stingrayPete1977

If I play an electric bass with 4 strings I lose the plot as my brain is totally 5 string now, but oddly when I play upright I don't look for the B string, when faced with a normal 4 string bass just holding it vertical works to switch my brain over.

Too much choice and so expensive to play around, I'll be checking out strings at the bash now I can play a bit better.

[quote name='zbd1960' timestamp='1471263058' post='3111611'] something to ponder. In the classical world, in the UK 90% of all classical concerts (and it may be more than that) are performed by amateurs, mostly for no pay at all. Most groups in fact have to subsidise the costs of performing through subscriptions and fund-raising etc. I've run a number of amateur choirs. We employ pros as solosists and sometimes instrumentalists as well when orchestras are required. Almost all of the choirs associated with the big orchestras are in fact amateur - it's only groups like the Tallis Scholars which are pro. I've spoken with many pro musicians who've perfomred at gigs I've been the organiser of. They love making music and make their living from it. Most have to supplement their income by teaching etc as well. We're amateurs, but we perform to the highest standard that we can and take a very professional approach to running our concerts. I don't see that big a difference - we're all musicians playing for the love of it (definition of amateur). The pro-world is small. I don't have the capability, or the time to become either a pro-singer or a pro-cellist. As a singer I've performed in a few pro gigs at major concert venues, but mostly it's been amateur gigs organised by my choirs. As a cellist, I regularly play in concerts. I've spent a lot of time involved with the administration of amateur music. I've run two choirs and an early music group. I'm currently a trustee of an orchestra and trustee of a music education charity that runs (at present) two major courses. I would have a very low opinion of anyone who thought 'less' of amateurs just becasue they're not paid, Equally, I would think it silly to 'deride' a pro, who will have dedicated much time and money to their career. My tutor at a recent summer school is a lovely young lady who had spent 3 years at a conservatoire doing a performance degree, 2 years doing a post-graduate performance diploma and next month starts a 2 years masters degree in performance at the Royal Academy (which will cost her £12k per year). At the end of that with a mega-bill there is no guarantee she will have a career at the end of it. [/quote] Yet a quartet for a wedding will cost a fortune, maybe if you book the entire orchestra it will be free?

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1471284435' post='3111853'] Is it possible to be a well paid hobbyist ? [/quote] Have you seen all the gear ebs_freak owns?!

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1471277765' post='3111757'] I'd take a decent preamp a least - the average mixing desk eq won't cut it for your bass. I agree with others' suggestions to take a combo. [/quote] With good mixers so cheap why would you have an average one? Ok if you dont use your own pa but from the OP that doesn't sound like the case.

It's a bit of a can of worms no doubt, I asked the same and Spirocore Weichs came out favourite, I had them fitted from the factory and know no different, Ray Brown used spiros and I can't play like him yet so I think mine are faulty?

Yes don't over do it, I've not been practicing as much as I should lately, more than a few songs at a time is enough for me right now.

Rubbish basses them Stingrays!

That will help you learn quickly then, I had annoying gigs getting in the way all the time!

Excellent stuff, I've actually ruined my elec bass technique by using the ďouble bass technique on both!

+1 for the Discover double bass videos, brilliant and so nicely filmed.

Careful skank, it takes dad ages to type that long post about the village fete and his radishes need watering!

Post - edited, sorted via pm all mates again now

Great decision, get along to the double bass bash in october!

I loved the slapping last time!

My premiums went up as the cover went down and my gear got older and less valuable, put the premiums in a pot and buy some new gear every now and again is my advice.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1471071109' post='3110299'] Be aware there are some people reading Basschat who like nothing better than to drop those named players a heads up. [/quote] Is this a name dropping name drop? If you are reading this Adam feel free to drop me a pm and I'll get you up to speed on music stands, not in Milwaukee, TIM, just don't ask about TAB or five string basses!

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1471070558' post='3110293'] I offer the following definitions: 1. Pro = main activity and main source of income. 2. Semi-pro = engaged in the activity and paid but not relying on the activity solely to earn a living. 3. Amateur = unpaid. 4. Wanabe = someone who aspires to 1. or 2. (usually derogatory and implying ineptitude). 5. Hobbyist = activity pursued outside one's main occupation and pursued primarily for pleasure. [/quote] This makes me semi pro which sounds far to impressive to me, ham fisted Stingray basher for buffet food and cash has a nice ring to it. There are a few guys claiming to be pro that are actually just knocking out regular gigs for regular money that are actually just retired from their normal careers, to me that's not a pro, it's just topping up the pension pot.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1471027519' post='3110135'] A boy came home from his first bass lesson. His dad asked him how it went. "Today we learned the E string." The boy came home from his second lesson and dad asked him how it went. "Today we learned the A string." The boy came home from his third lesson. Dad asked, "So did you learn the D string today?" "Nope. Today I had a gig." [/quote] Those 3 lessons were money well spent by Mr Clayton senior

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1471022192' post='3110096'] By the way my band leader is female and in her late 20s. Blue [/quote] Yes,in a covers band. Would you be welcomed into a group of 16-20 year old's band hoping to make it big?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1471013732' post='3110011'] He's professional but you're only a hobbyist? [/quote] Well I'm not really putting my all into it.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1471015605' post='3110027'] I've tried both.. [/quote] Well it's the 21st century, a hole's a goal and all that

I'm not gay but my boyfriend is.

I'm a weekend warrior but we've got a wedding gig next Thursday so I'm not sure what I am now.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1470967812' post='3109714'] The Hal Lenard books are fine. I would stick with those. Your at a slight disadvantage, most of us old timers came along at a time when everyone was playing in a band. In my neighborhood you could hear bands practicing in every other garage or basement. We were all the same age and we didn't kniw what we were doing ,but we were all at the same level and we learned how to play our instruments from playing with each other. Aim for what you want to do with music and it might take time to figure that out. Concentrate on learning your major and minor scales and how to use half and whole steps. Scott's Bass has some excellent tutorias for beginners. Blue [/quote] "Jumpers for goal posts", that will probably be lost in translation but as ever it has nothing to do with when you were born, do you think there would have been as many young bands looking for a 62 year old bass player in the swinging 60's? Believe it or not there are sill young people enjoying making music today, none of them will want a 62 year old bass player now just as they didn't then!