Coilte

Sometimes if you over do it the brain can go into over load and continuing with the practice can be counter productive. Carol Kaye recommends no more than an hour at a time. After that, take a break and come back to it. While it is a good thing to be determined and driven, sometimes you need to leave room to chill out.

[quote name='r16ktx' timestamp='1414940888' post='2594861'] +1 ;-) [/quote] +2. [size=4] [/size][size=4]The music I listened to from the ages of say seven to fourteen did not continue for much longer. I first picked up the bass in my teens and while I had my [/size]heroes[size=4] as far as playing went, the type of basses they used had no influence on me. Just as well, because back then the choice of basses was very limited and even if they were easily available, I could not afford one. [/size]

I found "Walking Jazz Lines for Bass" book to be very good. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass-Hungerford/dp/0786659963/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414880268&sr=1-11&keywords=jazz+bass+lines

When I click on the links all I get is a link to sign into "Yahoo" !! (?????).

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1414582416' post='2590880'] Honestly, they're pretty much all fine. They'll all tune your bass great. Just choose what secondary feature interests you the most. [/quote] Agree. To be honest I have always wondered why people would pay £60 plus, for a tuner when a £15 one will do the same job. Also the... "looks cool too"... advertisement blurb always make me laugh. As if anyone can see it among a ton of cables and other pedals, and would people be impressed one way or the other by it's looks ? However...to each their own. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1414574074' post='2590734'] Maybe she's not cut out to be a teacher though [/quote] It's a bit late to discover this now. [size=4]In fairness, a lot of big names have studied with her...Jaco among them. Perhaps the likes of Skype lessons, where you can ask questions, would be the way to go. [/size]

[quote name='dincz' timestamp='1414318553' post='2588094'] I only turn my nose up after listening. Am I a snob? [/quote] Yes.....as one listen often is not enough to make a definitive judgement.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1414316680' post='2588057'] For me, it's not really about good or bad. I simply like it or I don't like it. [/quote] This would be my view also. While I do have my own favourite genres, I would not look down on others, nor would I consider them inferior to mine.

Very sad news. R.I.P. Jack.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1414155247' post='2586508'] I defence of loud guitarists , valve amps don't sound good below 2 or 3 on the dial, at least so I'm told. [/quote] They dont sound too good at eleven either..especially in a small rehearsal room. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1414137680' post='2586203'] Crap guitarists who play too loud and have no sensitivity for the overall band sound only exist because other musicians let them. If you said something and if they didn't take notice then kick them out of the band they's be left in their bedrooms where they can't bother anyone. If you don't do anything about these "musicians" you are as much to blame. [/quote] Got to agree with this. In one band I was in it came to the stage that I refused to hire up my bass when the guitarist said he could not hear me. I suggested he might hear me if [i]he dropped his volume.[/i] After some debate, he reluctantly obliged. Harmony (in more ways than one ) ensued. Much too often bassists just add to the problem by upping the volume to match that of the guitarist's. [quote name='ubit' timestamp='1414138617' post='2586213'] It's not always that easy. Our guitarist is also my mate. We have played together forever but he still annoys me with his insistence that the guitar is the be all and end all of the songs! [/quote] I would have thought that since he is your mate, that would make it easier to persuade him otherwise.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1413984717' post='2584402'] This has been three pages discussing a skill that more or less anyone has. [/quote] Unfortunately this has not been my experience with a lot of people I have come across. Being the old dinosaur that I am, in retrospect, I consider myself lucky to have been forced to learn by ear, due to the internet not being in existence. These days too many people rely on tabs (nothing wrong with this if it's not totally relied upon) for even the simplest of songs and lack the skills required to work things out by ear.

The answer to the thread title is a no brainer IMO. Any skill that enhances your playing and enjoyment of music, is worth having.

[quote name='Paddy515' timestamp='1413916287' post='2583612'] Any other suggestions? [/quote] As we both know, strings are a very personal choice. However, I like DR Sunbeams on my L2000.

AFAIK, they used to use SIT strings, but a few years ago changed to D'Addarios.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1413825227' post='2582434'] Is that so bad..? [/quote] Not at all...if a person is happy to stick with playing riffs. Like everything else in life, moderation is the key. Tabs are fine up to a point. It is when people become completely dependent on them, while neglecting to develop their ear, that tabs can be a bit of a crutch. If however, you are happy with your playing and have no particular ambitions to progress further....by all means carry on with tabs. [size=4] [/size]

http://www.gruvgear.com/duostrap Perhaps one of these is worth considering. A bit on the expensive side, but what price your health and comfort ? [size=4] [/size]

Yes, it is important to keep challenging yourself by playing new material in order to keep progressing. Practicing stuff you already know wont help progress. You have to venture out of your comfort zone sometimes.

[quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1413549615' post='2579418'] Although its nice that everybody contributes it can be very confusing. I would advise to seek ONE teacher or ONE book, mostly because although the theory is the same, the way in which it is communicated is often different, this thread being a great example. [/quote] I would agree with this. That is why I posted the "Study Bass" site earlier. The lessons start at very basic level and each one builds on what went before, so if the OP follows the lessons chronologically, then there will be no gaps in the learning process.

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1413540243' post='2579244'] I've got pretty good technique but terrible theory… [/quote] Then hopefully these links will help : http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/ This is a great all round site worth ear marking IMO. Here it deals with the importance of chord tones. My advice would be to start at the beginning and work your way through the lessons. http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Music%20Theory%20-%20Basic,%20Intermediate,%20Advanced.pdf Music theory that builds from basic to more advanced. http://www.smithfowler.org/music/Chord_Formulas.htm Chord formula chart. https://www.scribd.com/doc/2087887/A-Comprehensive-Chord-Tone-System-For-Mastering-The-Bass-Jeff-Berlin When you have a good knowledge of the basics, you can start working on inversions.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1413193463' post='2575571'] will that take the weight of those 2 cabs then? Impressed. [/quote] I have a similar trolley to the OP's and I think it's capable of carrying around 45 KG's.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1413191676' post='2575551'] I also picked up another bigger flat bed folding one from Lidl which I also use on occasion but it's not so good up curbs as the sack trolley. [/quote] I think I remember recently seeing a "climbing trolley" in Lidl's. Either way, a trolley of some description should be a part of every gigging bassist's kit IMO.

[quote name='natjag' timestamp='1413130947' post='2575138'] I looked at some of her books. The postal prices put me off a little especially as you can't view the books like you can in a shop, to see if they may be suitable or not. [/quote] I have about three or four of her books. While there is no doubting that she is a great bassist and that the information contained in the books is very practical and useful, IMO the presentation (same goes for her DVD which I also have) and layout leaves a lot to be desired.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1412961677' post='2573726'] Yes but you know what I mean. Round here, you'd get pretty short change from the audience unless you did something pretty special with it. I can think of a few places where some would walk out... [/quote] I was always lead to believe that the only people in an audience who pay attention to the bass are other musicians/bassists. They must be a very sophisticated bunch in your neck of the woods. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1412860294' post='2572742'] You need to be careful including such songs as it is so easy to play, bass-wise, that everyone cuts their teeth on it and the assumption is you are struggling to play/learn anything else. [/quote] I'd hate to think that what someone else assumed, was to be the criteria for what songs were played. It does not stop U2 from playing some of their songs !!! [size=4] [/size] [size=4] [/size]