Top Tips

[Junkyard Rocket]

Any top tips for bass players?

I have one:

A neoprene 13" laptop slipcase from poundland is just right for a Zoom B3 so it doesn't get knocked & scratched when carried in a gigbag.

[Conan]

Don't eat yellow snow.

[Hobbayne]

Dont throw away old strings, put them in your gig bag. You never know when your gonna need them in an emergency

[Dave_the_bass]

If you're joining a new band find out if:

A, the drummer has a driving license

B, the drummer has a vehicle (big enough to carry the drum kit)

If the answer to these is no you need to carry out one of the following:

1, say thank you for the chance to audition but I'm not going to join you because... (insert feasible excuse here)

2, buy a smaller car that will only just fit you and your bass gear in it

3, resign yourself to being the drummer's sole means of getting gear to/from gigs

[discreet]

When joining a covers band, find out if they are actually going to learn the covers properly as per the original recordings or merely turn up to rehearsal having done no preparation whatsoever, wing their way through the entire set and say 'that'll do - the punters will be pissed up anyway'.

Edited September 6, 2013 by discreet

[discreet]

Don't throw away old strings - send them to me and I'll throw them away for you.

[discreet]

Don't throw away old strings - simply flick them onto the floor with a rolled-up newspaper.

[Conan]

Throw away old strings. They sound sh*te.

[discreet]

Never wipe your arse with a broken bottle.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1378464693' post='2200647']
If you're joining a new band find out if:

A, the drummer has a driving license

B, the drummer has a vehicle (big enough to carry the drum kit)

If the answer to these is no you need to carry out one of the following:

1, say thank you for the chance to audition but I'm not going to join you because... (insert feasible excuse here)

2, buy a smaller car that will only just fit you and your bass gear in it

3, resign yourself to being the drummer's sole means of getting gear to/from gigs
[/quote]

It might be worth also checking whether or not the drummer actually owns a kit ...

[fumps]

never tie your shoe laces in a rotating door

[Norris]

Make sure you turn up at the correct venue at the right time on the right night and that you've brought your bass with you.

[Norris]

Make a band rule that anybody who turns up more than 15 minutes after the agreed arrival time carries their own kit in

[discreet]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1378465955' post='2200683']
It might be worth also checking whether or not the drummer actually owns a kit ...
[/quote]

... and knows how to play it.

Edited September 6, 2013 by discreet

[wateroftyne]

Don't have band 'practices'. Have band 'rehearsals'.

'Practicing' is what you do at home. On your own.

[Norris]

A couple of days before a rehearsal call up the guitarist and ask a technical question ("What's that riff you're playing after the second chorus" type of thing). Then cue the guitarist frantically trying to learn the track [b][i]before [/i][/b]the rehearsal rather than during it.

[tonyquipment]

Put it through the PA anyway

Drown out EVERYONE

[Dad3353]

Never give away a Top Tip.

[Coilte]

If recruiting new band members, dont be over optimistic that they are going to turn up, or if they do, that they are going to be on time.

[paul_5]

Be sure to maintain eye contact with the guitarist AT ALL TIMES. Makes it easier to mouth "w***er!" (or similar) at him at random intervals through the set.

[lonestar]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378465522' post='2200668']
When joining a covers band, find out if they are actually going to learn the covers properly as per the original recordings or merely turn up to rehearsal having done no preparation whatsoever, wing their way through the entire set and say 'that'll do - the punters will be pissed up anyway'.
[/quote]

Or make the feeble excuse " it' s our version" because they can't be a££ed to learn it

[lonestar]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1378463263' post='2200609']
Dont throw away old strings, put them in your gig bag. You never know when your gonna need them in an emergency
[/quote]
Or take a spare basss

[lee4]

Never share a rehearsal room with band members who have eaten spicey food the night before.

[seashell]

Look and act as if you're the dog's bollox even if deep within your heart you know you're sh*te.

[stingrayPete1977]

If the two guitarists both using the rehearsal room marshall stacks tell you not to worry as they will have their 'big amps' on the night walk away quickly!