OldGit

Organised bits plus singer on his own plus you grooving on you own plus you grooving with another musician in the band, or with the singer. All of the above will look a zillion times better than standing stock still. So you drop the odd note here or there, so what? If you aren't making a live album no one will notice the odd bass fluff but everyone in the place will notice if you are movin' and groovin' Funk's about powering dancing isn't it? Why should the audience have all the fun ...

When my 62 P bass was stolen in the early 80's I reported it to the police and made an insurance claim. If it shows up that's the sort of evidence the pleece will need.

[quote name='redzombie' post='250780' date='Jul 29 2008, 08:21 PM']Good one, tunings too if you need to go up or down. A good way to remind the drummer to give you and the guitarist/s time to change yr tuning, before kicking off a song in E while yr still in drop-D. Yes I've heard of hipshots [/quote] Don't stop the show to retune basses and guitars (other than hipsots or capos) from one number to another unless you have a very good plan for something entertaining whilst that is going on.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='250706' date='Jul 29 2008, 06:51 PM']Actually they're two different things i believe...[/quote] Please show your proofs, young man. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape[/url] Duct tape is Gaffa tape used in the military, US and supposedly, on "Ducts" Gaffa tape [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape[/url] Called "Gaffer" tape on wikipedia, is the stage version. Uses: [url="http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaffer/gaffer_display.php"]http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaff...fer_display.php[/url] I guess it depends on how industrial your music is whether you use Gaffa tape or Duct tape... Honorable mention: In motor-sport it's called Tank Tape [url="http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6040?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping"]http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info...medium=Shopping[/url] The good stuff is the same thing but there are loads of inferior copies or "tribute tapes" around that claim to be Gaffa tape but are really carpet tape or just crap tape.

[quote name='bobbassguy' post='250572' date='Jul 29 2008, 04:50 PM']I've read that if your fingers get cut during live playing, throw in some salt. It'll probably hurt like a bastard for a few minutes but it helps to cauterize the cuts enough for your digits to survive the show. (I think I read that one in a Hugh Cornwell book.)[/quote] Spray on "sticking plaster" - it's new and good, or superglue the cracks together. [quote]Grolsch bottle stoppers (the red things!) make great last-minute strap-locks.[/quote] Last minute? Constant kit bag item [quote]You can never bring enough duct-tape.[/quote] Damn yankee influence .. I think you'll find in this country, old chap, it's called Gaffa tape. [quote]Avoid the 'monitor pose'. [url="http://www.musicplayers.com/images/john_petrucci.jpg"]http://www.musicplayers.com/images/john_petrucci.jpg[/url] It ain't smart, it ain't cool, and imitating this pose gives John Petrucci the legal right to sue your bollocks off.[/quote] Someone's nicked his monitor too ... isn't he just in mid step?

Great idea Mr Hunt .. I'm sure you know this site, maybe some ideas there .. [url="http://www.basstasters.com/"]http://www.basstasters.com/[/url] It's very good for a number of reasons: he plays exactly the same thing every time so it's easy to hear the differences, and to associate them with the thing he's changed, and he only changes one thing at a time

[quote name='chris_b' post='250413' date='Jul 29 2008, 01:23 PM']Check out Bass Direct. Mark is now stocking Auralex Gramma isolators and at a better price than Studiospares.[/quote] Yeah £39 is closer to the USA price [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Auralex_Isolation_Risers.html"]Bass Directs Auralex page[/url]

Just lift it up nearer your ears Or put something about 2 inches high under the front of the cab to try the same effect as the MB wedge. I've used a boss pedal box in the past. Watch the tipping point though

[quote name='Rich' post='196886' date='May 12 2008, 07:41 AM']I've got a platform that I made using the same foam used on the Gramma boards (and when I finally get my ass into gear, I've got to make another one... ahem :blush: ). Perfect for hollow stages, stops any complaints dead in their tracks.[/quote] Hey Rich, Spill the beans, What's the foam?

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='249868' date='Jul 28 2008, 06:59 PM']We've got 2 songs which are in c# hence the guitar changes. We were playing it in Drop D in previous practices before deciding to go with the proper tuning seeing as we'd have to be in c# anyway for Almost easy. [/quote] Capo? I'll get my coat

[quote name='3V17C' post='249825' date='Jul 28 2008, 05:55 PM']you should check out Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine for some quality loung versions of alt/rock songs peace c[/quote] ha ha some great ideas in there .. Nice walking double bass piano break in Stairway [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ulj1V9t9g&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ulj1V9t9g...feature=related[/url]

