Coilte

1. James Jamerson 2. Jack Bruce 3. Chuck Rainey 4. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Meshell Ndegeocello[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Alphonso Johnson.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Steve Swallow[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]7. Michel Hatzigeorgiou[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]8. Paul Mc Cartney[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]9. Scott Thunes[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]10. Anthony Jackson[/font][/color]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1481109635' post='3189726'] I've never understood why rehearsal rooms tend to have bigger amps than most of us gig with![/quote] Those same amps would also have a volume knob which can be used to [i]lower [/i]and well as increase volume.

Just a word about wearing earplugs. At rehearsals, even at "low" volume, it is still advisable to wear plugs, as it is still loud enough to do hearing damage. http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1481115237' post='3189790'] tbf some guitar amps do need to cranked up to hit the sweet spot. But if that's the case maybe a power brake could be used at rehearsals? [/quote] I agree that something should be done. Everyone else should not be expected to adjust to (translate...put up with..!!) the guitarist's "sweet spot".

A lot of people seem to think the volume knob only goes clockwise ( as in ...up). If band members are not mature enough to keep the volume at a reasonable level, then IMO it is not worth being in that band.

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1480860321' post='3187598'] I would label what you have described not so much as "knowing your scales", but "understanding diatonic harmony". Its still just as valid an area, though. [/quote] Fair enough. My point was that it's not enough to just play scales up and down the neck. If you do, your lines will sound like...well...scales.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1480857822' post='3187572'] scales on bass are quiet easy really because unlike a guitar all strings go up in 5 fret intervals, so once you're got a scale shape it's movable everywhere, start with major and minor scales it does help to understand why you're playing certain notes, although it's not essential, quiet often I'll play a bass run that doesn't follow those scales sounds alright though, I was doing a bass run for years before I found out it was the pentatonic minor scale [/quote] "Knowing" your scales involves a lot more than being able to play them from root to root all over the neck at a gazillion BPM's. While this is no bad thing, it is only half the picture. Learning scales ...i.e. [u]really [/u]learning them...involves knowing how chords are made from scales, and knowing how to harmonise a scale..i.e. playing all the diatonic chords of that scale. Knowing which chords are major, minor, etc and just as important...WHY they are major or minor etc.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1480848505' post='3187464'] Chord tones are probably the most important things to know. Work your way through this free online tutorial at your own pace: [url="http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/"]http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/[/url] [/quote] Plus one...for both chord tones and the "Studybass" site. No doubt that scales are important, but equally so, are chord tones. "Studybass" deals with this topic here : https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/

It's never too late to learn some basic theory. It helps us to understand the "nuts and bolts" of music. Lots of people get by without knowing any, but this does not deem it to be unnecessary, or not useful. For me, it's a no brainer to have some basic knowledge, like the things you list, though for now, I'd leave out the modes. IMO they are best tackled later, after you have the basics nailed. Not sure what help you require. I'm sure people would be willing to help, if you ask.

You can't go wrong with a G&L JB2 Tribute. Amazing basses for the money. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H2.XG%26L+Tribute+JB2.TRS0&_nkw=G%26L+Tribute+JB2&_sacat=0"]http://www.ebay.co.u...te+JB2&_sacat=0[/url] http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/JB-2_new/index.asp

. A great photo. Glad no damage was done.

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1480332384' post='3183362'] I have tried and failed. Admittedly I give it a go and it sounds pants, so I stop trying. Is this a technique anyone can aquire as long as I put in the hours? If yes, where should I start. [/quote] You can learn most things if you put in the hours. Although this clip is probably from the 80's, IMO it is one of the best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aK-QFwaRZc

You are obviously strangling the neck of the bass when you fret. Keep the hand relaxed. The thumb's role is to merely [i]support [/i]the fingers. Now and then as a short exercise, try fretting [u]without[/u] having the thumb on the back of the neck. This will show just how little pressure is required to fret. Rest up from playing for a few days to allow the thumb to heal, then proceed as above.

