cheddatom

I actually used to do a version of this. The guitarist played in drop A# so I tuned my B string down a semi tone and the other strings up a semi tone. It worked really well! It turned out to be essential with that particular guitarist as he had to learn the riffs by watching my left hand, he had no idea what notes he was playing

If the guitarists were tuned to Eb, previously I would have tuned to Eb too, but now I'd just stay in standard tuning because I have a B string, so there's no need to change. Are you playing a 5 (or 6) string?

Could you not start your own band Blue?

I'm listening to the full session and she sounds a bit Joni Mitchel to me, I really like her voice

I'm 34 and can hear up to 17.5Khz on that test. I'm a bit surprised by that but I do always wear earplugs around loud noises - I even put them in to put the glass in the recycling bin

That's why I used to do it but now I realise that it's easy enough to just play the fretted low D on the B string

I've been jamming with a guitarist who tunes to drop C or C standard, depending on the song. I just keep my bass in standard tuning. When he plays a riff I just figure it out and play along. When I play a riff and he wants to play along he stares at my left hand and I have to remind him that that's useless.

The Fender Musicmaster - it was my first ever bass and I desperately want it back, or another like it. Why did they stop making them?

When I started out I would always match my tuning to the guitarist's tuning, so that I could copy the way they played their riffs. E.G the guitar is in drop D and the riff is using the bottom string a lot, hammering on or whatever. It always seemed easier to match that, even though I'd always had a low B string. Either I wasn't capable of playing the riff in standard tuning as it was too fast, or I just found it easier to learn by copying the guitarist. I stopped playing bass for quite a while and when I came back to it my approach seemed a bit stupid. Now I stay in standard tuning (with a low B) and play the riff my own way. I've been jamming on guitar with a bassist and he seems to do things the way I used to, tuned B, D, A, D, G so it can't be that uncommon, but it does seem a bit silly/inefficient to me. I'm wondering if anyone has decided to stick with this way of tuning for a good reason and what that might be? I don't want to ask the guy I'm jamming with in case he takes it personally

I listened on headphones without watching and I thought it was awesome, even the bass tone

Awesome, thanks!

Yes, they're great guys, we've played with them quite a few times. Raph was borrowing her TE head I believe, sounded awesome!

Good work Lozz! We played the Star & Garter again last night. It wasn't the best turnout but by the time we went on there were probably 50 people, which isn't bad in a venue that size. We played well and went down really well... knackered now!

I was chatting about this to one of the best drummers I know last night and a couple of things came up Playing "melodic" or "musical" beats that fit the song, rather than just picking a beat and keeping time Moving with the music, not just an effort to entertain others but rather actually "feeling" the music Fast fills, double strokes and stick tricks do not make a good drummer, but when a good drummer does it, it's very entertaining

I think to be a good drummer, you have to listen to what everyone else is doing, but also play with real confidence. If you're under-confident, or insecure in your playing, it can really show, especially in terms of big dynamic changes. For example, if you go from quiet to loud, that first beat of the loud bar needs a really hard hit on the bass drum. Conversely if you're over-confident you're probably not going to be listening to the rest of the band, you'll concentrate on what you're doing instead, play silly fills, speed up etc. and then the whole band sounds sloppy. I don't think you need to be technically good at drums to be a good drummer

you can tell from playing it acoustically can't you. I have 3 6 string basses and they all sound very different un-plugged. One of them has a B string that's as punchy as the rest of the strings, and this one sounds best plugged in too

very cool

Headsticks launched our new album on Friday so we'd arranged 3 gigs this weekend to launch/celebrate. Friday night at The Salty Dog in Northwich. This venue is ace and it was pretty full. The crowd were obviously all fans as they knew all the songs, even the ones from the new album, and half of those even we struggled to remember! It should be a great sound here but they seemed to struggle with some dodgy gear. The sound check was perfectly clear and balanced but a DI failed early on in the set meaning our guitarist had to rely on his tiny amp to try and fill the room and this turned the stage sound to mush. It sounded great out front apparently, which is all that matters Saturday was Katie Fitzgerald's in Stourbridge. This is another great venue, but similar issues again. The room sounded awesome, but the mixing desk had clearly seen better days. It was obvious from the music playing from an Ipod that kept jumping up and down in volume. That thing needs a service! Anyway, it sounded great out front and we got a great reception Last night was Foreman's Bar in Nottingham. This place really is tiny. Sold out at a capacity of 55 people and they were packed in like sardines. I used my tupperware bass drum contraption instead of a normal kit just so we could fit in. The whole place was singing along and dancing Brilliant weekend! Now I need a lie down EDIT: Someone posted some footage so you can hear my tupperware kick drum in action

Yeh, he's really good, a pleasure to play with, gets a load of jazz gigs too

Another video from Headsticks - I play drums, the album is out on Friday!

ace thread so far, thanks!

Hah, very good. Cheers! I'd normally have stayed the whole night but I had to rush off. I love the atmosphere at these punk gigs We did have some technical difficulties. Half the set should have been acoustic but for some reason the soundman couldn't get it to work

Saturday night I played at The Underground - a local venue, probably 200 capacity, big stage. I was on guitar with Julia Mosely. I'd finally found the right sound when playing about with amps and pedals that morning so I was really in the mood for it. A smaller than expected crowd, first two numbers totally botched, but the actually I had a great time. I just love playing with this band. The bassist is seriously world class and the drummer is great too, so it feels like we're just jamming at the back while these two amazing vocalists wow the crowd at the front of stage Sunday night at the Start & Garter Punk For Pam festival. I was a bit rushed as I had to drive myself and shoot off straight after we played, which always feels bad as this scene is so nice and supportive. I was on drums and my left hand really cramped up halfway through the set. Probably too many bar chords and unison bends the night before! Anyway, we got through and went down well. I'm looking forward to next weekend, 3 gigs in a row launching out new album and I get to play my own drums!!! Can't wait

I got Newtone to make me a set for my 6 string with a .150 for the low B and it was the best sounding and feeling low B I'd had, but then it was on a custom bass that already sounded awesome. I think it was the feel of the Newtone that I liked so much. It was pricey though

I forgot to let you know, sorry, had a bit of a dramatic weekend with my poorly cat. It was ace though, so thanks for your help