fatback

Just found an interesting comparison from a teacher: [url="http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/rabbath-versus-simandl-comparative.html"]comparison[/url] He's found Vance / Rabbath best for learners & intermediate and Simandl for advanced / orchestral. Well, I know which i am

Great to have your thoughts on this. Please keep them coming. Apart from it being easier for me to get the intonation right, it looks like there might be a another, bigger advantage for me in Rabbath. Because more notes are under the fingers (like the guitar), i can think more musically. Scales and modes seem obvious. For example, I can have a go at two-octave scales and arpeggios, even venturing into the thumb positions, where with Simandl I'm miles away from that. My biggest problem starting with Simandl was that i couldn't connect it to music as I already played it. With Rabbath, you restrict yourself to fewer positions than on guitar but other than that, if you pivot on a fretless already, it all comes very naturally. I'm not saying I'll avoid Simandl, I won't, but this a total revelation. I'm not saying either that it's better for someone who already knows Simandl, but for someone switching from guitar, with no previous investment in a method, maybe it offers a smoother route. What do you think? @Dougal, thanks for the tip on George Vance's book.

Can't directly compare, but i use the doubler and I like it a lot. Biggest difference seems to be the power rating; the Doubler (with a BF Midget) is as loud as I ever need to go for largish pub gigs with the electric. I've come nowhere near running out of oomph (very efficient cab, the Midget, though). The MB seems a good bit less muscular (if the numbers mean anything). The Doubler also has mid EQ on both channels, Ch1 midpoint optimised for electric bass and Ch 2 for upright. Doubler has an adjustable High pass filter and the Phase control is continuously variable not just 0 or 180 deg. I have to say that internal effects like the Markbass don't do much for me as a rule, as I like the choice of outboard. Build quality of the Doubler is excellent, overall sound is uncoloured but not clinical at all. It's also lighter than the MB. I haven't gigged the upright with the Doubler yet and I won;t be using a mic when I do, so I can;t be more specific about that. Hope this helps

Accidentally came across stuff about Rabbath's 6-position pivot method on Youtube. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54pMdTCmo8g"]Rabbath discussed[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy-03jH_mrE&playnext=1&list=PLB1638AE9A4C700AC"]Rabbath himself[/url] How do the learned rate it as a method? I know he's come up on here once or twice, but I haven't found much in the way of opinion on the merits. Last night I did a simple comparison of my intonation in Dflat maj using Simandl type fingering (and so shifts) and Rabbath's pivoting. I was consistently better with Rabbath, in fact next to perfect (not to say way faster as well). I had practiced the scale and intervalic exercises using Rabbath for a minute or two and the Simandl for weeks. As it happens, I use pivoting on the fretless, so no doubt that made a big difference. But I'm not at all surprised that intonation is easier to nail with pivots and few arm movements than it lots is with lots of arm movements over a large number of (unmemorable ) Simandl positions. Shoot me for this, but it also seems vastly more musical, in that moving between keys is so much more natural. My teacher is unlikely to wear anything but Simandl, so no doubt I'll carry on with that, but I'm tempted to be sneaky and privately work on combining Simandl (lowest positions) with Rabbath for the rest. Problem is, it may screw up my progress with reading. Am I doing heresy again? Causing myself more problems than I've already got? Thanks for your thoughts as always.

[quote name='wesfinn' post='1138481' date='Feb 23 2011, 01:02 PM'][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlqW6UCeaY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlqW6UCeaY[/url] oh wait....[/quote]

[quote name='chrkelly' post='1136914' date='Feb 22 2011, 11:43 AM']Try to relax more, let the weight of your arm do all the work and keep your thumb bent and flexible. Don't lock it in position, your tendons won't thank you for it. Check out Rinat's (LSO principal) hold on this [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2JanKszFoQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2JanKszFoQ[/url] And some nice side on shots of Edgar Meyer's hold in this [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4uPK809WlM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4uPK809WlM[/url][/quote] Will do, thanks. Seeing really helps. @ Daf - those vids are way the best i've seen. A great resource for any beginner. If anyone wants to check them all, search youtube for 'First year technique'. You'll spot the bass ones. he's standing in front of an atrocious orange painting.

[quote name='51m0n' post='1136789' date='Feb 22 2011, 10:05 AM']Its not the first tool to do something like this, there was an retuning bit of software (name escapes me naturally) that can change individual notes in a chord, or different instruments in an orchestral piece IIRC.[/quote] Melodyne Studio?

