51m0n

[quote name='MB1' post='487962' date='May 14 2009, 02:58 PM']MB1. "Fair Enough!....i only hear the bass!" [/quote] You lucky luck lucky b@st....

[quote name='MB1' post='487954' date='May 14 2009, 02:49 PM']MB1. I honestly dont think the Eighties was the best of Musical times!....but theyre was Good Bassists about playing Catchy basslines even if you didnt like the band!.. 51m0n just mentioned 5 star...whose bass player was a young Randy Hope Taylor.....see what i mean?.[/quote] Look he could be the best bass player of all time, I loathed, and still do, everything produced by Five Star, and all their ilk!

[quote name='crez5150' post='487919' date='May 14 2009, 02:14 PM']I'm all for it...... 80's rules![/quote] Err no they didnt. They didnt rule at all!!!! The 80's was largely a torrid pile of fermenting gerbils p155 dressed up in rubbish clothes The pop scene was diabolical IMO (can you say Five Star?) Up until the death of the indie charts there was at least something to listen to, sometimes (Fuzzbox' Bostin Steve Austin was a cracking album!). I consider that death to have been Erasure and Kylie Minogue both getting to no 1 in the Indie charts. The cheek! Mind you, I hate The Smiths with a passion too, and all that New Romantic cobblers. I did like Public Enemy, and The Beastie Boys (esp Paul's Boutique), and quite a lot of the early Electro stuff, but that was a loooongg way from mainstream (ignoring Doug E Fresh - please!) Two Tone was great but that lasted about 5 minutes, and some of the goth stuff was a laugh, but come on Kajagoogoo, get the hell out of here!!! I dont care how good a bassist he was or wasnt, it was an awfulawfulawfulawfulawful band! Thank god for dodgy punk clubs bashing out Stooges tracks, I'd not have survived but for that and early thrash

Kajagoogoo I hated them with a passion and I was only 13. Class!

[quote name='ARGH' post='487719' date='May 14 2009, 11:44 AM']I like a man that admits he's sh*t,gobby and proud.....are we related??[/quote] I thankyewverrmuch......

Back on topic:- Verdine White: Earth Wind & Fire - just about any of their catalogue really

[quote name='OldGit' post='487583' date='May 14 2009, 09:33 AM']You can also play"radio" according to genre and decade so choose "Soul" from the 60's and 70's and you'll get a random selection of stuff that includes lots of Motown with thier great bass heroes: James Jamerson, Bob Babbit and Carol Kaye. As a track plays you can see it's info and follow that up.[/quote] Oh man! 60's & 70's funk, I'm in heaven the rest of the day..... What a brilliant feature!! Cheers

[quote name='ARGH' post='487663' date='May 14 2009, 10:54 AM']1,Then you are a good person and you are allowed a stay of execution....... 2,Of course...My statement was madness,But how many here are capable of critique on an equal musical level??? 3,They dont,but who can blame them? A quantity of people on here..are..not....very..good..musicians...(said at risk)....dont read/wont read types..The 'I cant see the point in 5/6/+ string Basstuned instruments...The sort that if these 'better' musicians attempt to give a hand too,would just end up being unable to see the aid being handed too them... I think there's a lot to be learnt from and for all,me included. Last night i was shown a great tip on 'Cleaning' with WD40...and 'Bore oil' is THE BEST for Ebony & Rosewood fingerboards.[/quote] 1. Naturally, and when I'm Emporer I will have anyone who suggests otherwise shot at the first opportunity 2. Who says a critique is only valid if given by someone on an equal musical level. Thats nonsense, I am not on an equal musical level to Mozart I'm sure, but I am on an equal human level and therefore feel my appreciation or not of his music allows me to have an opinion on it and comment accordingly 3. My reading sucks, my walking sucks. So what. Its not something particularly at the forefront on the requirements for what I do do well. I groove like a b@stard thanks. Given that I'll comment on anyone's playing as I see fit, if they are too busy, or can't take another opinion then fine they dont have to listen. Frankly I can get what I need from a person's playing, all too often if I get to hear what they have to say about it it loses something for me.

