6stringbassist

[quote name='deathpanda' post='698884' date='Jan 2 2010, 05:39 PM']I think it just depends on what you want to do, it's such a broad subject... If you want to do some session work, but reading music will be required, well then you'll regret not learning theory. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if you've been asked to transpose something up a tone on the bass, surely playing 2 frets higher is all that's need? And the rest of it would be up to the guitarist and keyboardist to figure out the correct chords?[/quote] But you're playing chords too, or parts of them ie root, 3rd, 5th etc. But yes you are right a tone is two frets .

[quote name='jamieariss' post='698853' date='Jan 2 2010, 05:13 PM']i see music as a lanuage we can listen and speak it without having to think about what we are saying. but to you can develop a lanuage by learning to read it , write it and the least important part the theory behind. unfortunetly i started playin usisn theory so when i come to using my ear i was usless. so i had to jump back a fair way ha theory could be ur icing on the cake but the u need the big fat centre b4 hand .... thats my opinion [/quote] Learning to use your ear isn't what I'd say was going backwards. You could already play, you knew that what you were doing was right. Learning to use your 'ear' is just a part of being able to play. When I was first learning to play, I learned what the notes were on the fretboard, and basic harmony theory....knowing which notes made up the chords (which lets be honest isn't at all difficult, I was only 11 ). I used to spend hours playing along to records on my parents stereo, songs by the Beatles, Genesis, The police etc. I had some song books, if I didn't have a book I would work out what the changes were. I knew whether the chords were major or minor from my basic knowledge, I used to write the bass lines out (in notation not tab, again something that's looked down upon, but again I was only 11 possibly 12 ). People have the same thoughts on technique. They say 'Oh technique holds you back, it hampers creativity', which is nonsense. Having good technique and 'knowing' what you're playing go hand in hand to produce

[quote name='Doddy' post='698838' date='Jan 2 2010, 04:56 PM']Exactly-he was hired because of his style. But, his style became unpopular and his work load dwindled,which is why he now runs a martial arts school. The problem with being a stylist is what happens when that style falls out of favour?[/quote] A great example is Nick Beggs, he was successful with Kajagoogoo. He then "learned how to play properly" (his words I think) and carried on his career as a session player. He was taught funnily enough by one of my teachers.

[quote name='Kev' post='697980' date='Jan 1 2010, 02:41 PM']ever considered the viewpoint that knowing theory may well cloud your judgement, cause you to overthink things and base your lines on what your told sounds right, rather than what your ears thinks sounds right?[/quote] Does knowing too much English vocabulary inhibit your conversational skills or improve them ? Music is a language like any other, learning the theory behind what you're playing [b]will only improve your playing[/b]. It will give you new ideas in what to play, and make your playing more fluid and confident. I know loads of theory, I love learning about it and it really hasn't hampered me. Comments like the one above are usually made by people who frankly can't be bothered to learn, it's just an excuse .

Some 10's though are rubbish for low B's. The EBS 4x10 for example is awful for anything lower than an E.

Looking on the Markbass website your cab should go down to 40HZ, which compares to other 2x10 cabs by people like Epifani. Do you use the EQ much ? I tend to keep everything pretty much flat. I've never played through a Markbass combo, but I did hear Michael Manring play through one recently, and he had a beautiful clear sound. He was playing his 4 string Hyperbass, and he does use some low tunings.

Maybe consider a different cab. I got a used Acme Low B2 for the ridiculous price of £200, it;s by far the best cab that I've had, and easily handles low B's. Not the most efficient of cabs, but with a reasonable amp it's great and fine for medium gigs without a PA.

In my opinion cheap strings like that are a waste of money. Status Hotwires are a great string, at a great price - £13.99 for a 4 string set. A much better option, again in my opinion, but they do sound fantastic on my Zon .

Mine .

That's great, thanks for posting that. Need to sneak upstairs away from everyone and run through it .

[quote name='molan' post='693196' date='Dec 24 2009, 09:59 PM']Is it this one? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chaka-Khan-Live_W0QQitemZ300304057834QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CDsDVDs_DVDs_DVDs_GL?hash=item45eb8445ea"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chaka-Khan-Live_W0QQ...=item45eb8445ea[/url] [/quote] Yep, that's the one.

There's a DVD of Chaka Khan live featuring Andrew Gouche for sale here, hee hee . [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71210&pid=693126&st=0&#entry693126"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry693126[/url]

[quote name='Doddy' post='693089' date='Dec 24 2009, 05:40 PM']That's cool-I appreciate what you are saying. My only disagreement,was when you said that it was 'almost essential' to use the floating technique when playing a six string. I don't believe that it is essential to employ the floating thumb when playing on an extended range instrument. I have always used my thumb as a movable anchor,which allows me to totally dampen the lower strings with the side of my thumb, and I even use my little and ring fingers to damp strings on occasion,in a similar fashion to the way John Pattitucci does. I'm glad that you trust your own experiences-you have to-,but I also trust mine as both a professional player and teacher.[/quote] I think you've probably got a similar 6 string playing style to me with the 'movable anchor'. I tend to stop any unwanted sypathetic string vibration with my left hand. I do use the 'floating thumb' too, it kind of depends on what I'm playing. I also have a couple of hair bands over the strings too, just past the nut (cheating I know ).