[quote name='daflewis' post='1136643' date='Feb 22 2011, 02:10 AM']I assume you learning french not german! actually this covers the basics well... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPLqKso3Zs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPLqKso3Zs[/url] cheers, Daf[/quote] Yes French. And you're right about the thumb. I'll check that vid out. Thanks. @ steve, I thought maybe it'd be better to see the right way rather than have my teacher try to explain in words from a distance.

Missed the very beginning - did the band Skid Row get a mention? Huge influence, and Brush Shields (outstanding bass player) pushed PL into playing in the first place. Doesn't get much credit usually.

Wow, thanks. Me dashing to TV. First band I ever saw (aged 11). Still suffering the effects

I've seen a lot of vids that didn't look too competent. Are there any you'd recommend? I had a lesson a coupla weeks ago (well worthwhile), but although i was shown how to hold the bow etc, I'm getting bad pain. So it's either quit bowing until the next lesson two weeks away or try to find the problem now. Thought the right vid might help. Thanks for any suggestions.

[quote name='Magnolia' post='1136369' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:57 PM']If you like the GK sound then its worth checking these out. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gallien_krueger_mb_fusion.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/gallien_krueger_mb_fusion.htm[/url] When funds allow I will be getting one. Paired with a barefaced cab. Can't get much lighter, with enough power to handle almost any situation.[/quote] Oooh tastee

[quote name='Zach' post='1135967' date='Feb 21 2011, 06:45 PM']Also found myself about to say '+1' in real life recently.[/quote] I must learn to delegate

[quote name='ahpook' post='1135265' date='Feb 21 2011, 11:27 AM']plus the one[/quote] and another one hugely appreciated.

[quote name='JoT' post='1133966' date='Feb 20 2011, 01:27 AM']Hi, yes, I know I'm new, but felt I should stick my neck out here. Used to work in travel insurance. Your bass will [u]not[/u] be covered. At all. Right at the back of the policy wording in tiny writing under General Exclusions, usually, it will say 'We do not cover...' and on about number 7. 'Musical Instruments, spectacles and contact lenses' or some such get out. There will be other exclusions such as work equipment, tools, business purposes and the like, but the one quoted gets them out of paying for anything in any case. GET SEPARATE INSURANCE (right, I'm off back to lurk again, now....)[/quote] No! Come back! very useful info. Thanks

Funnily enough, there's a C-ducer on the bay atm that might be worth a try. [url="http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110649294979&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url] I'm not bidding cos he wants £25 postage Hope it's not you bidding, oldslapper. If so, sorry for the ad.

[quote name='aonindy' post='1132833' date='Feb 18 2011, 09:47 PM']Know you already ordered FatBack but for future ref! I just got this info from Crehans (Ireland) Nyman bass rosin @ €10.50 Pops €10.50 Milant Deroux €10.00. (Thats in the shop mind - not sure about postage) /A.[/quote] Great info, thanks! Pops is the one I've ordered. I was having the same lump of rock rosin problem as you. I'll report when i get it.

Bought more leads from Max. As before, top quality, fast delivery, great comms and packing, and an all-round gent. Thanks Max

PMd

TE SMX is totally fab. And I just happen to be selling mine

Great. Apart from the educational side, I've found singing can be really useful when trying come up with strong bass lines for original songs. Amazing how often the part you sing is so much better than what you get noodling.

Office swivel chair with a small back.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1128732' date='Feb 15 2011, 06:55 PM']I like it because rhythms are the downfall of many players-there are only a certain number of notes after all.[/quote] I'm gonna try this. Thanks. Starting to read a few months back, I found Rufus Reed's book great. He begins with a big section on reading rhythms with open strings. I found it very helpful, as it separates the reading rhythms job out from everything else. Before, I was trying to learn too many new things at once. On the OP's question, I don't know whether the time scale is realistic or not, but I do know that the effort is very well worthwhile. Thoroughly satisfying business.

[quote]Heres a handy link called Read Sheet Music.[/quote] Nice one, thanks.

[quote name='Paul S' post='1126010' date='Feb 13 2011, 02:56 PM']From the 'seeing in the dark' side of it, rather than the 'looking cool' aspect - does a dab of glow in the dark paint over the dot markers work ok? Seems like an easy (and cheap) solution.[/quote] Sort of. I tried to get true fluorescent paint for this, but could only get 'luminous'. I think the difference is that 'luminous' has to be charged by daylight. I'm told that fluorescent isn't legal any more (I think it was radioactive ). Seeing as how I hardly ever take my bass for walkies without its case, it hasn't been hugely successful. Better than nothing, but not jumping out at me. For what it's worth, i found the innards of a biro (the tube, not the pointy bit) made a very neat dabber for placing the dots of paint.