elom

Hello folks,

After a year of not really playing much (and 18 months away from basschat) I'm starting to get some of the old enthusiasm back and am enjoying practicing again. I have an audition this Friday for a 'pop punk' band and whilst the music is simple, it's played fast and with a pick. The thing is, despite playing bass on and off for many years, I've never really played with a pick. It's the right technique for the band that I'm trying out for though.

It's harder than I thought. For one my right-hand damping is all over the place, if it's there at all! Also, I find that I'm naturally resting the heel of my hand on the bass, which is okay for pounding away on a single string but does not give me the dexterity to move freely across all 4 strings at any sort of speed.

So I'm looking for some help with my pick technique. I do remember a post on here years ago on pick basics (by a guy from Hawaii I think) but I've not been able to find it. I'd appreciate any advice that you have.

It's good to try something new, though my wrist hasn't ached this much since I was a teenager...

Thanks,

elom

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think me and his dad will take him down to Mansons and let him try out more options in their bass room. I reckon the most important thing is for him to find a instrument that he just wants to keep picking up and playing.

My mate's 11yo lad (who is already a more than decent drummer) has decided that he'd like to play bass. A fine decision.

They were looking at a Thomann (Harley Benton) starter package which I'm not knocking (got a cheap HB acoustic myself and its fine). However I think that for not much more money we could put together something a bit longer lasting. Have already potentially sourced a Roland Bass Cube 100 but would be interested in your opinions for a suitable starter bass.

He came round and had a play on my basses and he can handle a full scale bass but I think that something light would be sensible. Interestingly the one bass of mine that really made his eyes light up was my Hohner B2A! Budget is about £150 and I'd welcome any suggestions you might have.

Ta muchly.

[quote name='ezbass' post='1204444' date='Apr 19 2011, 09:01 AM']Unfortunately the discussion will always get around to Clint and it did.[/quote]

Yes, but if he wasn't Clint's son he wouldn't have been asked on BBC Breakfast in the first place, no matter how good a musician he is. Celebrity sells.

I'm setting up a new band at the minute and am pondering exactly this question.

I know of one band who operate a 10% finders fee. Whoever brings in the gig gets 10% and then the rest is split evenly amongst all members. Seriously considering this.

Drop Dead Gorgeous - Republica

(britpop research for a new project)

[quote name='Paul S' post='1109680' date='Jan 31 2011, 04:45 PM']I enjoyed it - thought the track had a Foo Fighters quality about it - don't know if you like that comparison or not! Bass was good, driving stuff. The singer's voice has a nice edge when he stretches himself, which I liked. As far as the vid goes I couldn't work out if there was anything to 'get' about the girl driver or not, don't think it mattered. Nice one![/quote]

Everything that he just said!

I have been so good and not bought [i]any [/i]new gear for well over 18 months. But this is achingly tempting. The look is good, the price is very good. Would be the white one for me.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1078383' date='Jan 5 2011, 11:12 AM']It doesn't sound daft at all. There are so many players who can't name the notes on the 'board,even those who have been playing for quite a while. To me this is a very basic part of learning the instrument.[/quote]

Okay there's a new years resolution for me! I have been playing for quite a while...

[quote name='silddx' post='1064803' date='Dec 20 2010, 05:04 PM']The one thing with a D Tuner is to remember to use it, I've so many times forgotten to switch it back up for the next song [/quote]

Aint that the truth!

I'm a refreshingly shallow individual so colour and shape are very important to me. Seriously, a boring bass just wouldn't float my boat. There's enough out there that we can each find one that both looks AND sounds right for each of us.

I always take a back up but have never needed to use it.

To cut down on gear I have a little Hohner B2A cricket bat bass for the backup which is as light as a feather - also doubles as a handy travel bass!

I also saw MM playing at the guitar show today. I enjoyed it and was impressed by someone who is clearly a master of their instrument. To be honest though I wasn't inspired to try to emulate him - his playing is so far removed from what I do - but it did make me want to go away and learn how to play this thing better!

Unfortunately I was only able to be at the show for an hour before having to rush off to pick up children (my own I should add) - the compromises of family life!

Let me know if you find anything - I'd be interested in that.

Or perhaps someone on here would set something up?

and 18 months later and still not even a sniff of a Fender Katana - I'm beginning to think that they never existed!

nice job

I've not got any strong feelings about them either way but it's just been confirmed that we've got them as our 'L' band in the challenge next week.

I've been told not to ask Mark King any "geeky bass questions"! (by my co-conspirator, not their management)

[quote name='aceuggy' post='979331' date='Oct 6 2010, 01:01 PM']The kid is awsome and obviously enjoying himself. I'm never sure if this kind of clip inspires or depresses me. I aspire to that standard of playing, but sadly doubt I will ever achieve it.[/quote]

My sentiments exactly.

Picked my tickets up yesterday. Ralph in the shop was saying that JPJ will be there this year - just confirmed.

Niiice

Big grin plastered over your face, which is surely what it's all about!

I love the headstock on the Fender Performer (which is why I have one!)

Thanks for the reminder, just ordered my ticket - I'll be there on the Saturday.

I really do not have a good voice but fill in with BV where they are absolutely necessary on the grounds that nobody else would. Confidence is key and if I screw it up (my BV on 'Ruby' does sometimes sound like a lemur with his nuts caught in the cutlery drawer) then I just laugh - I may as well, everyone else is!

I have one of these as my backup bass and it is really nice. I play it a lot.

nice one. i like Tavi