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='249769' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:48 PM']Right guys. For our debut gig it's been decided that, as our geetards have to swap guitars before our cover of Them bones by alice in chains, that me and the drummer are going to do a lounge version of it to give the guys time to swap. Now... any lounge bands I can have a listen to get inspiration for how the hell to play this thing??[/quote] Not my genre but do they have to change guitars? (ducks and covers) only it's a short set, and having more than one guitar on stage each may look cool but will anyone notice a sonic difference? is this 6 strings to 7? It adds complications to setting up and clearing the stage, potential level resetting and tuning all of which may disrupt the set's flow For your first gig I'd suggest leaving out anything like that stops the set being as smooth as possible .. Other than that I'd not introduce a challenge like a lounge version of Them bones. Get them to change really fast, time how long it takes, just start the drums - play alone for 16 bars, you and anyone else with free hands gets the crowd to clap along over their heads (especially your 20 mates) then your bring in the bassline (just loop the first bit) for 16 and by that time if the guitarist aren't ready to go you just keep going 'til they are ... That will be much better than a lounge version of anything. You don't have long enough in the set to let the excitement/tension level dip right down cos then you'd have a huge hill to climb back up to your glorious finish. You do have an encore planned, don't you?

[quote name='tauzero' post='249702' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:04 PM']. The birthday girl had asked us to do "Strip the Willow" [1] and we did, towards the end of the evening - it's one of those dances which really looks good from the stage when they get it right, and get it right they did, which was nice. [1] Must get Alyson Hannigan along to a dance...[/quote] haha lol That's going into my calling joke book

[quote name='silddx' post='249760' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:33 PM']Nah, get the singer to scream, "Hello England" in an American accent.[/quote] Yeah that always goes down well here

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='249718' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:09 PM']Well so far our plan is 1st - Our song.... merging straight into 2nd - cover (They both start and finish with the same note) *guitar/bass swap* talking intro etc. 3rd cover 4th cover *guitar swap* possible guitar/bass duet thingy as I don't need to swap. 5th - cover merging into (again both start and end with same note) 6th - cover *guitar/bass swap* thank yous etc 7th - Our song end[/quote] Sounds like agood plan ... with 2nd - cover (They both start and finish with the same note) *guitar/bass swap* talking intro etc. can you start the drums straight away so that the talkie bit can be over the drums, then cue the song start proper once everyone is strapped in?

[quote name='tauzero' post='249686' date='Jul 28 2008, 03:51 PM']Which includes deciding where you'll be [s]haranguing[/s] speaking to the audience and where you'll be going straight on into the next number. As you're doing a bass swap, you'll want a bit of a pause there and whoever is at the mic needs to have some vague plan as to what to say. "Good evening, Wolverhampton" is a bit cliched but at least shows that you have more geographical knowledge than George Bush. Better would be something more along the lines of "hello, we're <insert name here>. This next one is about sexual angst [1] among very small computers and it's called 'Angst ROM unit'" after which speaker checks band members for preparedness and off you go into the next song. Don't explain every single song. Tell them where your website is, even if it's just one of those Myspace things. [1] All songs are, after all. Even "Yellow submarine".[/quote] My vote goes for no talky bits at all. That's usually a very weak part of the show for a new band, even if you do script and rehearse it. Just say "Hi We're Wyld Stallions!" as the start chord of the second number morphs out of the last chord of the first .. and "Than-kew-very much San Denus, Weve been Wyldstallions - dot -com!" over the mad cheering at the end of yoru encore.

You don't have to learn all about the venue on the night of your gig, do some homework: Go to a gig at the venue beforehand to see how things go. Make it a gig as close to the type of one that you are playing. Ask the booker if you can watch the soundchecks as well as the performances. Have a chat to the sound person, buy them a beer and, if it's the same one who will do your gig, ask what you can do to make their job easier when you play there in a few weeks time. Check out how long the band change over time is, how disciplined the gig manager is with regard to on and off times - does an over running band get cut off at the time they should have stopped? if so you need to allow for that in case you are late on stage and have to play a short set. Always end on your best number. Find out where bands put their gear before and after playing. Make sure you plan for a swift exit after your set. Get a mate each to help with getting your gear off stage. If you take a long time you will upset everyone, not least the band after you. This is not a good idea as you will want to gig there again and may well come into contact with the other bands when you gig regularly. Take a torch to make sure you have picked up all your gear/cables/power leads/foot pedals/drinks. Try not to take anyone else's' . Mark all of your cables with coloured tape near the jack plugs. Take water on stage in a sealed "sports top" bottles. Do not take any glasses on stage. You do not want to be the person to cover the stage/cables with horrible sticky lager. People will remember that for years.

[quote name='Matty' post='249305' date='Jul 28 2008, 02:00 AM']Don't use Red felt pens (sharpies etc) to right notes on your set list. the red mysteriously vanishes under stage lighting.[/quote] +1 and make your setlist and notes [size=6]really large[/size] so you can tape them to the floor and still read them. No music stands allowed!

