The Funk

[quote name='philwood' post='474360' date='Apr 28 2009, 04:57 PM']they use the ii6 chord exclusively[/quote] Errrm... guilty.

Everyone should play that place once. Anyone who has a good time the first time or thinks they might have a better time the next time should play there again.

So, who's already booked to play a summer festival this year, who hasn't got round to organising it yet and who doesn't have a clue how to go about it? I only ask because summer's around the corner and I haven't organised anything for my band.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='473328' date='Apr 27 2009, 01:01 PM']I'm fine with blues [...] Last night with jazzy / funky stuff.[/quote] For jazz, if you're not familiar with a bunch of standard changes, you'll find it easy to get completely lost. For funky stuff, pick your spot and make it count. You don't have to play a lot to sound funky.

[quote name='OldGit' post='473176' date='Apr 27 2009, 10:18 AM']Need your love so bad for an example of a mutated 12 bar blues [/quote] It'd be unfair if you got that at a blues jam but it does happen. Other songs with similar changes include Hard Times and Ain't Nobody's Business. The trick is to be able to pick the VI-II-V-I and I-IV-I-V turnarounds at the end and then fill in the blanks. Either learn them at home or do your best picking out the changes on stage - or both.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='473150' date='Apr 27 2009, 09:39 AM']Went to the open mic night to end all open mic nights at The Thirsty Scholar in Manchester. [...] Something strange happened to me on the way, I’ve never felt it before but I was actually nervous – I don’t do nervous. Anyway, we got up on stage, pub’s full of musos and we begin by playing some blues – something I’d be quite comfortable with normally but I played like a complete arsewipe (cos I’m nervous).[...] Anyway, I get up this morning and start mulling it over whilst chewing on my bowl of porridge and I now realise why I was nervous. I’ve never done an open mic night before on bass and I’m not very good at improvisation. [...] Any tips on how to become a proper bass player?[/quote] You are a proper bass player. The first time I went to a blues jam, I misheard the guy leading it and played an entire blues song in C when it was in E. I could hear it was horribly out but I couldn't hear what the guitarists were playing. I was really nervous and the sound was really bad. Now I find it very easy. I don't go to jams to prove anything, show off or compete with anyone and I enjoy getting up there and playing with different people. The other thing you say about improvisation is probably something you haven't worked on much before. Keep going to the jam/open mic and do your best at coming up with things (and following the changes) each week. There's nothing wrong with standing near the keyboard player and asking him to talk you through all the changes.

I seem to remember you saying somewhere that you don't play in a band. That would be stage 2.

So, I ordered a cheap double bass from Gear4music, which arrived today. It looks great except the neck's come apart from the body. They were very apologetic and have arranged to collect it from me and send out a replacement. They also offered me a refund instead of a replacement. Anyway, I was looking up some info on how to store away a double bass for shipping/travel to see if they'd packed it wrong or if the bass isn't all that sturdy when I stumbled across a secondhand bass for sale on the Bassix site. It comes in at just under £1000. So now I'm trying to decide whether to cancel the order for the DB and go for a decent-looking EUB instead. If I went for the EUB I'd gig it more than the DB (public transport for me). If I went for the DB there'd be some smaller gigs where I could go fully acoustic. I hate the idea of acoustic bass guitars. I've tried several and they just don't give me the kind of sound I want. Any advice?

ii-V-I

I didn't realise Nas was a member of these forums. Will Kelis be there? I can't do 6-7 (my birthday weekend) or 13-14 (my friend/guitarist's birthday weekend). But as I'm not that important, feel free to pick the dates which are most convenient for the majority.

I spent part of the evening tonight listening to Sabbath's Paranoid album in the '70s Quadrophonic mix updated to DTS 5.1 - it was superb. Real trippy though. I also went to a blues jam. Any 12-bar, great fun if you're playing with decent people.

Thanks Mike! I'll check those out when I get home. Such a great line.

You know what's great for a jazzy/bluesy sound? Double bass. Sorry, was that cruel?

I've been listening to Rokia Traoré and Oumou Sangaré for a few years now and recently started getting into Ali Farka Touré. I somehow missed the fact that [i]Later... with Jools Holland[/i] is back but caught last Friday's and Tuesday's shows on iplayer last night. I was very pleased to see that Rokia Traoré and Oumou Sangaré were both on. I didn't think that much of Oumou's set but I'm hoping the Friday set will be better. Rokia's set was wicked though. Did anyone else catch it and is anyone planning on catching any of these guys live? I believe Ali Farka Touré's son, Vieux Farka Touré will also be passing through London this year.

[quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='470587' date='Apr 23 2009, 12:23 PM']In relation to Theory... [...] What I cant figure out is... why do you put yourself through it? Unless you're aiming to make a living as a bassplayer, I dont see the point. [...] Personally, I'd rather have fun on the way up, even if I dont make it as high as some of the others.[/quote] For some people, like me, theory is fun and not boring, as you find it.

Alex, just ring them up and ask. They're generally quite helpful. Just don't tell them you're a competitor!

Thanks for the info. I'm considering taking it somewhere for a set-up at some stage, even though it's a budget instrument. I don't expect it to play or sound as good as intermediate level instruments but with a decent set-up I'm sure it could be quite playable. Can't wait for Saturday!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to it. I haven't played any DB since school and I only dabbled as a beginner back then as I didn't own one - and the classical teachers used to try to keep me from playing the one at school.

[quote name='urb' post='470507' date='Apr 23 2009, 11:28 AM']the head to Freedom Jazz Dance[/quote] Video or transcription request please.

[i]What the world Needs now Is bass Sweet bass[/i]

I've just ordered the sub-£400 DB from Gear4Music. It arrives on Saturday. I'll let you know how I get on!

[quote name='hubrad' post='469665' date='Apr 22 2009, 03:15 PM']Don't be downhearted; as someone said years ago - if you're a bassist and can play in time you'll always find a gig.[/quote] And you don't even have to be able to play in time for some bands/genres.