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A large box was delivered today... and yes it contains a musical instrument. And yes, it is at the low end of the spectrum, but it's not a bass (I hav eplenty of those already). I started a new instrument in September (because I don't have enough already...). I already play tenor viol (and bass but I sold mine a while ago); cello; sax (mostly tenor and baritone, but I have sop and alto as well); electric bass; and organ. Until now, I have not attempted to play a brass instrument. So, I started on euphonium with a local brass band. Brass bands are really good and they generally have instruments you can borrow on a long term basis. The range of a euphonium is similar to cello and baritone sax. I've been playing on a Boosey & Hawkes Imperial, which dates to 1974 according to its serial number.

For me, I think of rhythm and good note choice as one. As a Bass player, laying down the foundation of the chords and changes is as equally as important as rhythm. They go hand in hand as a Bassist. But then again, we are all different and approach it in different ways.

Sultan of swing. Dire straights

Milkshake - Kelis

Just come off stage with Stray at Strings on The Isle of Wight. We’re supporting British Lion. It’s the fourth night of the tour - we had a rest day yesterday. Last week we played Bradford, Manchester and Nuneaton. To aid quick changeovers I’d decided to di straight from my Stomp XL and Junction DI into the desk, use in ears and rely on monitors for the rest of the guys. The rest of the band hated it, I wasn’t keen either, despite decent monitors (BL travel with their own monitors.) So on Thursday I asked Harry if I could use a couple of his cabs. He was fine with that so today we were in our bloody element. I only used one side - two Orange 4x12s - what a glorious sound. And to top it off The Man let me have a noodle on his new signature bass! Anyway we had a fabulous gig - waiting for them to finish now so we can load out!

Go Vest

From down under: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167375511813

Lid Zeppelin

The Dorkness

A very different lesson this week. My teacher happen to have a copy of The Real Christmas Book on the piano when I arrived. In spite of the name, it was a Fake Book - one of those books beloved of jazz performers. Melody line, chords, bar lines, time signature, and nothing else. He suggested that I have a try (he knows that I know the chords, so, it wasn't totally cruel of him!) I spent a happy hour picking out the melody with my right hand, and working out how to play C^7 , D-b5#9, Ab-11 etc. And it sounded wonderful! I am now looking for the full Book- and other Fake Books too.

The Dankness

Charlie Parked

Fizzy Gillespie

Ah haaaaa

I had a WHUFC one. It had its own sound maple body. Massive difference in sound to alder or ash I prefer alder to ash. It's worth a listen.........................but too heavy for me now

I think I may have missed an update... Well, almost two weeks ago we got a singer! It's been a palaver to find one, we had some promising leads and some that wouldn't be up to scratch. I'm so glad we kept on putting a set together. The drummer and I got our heads together and each contacted singers we had been in bands with before. The drummer's contact had been wanting to do less and less many years ago and couldn't be persuaded back to it, a female singer I knew from trying to set up an 80s band in the past. I didn't hold out much hope but wanted to give her a go... Well, she has kept her hand in and sounded really good doing almost the whole 'set' with us. The band unanimously agreed to bring her onboard. Risky Business is in business! A proper rehearsal booked for Tuesday night where we can get our keys sorted for the songs and work on arrangements and get used to playing together. Hoping to get some low-key pub gigs booked for early next year, give us something to aim for.

Taking a break from gigs due to the drummer welcoming his first child and me coincidentally dislocating 2 fingers in my right hand has given me a bit of time to reshuffle my board. The goal was to squeeze in a wah pedal and fit my new di box. I'm not 100% happy with the underside mess but it works! Looking forward to giving it a real test in 6 weeks when my splints come off

Thanks for posting the video clip. Very nice. Daryl

That looks very cool, Stub. I like.

Oh, helllooo! That's very nice indeed.