Buffalo Soldier notation anyone & Reggae advice.

[stingrayPete1977]

I have a sort of audition in 2 weeks, first one in 20 years as I have always been asked if I will play for bands rather than be auditioned . I know quite a bit of the set, certainly enough for the one hour session booked but they have requested a reggae number if I have time to learn one as the last bassist could not cut them, truth is I have not gone down that path much really, Buffalo Soldier and Three little birds are in the set list sent over so I thought I should nail at least one if not both, fail to prepare and prepare to fail and all that, although my playing skills have got me the call they want to make sure I am not a cock more than anything so that could be a problem

I have jammed along to the track and found bits of notation which tidied it up but I would like the whole track in fly sh*t if anyone has it? or 3 little birds.

Any general Reggae tips that will help when blagging reggae would be useful too?, Thanks

Edited August 21, 2014 by stingrayPete1977

[Bassman Sam]

Smoke plenty of weed and go with the flow.

Worked for me. [size=4] [/size]

[redstriper]

[media]http://youtu.be/-ZaqkjEsTmw[/media]

[gary mac]

I have on a couple of occasions been in dep situations where some reggae has cropped up. Tracks that I had heard over the years but never played. I got by reasonably well, without annoying the band or audience, by just keeping it sparse, a few well chosen roots and runs and plenty of space.

[stingrayPete1977]

Thanks guys, I think I probably have been over playing when jamming reggae stuff so the sparse playing is something I need to keep in my head

[Raslee]

If you PM me your email I can probably scan the dots and email. Good tip - tone mostly or all off to taste, play close to neck for fatter tone, neck pick up if more than one and you could also try playing with your thumb to see if that works best. Buffalo Soldier is a good fun song to play, Three little birds is a doddle too

[uncle psychosis]

Reggae lines are normally quite easy to play, in terms of notes, but nailing the feel is really hard.

Make sure to pay extra attention to note duration, it's a critical part of getting it to sound good.

[stingrayPete1977]

Thanks again everyone, Raslee I will pm you, thanks

It was because of the note duration I fancied looking at the dots and for a general bit of reggae improvement.

What are these neck pickups you speak of? treble off, bass boosted, foam mutes engaged on the classicRay, thumb near the neck and I'm away!

[Count Bassy]

Agreed that it's more about timing/feel than the tone (though tone helps). Putting the emphasis on the 3 is a good starting point to get into the feel.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Count Bassy

[stingrayPete1977]

Some great tips coming, thanks.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1408686971' post='2532463']
I got by reasonably well [...] by just keeping it sparse, a few well chosen roots and runs and plenty of space.
[/quote]

Indeed. I once jammed with a guy who'd been rhythm guitar in an incarnation of Toots and The Maytals. After about a minute he stopped me and said:

'Look, just play about 10 per cent of what you're playing now. It'll be fine.'

He was right and it was. Good luck with the audition.

[stingrayPete1977]

I have some dots from Allie on here for 3 little birds so tomorrows practice will revolve around that, I will then base all my reggae lines on that one song

[Allie]

All the best again Pete - main thing to relax and enjoy it.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Allie' timestamp='1408889095' post='2534327']
All the best again Pete - main thing to relax and enjoy it.
[/quote]
Well I liked Bassman Sams advice but as an ex smoker I dont want to chance the nicotine

[Allie]

Not so sure of nicotine content in the weed but you're quite right - I know how much of a task it is giving up and there's no sense in putting all your hard-earned sucesses at risk.

[stingrayPete1977]

I dont think there is any in the secret ingredient but it needs rolling with something, now there is always the option of space cakes

[Allie]