essexbasscat

Seems this problem has two parts. As said above, the wider strap will spread the load better. However, that won't help your shoulder / upper trunk / neck if a problem does develop. Once discomfort does set in, try the following (unless you are aware of reasons why you shouldn't do these movements, such as medical problems etc); 1. lower your shoulders is if reaching into really deep pockets and hold them there for a few minutes. Don't hold them down 'hard' as if going for the max, just try and let them drop over 10 - 20 seconds and let them sit there. Repeat this throughout the day when you think about it, it's amazing how the shoulders just creep up to join the ears all by themselves while you're not looking. This is also part of a larger issue involving posture. A physio can help with this, as could a session with someone from BAPAM. Also, Alexander Technique practitioners look closely at posture and can help with this too. 2. There is also the do it yourself method of using a massage machine to loosen things up if the muscles go tight and your own massage with the hand of the opposite side doesn't help. If it's a recurrent problem, it may well be worth having someone professional look at it. Hope that helps J T

Tap water only for every gig but one for the last 15 years. Had one half pint on only one occasion, which just made the whole night's work harder. Convinced me that the original decision was correct and never looked back.

In a previous disscusion about this (it used to puzzle me too) I heard the wise words "ask a violinist if the keys of C# and Db are the same", then batten down your hatches.

Research into post - stroke rehab suggests that a movement needs to be repeated about 1600 times before it becomes habitual, or the 'muscle memory' is deveoped, if you prefer that term. That is just one movement however, not a pattern or combination of movements. Add to that comprehension of context, the ability to busk, interpreting audio feedback from your own playing and signals from others etc and it's easy to see where the work starts to creep in.

[attachment=80765:alladin_sane_4.jpg] This took about 0.5 sec. David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust + everything else up to 1976.

[quote name='algmusic' post='1241310' date='May 23 2011, 10:52 AM']Good news, I had the results, I have no cuff tear, just a bit of Bursitis, which some phsyio should sort out but no actual tear or damaged shoulder.. You have a very relived musician and hockey player here :-). What is great is I can use a bit of ibuprofen if needed and I know, I'm not making it worse.. Must admit.. I like the idea of the stool even after full recovery.. I sit down when I play drums anyway [/quote] Congrats on the (comparitively) good news. However, it would be in your best interests to seek your physio's advice on how to deal with bursitis. The instinctive responses to it may not be the best ones. Hope it works out well

Had some time to reflect on this one. The only basses that ever really throw me are the small body type such as the headless Steinburgers, Hohners of the same design and the small bodied Statii. I've come to the conclusion that I rely on the top horn of a bass to give me some tactile feedback as to where the bass is (left to right) relative to my body. That facilitates my left hand placing going up and down the board. Without that top horn, I'm constantly landing on the wrong frets when not looking where I'm going

Been a bit quiet on the Western Front gig wise lately and I'm wondering how to drum up some more gigs. A Saturday night at home is nice once in a while, but there's been a few more than usual lately. The guitarist has an agent that gets us gigs and the diary wasn't too bad last year. But they havn't been coming through as much lately, so I've been thinking of getting another agent involved. Only, I've never done that sort of thing before and wonder how everyone else goes about getting one. Also, is it a good idea to have two agents on the go at the same time ? So I'd like to ask, how does everyone else go about getting an agent ? Thanks in advance for all your contributions T

[quote name='ahpook' post='1240026' date='May 22 2011, 09:35 AM']a few people (included our very own munkonthehill) have suggested to me that i should have a go at some jam nights, but i've got a couple of questions... how do they work, tune-wise ? do the band sort out a chord progression for the song, do they stick to common arrangements like blues/jazz standards or just wing it ? once you're there, how are the bands made up (is it like pool ? winner stays on ) ? am i good enough ? i know these questions are a bit 'how long is a bit of string', but some ideas would be helpful. despite playing for over 20 years i'm still quite nervous about my playing (which is why i've never tried this kind of thing before), and i'd like to know what i'm letting myself in for.[/quote] There used to be one around East London run by a friend I havn't seen in a while. Bloodaxe used to go there too. I'll catch up with him and let you know. Cheers

Might be up for one of these on the right night. The Hoxton one is the closest. WHere do you park in Kensington ?

[attachment=80534:catch___o_matic.jpg] The Catch - o - matic. Holds any shape bass. I've owned one for over ten years and still going strong.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1239052' date='May 21 2011, 10:10 AM']You are looking at £350 for solid colours and anything up to £400 for sunburst or metallic which require mutliple layers and multiple oven dry stages. (these quotes are from your average spray shop / repair workshop) and these quotes are for professional work, as anyone else said you can bodge it with a few cans of Halford's best but unless you can sand, prime, seal and spray evenly with skill, it's going to look like a chav's car painted with spray cans.[/quote] I'm sure that one will stay with me for a while. Where's Pete A ?

Left my bass at home once. THe guitarist lived nearby and I borrowed his Hohner jazz bass. Strap fell off the peg at the bridge end during the opening number. To hold up the bass I liften my right thigh to rest the body on (now resembling Ian Anderson from Jethro tull). Stood there hopping around on one leg for as long as possible, while trying to sing into the mic The crowd were laughing from the word go got them on our side for the rest of the night

I bought a cry baby pedal from Michael, no problems at all and good communication all the way. I'd deal with him again, no problem Cheers ! Tom

It would be to your advantage to have your shoulder assessed by a physio and ask if swimming is advisable before taking up swimming. Swimming can be good for shoulders in the right circumstances, but potentially very nasty in the wrong circumstances. Your physio will be able to tell you more T

If you're serious about this, just a quick question. Why won't the seller post it up to you themselves ? Or is it an issue of trust with the cash ?

Get the GP to refer you to a physio and don't take no for an answer. Stress the importance of your music and how it contributes to your income - make them understand it's not just a hobby. Do everything the physio tells you to do and ask them for advice as required. If you don't have succes with this route, contact BAPAM (a google search will give you contact details). Lastly, good luck with the recovery ! T

Andy sold me a levy's strap. He even sent me the strap before the cheque cleared bless 'im Nice one Andy and thanks Tom