Bilbo

Nobody else knows what we do unless we stop.

We are fast entering a space where the compositions all have considerable merit but, in having to choose one, we are forced to exclude the rest as if we are in some way critical of them. I voted for Leonard's because I loved the freedom within it. A flock of birds is not a predictable entity, something I was trying to convey in my own thing, but I thought LS's piece reflected that 'chaos' much more readily than I was able to.

Try to not let it fall below my standard, mate. People will only laugh.

When I have been researching musicians, I am often interested to note that their professional lives are very different to those in more conventional work settings. They sometimes have major tours, international appearances etc, legendary sessions that make them look busy and then, after the big gig finsihes, they do nothing for months or even years. It's all very glitzy on paper but the lived experience of the personalities involved is often very different. How many artists do we see who have years and years between albums (Kate Bush is a current example). I know plenty of people who live in London and hardly ever gig and plenty who live in one horse towns who are out regularly. It is what it is.

Guitars are like Harley's; prime material for a mid-life crisis. There are hundreds and thousands of people with loads of expensive guitars that cannot really play. I suspect it amounts to decades of trying to 'buy' your way into being a talented musician. It is endearing if they have a degree of humility but those who are delusional are best avoided.

The bass player is a GIIIIIIIIIRL

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1410980686' post='2555328'] You can find him on roncarter.net and you will find some exquisite sound clips. I like his 'statement' :- I think that the bassist is the quarterback in any group, and he must find a sound that he is willing to be responsible for. PS He's 6'-4" [/quote] I made the point in my original draft of Mr. PC the life and music of Paul Chambers that Miles replaced PC with one of the only bass players TALLER than Chambers (6'3"). Alyn Shipton edited it out

Another Suffolk resident here!! Welcome to Basschat!

Here we go!! I tried writing something for my own sax/flue - bass - drums trio and was thinking about Coltrane and Eric Dolphy because of their history of blowiing complex ideas over relatively simple changes. Obviously, birdsong was a major influence but a lot of the ideas are compromised by the fact that I am playing/programming everything. Either way, I quite like it and feel that, like all Jazz compositions, it is something that would be massively improved by being played live by real folk and used as a starting point for blowing rather than as a through composed thing. https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/startling

Oi ain't never troid....

I remember visiting Stonehenge in the dim and distant. I can only think it was on a school trip because I cannot think of any other way I would have got there! I remember touching the stones so it must have been pre-'clinical isolation'. In fact, I think it was tied in with a trip to the other nearby stone circle at Avebury. School trips were the best in the late 60s/early 70s. As for a bucket list, I have no ambition to see anything, go anywhere or do anything 'remarkable'. I am fAAAAAAr too busy.

It is apparent that I am wrong. I promise not to let it happen again.

Monsters! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oyXF-tbeS8

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1410883532' post='2554293'] Bilbo lives in a place where windows are rare, East Anglia [/quote] Maybe I live in a place where the houses are far enough apart from each other to mitigate the noise, unlike London where they stack 'em high and everyone shares their lving space with 100 other people!!

I was walking my dogs lunchtime and realised that I cannot remember the last time I heard a musician practising through an open window. I used to hear it all of the time when I grew up, guitars, drums, saxophones etc but it is a very rare occurence now. I got to thinking how, when I was a kid in the 70s, everybody was trying to play, everyone was singing with a tennis racquet in front of the mirror, making drum kits out of saucepans etc. I wonder how much of it is because it is so rare for us to see any decent music on the TV that isn't just a singer or singers with backing tracks/musicians out of sight. I just don't think kids SEE musicians any more. Most young players I know are the children of musicians so they obviously do see musicians but I think we lack a presence in the minds of a lot of kids. Alternatively, is it just that kids are wiser and don't see the end result of 15 minutes of fame/being exploited by record comapnies etc as justifying the investment required. They may be right. If I did it for the money, I woudl have given up years ago!!

A close friend of mine has recently moved to the Gateshead area and is looking for work. He is absolutely top notch, creative, dynamic, musical, informed etc and really swings. If anyone in that area needs a Jazz drummer, PM me and I will put you in touch with him. Here is a live recording of him (with me, Jim Mullen and saxophonist George Grant). http://m.soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/unit-seven

I use this 'thumb' technique to create a different tension, like the way Al diMeola uses dead notes as part of his soloing arsenal. I deaden the strings with the side of my hand and play the lines with my thumb. I often play the opening bars of solos on ballads using this technique. When you come in with the fuller sound of the bass, it takes it up a level. It's a lovely dynamic option. Anthony Jackson using the technique a lot too - in his work with Michel's Camilo and Petrucciani.

I know but I cheated so I can't say... I am a bad man.

I have no children but what I would want from an education system is rounded human beings, not 'work units' equipped with the 'skills required by industry'. We already supplement most industry one way or another, why should we fund the training their workforce for them as well? I always thing of the martial arts training where they don't teach you how to fight, they teach you how to LEARN how to fight. Seriously, though, did anyone watch that TV programme on this subject last night? The shockers for me were, firstly, the 'music teacher' who didn't like music and just f***ed about self consciously with some djembes (waste of her time and the students) and, secondly, the school's budget for literacy (£200 a YEAR for the WHOLE SCHOOL of 160 pupils!!!) FOR LITERACY!!! Same school's budget for music = zero. WTF are they doing with our taxes? Life skills should be taught by parents, neighbours, nuclear and extended family, friends, siblings etc. If a school offers a session on budgeting, it won't make much difference if the parents are gambling addicts indebted to loan sharks. WHatever the kids learn at home will stick faster, good or bad. My understanding is that music students are better at other things too inc Maths, English etc It enhances a range of learning related skills that are transferrable to the rest of their education. What is apparent is that the music education in a lot of schools is shocking. The answer is to improve it, not remove it.

I started on e piece and then thought it was not going in the direction I initially envisaged so I have abandoned it in favour of something more 'in keeping'. Still need a genius musician to play the fecker, though

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1408534877' post='2531102'] Good afternoon, Bilbo... If you've a few minutes to consecrate, you may find this interesting... I think that this could maybe address your issue; I found it very useful (and easy, and free..!). Worth a look..? [/quote] Useful stuff, Dad. Opens up some useful ideas for me. Thank you.

I can't be arsed with all the buying and selling, Dad. And as for strings, pick ups ......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Actually. you are right. My last post was the most boring in the history of Basschat, wasn't it? [size=4] [/size]

It is the ONLY thread I read and I am a moderator! That is, of course, a complete lie. I also read the double bass sections and the recording sections. My order of business every day is General, Off Topic, Theory and Technique, Recording. Everything else is only when I see something that piques my interest.

Doddy got it!! Go, man, go!

Watching University Challange last night, a question came up that I thought was a great idea for a thread that will run and run. The idea is to guess the album from the track listing - the only rule is that you must leave out any title tracks otherwise it's too easy (also, no googling as it takes the fun out of it). The answer sought is the band/musician and the name of the album. I'll kick it off with this... [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]1. Title Track.... [/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]2. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]For Wee Folks[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]3. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Delfeayo's Dilemma[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]4. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Phryzzinian Man[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]5. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Aural Oasis[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]6. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Chambers of Tain[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]7. [/size][/font][/color][color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Blues[/size][/font][/color] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif][size=4]Winner sets the next one.[/size][/font][/color]