Skol303

Yup, I love Squarepusher's stuff... in fact, he's a kind of inspiration for the sort of music I make when tinkering at home (i.e. live bass + electronica).

I actually interviewed him once when I was working a music hack - very nice chap indeed.

^ ... and then there were three!

Good to know there's a few tech heads on here. I've never used Logic (despite owning a Mac), but a friend of mine swears by it. Must admit I'm too far gone with Reason to make the switch, but I understand that you can rewire Reason into Logic, so there's still scope for me to expand in future - I guess that would turn Reason into one helluva VST plug-in :-)

Out of interest, what interfaces are you folks using to record audio? I've always used a Tascam US-122MKII, but I'm thinking of getting a new one sometime this year. Just curious for any other recommendations.

Cheers and happy twiddling!

^ Looks like it's just you and me then mate!

I'm surprised there aren't more folk on this forum using Reason/Record, but then maybe I/we are minorities here as I guess Basschat is geared more towards audio/live work than technical tweakery.

Still, I might use this thread to share a few patches 'n' stuff in future... ;-)

You can't achieve EXACTLY what you're looking for using a piece of software called 'ReCycle' - here's a link for more info:

[url="http://www.propellerheads.se/products/recycle/"]http://www.propellerheads.se/products/recycle/[/url]

ReCycle is an 'industry standard' for sampling loops - it allows the user to change the tempo of a loop with affecting its pitch (and vice-versa). I use it all the time; it's a brilliant piece of 'ware.

Only downside is that it comes at a price - around £150, though you might find it cheaper on eBay.

You might also be able to do the same more cheaply (or for free) using software like Reaper - but I can't advise on that, as I don't use it myself.

Best of luck!

This question depends HUGELY on the genre of music in question...

But in most cases I'd argue it's the vocalist who is the lynchpin of most bands - and this is certainly the case in terms of mainstream, popular music.

Teenagers rarely buy posters of their favourite bassists... or drummers! ;-)

I guess the maths are along the lines of:

£200 = 20 people spending £10 each or so at the bar / ordering food / eating pork scratchings, etc.

So landlords/ladies must assume that a band brings in at least 20 new punters who might not otherwise be there on a Saturday night in order to break even.

Plus, there's some psychology behind people drinking more in loud/noisy environments (I guess because it's more difficult to hold a conversation). So spending at the bar would probably be up among the regular punters as well.

Just wondering if there are any Reason/Record users on here?

[ if you have no idea what I'm blathering on about visit [url="http://www.propellerheads.se/"]http://www.propellerheads.se/[/url] ]

I've been using Reason for a while myself and am now starting to get my head around Record for audio work - so far, I'm finding it fecking brilliant to be honest! Great piece of software and perhaps even better than Reason itself...

Anyway, just checking if there's other folk on Basschat whose brains I can pick for advice (when the need arises), or just other bass-playing Reason/Record users who want to talk tech or swap patches 'n' stuff. If so, feel free to geek out in this thread! :-)

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1110621' date='Feb 1 2011, 08:31 AM']I'd avoid the Vox amplug unless you're really on a budget. Not great, IMO.[/quote]

^ Hmmm... the Vox Amplug ain't great, but it's pretty damn good for £30 in my opinion! The sound I get from mine is nice, and I like the fact it can be plugged into the end of a pedal chain if I ever want to run effects into it. It's also very dinky, so you can literally carry it around in your pocket with a set of mini-headphones, if need be.

The downsides being: 1) it's cheaply made and feels like a toy; and 2) it drains the batteries fairly fast (about 6 hours for two AAAs).

Mine would (currently) be my little Vox Amplug - a headphone amp.

Let's me practice late at night without waging war on the neighbours ;-) Essential.

I'm a 4-string fingerstyle player.

Started off in my teens (late 1980s) as a Cliff Burton wannabe: all long hair, denims, bangin' head and blazing away 'lead bass' style with fuzz and wah.

Now back playing after an 18 year+ hiatus...! Still a Cliff Burton wannabe, only with shorter hair and a newly found respect for Jaco Pastorius as well as Mr Burton (what is it with dead bassists??). Though now heavily influenced by dub, drum 'n' bass and electronica too: still 'heavy', but no longer solely metal...

And I'm still very much a beginner!

Well, I knew mine was plastic because it is!

It's an Ibanez Ergodyne EDB600 with a luthite body... light as a feather and it sounds great :-)

[quote name='DanOwens' post='1103825' date='Jan 26 2011, 03:20 PM']With the interval stuff, just learn the major and minor scales on one string. This will help you visualise the distance between your root note (open string) and say a major or minor third. You want to learn the names and sounds of the interval between your open string and anything else up to fret 12 (and beyond, but start at 12).

PS. Only one of my students ever really put the work in and got this and now he's a successful professional player.[/quote]

^^ Cheers Dan, that's a good tip for me to practice with.

By the way, I might be in the market for some lessons this year, so I'll drop you a line if/when...

^ Thanks also Scott, that a goldmine of info you've let me into there!! Nice one.

[ I love this forum... :-) ]

^ Ha! Yeah, that last chord is a beast...

To be honest I've been ignoring it thus far.

To paraphrase Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) in the movie Jaws: "We're gonna need a bigger boat (or longer fingers)!"

^ Cheers guys, very useful feedback as always!

Arpeggios and intervals are now on my 'homework' list...

PS: Dan - I've been having great fun with that Morley wah pedal I bought off you last year! Hope all's well with you.

Hi folks,

I'm a beginner who's currently learning scales (as well as notation generally...).

