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SteveJ

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Posts posted by SteveJ

    Going classical

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    It's just about a year since I started this thread so time for an update:

    After a year of fortnightly lessons and 256 total hours of practice I've progressed from complete classical notice to passing Grade 2 and being past of a string ensemble. On Saturday we played two pieces to an audience over 300 as part of a program in the Whitby Spa Pavillion. The string ensemble has about 15 members and I'm the only bass so am quite exposed but my occasional error was only noticeable by myself and the conductor (I hope).

    Plan for the coming year; grade 4 and much more ensemble....

    Steve

    Bass Bow Bargains

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    Peter Hall in Beverley has a few choice bass bows that are heavily discounted at the moment. If you are after a tasty pernambuco bow you could do wose than give him a ring.

    [url="http://www.peterhallviolins.com/?product_cat=double-bass-bows"]http://www.peterhall...ouble-bass-bows[/url]

    The Hartmutt Knoll bow is no longer available - I bought it....

    Going classical

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    [quote name='philparker' timestamp='1458294549' post='3006293']

    As NeilP says, playing with the local ensemble will do wonders for your playing. I've recently joined my local amateur orchestra and I've been at my absolute limit in sight reading to tempo on some pieces and able to get a break on the easier ones, but I will also have to practise the more detailed pieces as well as studying exam material and it's helping my all round musicality as well.
    [/quote]

    Yep, starting with local string ensemble after the Easter break.

    Got my results today - distinction- well chuffed!

    Going classical

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    Just gotten back from my first session with a local string ensemble and it was BRILLIANT! Ok, they play together regularly and are entering the local music festival in 3 weeks time and have gotten their chops down well. And I was pretty rubbish as the only bass trying to sight read the stuff I'd been given 20 seconds before but it was BRILLIANT! Looking forward to joining them as a regular in March, it will be a steep learning curve but worth it.

    Confused Jazzer

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    [quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1452818462' post='2953868']
    I can't solo over fast changes I just don't have any experience of it and I go totally to pot, but soloing generally if a tune has big weird harmonic jumps in it I'll have to know it inside-out beforehand, and I always wing it, I don't solo that often so I try to enjoy it when I do and make it matter, so I don't do 'licks' and I don't worry too much about what came before I just try to express myself. Usually because I'm a bit slow that means I'm not going to set anybody on fire with technique I just want to get my mood across and make some people smile. :)
    [/quote]

    Much the same here. I tend to slow down rather than risk speeding up and fluffing it.

    Squier Jazz Bass and Ampeg BA110 Combo

    in Basses For Sale

    Posted

    Great starter package!

    2011 Squier (Fender) Jazz with maple neck and flat wound strings. Beautifully set-up and in great condition.

    Ampeg BA110 combo, dates from about 2012. Not the latest model but everything works and is loud enough for a pub gig.

    Both in really good nick. Having a clear out to fund a new double bass.

    Sorry but I'm not prepared to package and post. Collection from near Whitby in North Yorkshire or meet-up somewhere at mutual convenience.

    Will split £150 for bass. £100 for Ampeg.

    Steve

    Buying a broken bass for repair - amateur repair with pics

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    [quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1452277390' post='2948493']
    The bridge lines up with f hole notches and sits at 90 degrees to the front of the bass. Strings are going to be £80 a set minimum for a set worth fitting imo, plus the bridge. I'd be tempted to fix the neck and then get a luthier to fit and shape the bridge,nut, locate the sound post properly and string it. You can ruin the silks and the £80 strings very easily! Getting the detail done by an expert and some good strings over a badly fitted bridge with dirt cheap strings might be the difference between you sticking at playing it or selling it on at a loss imo?
    [/quote]

    Very good advice.

    Buying a broken bass for repair - amateur repair with pics

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    Ok, I'll jump in!

    If you can afford it, a luthier will save you a lot of time effort and probably money in the long run.

    I'm not a luthier but...

    A basic bridge (non-adjustable) will cost about £40 and you will have to do some work shaping the feet to the top of the bass and putting notches in for the strings.

    Check that there is a sound post in the bass. It looks like a thick piece of dowel and if you are lucky, it will be in place and viewable thru' the f hole on the treble side of the bass. If not it will be rolling around somewhere inside.

    The thing that retains the strings is an 'endpiece'. They are variable priced and are attached by a wire that looks around the end pin assembly.The cheapest is around £20.

    I cannot offer any advice about fixing the neck break except seek the help of a luthier.

    Stings vary enormously in cost and quality and they depend a bit on what you want to do. Some strings are better for pizz (plucking) and others more suitable for arco (bowing).

    Hope that helps a bit and others will jump in soon. Why not post some picures once you have collected it?

    Steve

    *Sold* Col Legno Standard Carbon Fibre Bow - French Style

    in EUBs & Double Basses For Sale

    Posted · Edited by SteveJ

    6 month old Col Legno Standard Carbon Fibre Bow - French Style

    Bought new from Contrabasse Shop in June 2015 for £390. Great bow but I'm looking for a pernambuco stick. A coupl of marks on it but in otherwise excellent condition. £300 including postage and packing to UK. Happy to bring along to the North East bass bash if not sold by then.

    Details:


    Length of stick (without button): 668mm
    Depth of frog: 31mm
    Width of ferrule: 19mm
    Weight: 141.0gms (ave)
    Mounts: Nickel-silver
    Lapping: Silver with leather thumb piece
    Colour of stick: Carbon
    Colour of hair: White


    [b]NOW SOLD[/b]

    Going classical

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    So, here's an update for the start of 2016:

    The lessons and practice are going well and the 150 hour mark was reached this week-end. Planning to do ABRSM Grade 2 in March, could have stretched possibly to Grade 3 but I know exam nerves will affect my performance so thought it best to play safe.

    Fortnightly, one hour lessons suit me well and with constant attention from teacher the bowing and intonation continue to improve.

    I bottled out on trying out with the Cobwebs Orchestra. Thought I'd get a few more months of practice under my belt before committing myself.

    Simon Penning made a a great improvement to the playability of the bass back in the Autumn. The carbon fibre bow from the Contrabasse Shoppe doesn't really suit me and I'll be looking to try out some pernambuco bows this year. If anyone has such a bow they want to trade or sell, please get in touch.

    Happy New Year,

    Steve

    Going classical

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    Past the 100 hour milestone this week so that is 1% of the 10,000 hours to become an expert. Still time to reach that number by my mid nineties. Still working hard on technique and not venturing much beyond 2nd position but the bowing is improving and use of a metronome is improving the rhythm of the pieces.

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