stewblack

Black tie 'do' at a golf club for me last night. Good food, a lift up to the function room, nice space to relax and get changed, lovely band to dep for. In bed happy by 3.30am. Perfect start to the new year.

Oh God I hadn't thought of the bass free opportunities. Might have to start carrying drum sticks.

Thanks folks, much appreciated.

On 02/12/2018 at 18:53, TKenrick said:

Some of my favourite books for working on sight reading and some tips to maximise your practising efficiency:

 

You're starting to cost me money now...

45 minutes ago, SICbass said:

That’s the spirit, fill yer boots!

Yep, making hay while the set slowly sets! I actually came here a couple of years back to say it was impossible to get a gig as I was too old. Bunkum! I just wasn't trying hard enough, was way too fussy (snobby) about the music I would and wouldn't play and didn't trust my ability. I'm working harder now than ever before.

My rather splendid bass tutor put me on to iReal Pro and it has been an amazing resource for dep gigs, and open mics, and saving chord patterns, and organising setlists - it's a lovely app well worth the money. There are many similar apps for sheet music, can anyone recommend one? The only feature I think I might want is for it to be compatible with a bluetooth foot pedal but that's not a deal breaker. Oh and loading my own scribbled sheets to be simple i.e using the camera on my tablet.

Thanks

Well, bass o'clock will come early today. Recording with three different bands first two weeks of January and depping New Year's Eve. So lots of stuff to get through. 

To think that a year ago I was bemoaning the lack of opportunities for a 50 something bass player and wondering if it was time to give up.

10 minutes ago, TKenrick said:

A stupid comment, but one that signifies a wider problem of confusing the instrument with the music:

And a tune that pops up on gigs frequently but I've still been playing wrong for years:

Tina Turner - Proud Mary bass transcription PDF

Beautiful. 

Any idea how heavy / light this is please?

Tell me about your suprisingly large radius 😮

56 minutes ago, Chiliwailer said:

Well, purely for your convenience I’ll soon be bumping my Old Smoothie advert in the classifieds. Sadly my subtly isn’t quite as smooth as Old Smoothie   

Get thee behind me Satan.

58 minutes ago, Chiliwailer said:

Sir, I’ll take your USA passive SUB (which I once owned and enjoyed) and raise you an Old Smoothie - for cleaning up the zing of the pre 2018 Rays, but adding some serious booty and punch if you need it too   

Keep going. The more complex and precise the search the less chance I have of finding one!

Thanks guys. My friend gets a little excited by the 'sounds' of instruments, enjoys delving into various effects and settings to achieve similar sounds. With bass as PJ mentions above, so much is in our fingertips...

Damn. Guess what I'm doing right now. I swear if we ever meet Paddy *shakes fist*

Thanks Paddy - but please no more bass GAS! I need to sell not buy.

Friend of mine recently picked up the bass having toiled away for decades on that funny toy with the thin strings. I of course am steering him as he takes these first steps on the road to righteousness. Today he asked me a penetrating question and I mumbled something about Markbass and fingers but thought I'd ask if anyone here has anything more penetrating to say on the subject. He asked me "How does he get that sound?".

The he in question is Joe Dart. The sound is that of a master technician at work and while I know we all have our own distinct sound as much to do with how we strike the strings as anything else, can I at least throw the guy a bone? Anyone know if Joe uses any effects? What strings he prefers etc. It was this video by the way.

I so do not need this. But my God....

1 hour ago, Maude said:

I really have struck gold with the band I'm currently in. It's Mod/Northern Soul/Ska so plenty of The Who, The Jam, Specials, Toots, etc and most Northern Soul has great basslines. The band actually want to the bass to be upfront in the mix as well. In 'The Real Me' I was told "more overdrive and louder". 

Happy Days. 

Damn. My kind of music, my kind of bass lines. Band envy on full.

Lots of love for Footloose here - and I can see why - but the handful of times I've played it I can't claim to have enjoyed it, as such. I usually breathe a sigh of relief once I make it to that curious ending. It's like a bass tongue twister with subtle variations throughout. Of course it doesn't help that the band I dep for play it considerably faster than the original. 

I need to get off Basschat and go rehearse it!

29 minutes ago, Maude said:

I'm going to spend some time getting The Who's 'The Real Me' sounding better. We gigged it three times before Christmas but I'm not happy with it at the moment. 

What a bass line! You must enjoy playing that. 

Congratulations to the OP on owning such a stunning instrument. I have a Ric copy which is old and a little temperamental, but then so am I, so I try not to judge.

The only thing I can say about the body shape is that, for me at least, it is perfectly comfortable to play standing and yet perfectly awkward to play while sitting. Unless I just sit awkwardly. 

I loved the neck on my Stingray. Felt just beautiful. Unfortunately I was always changing my right hand position away from what feels natural to me to avoid the pick up. It felt sharp and scratchy when my finger tips touched it.

The real reason I was happy to pass it on was the sound which just wasn't for me. I tried all the obvious things to tame it including stringing with flats, but it was always too lively and zingy for me.

It ended up as my audition bass. I took it along to show prospective bands that I had decent gear would you believe? So insecure was I.

Anyway I have since come to realise that it isn't Stingrays I can't enjoy, it is simply active basses. I've sold or am selling them all. I hope those of you who love them can forgive me for not sharing your taste and I wish you nothing but joy with your chosen instrument.

Just learned Tired of Being Alone by Al Green. Simple bass part beneath a beautiful guitar line. Just a joyful experience playing with such wonderful music.

Next up bunch of songs for dep gig on new year's eve. I know them all but need to blow cobwebs away.

Just now, TheGreek said:

Been itching to play all day...keep getting interrupted by texts, emails, phone calls, etc. Even had a bit of a nap (which is unusual for me).

Probably leave it till tomorrow now.

Don't do it. You'll regret it. All time not spent playing bass is time wasted 🤓

How long did you hold out before doing the best thing you can do with your clothes on? I made it to 7 minutes past 6. Which frankly surprised me. I normally play immediately after breakfast.