of the people on my course wanted to do a quick recording yesterday, so I helped out on double bass (First time recording on it...eek) 2 hours in, set up, record 3 tunes (Alone Together, I'll Remember April and My FUnny Valentine) and mix tracks. Bounce to stereo on pro tools then copy to cd...not bad for 2 hours. Line-up is: Guitar, Alto Sax, Double Bass and Drum kit Let me know what you think. They are on the drummers myspace: [url="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=135600914"]Visit Their Website[/url]

Any makers mark on the inside? Do you know where it was built?