Walker Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Took my Superlight to practice tonight much to the amusement of the guys - skelebass, they called it. Brilliant fun, never come back from practice so knackered. I dance around a lot more with this. Sits well in the mix, fewer notes... But what notes they were Lovin it, but my fingertips feel virgin again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Using an upright redefines the concept of 'playing open strings' and makes it cool! Regarding fingertips, I find that alternating between playing the upright and the normal electric prevents blisters and excessive toughening of the skin even if you play hard and practice long hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 it's ace isn't it,makes bass guitar seem boring & weedy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 [quote name='artisan' timestamp='1327954529' post='1519487'] it's ace isn't it,makes bass guitar seem boring & weedy [/quote] So true. I hardly touch my bg anymore. I had to make myself play it last week cos I suddenly got nervous I might have to do an unexpected gig on same, but it felt like a chore. As for the blisters, I found right hand blisters were much less a problem if I worked at playing with the sides of my fingers mostly, rather than the tips bg style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 [quote name='artisan' timestamp='1327954529' post='1519487'] it's ace isn't it,makes bass guitar seem boring & weedy [/quote] It'll be a while before I agree with this, but that's purely down to me being crap on upright at the moment;) So I'll be doing plenty of alternating between electric and upright! A few years ago I did a bit of rock climbing and after playing a longish bluegrass number on Sunday, my left forearm muscles were as pumped up as they used to be after hanging off a ledge for 5 minutes! Luckily, I've got a Powerball left over from a wrist injury I had, so that's been dusted off. Anyway, great fun and I'm really looking forward to improving and performing with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I did a gig last Wednesday, the first after I broke my arm back at the end of October. Came through it very well really (2x 1hr). Surprising thing is I expected my right fingers to blister up after that amount of inactivity but they stayed fine - just slightly sore. I have a spare practice amp upstairs and always practice - well ten minutes a day max - with the amp turned on and I think that helps the fingers. The joy of depping is that I still discover new songs. Our singer (female) sang 'Horizontal.' Lots of double entendres and words by a young Hal David. Anyone know it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 (edited) I did 3 hours on the DB last night and apart from a couple of blisters (keeping up acoustically with drums, piano, guitar, and three horns) I was fine, compared to the crippling wrist injuries I get from bass guitar these days it's positively therapeutic to play this thing. I hadn't played with those guys before and bless them they threw me a solo in the last tune. I don't play solos at all but this tune was right in my comfort zone (reggae feel, harmonic minor) and it was just me and the drummer so I gave it a good bash. Edited February 1, 2012 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1328137110' post='1522654'] I hadn't played with those guys before and bless them they threw me a solo in the last tune. I don't play solos at all but this tune was right in my comfort zone (reggae feel, harmonic minor) and it was just me and the drummer so I gave it a good bash. [/quote] Oh well done for coping. My nightmare is someone ambushing me like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Worst bit was I'd thrashed the fingers of my left hand all night so they weren't too happy about having to solo. :/ And no I wasn't too happy about having it thrust upon me by a guy who was directing proceedings and who happens to be a much better DB player than I am... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 solo it'll be a long time before i'd dare attempt one on DB muchos kudos to you matey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I'm very lucky to go to a weekly jazz ensemble class and while my solos are inept and short, I'm determined to have a go. Things can only get better, no? Last term's end of term performance saw me not soloing at all. I'm hoping to do at least one this term. (Can't let the front line have all the fun ...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Solos can be what ever you make them and need not be daunting. Look how BB king solos, very few notes but lots of rhythm and feel. Same goes for DB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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