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NOW can I call myself a double bass player? ;)


Bilbo
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I captured this with my new Zoom H1 at a recent gig and am pleased with the results. I struggle with the inconsistencies in my playing and with the errors that occur when I overreach myself (which happens, regrettably, far too often). Over this series of gigs I have been doing, I have seen a subtle improvement in my playing and am thrilled to say that this performance of Denzil Best's 'Wee' (rhythm changes) was the last tune of the first set and shows no real signs of flagging despite the furious tempo!!

[url="https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/wee"]https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/wee[/url]

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Another tune of a very different type.

[url="https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/gospel-tune"]https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/gospel-tune[/url]

For the record, this tune was performed by a band that, with the exception of one musician, until the first note is played, have never even heard the tune. In fact, I had never played with two of the players until this gig and only knew the drummer. This is what reading and a knowledge of your instrument can free you to achieve with others who also have that knowledge..

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One more (different line-up). Secret Love (tenor/guitar and rhythm). I cannot tell you how great it feels to have been part of these performances and to know that, on a good day, I can, at least, 'keep up'! :lol:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/secret-love"]https://soundcloud.c...r-1/secret-love[/url]

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[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1374866931' post='2154341']
One more (different line-up). Secret Love (tenor/guitar and rhythm). I cannot tell you how great it feels to have been part of these performances and to know that, on a good day, I can, at least, 'keep up'! :lol:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/secret-love"]https://soundcloud.c...r-1/secret-love[/url]
[/quote]

Wow, great job. What a band! Those 11 minute up tempo tunes really test your stamina, but the tempo stays right where it should be. I would have been praying for a ballad after that!

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[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1374906973' post='2154593']
Those 11 minute up tempo tunes really test your stamina, but the tempo stays right where it should be.
[/quote]

I remember many years ago going to see Branford Marsalis at Ronnnie's and watching Eric Revis rip through long tunes at astonishing tempos. I remember thinking, where does he get that stamina? Having now achieved the same, I feel that, whilst the end remains a long way off, I can, at least, see where the tunnel starts. There is so much more to learn about playing this wonderful instrument but these recordings make me feel that I have something on which to build.

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[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1374914517' post='2154680']
Mine is a Gedo 3/4, mate. Whatever else it does, it sounds like a double bass!
[/quote]
I was not blaming the bass, more just a thought of giving up! It has passed now and practice will resume, you should let Gedo use your clips on their website :)

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That's some fantastic playing Bilbo. I can barely play the first note in each bar at that tempo, but you're really swinging!

Just out of interest, how do you find playing at that tempo affects your note choices? Do you necessarily have to pick from a smaller 'set' of notes? Or is part of the achievement of playing at that tempo that you're able to make the same decisions? From listening, it certainly doesn't seem like you're limiting yourself, but I'd be interested in what's going through your brain at that speed...

Edited by tinyd
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