[quote name='ARGH' post='487632' date='May 14 2009, 10:10 AM']None of us..and that includes EVERYONE,is even fit to even pass comment on their playing,because most of you wouldnt have the balls to actually say it to their faces,nor have the intellect capable of explaining why you dont like it beyond "I think its sh*t.."[/quote] Just to let you know, if I didn't think much of someones playing and had the opportunity to talk to them, and they asked, I would see no reason to lie,I would say what it was I didn't like to the best of my ability, since they were kind enough to ask. In the case of Vic, its easy, he's a nice guy, and all I could say would be what I've said here, that I feel that he seems to have been driven down a certain path in his playing because that aspect of his playing has got him so much attention: which of course I may be wrong about. That his ensemble work (grooving or soloing) blows me away, but I don't enjoy his solo stuff as much. Not that I could play it, what on earth has that got to do with any of it. If he asked if there were any solo bassists I liked, I'd say some of Manring's stuff has left a huge mark on me, both in sheer enjoyment of his playing, and the way he has pushed the boundaries of the instrument down such a unique path. I am allowed to state my opinion. If asked I certainly would see no reason to falsify it. Any less would be very disrespectful to the player in question in fact. I am absolutely ENTITLED to pass comment, unless we are suddenly living in some other place where I don't have even the most basic freedom of speech and expression. Any suggestion otherwise is absurd. If pros don't want to hear or ask what people here think they don't have to come here. If they do, then they should be aware that people have every right to politely state their opinions. If they don't like that idea, that's fine too, as long as they don't come here.

The Michael Manring video I was talking about is Michael Manring Bass Essentials on Hotlicks (VHS only I believe) Here's a picky:- [url="http://bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=545"]http://bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=545[/url] Its well out of print, and a shame that it is cos he cover some really important stuff on it IMO

[quote name='cheddatom' post='486980' date='May 13 2009, 03:25 PM']What's a "jazz nazi"? He loves the uniforms AND jews?[/quote] A man who goosesteps with schwingggg

Solo from 4:38

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='486902' date='May 13 2009, 01:30 PM']As a card-carrying jazz nazi, I am supposed to be an 'acooustic is best' fanatic but I have always thought: Electric bass strings - wires and electricity (pick-ups) - wires and electricity(amp) - wires and electricity (desk) - wires and electricity (amp) - wires and electricity (speakers) vs Acoustic bass strings - wires and electricity (microphone) - wires and electricity - wires and electricity (desk) - wires and electricity (amp) - wires and electricity (speakers) So, on that basis, if the chain goes Electric bass strings - wires and electricity (pick-ups) - wires and electricity (compressor) -wires and electricity(amp) - wires and electricity (desk) - wires and electricity (speakers), how is that cheating? Whatever you need to get the sound you want is entirely defensible. It's the music that matters not the tools you use to get to it.[/quote] +1 Nice one! And from a jazz Nazi too......

[quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='486882' date='May 13 2009, 01:09 PM']haha awesome lol! heres me thinkin 21 was a good age haha Z x[/quote] Its a great age - its just all down hill from there unfortunately!

[quote name='cheddatom' post='486673' date='May 13 2009, 09:58 AM']I think a compressor shows up your mistakes just as much as it helps if you have poor dynamic control. Swings and raaaaandaaabaaats innit.[/quote] Absolutely! Any string noise, any fret clank, all of it gets more obvious

[quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='486794' date='May 13 2009, 12:02 PM']I always wish i'd took lessons. and sat down and learnt theory properly. I guess it isn't too late though Z x[/quote] I'm 39 this year I'm looking to get my reading up to scratch over the next two years Jazzier walking stuff as well I could teach a willing student the basics to intermediate theory in about 3 months. I could set you up with the right exercises to get your bass neck learnt in under 6 months. Cant make you do it, cant find the time to do as much as I'd like either You are definitely young enough!

