Coilte

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1440593931' post='2852221'] I think the story about classical players not being able to play without notation is just that, a story.[/quote] I am not so sure, as I have a friend who plays double bass in an orchestra, who readily admits to not being able to play anything without having it written down. IMO it is not a case of "what camp are you in" as asked by the OP. Being an [i]all round[/i] musician involves learning many things, each being important in it's own right. IMO having a good ear is among the most beneficial.

I was never a believer in Jamerson's concept of.."the funk is in the gunk...".

A work of art. Shame to have to eat it !!!

It is a good idea to start loading up with water early [i]on the day of the rehearsal or gig.[/i] A few sips every twenty minutes to half an hour or so during the day will help to keep the levels up. This can then be topped up at the rehearsal itself.

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1437916139' post='2829932'] Have you actually told him to stop doing that and stop acting like an amaetur? [/quote] [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1437551681' post='2826897'] I've told him many times about it, but it makes no difference! [/quote]

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1437584440' post='2827319'] I myself have started threads on this forum to moan about irritations, but that doesn't mean I'm considering breaking up a friendship because of it. My best mate is our guitarist. He drives me up the wall with his noodling, ocd and other annoying habits, but he's still my mate and we forget about these things very quickly after we have moved on. I made the initial quip about putting it into perspective thinking I was being light hearted but you seem to think a friend making a noise on his guitar when you want him to stop, isn't a real friend! I find this a bit unnerving to be honest [/quote] I'm sorry you find it unnerving. It's just that we appear to have different expectations of what a good mate is or should be. There is nothing more sinister in it than that.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1437579576' post='2827252'] Well I'm glad I'm not mates with you pair if you question a good friendship on a minor irritation! [/quote] I'd class it as a little more than a minor irritation if the OP feels frustrated or annoyed enough to start a thread about it. Especially when the OP has asked his "good mate" on numerous occasions to stop. The point I was making earlier is that what the OP describes, is not what you'd (at least I would not...) consider a "good mate" to do. This is not to say that I would not go for a drink and some light banter with the whole band after a rehearsal.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1437551681' post='2826897'] Trouble is we are good mates and our musical tastes and ideas are very similar, so I think we will be playing music together for some time. I've told him many times about it, but it makes no difference! [/quote] In that case he is NOT a "good mate". You and the other band members should not have to wait around until he is ready. However, if you are prepared to put up with his selfish behavior, you have two options. 1. Arrive a bit earlier than him and warm up. 2. Warm up by doing gentle stretches [i]without [/i]the bass for about five minutes., There are lots of clips on You Tube. You dont require the amp to physically warm up the hands and fingers to be ready for playing. After your stretches you can do chromatic scales and such like on the bass without the amp. Having said the above, I still think your "good mate" should act as a fellow band member, and not just think of himself.

[quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1436799866' post='2820868'] I've been friends with this guy for years [/quote] A true "friend" would not expect you go jump from bass to guitar and back again, just to suit [i]his [/i]moods.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1436732737' post='2820363'] I really enjoyed the film and took a different message than most have said here. I reckon he's someone who is deeply damaged by the death of his Father, He has serious abandonment issues. He anticipates people leaving him by end gaming and leaving them first. He is deliberately thorny so when people have enough of him he can say 'Ha people are bastards'. It's a role he plays to protect himself from being hurt. I've seen this in a couple of people I know who have either been adopted or have lost parents very young. [/quote] There is no doubt that his childhood was....lets say..."not the norm". However, it also must be said, that neither was Clapton's, and while he (Clapton) can be a pain in the butt sometimes, it is fair to say that he is not near as obnoxious as our dear Mr Baker. If Baker had spent some time and money on professional help for his problems, instead of lambasting everyone and anyone he comes across, we all might have seen a different Ginger Baker portrayed in the film. Granted, it is possible that professional help may not have worked, but AFAIK it was never sought. Blaming the past is not an excuse IMO.

[quote name='mrdreadful' timestamp='1436652329' post='2819834'] I get the comments about what a total bastard Baker appears to be, but I actually feel sorry for him because it's clear that the only time he is really happy and at ease with the world is when he's behind a drumkit and however fantastic a drummer you may be that's a really sad way to live. [/quote] I agree, but I also feel sorry for the unfortunate people who have (had) to work with him. He does not appear to have ever tried to help himself by way of counseling etc. I suppose the first step is to realise you are being an ***hole, and need help. Neither were apparent in the film. He seems to blame everyone and anyone else, except himself, for his troubles.

