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I’ve had to pause accepting new contributions. I just don’t have the time to review them all properly. But every now and then, something special comes along that’s worth making an exception for. Bill Bruford - Fainting In Coils | Jeff Berlin

I just posted a redraft of the Anthony Jackson/Michel Camilo transcription for 'Piece Of Cake' as I noticed a couple of errors.

Last night's gig report later. For various reasons I haven't played with the blues band for months. Just got a setlist and have to learn several songs before I leave at 2:30 for the gig. Hopefully a couple are straight 12 bars...

That’s beautiful

Before last night's gig. Guitarist (in jest) "I forgot to tell you were detuning by a semitone tonight" Me "Don't worry, if the bass is off it's everyone else who sounds out of tune"

I had one of those gigs last night with a Tribute band and same thing, some different keys as the singer was also a dep, different arrangements,starts, endings etc. Kept me on my toes trying to guess what and when the breaks would be and how the songs would end. The most uncomfortable was that many of the starts were different to the original records which you only discover when you start playing what you know and it turns out that they don't start like that anymore. Makes starting the next song an anxious moment. 🙂 But overall it was a nice gig.

Virtually impossible

The Long And Winding Road - George Michael

That price is the dmx controller. The LED bar is much more expensive. Misleading listing... always check the drop downs.

Charity beer festival at the Shirley British Legion this weekend, Friday and Saturday, and quite busy for me. Friday evening I did Hey Joe with the first Chris, then it was the band to which I've been recently recruited with one and a half rehearsals for an hour. Quite a lot of jamming occurred, the audience liked it. Definitely needs a lot of tightening up. Then another hour with Graham and Tony - Graham had sent me the song sheets but I hadn't looked at them properly and missed the "capo 4" on Eight Days a Week. Sat that out as I couldn't transpose it on the fly, coped OK with Come up and see me (capo 2) and something else with capo 1. Saturday I was there for the latter part of the setting up and ran through some songs with Paul, then did the first half hour with Rick and nine short 60s songs, half an hour of rest, then half an hour with Annette where I sat out a Smiths song due to confusion over chords and capo but did the rest. Another hour and a half of rest, then back with Annette and Chris the sax for half an hour, and then I played guitar with Mrs Zero singing for another half hour, then straight on to an hour of blues with Tom and Tony. Shouldn't blues be restricted by the Geneva Convention to a maximum of half an hour at a time? Half an hour of rest, then one that had been sprung on me, playing bass for Paul and his two lady friends on ukes and guitars. Then half an hour accompanying Blind Young George. My old band played next for an hour but didn't include me, although I sneaked in for their encore. I think I played about 70 songs over the two days. Gear was Sei headless fretless 5 -> Lekato/M-Vave wireless -> Zoom MS-60B+ -> HH bass combo, footwear was the usual Caravelles. Blind Young George really is blind, and 14. Very talented. And I do have a music stand because I can't learn 70 songs that quickly (only needed it for one of George's songs though).

We did two this weekend, both with good crowds and we played out of our skins - it's renewed my enthusiasm a bit.

I used to rehearse at Pirate in Nottingham. I learnt that if the Ashdomn combos sounded grim, find the sub control and turn it right off.

Did yesterdays gig with zero rehearsals, setlist changed around and some called out in different keys. Was a good workout. Turns out the guys are all pit players and have been doing this for 20 years so lots of eye contact and trying to fit in. Sounded good and some great players. A lot of fun (and £250 so pretty good).

Basschatters, Haven't seen any discussion of the Flamma FB200. Seems a hoot for £100 or so... Anyone got hold of one yet? What do you think? In this video, it goes for a live trial replacing an Anagram...

I'm a child of the space age - Sputnik was launched a month and a half before I was born. Even more limited with YOB basses - first split-coil Precision but who on earth wants some crappy passive 4-string?

Destination Out - Last Exit

I don't think I could ever face the tension of going on stage to play that many new songs, good on you for having the ability to succeed and the nerve to try. I've played a few Rugby Clubs over the years and never had a hint of trouble. I mean they are riotous and drunken but good natured and a lot of fun. I don't think rugby is the game for you if you are going to be a **** there's too many people ready to put you straight and the game takes discipline. Some of our best gigs have been rugby clubs. Sports clubs generally are a good gig.

If you care enough to have a nice suit then you should care enough to wear a belt. If it has belt loops there should be a belt in them. Debretts says so.

I quite like some of the YouTube videos so I signed up for the year. £200 for about an hour. Shame really, I need the lessons.

Depending on the needs, the Zoom B2 Four and B6 are also worth checking too.

Although the numbers are irrelevant (there is no real standard for that), the chapman stick railboard have a fret marker on the 2nd fret (2, 7, 12, 17 - who knows why).