velvetkevorkian

Just takes practice I'm afraid. I've played with 3 fingers pretty much exclusively for a number of years- when I try to play with 2 it feels like hopping compared to normal walking! Billy Sheehan is the most famous exponent of it. For me its easier because I play in a metal band where fast 16th note riffs are the norm; if you don't need extra speed or agility you might be best sticking with 3. However, you can get greater speed and agility with 3 fingers (and practice!) than you can with 2 IMO.

Black Sabbath- Paranoid.

1) How long have you been playing Bass Guitar/String Bass for or both? Played double bass for about 11 years and bass guitar for about 9. 2) If you don’t play string bass/bass guitar have you thought of doubling up on either to get more recognition as a bass player? n/a 3) Who are your favourite exponents of both string bass/bass guitar? The only player whose playing on both I know is Stanley Clarke. 4) Do you think that both the bass guitar and string bass are important as bass instruments? Yes- they fill different roles. 5) What genres do you think are important for bass players to listen to? Whatever genre they want to play in, or ideally all genres. 6) Do you think electric guitarists can learn to play bass guitar more than string bass? Yes- bass guitar is physically and musically less demanding in a lot of circumstances. 7) Do you think bass can be used to solo as well as accompany other instruments? Yes, although its very difficult to do well. 8) Do you think it is important to learn to sight read? For me, yes, but it depends on what you want to do. If all I wanted to play was pub rock or indie for example it would be a pretty wasted investment. 9) What do you think of bass guitars such as 5 string/6 string e.g. as being an add-on to the bass players role? I love them. I play a 5 string upright and 4, 5 and 7 string electrics. I don't see myself going back to 4. You lose nothing by taking on more strings IMO. 10) What are your opinions on electric upright basses as a substitute for the string bass? No direct experience but its bound to be a compromise. 11) What is the best amp to use for bass guitar or string bass? Really down to personal taste. I tend to practice through a hi-fi and gig on whatever amp is provided. 12) What pickups for string bass are the best for capturing the natural tone of the instrument? Don't really gave enough experience to comment, although the Revolution Solo II I've just fitted seems to be good in that respect.

A 12 string is normally 0 +1 +1 surely? As per the first post.

I liked the Realist (although I don't gig much with amped DB) but be aware it may have a limited life span- mine died on me. I wasn't using it often, but it is something Gage have confirmed- they do have a limited lifespan.

I saw the guitar versions of these in CC Music in Glasgow the other day. I had to look twice- I thought they were ornaments at first. I quite like the look of them

For what its worth I had the same problem and my local guitar tech removed and replaced the stripped nut- cost about £10 all in.

Some do, some don't- luthier's and/or player's choice really. I could be wrong but I think another reason to have it is that it lets you pull the low string inward slightly when you finger a note, more in line with the natural action of your hand.

Let us know how you get on!

You mean [url="http://www.berkleemusic.com/school/course?course_item_id=10107337&program=bass"]this one[/url]? I remember looking at the Berklee courses and thinking they were seriously overpriced compared to the ones offered on [url="https://www.musicdojo.com/courses/catalog.asp"]Music Dojo[/url], which I've been meaning to try for a while. I haven't actually used either but the syllabus looks much the same- I couldn't see any reason for Berklee to be charging almost a thousand dollars while the Music Dojo courses are about $50?

The problem with putting the bow through the bridge legs is it can make an ungodly racket if you're not very careful- fine when you're changing between pieces but good for provoking the conductor's wrath if done in the middle of a piece! Also, I would worry about it rattling? Pete1967, I take it you play German bow? If the OP is also playing German the last method you suggest is excellent (from what I've seen of other German bow players); if you're playing French bow though it doesn't really work, for me anyway- my fingers are too big to fit through the frog! Instead I just use the second and third fingers, without changing the bow position much- that works for all but the most frenetic pizz stuff IME.

[quote name='ashevans09' post='679199' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:55 PM']That bass is made of win[/quote] I concur. Awesome.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='679621' date='Dec 9 2009, 09:57 PM']We've got two songs in progress at the moment with weird beats, that our guitarist (who wrote them) wants to play in a reggae-ish style. Am I being creatively weak here? Would it be defeatist or obnoxious to just say "If you want a reggae feel you need to put something on beat 3"?[/quote] Given that the reggae style is pretty much defined by the rhythm, I don't think it should be too much to ask. I've played in a "reggae band" with people who had no idea what reggae really is and it really falls on its arse in that case.

+1 or even a 2u like the Pod XT pros. The 3u X3 pro is just stupidly big IMHO.

That's usually fine, although obviously make sure you have enough time to pick the bow back up, and make sure the conductor doesn't mind. Just remember its a bit of a different sound you're usually going for as far as pizz goes in an orchestra, IME.

What he said.

[quote name='Eight' post='676197' date='Dec 6 2009, 09:54 PM']I started doing a lot of exercises that encourage that and find that when playing I instinctively do it when it feels right (does seem to help a bit with speed, stamina and getting nice legato) but it's not something I actively think about. Might as well keep doing the exercises and see what happens naturally.[/quote] Exactly right IMO.

I think its a good exercise but I wouldn't try and play that way all the time. Its good to build up hand strength and finger independence but its impractical for playing actual lines IMO. As ever, YMMV.

They've had ads up on TalkBass for a while- there's a pretty big thread about them in the basses section there where they seem to go under the brand of "Valve Amp". First time I've seen them in the UK though.

The Peer Gynt suites are fairly straightforward- been a few years since I played it but Hall of The Mountain King has a good bass melody- everything else is pretty much texture as far as I recall. I'm sure you'll have no problems.