Dan Earp

I’m relatively new to bass playing, coming from keys/piano. I make mistakes all the time, though they are reducing. I have two observations firstly, I never stay in a band that insists that there is only one right way to play a song. If doing a stones number, the singer doesn’t sound like Mick Jagger and no one complains. So my mantra is get the essence of the song, and success is tapping feet or hands, and singing along, a and in extremis for a pub blues rock band, dancing along Secondly, to me timing is far more important to concentrate on, with a simpler line, rather than chase after a ‘right’ set of notes that are ever so slightly out. combine the two points to say you should do your thing well and be proud and not some one else’s thing not so well finally, although I’m all to aware of my mistakes, the recordings sound surprisingly good, much better than my feelings at the time…

We could do a temporary swap with mine and I can try something well out of my league🤣🤣

I have the 602. Two six inch speakers and a tweeter. Makes my eub sound like a double bass, brilliant. I use it for rehearsals and quiet pub gigs, open mikes and the like …but for playing rock with the band I revert to eich/sysis. But I cannot recommend it more. Replacement model is called 802

It is mine😎

Same chords if you play is wrote, but I add a V bass note at the turn around back to the 1 chord. Some will say a heinous crime, for other it gives a comfortable resolution

Lots of interesting and correct ideas here, for me what matters is expression and timing. I strive to play a bass line to lead the listener on harmonically to what’s happening next, and pushes them along rhythmically, together with the drummer so they can’t help tap their feet. Then after a while, if things go well and the groove really working I may move further up the fret board for a verse, or with a good drummer play around with the rhythm. Don’t forget, two people can sing the same tune, one you really like and want to listen to, another you can be happy they’ve stopped, same notes, but one is in the groove, puts the right expression in, and the doesn’t communicate in the same way. so in short, there is a lot in it’s not so much what you play, but how you play it..

Why don’t you? I feel that’s an assumption…. I was also told about timing early on, so it’s more important for me to play the best line I can in the groove. But that means, as I learn songs and play better, over time what I play changes as well…..

For me, playing with others is still the best way to improve as you don’t always understand what isn’t working, timing etc. by playing along to recordings so ideally join a band, or at least jam with others. Hopefully the musicians who are supportive in your efforts to improve. As to how to learn, try to find what works for you. I know of brilliant musicians who can sight read anything, but can’t play happy birthday without music, and equally talented musicians who can’t read a note. There is no right way. Some people need a teacher, others not. everyone is different and as a result, what works brilliantly for them may be hopelessly flawed for you. finally, a personal beef, unless you are playing in a covers band, why do we beat ourselves up trying to play the exact notes on a recording? So it’s either right, or wrong and so making the player a failure if it’s not as good as the original. Do your own version. Far better to play simpler in the groove than harder out of it. Success to me is getting people tapping their feet or hands along, even better spontaneously dancing. Mostly happens when locked in with the drummer, much easier with a simple line than a harder one. Rant over….

I provide pa as well as Bass. Sadly I forgot to pack my small GK amp with all the other kit I was carrying….so I plugged into my PA…wasn’t even the best one …. Only the drummer mentioned it was slightly harder to stay locked on. Vocalist and guitarist said they didn’t realise. I’m sure that says something about my playing but not sure what………. I used to take a spare bass, but frankly, with upgraded kit there isn’t space

That’s why I’m upgrading to the Monaco and eich 1000 amp…. 10 days away before the eich debuts, but the Monaco is awesome over my pair of 110s…..