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Tell me more, please. Is this a known technique, an established way of learning? I saw a short and tantalising video clip, which hinted that failure is a part of learning, and that it is acceptable (good, even), to fail while learning. Is that a thing, or am I justifying my incompetence? In other news, I am enjoying working though new pieces at home, and refining it in the lesson. What I don't enjoy is learning the pieces in the lesson - "B♭ C#, G ... no no no ...". I am also struggling with the requirement to get each piece exactly as written. I am not good at dynamics, and I find it difficult to get them exactly as my teacher wants them. It seems to me that my teacher and I want different things from the lessons. Using a footballing analogy, he wants the perfect free kick, a well-performed box-to-box run, a display of dribbling around the cones. And I want time on the pitch, getting used to the ball, and controlling my nascent technique through trial and error (my errors are a trial, for him...), and the occasional lucky shot of a piece well played. When I play a piece, and reach a level of competence, even without completing it, that is a success for me. Moving on to another piece is another opportunity to learn. However, my teacher sees it as giving up. I think that I need to tell him what I want - to play with the piano and explore what I can do, rather than to play three pieces perfectly. In summary, I don't think that ABRSM grades are what I need to teach me the piano - they simply measure my skill level.

https://www.ukbass.com/product/bass-show-2026-ticket/ Make sure you get the right venue.

The Show Must Go On - Queen

Bass Bros are normally pretty competitive with their prices. This does seem a bit high, but I'd guess the reason is the condition. It's in extremely good shape for '60s bass and I guess to collectors that is worth the premium.

Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams

Well, that shows how often I’ve walked past in the last decade. To be fair, I’d have been more likely to pop into Hobgoblin. Sad that they couldn’t stay afloat online either.

Hi all I have recently managed to obtain the original fretless neck for my '81 Stingray. Have been without it for about 20 years! I have a custom fretted neck that I play so won't be fitting it any time soon so need some advice on the best way to store it. Truss rod as is or lose? With some sort of humidifier pack to maintain humidity? Wrapped in paper, in an bag, case, wooden box? Any help would be very much appreciated Cheers Jeff

https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/lot/5308df1e9640f28ac03613140e77fd6a/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/the-guitar-sale-four-day-auction-lot-507/

I understand that sentiment, I think. For me, it is about the thrill of the chase - finding an obscure bass guitar, getting it restored, researching which piano I want. But once I have it all, I then need to sit down and play it, and learn to master the instrument. Last night I opened up a box of stuff which I ordered from Kitronik.co.uk and got bored while I was taking it out of the box.... Retail therapy doesn't work well, for me!

Certainly made me laugh. 🤣 Dave

Don't know if you can class it as a pedal but my Sonicake Pocket Master is terrific @ £42.49 John 😎

That they appear happy to fix things that were bought used and therefore likely well out of warranty, to do so with no charge, and then suck up the courier fees as they did with me and have dome for others, is frankly extraordinary. Comparison with businesses who do exactly the opposite, either refusing to accept a unit as faulty - "that whistling sound is normal for this class of amplifier" (mention no names), to meet warranty terms, or quoting bank-breaking fees for repairs - makes it even more so. There will always be exceptions hence my note to @Minininjarob above, but to quote Melody Maker from the mid 70's "Even Stevie Nicks must have the occasional bad day". Whether you like what they produce, brands like Ashdown, Status, Trace, Wal etc are national treasures 👍

A lot, 😂🤣🥳