[quote name='The Funk' post='249286' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:39 AM']When I wear mine I'll usually get one or two of my friends telling me it's sad but when I don't wear them I upset a few of the regulars. Wear them if you want to. They've suited people from John Lee Hooker to Layne Staley. Some people look like dorks with them on though.[/quote] nah looks daft on a a first gig, as I mentioned it removes band member eye contact and all those things that brings - cues, encouragement, on the fly changes, problem resoloution etc.. You'll need to know when your bandmates are looking at you and vice versa... It also cuts out the band to audience eye contact and removes the goodness that brings ... [quote]Master Blaster said: [...] always walk around the stage before you go on. make sure all the cables are taped down etc. and also check the stage...[/quote] You won't have time to tape down the cables in a 4 bands on stage situation. Just make sure your feet area is clear and you aren't going to fall over anything or - much worse - snag a cable that pulls down someone elses' stack ....

Ah I knew I'd done this before ... ------------------------------------------------------- Nerves and Rehearsals Like any performance the first minute will set the tone and success of the whole thing. You have to make sure you take control of absolutely everything you can. Leave as little to chance as possible. The key way to do that is to sort your set 3 weeks before the gig and then rehearse the show thoroughly. Plan the whole thing, not just the music. Plan the talky bits too. Nothing spoils a great band more than inane moronic rubbish in the talky bits. For an example of how not to do it try Paul Rogers (who really should know better) with Queen doing the Free numbers (they are on youtube) "It was all right then and it's All Right Now".. puke... So plan the first minutes very carefully - how you take the stage, how you start the first tune and how you will communicate with the audience from the off. Save jokes for friendly audiences who are with you and for when you are fully confident and successful. I'd avoid them if you are not too sure of yourselves. A poor reaction to a joke can crush your confidence and give you a really big hill to climb. If your front person can't do the talky stuff naturally minimise the amount of talking they get to do, write a script and rehearse it. It's way more important than the guitar solos, usually, yet we all spend months perfecting the music and leave the poor singer to do the front person stuff with no rehearsal or preparation, just cause they can sing .... Then go to the rehearsal studio and [b]set up as if you are on stage [/b]and play to an imaginary audience. So many bands rehearse in a circle making eye contact for cues etc all the while and then wonder why things go wrong on stage, or they play looking at each other rather than the audience. If you can, borrow a room with a stage so you can work out how to set up and perform on a stage. Then run through your complete set as many time as possible. Don't stop for mistakes, just learn how to deal with it. Better to practice recovery in the rehearsal studio than in front of an audience. Soon you'll have ways through most mistakes and errors that will look like they were planned that way. Don't stop for tuning or keyboard resetting or whatever just learn how to deal with it quickly and without dirupting the flow of the set. If one of you needs some time to do these things build in something to allow them to do that - a drums only start or let the keyboards drop out a minute before the end of the tune before... Weed out the weak bits that don't work, fix the weak links, play the set through from first note to last and encores so that you know exactly how long things take because you don't want to be hauled off stage before your big number cos you ran 5 minutes long in your slot. Time it with an encore break. You should assume you will get an encore and plan for it and not add it on as an afterthought. It's the memory of your band that people will carry with them for the longest time. Make sure it's a special moment. Rehearse the show over and over until the whole thing is slick and professional. Then take those nerves and channel them into a great show +1 no drink or drugs before playing Get wasted after if you want but being out of it or "relaxed" [i]never[/i] improves your show.

[quote name='ahpook' post='249219' date='Jul 27 2008, 10:59 PM']practice the set you're going to play, in the way you intend to play it is what i'd say... if you usually face inward in a circle when you practise, set up the room as if you're facing an audience...it's surprising how much you take cues from other band members without realising it...[/quote] +1 top tip . Soooo many people get this wrong

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='249128' date='Jul 27 2008, 09:14 PM']Sunglasses (not to look cool - you may be surprised by how bright those spotlights are)[/quote] er not on stage, or all your eye contact based cues will be useless.... Or .. rehearse with sunglasses on too ...

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='248597' date='Jul 26 2008, 07:43 PM']I lived in america for 6 years. So glad I escaped.[/quote] I lived in London for 15 years. So glad I escaped ....

[quote name='Maxcat' post='248624' date='Jul 26 2008, 08:31 PM']Happy for you mate. Sounds like you've got it sussed. Ive added a few more numbers to the repertoire (total 8 out of the set) but wouldn't welcome a full gig on the beast. One of the new ones is the Waterboys Fishermans Blues on the Stagg and the slides are fabtastic Weve been recording the gigs as well and Ive been really impressed with the sound of the Stagg. I think that the sound while not quite acoustic, comes close with a really nice percussive whack. Weve picked up a bargain there. Love the Homburg. Stagg on.[/quote] Well I will see when I hear the recording.

Wore the Homburg in the end - and a snazzy musical waistcoat as it was just too hot for the full dress suit jackt and this band (it's a dep) tends to turn up in jeans so I didn't want to look too different ... Anyway, gig report here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=7919&view=findpost&p=248568"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=248568[/url]