So far I've familiarised myself with major, minor (including pentatonics) and blues - all nice and easy!

My question is: what should I learn next? In other words - what are the most 'useful' scales to know, other than those I've already learned? E.g. harmonic/melodic minor, lydian flat-seven, diminished, whole-tone, altered, etc, etc... (it's like learning a new language!).

Also, I notice that each scale can be played in different 'modes' - Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, etc. Again, which of these modes are most useful?

There appears to be a lot I have to learn, but I'm keen to do so. I just don't want to waste my time learning stuff that I'll rarely ever use.

If it helps to know, I play all sorts of music but tend to focus on rock/metal, dub/drum 'n' bass and some jazz.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers!

... just a quick update: I'm now getting there with PoT, thanks to the advice above!

I'm still finding the (infamous) stretch kinda tricky - I can now make it from 2nd to 6th fret, but I don't always get the harmonic to sound. So I tend to 'cheat' but playing the harmonic on the E string instead; simply because I tend to lose less tempo when I do it this way. But the rest of this piece is starting to fall into place.

Such a beautiful thing to play... I'm quite addicted to it! :-)

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1093718' date='Jan 18 2011, 12:34 PM']Or you could just not bother because, when you have finally nailed it, you will never play it again, except at music fairs, bassdays and when trying out basses in shops.

Spend the time learning to read music instead.[/quote]

^ Good point Bilbo, but slightly cynical if you don't mind me saying! ;-)

I mean, there's still enjoyment to be had in learning these kind of solos, even though they don't have much 'gig value'.

I personally don't play in a band and have no intention of doing so (not at the moment, anyway). I'm a studio geek (aka 'knob twiddler'!) first and bassist second, so I tend to make music on my lonesome and use the bass the record live audio when it suits whatever tune I'm working on.

But I am learning to read music... slowly but surely, but I'm getting there!

^ Thanks to you all for the very useful feedback!

There appears to be several ways of approaching this, which I'm going to try out when I get home tonight after work...

The more I try playing this piece, the more I'm realising how 'unconventional' Mr Pastorius really was (or still is!).

I've just converted a cheap'n'cheerful old bass (a Hohner LX90B) to fretless, and it actually sounds and plays fairly well!

Just like 99% of other people who make a DIY fretless, I've decided to have a go at learning 'Portrait of Tracy' by Jaco.

Firstly: I'm quickly discovering that it's probably a 'bridge too far' for my bass playing skills at the moment - and perhaps it always will be, as I'm finding it very demanding! (but then of course, Jaco was a genius so I'm not expecting to match his skills).

Secondly: I honestly don't think my reach is big enough for this piece! There's one particular step where the Tab (from Bassmaster) indicates playing a B on the A string (i.e. 2nd fret), while simultaneously tapping what looks like a harmonic on D#/Eb (i.e. 6th fret on A string). The problem is - I simply can't stretch from the 2nd to 6th fret with my little/pinky finger!

Either Jaco had enormous hands (or perhaps mine are small?!), or I'm reading this wrong somehow. I was wondering if the same effect could be achieved by playing the B on the A string, and the D#/Eb on the D string just above (i.e. D string 1st fret)? I mean, I can stretch to the 5th fret ok, but the 6th would appear to require an extra finger that I simply don't have ;-)

If anyone here is familiar with playing this piece, then please pass on any tips.

The bit I'm struggling with is:

[ 3 ]
G|---[4]-----[5]-------------|---------[4]-|-[4]--------------------||
D|---[5]-[3]-----[4]-----[5]-|---------[4]-|-[5]--------------------||
A|-3-------------[5]-[3]-----|-2(6)--------|--3-----------------0-2-||
E|----------------3----------|------0------|-----[5]--------3-0-----||

PS: I'm also interested in any other fretless solos, so please pass on any recommendations or personal favourites.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1091917' date='Jan 16 2011, 10:31 PM']I'd recommend the Ultimate Support GS-100 Genesis Stand. It's the best one I've used and I trust it to look after my £2500 bass.[/quote]

+1 on the GS-100

I trust it to look after my £200 bass :-) ...very sturdy and portable; can't fault it.

... also, listen to plenty of early ska and rocksteady - e.g. Maytals, Skatalites and so on.

That's where the real Jamaican basslines are found, in my humble opinion.

My wife suffers from Raynauds.

What I understand is that it's a circulatory condition, which flares up under extreme temperatures (she suffers from it in cold weather). I see no reason why this should stop you from playing bass - i.e. you should be able to adapt by keeping your hands warm (or cool) whilst playing, or before a gig, etc.

But then, I'm not a doctor!

Good luck with it.

I'm a newbie so my pearls of wisdom are limited...

But I'll say this: steer clear of the Basschat Marketplace when you're skint, or you'll only end up skinter! ;-)

[quote name='pietruszka' post='1089113' date='Jan 14 2011, 11:27 AM']Thanks again everyone. Sorry for the lack of response, my internet has been down.

Skol303, I may take you up on that offer. Ill PM when the time comes.

Cheers aain.

Dan[/quote]

^ No probs Dan, happy to help! PM me if you want an opinion anytime. I run a small design company, so I have a reasonable eye for this sort of thing ;-)

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1086898' date='Jan 12 2011, 04:42 PM']That's it for John Cage's [i]4' 33"[/i] then.[/quote]

^ Brilliant!

I won't pretend to have known about that piece before Googling it just now... but made me laugh when I found out.

Technically speaking there is still some sound involved in that composition (i.e. background noise), but... ah b*****ks to it! ;-)

Art or arse? THAT is the question...