I like both rounds and flats, depending on the type of music to be played. For flats I love the Thomastik Jazz flats. I always found the Fender flats too high tension for me. People often say the opposite (i.e. too low tension) about the Thomastiks. I never liked the tone or feel of [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]D'Addarrio's. I much prefer DR Sunbeams.[/font][/color]

[quote name='rjs1909' timestamp='1436186152' post='2815677'] I hate buying stuff when I can't see what's on the inside [/quote] [url="http://www.amazon.com/The-Working-Bassists-Tool-Kit/dp/0879306157"]http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0879306157[/url]

[quote name='julietgreen' timestamp='1436097781' post='2814875'] I suspect [/quote] My advice would be to... [u]be sure[/u]... by a visit to a medical expert. It is not recommended that you use the Internet to diagnose medical problems. Hope you get it sorted.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1435571058' post='2810023'] Don't hit the strings so hard. [/quote] +1......and only play for short ( fifteen to twenty minutes per day) periods to start, until your fingers adapt.

While there is no doubt that knowing your scales is important, equally (if not...more so...are CHORD TONES). When people say they "know" their scales, quite often they mean that they can play them at 100 MPH up and down the neck. While this is helpful, it is only half the "picture". You need to be able to harmonise the major scale, and know how CHORD TONES are derived from scales. As for modes, IMO they are best left until the player has the basics down and has become a more "mature" player. Focusing on modes as a beginner is a recipe for dead ends and frustration. Dont take [i]my [/i]word for it : [url="http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/"]http://www.studybass...es-are-primary/[/url] OP, the above site is one of the best. It would help if you went to the study/lesson guide and start at the beginning. Best of luck with it.

Good article...especially the "warm up" section. Warming up is generally either over looked or considered not necessary. While the advice to..." know what you want from your practice"... is good, often the problem is that people [i]dont really know[/i] what they want or what their weaknesses are. This is especially so for beginners. Not alone do not know what they want, but often they have no idea even where to start, such is the overwhelming abundance of information available.

[quote name='the boy' timestamp='1434808859' post='2802974'] You could also say "sorry mate, drag night is Tuesday's, I think you've got your days mixed up". [/quote] Or you could say...."sorry mate"...and actually[i] get on with it !! [/i]

So...that's how the term.. " dirty sound"... originated !! Which strings are best for unblocking ??

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1434647262' post='2801521'] In which case I'd recommend learning by ear to get the shapes and rhythms for that kind of playing. [/quote] +100. OP, nothing to stop you doing the above [u]and[/u] at the same time, learning to read at your own pace. In your initial post you stated that you.. "wanted to learn the bass, rather than just winging it.." One of the best ways to do this is to develop your ear by listening to songs and trying to play along. Learning to read is also a great asset, but as I mentioned earlier, a constructive practice session consists of a [u]LOT[/u] of things, practiced regularly with small amounts of time given to each.

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1434582698' post='2801027'] in an attempt to learn to play the bass rather than just wing it (which has served me well thus far I may add) I got a copy of what duck done 1st edition[/quote] From the above, I am assuming that you are comparatively new to playing the bass. My apologies if this is incorrect. There is no doubt that the "Duck Dunne" book is very good. However, IMO it is not the ideal place to start. You need to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. It seems to me that you seem to be starting your learning journey..in the middle. I would suggest that you incorporate a little of various things into your practice session. Learning music notation can be part of this. The "Study Bass" site has already been mentioned. It is one of the best. Go to the lessons guide and start at the beginning. You can also learn what "Duck done" by [u]listening[/u] to him. This is great for developing your ear. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=duck+dunn+bass For learning to read notation I would recommend this : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplified-Sight-Reading-Bass-Josquin-Pres/dp/0793565189 Some practical suggestions : Spend no longer than an hour at a time practicing. Take a break and come back to it if you wish. Little and often is the key.....as well as having patience and taking your time. Best of luck with it.

[quote name='rjs1909' timestamp='1434254494' post='2798026'] the sites Rich (Grangur) mentioned are definitely worthwhile [/quote] +1. OP, you say you are new to Basschat. Are you also new to playing the bass ? If so, I would recommend holding back for a while on getting "Teach Me Bass Guitar". Dont get me wrong, it is one of the best tutorials out there. It's just that according to some reviews, a lot of beginners were lost after the initial few lessons. Seemingly it goes from very basic to intermediate and on wards, very quickly. So it might be best to go with the above sites first before tackling TMBG. Granted, I have no personal experience with TMBG. I am just going on user's reviews.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1433695736' post='2793160'] It's an absolutely fantastic song and performance by all concerned - in my opinion (and Carol's) [/quote] Another +1.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1433579910' post='2792201'] We all spend so much time, money and energy in trying to achieve "great bass tone" and one of the all-time greats gets a sound like a £40 starter bass from Woolworths in desperate need of a set - up. [/quote] ....and here we all are decades later, admiring what he did. Just goes to show that it's not so much the tone.. but what you do with it... that matters.