mentalextra

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1455820023' post='2982759'] A question to those who consider this to be their job..... A thread popped up a few weeks ago about "what constitutes being pro"..... Lots of different views there...ranging from ability to payment in general.... Not sure I agreed with a few but some interesting concepts... I guess "earning a living" is a loose concept for some as there is living hand to mouth for those who need little to get by and then there are those actively seeking commercial renumeration for services as a musician....profitable business that does more than just wash its face...an income comparable to your average "job" let's say for example £23k a year average..... I know when I used to play "professionally" ,it being my profession, my single source of income With turn turnover, overheads and profit, and sadley ....taxes! I was self employed and had to treat it in the same way a sole trading plumber or electrician would..... I'm not suggesting it's not the case for anyone here but I did wonder what "earning a living" looked like to others? My question is, assuming your income from playing is of an amount you could expect to live independently off, as per the example average income £23k p/a, if this is your "job" is your band registered as a business with you as an employee ? or are you registered individually as a sole trader, do you declare earnings and pay tax on your earnings? I did...had to..... To me, that's earning a living from it....... Just my view, others are available And yes...these days I have a less exciting job like most and play music for my own entertainment and joy.... It's much better this way as I play what I like, not what I'm paid to [/quote] +1

Does the modern player have to be constantly seeking the difficult to define 'pro' status?

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1455362987' post='2978390'] Sorry mentalextra, I may have misinterpreted your post - are we talking about remixes under the artist's own name, or those tracks (usually old tracks) that get ripped apart and put back together under a new artist vs or featuring the original? My post was really addressing the latter, when, reading mike257's post he, and very probably you were talking of the former? [/quote] I'm talking about radio stations taking relatively modern chart singles and remixing. Just listen to kiss FM. Interestingly we have been out in the car and when they play their remixed version of "what do you mean" my daughter turns it off! lol

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1455329075' post='2978292'] It does vary. The artist may have terms in their contract relating to control/sign-off on remixes, or it may be out of their hands. As far as the extent it can be changed, sometimes a producer may be given stems, or a full multitrack to play with, on other occasions it may just be the main vocal parts that are made available. [/quote] Ok, I see. Is there a 'cool off' period for brand new tracks released by major artists. If for example Jusin Beiber releases a new single, do the record companies want it left unmolested for a few weeks or can radio stations get stuck into it straight away?

Not sure if this should go in general discussion but I'd be interested in everyones opinion. Having a teenage daughter in the car usually means listening to Kiss FM, and their remixes. She asked me if the original artist has any control over the remix of a track, and the extent to which it can be changed? And what happens if they heard a remixed track of there's that they didn't like. I'm guessing they have no control and its hard cheese regardless of how awful it is?

Why sell up if its just 'performing' that you have tired of rather than playing?

Bill Nelson's pretty handy on Bass

Modern professional or modern [size=1]non professional[/size]?

Mindless noodling!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1452129213' post='2946899'] I think other people determine or decide if we're a pro or not. I play for a living, however, personally I would not call myself a pro solely because I do it for a living. Hell, there are some famous bass players I wouldn't call a pro. Blue [/quote] Hi Blue. I don't have an axe to grind here I am just interested by the notion that being 'pro' is so important to some people?

Michael Dempsey?

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1451896865' post='2944282'] A fascinating blog - I stayed up way to late on a school night to read it to the end and await the next instalment with interest. Two comments / questions: 1) Why did you go out in July? I would have thought that it would have made sense to go out at the beginning of the season (April / May ??) when I assume that every bar is booking residencies or gigs for the season rather than midway through? I think it would have been easier to find a band needing a bass player for the summer as well as a place to live and a part time barwork if needed. 2) I know that you are on a budget but I would think that you would really need a car to work as a musician out there? I assume hat you would need to gig up and down the Costa to make a living? As you have found just trying to get to a few jam sessions, what would be a two hour round trip in a car takes all day n public transport and will usually mean you can't get back home at night! Not to mention that presumably you will need to carry an amp at some point! [/quote] I'm guessing the definition of calling yourself 'pro' is the ability to earn your living from playing. But that depends on what your living costs are? What confuses me is that there are guys on this site who work in full time jobs while gigging a few times a week. Whereas there are also guys who describe themselves as 'pro' but sit home waiting for the phone to ring?

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1451803081' post='2943489'] I don't understand how that got down the chimney [/quote] It's the magic of Christmas!

Was this done by that 'improver' bloke on Ebay?

Strings?

Did anyone complain that you were too loud?

Has anyone mentioned The Stranglers, weren't a couple of them 'posh'?

I've heard that the Chinese sellers are trying to raise their game and improve quality so I'd be interested to hear how this pans out?

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1450358985' post='2931997'] Hmm, slap bass. If I wanted to slap things about, I'd have learned to drum. I just can't listen to slap. Mr King has a phenominal reputation, but from his early days, simply not for me. I'm that bad, whenever I watch any kind of video, as soon as the slap starts, it gets closed.[/quote] Just about sums it up for me

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1449967830' post='2928505'] Yes, he played the drums before he took up bass. [/quote] Was his original intention to be a 'pro' footballer before he got serious about music?

Hard to complain at those prices The usual complaint is of fret levelling and sharp edges on the frets but I think you'd have to be realistic and do some 'final finishing' yourself. I'd say worth a 'punt'

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1449339522' post='2922773'] ........ i would hate if anyone dissed Shakin Stevens when i was 10. . [/quote] I remember my sister's love affair with David Cassidy! And how she hated Donny Osmond

My daughter is a fan. I am bored with the kicking he gets from supposed 'muso's'. After all teenage girls will always have pop stars to lust over, its nothing new. And yes, I agree with OP.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1448533087' post='2916142'] Thanks, interesting stuff. I can't find "Rare Electric Guitars" on Ali Express but I'm still looking. I'll let you know what occurs. [/quote] I seem to remember another you tube channel dedicated to "chinese guitars". The guy reviewed a lot of basses but sadly I can't seem to find him?

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1448394588' post='2915117'] That would be good - thanks [/quote] [url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc0X6O--9ahFR2mD6cSjtFg"]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc0X6O--9ahFR2mD6cSjtFg[/url] This is one guy, have a skim through some of his experiences. I can't find the other guy but I'll keep looking. Sorry for the delay