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1480030503' post='3181234'] I shared the same dentist with Delbert McClinton in Nashville years ago. Dentist had me in stitches one day with the following story. Delbert had dropped by and given the dentist a copy of his latest album, which the dentist really liked and was wearing out on the office musak system. He asked one of his patients, an older black gentleman, what he thought of the music they were listening to. "Sounds like some white boy trying to sing the blues to me" was the reply. Which of course puts all the various unlikely suggestions as to who would be good to listen to, to get a handle on the blues, in a slightly different light. [/quote] The other myth about the blues is that you have to be poor and had a hard life, to be able to play convincingly. I personally don't accept either. Miles Davis seemed to be in agreement with me when he once said, when asked do you have to be a "poor boy" in order to play the blues with conviction...."MY daddy's rich, and MY mamma's good looking, and I can play the blues".

[quote name='stuckinthepod' timestamp='1479993538' post='3180840'] John McVie [/quote] +1. A very under rated bassist. For anyone new to blues bass, all you need to do is listen to his contribution on the John Mayall "Beano" album (John Mayall & Eric Clapton).

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1479911171' post='3180223'] Will this turn into yet another thread critical of Adam Clayton's bass playing ? [/quote]

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1479915529' post='3180266'] Ordered [/quote] I'm sure you won't regret it. I learned a lot from it.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1479915351' post='3180263'] Here's a few. They seem like quite a spread to me... Going Down - Freddie King Messing With the Kid - Rory Gallacher Let me Love You Baby - Buddy Guy Rock Me Baby = Johnny Winters Walk in my Shadow - Free The Stumble Born Under a Bad Sign [/quote] Yep....these would be my idea of "blues". Great songs. The thing to remember about blues is that while the form/structure is fairly basic, the challenging part is to play with [u]FEEL [/u] Also IMO playing a slow blues with feel is none of the hardest things to achieve.

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1479913137' post='3180244'] What sort of blues? The 'white man's blues' of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan is a long way from earlier recording artists like Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley and they in turn are quite different from the really early stuff like Robert Johnson & Leadbelly. [/quote] Agreed...but the form is basically the same.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1479913826' post='3180246'] Name some of the songs in your set. [/quote] Good idea. I have often answered adverts for a "blues" band. When I get their set list, it is often a LOT different to my interpretation of blues. FWIW my interpretation of blues and some artists bands to check out on You Tube would be : John Mayall's Bluesbreakers...Buddy Guy...BB, Albert & Freddy King..John Lee Hooker...early Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Greene)....Johnny Winter...Chicken Shack... As already mentioned...a good blues bass book I would recommend is : http://www.ebay.co.uk/p/blues-bass-a-guide-to-the-essential-styles-and-techniques-including-20-great-songs-by-ed-friedland/91467042?_trksid=p2047675.l2644

Good to see so many people willing to help in a practical way.

OP...while you are waiting for a teacher, you could inquire in your local library for the book.."Bass Guitar for Dummies". Ignore the "D" word. It is a great book that covers everything you need to know to get started. From VERY basic stuff like ..."these are called the frets.." to basic theory. As for strings, they are a personal taste. However, for now, I'd go along with Grangur's suggestion above. Best of luck.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1479728425' post='3178724'] Or is it all just hocus pocus? [/quote] I suppose it is similar to the subject of ..."[i]how often do you clean your fretboard....and what do you use..?" [/i]Everyone has their own way of doing things. Personally, I restring, tune up, play the bass for a few minutes, and then retune. That's it. Never felt the need to stretch.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1479657061' post='3178166'] Never done it. Never seen or had the need. [/quote] Same here.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1479644597' post='3178024'] I'm sure the thread will soon be locked lol [/quote] Only if everyone keeps engaging with "CrackerJackLee". Just ignore...and continue on the thread (though the topic of CK playing on XYZ recordings, has been done to death) in a civilised way.