Its mainly a technique thing IMO. To pop properly you only have to lift the string off the board far enough for it to hit the last fret when it bounces back. If you are digging in more than this then you are wasting effort, damaging your fingers more than you need to and slowing yourself down. You are also making the difference in volume between slapping popping and fingerstyle greater in all probability. If when you lessen the volume of popping by laying off like this, you thumping is too loud, then give yourself a break and do that more quietly too. Really never ceases to amaze me how hard people think they have to bash their bass to sound good. Way back in the day when people started doing this stuff they had some valid excuses for beating on their gear: (amps were rubbish, paasive electronics werent as good as they are now, strings were flats or tapecore or whatever. Nowadays a very average rig, with a £250 bass will come out of the shop set up better than the vinatge guys gear was, it will be far more sensitive and way easier to play. So make your life easier by playing it 'properly'.

[quote name='Rich' post='486654' date='May 13 2009, 09:39 AM']This is my single favourite youtube vid. The first time I heard this piece I nearly wept. Utterly beautiful and my favourite solo bass piece ever. Adhan is well up there too.[/quote] He makes it all look so unbelievably easy as well. I mean, not only is he changing tunings all over the place, using some frankly bizarre plucking methods to generate those rhythms, but, and its a BIG but, thats a 3 octave fretless board, up the top it must be like a bl00dy violin to intonate If he wasn't such a thoroughly nice bloke it would be very easy to dislike him

[quote name='AM1' post='486510' date='May 12 2009, 11:40 PM']You know when we were talking about that late pop - well I thought we were both talking about the same section after 2 mins..which is why I couldn't find it. Now I listened again - 11 seconds! I know what you're gonna be doing tomorrow evening! Ouch, I sense some even more gruesome exercises coming my way! Your serve, DarkLord![/quote] Nope, 11 seconds in is fine - no pops in there, muted thumps, and I like how they feel all the way through The section at 2:00 m ins IS the place where I can here one late pop. But I'm not telling exactly where. It cant be very bad since you've given up on it now Thats made my day!

[quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']Yes, now that I can see how grossly lacking my LH technique really was, it puts it in context why I was compensating so much with my right hand. But also, the difference in leverage on the left hand is really considerable. This explains a lot about the problems I was having in the last few weeks.[/quote] You'll be surprised. The knowledge that there was something wrong was the breakthrough. Now you have the information to mend your technique. That awareness of how will soon enough take you down a practice schedule that will eventually make the most of your left hand, rather than having it as an anchor holding you back it will become one of your assets, purely because you have concentrated on it [quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']Grossly so - I was getting so down in the last few weeks because of keeping waking up with pain in my left hand fingers the day after practicing. That was becoming a limiting factor - there were quite a few days when I woke up and couldn't even clench my index and middle finger - that's when I was thinking..is this going to keep causing me a problem, I need to figure out what is going on here![/quote] That is dangerous, lay off for a week, or you'll end up like me with recurring RSI if I'm not super careful of my left wrist. Mine came from over extension - driving myself to huge stretches to prove that I could. Regret it now, there were alternative approaches that would have caused less or no damage.... [quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']Oh totally - the breakthrough I had been seeking for weeks and weeks![/quote] Top! Thats what you needed. [quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']Definitely some good material there - but it's easy to fall into "coasting" - it's time to take the next step![/quote] Tah, so much of it is old old old stuff, but it represents some really pivotal moments for me... [quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']I am the opposite, because bass is not my first instrument, I can read proficiently but when I sit down with bass music, I know instantly what the notes are on the music, but I have to keep thinking about where they are on the bass. My fretboard knowledge is limited. Also, I have become very lazy with that because now I can rely on ear playing, actually to the extent where I can play enough patterns over chords that I have got through full rehearsals/gigs without knowing most of the time what notes I am playing! That is really disconcerting after spending years knowing every single note you play! I think the bass is an instrument that can predispose you into becoming an ear player very easily, partly because it is tuned in 4ths and because of the symmetrical pattern potential - for example you will always get a major triad by playing the same three notes in the same intervals on the fretboard...that predisposition of the instrument because of identical intervals, is also in part, detrimental to exploring the realms of music theory/reading. I'm in a halfway house - do I take the full leap into learning the entire fretboard and going mad on reading music, or do I accept the total mindset change into being a "pattern" player/ear player, that doesn't need to know the notes. I asked several people about this and they unanimously said, forget learning the fretboard..if you (re)learn modes, learn the patterns, forget learning the scale degrees. That's very workable in the short term, but I think it will become limiting in the longer term.[/quote] Learn the notes, not the patterns (the patterns come from the notes anyway). Patterns is faster, but [b]far[/b] more limiting in the long run! I wish I had done it the harder way from the start, otherwise reading and any other task directly linked to theory (complex jazz improve) is super tough. Why I'm pants at jazz and walking and reading. You have no excuse I am working daily on getting my reading and fretboard note knowledge as good as my basic technique. Thats my goal, cos then I'll be at a place I want to be again. Time being what it is, its a journey I might not complete, but I'm enjoying it nevertheless, with maturity patience may have come...... [quote name='AM1' post='486408' date='May 12 2009, 09:37 PM']Oh dear - I've spent most of the day rewriting a piece of crap code! Glad Basschat exists![/quote] Story of my life! Iterate your dev/unit testing cycle properly, be a better developer than the swine who left you that unmaintainable garbage you are now faced with fixing! Peace.

