colleya

I nearly went for that myself, but it was a bit much on top of the funk accelerator in one month. Would be very interested in your thoughts on the fretboard accelerator course. That would be next on my list.

I'm usually almost pathologically resistant to paid for courses. However after years of playing in rock/indie I joined a funk/soul band and felt painfully exposed. Phrasing wasn't right, felt awkward and not in the pocket etc etc. I bit the bullet and realised that spending money on a new bass/amp/pedal wasn't magically making me a better player (still fun though) so I signed up Three weeks in, I'm pretty impressed. I like the structure that releases a section a week rather than full access to everything. Resources, videos and backing tracks are excellent quality. The live sessions are fun and focused. Feels well scaled so far - lots of stuff I've seen go from root notes to 7/8 mixolydian Swedish folk fusion leaving a massive 'how the hell did they do that?' gulf in the middle. Am I motivated to practice more? Yes Is my practice more focused? Yes Is my timing improving (probably as a result of the above)? Yes Is my phrasing improving? Starting to Can I do stuff I couldn't before? Yes Could I have learned most of this stuff for free piecemeal on the Internet? Probably Do they send waaaaay too many emails? Good lord yes Was it expensive? It felt it, but if I break it down into 14 (the length of the course in weeks) then probably not really. Has the rest of the band noticed? Very funny (but it's only week 3 so I still have hope) If anyone else is doing the course then I'd be interested in how you're finding it. If you're thinking about these courses then hopefully this might help a bit.

Unheated.

I'd agree with all the comments about practice, but be kind to yourself too. If you make a mistake then you make a mistake. I make loads every gig, and that's without an emotionally loaded situation like it sounds like you'll be in. I'm really sorry to hear about your brother, but I'm sure he'd be unbelievably proud of you. Everyone there (and here on BC) will be rooting for you too, break a leg.

Another excellent basschatter. Bought a pedal from @jezzaboy. Arrived next day with possibly the best packaging job I've seen. Highly recommended, thanks!

Did they not get suspicious when you took your bass with you?

Noticed at half time that one of the PA tops wasn't showing the little blue power light. Waited until the rest of the band were looking the other way before flipping the switch on the back.....

"Join a band" they said. "It will get you closer to the ladies" they said....

Thanks Dave, she's quite a find. I used to do a bit of noodling over the intro to this, but now I resist the temptation to get in the way, stand back and enjoy.

50 minute afternoon spot at Ellesmere Port Summer Jam today. Only our third ever gig. It's a slow ball to get rolling right now but we're getting there. No amp/cab, just a HX stomp in and IEM straight from the desk. It always sounds fine at rehearsal but I need to do more work on my gig mix as it's never as well defined. Thinking about that diverts my focus away from what I'm playing, so I need to get it sorted. Played well, pretty happy all round. Sun came out and people listened. Nice things were said afterwards. Unfortunately the wrestling show had finished by the time we got off stage so my plans for a top turnbuckle band pic were scuppered. Here's a little phone clip of Macy Gray. Of course, our friends & family managed to catch the bit where I trip over my lead, nearly stack it then hit the wrong note. And some Jamiroquai with added photo (video?) bombing.

I'm only going for the wrestling!