[quote name='AM1' post='486366' date='May 12 2009, 08:58 PM']Equally, thank you for the advice! I've just spent two hours working through left hand damping and right hand string crossing and what a difference already! I was totally trying to damp too much with the right hand and my left technique was a mess. Already I can see that even playing two notes on two different strings, I can use my left hand as a pivot and the finger that just played a note then becomes a dampener when the next note is played. I know there's a long hard slog ahead though, this is just the start, but I'm so grateful to you for having the time and patience to explain all of that. Already I can see a major change in my left hand position, but I really have to concentrate to keep my non-fretting fingers close to the fretboard, but definitely a lot less energy and effort going into fretting the notes now. I'm really excited![/quote] Now you are getting it. Try and keep you LH thumb behind your LH middle finger and about halfway up the back of the neck. Gives best leverage. You were playing with half your dampers shot, not good, just like in a rally car Were you seriously over stressing your LH fingers to fret a note? Really pleased for you, this will be another hike to a new plateau for your playing, enjoy the trip! [quote name='AM1' post='486366' date='May 12 2009, 08:58 PM']I will. I know what you mean about changing life priorities - it's very difficult to keep things going sometimes...but don't lose sight of it completely...you can always start off small and scale up...there's still so much more you can do.[/quote] Well hence the recording at my friends studio, working stuff out etc [quote name='AM1' post='486366' date='May 12 2009, 08:58 PM']I've taken that exact same attitude with other stuff I've been doing a long time and it was a road to nowhere for me eventually. It's classic complacency. It's a really dangerous place to get to - because in reaching a certain goal and enjoying the view...there's nowhere left to climb...classic plateau after decades of time and effort. When you think you have reached full potential, there is always somewhere else to go. That, for me, has been the difference, in other disciplines, between being good and being truly great. I could not see it at the time, but I can now. Self limiting attitude is very, very difficult to personally recognise and admit, except retrospectively. Don't make the same mistake.[/quote] Been getting down to some reading work recently. Its more like bike riding than I thought, I'm sooooo rusty and I was never any good, but its nto all gone (not in 1st position anyway!). One day I will show my eldest boy that dad can read the dots (he blows me away at sight reading at the mo, but he started age 6, I started playing at 20, reading at 24!) [quote name='AM1' post='486366' date='May 12 2009, 08:58 PM']Yeah! Same goes for teaching, clearly! But...small steps...don't write it off...think on it.[/quote] Hey I'm a software engineer by day, the analysis side of that helped figure out your issue too. Weird that!

[quote name='alexclaber' post='486321' date='May 12 2009, 08:26 PM']I saw Baby Charles a few weeks back, a funk diva* who sings in a few other bands with part of the line-up works with my lady. Their guitarist is excellent, a real funk monster and they have a great vintage vibe. Personally I think their bassist isn't quite on it - he's a double bassist and doesn't seem to have twigged that on bass guitar the notes sustain much more and need dealing with. Still hard grooving but it was just bugging me that he could have lifted things more if he worked both ends of the note. *In fact, she was asking me about joining a funk band she wants to put together but I'm a little busy right now, so if you fancy a funk entrée do let me know. Alex[/quote] Funny you should say that. Their bassist, Simon, was the guitarist in One Major Close, and the funkiest player I have ever worked with. A real talent. He came up with the basis of the b-line in both the One Major Close tracks on my myspace page before I joined. I just took his ideas to another level. I dont think he's in the same league as a bass player, but it works just fine for them, and I think they have a really unique sound (Dione's voice is fantastically full on). Wouldn't mind an intro, mate, cant hurt to see whats occuring thanks!

[quote name='YouMa' post='486229' date='May 12 2009, 06:27 PM']How often do you listen to the type of music that you want to play,it sounds daft but sometimes people forget to just listen, its very important.Works for me anyway.[/quote] Its funny you say that. I listened to funk almost exclusively for a while. Now I rarely do, but I cant help but play funky

[quote name='AM1' post='486220' date='May 12 2009, 06:19 PM']Oh absolutely, people love this stuff on a live set and I don't just mean musos. You can't fail to feel that funk! When you say you don't know where to start - it's back to that other side of the coin for you - to put all the work into technique, the balance is lost on actually getting it together to make it happen in a live context. When you said to me, I need to go off and do a torturous amount of work on technique - yes, absolutely, but for you, the torturous work has to be off your own back in terms of networking and delving into the scene - and Brighton really is a hub for music, but if you don't tap into it, that great funk won't get out. There's no question in my mind that this is up there with the great groove players and also no question that you should be holding down the low end in an immensely funky band. It seems almost unbelievable that you're not! What a criminal waste! That's an [b]insane [/b] waste of work, talent and natural funk ability. It may be a purist mindset but I think with funk, you either have innately funky phrasing or not and you definitely have it, in spades. There's nowhere near enough great modern day funk of this calibre. Don't underestimate my message here. You should go away and seriously think about what I am saying.[/quote] Well thanks again! For the very kind words. I'm not out there gigging any more as I have a family to look after, and a day job. Getting into which required so much effort in retraining and networking that I essentially stopped playing for over 3 years. Hence I've lost contact with the local scene completely. The last band I was gigging with regularly was One Major Close, and that was exactly what you are talking; about super funky, everyone loved it who saw it. For various reasons it broke up, the remains went on through various incarnations to become Baby Charles, and very excellent they are too! Check them out.... [url="http://www.babycharles.co.uk/home/index.php"]Baby Charles[/url] The time I spent working exclusively on technique was years before that, I'm technically not as accomplished now (by some margin), but I do think my feel is way better, and my ear too. Plus I've learnt the most important thing, once you can do it you dont have to. That alone I think took a long time, and was as a result of the time away from playing. Nothing I love more than playing a truly banging funk set mind, just got to make that connection to a band and find the time to get a set of songs together. Not easy with family, day job blah blah blah Still its nice to know I havent lost me touch innit

[quote name='steve-soar' post='486198' date='May 12 2009, 05:58 PM']Yes and we all came through it a little bit stronger, group hug. [/quote] Classic! Like an episode of The Cosby Show