sarah thomas

I could well be interested too. After tonight's comment 'Is that your bass or a lorry reversing?' it seems like I need a set. Great idea.

Consider both legs broken. And have a great time!

I would love to hear a couple of examples of bossa nova with a little discussion of theoretical aspects. Can anyone help? I'm looking at Nature Boy and Song for My Father in particular, but would be grateful for any pointers on getting the groove.

I'm very lucky to go to a weekly jazz ensemble class and while my solos are inept and short, I'm determined to have a go. Things can only get better, no? Last term's end of term performance saw me not soloing at all. I'm hoping to do at least one this term. (Can't let the front line have all the fun ...)

That's my aim too, little by little. Someone asked me if I regretted switching from playing uke to playing double bass - they'd just watched me huffing and puffing, heaving Bertha the Cool into our little class room. And no, I don't. I might curse and swear but l haven't had any regrets. Well, I might have to sell the MX-5 but that would be a future regret. If ...

There's an article by David Gage - I'll message it to you as it's a couple of pages long.

A set of decent headphones helps, but beyond that, yes, it's just subjective opinion.

For your Wales experience: Sightsee Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Millenium Centre (plenty of music related events there) - you'll find plenty of good places to eat nearby. If you're in Cardiff on a Friday you could do worse jazzwise than going to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama at 5.30 to listen free of charge to students on the jazz degree course. They are no slouches. And that leaves you the evening free to eat, see a play or whatever. Sleep, even. On a Tuesday in Cardiff, try Dempseys, opposite the Castle, on Sundays try Shot in the Dark on City Road. Both those places will give you that intimate jazz club experience. There's also Cafe Jazz on St Mary Street, which offers up jazz most nights of the week and has a reasonable restaurant so you can eat and listen at the same time.

Aye, the killer bass drum was wonderful. Is that the opposite of fairy dust? And what would the opposite of fairy dust be called? Keeping it decent, naturally. Troll boulders perhaps.

Fairy dust? There was that triangle tinging away in Anitra's Dance... just the perfect sprinkling of fairy dust, methinks.

Preston College offer music courses. They might be able to suggest someone.

I thought of buying an EUB for all the sensible reasons listed above. Then I thought 'Nah'. Only the big old wardrobe will do.

When I bought my double bass, I sent the pictures to Pete Tyler to ask his opinion. He was really kind and helpful, so you might like to try him. I bought a copy of his book as a thankyou - and it's well worth it too. I changed the strings yesterday for the first time which I suspect saved me the cost of the book.

I'd be interested in a Cardiff bash, but Bristol would be a bit too far away.

My 3/4 upright fits easily into the Impreza. Both seats reclined fully, bass in neck first, diagonally from the front passenger side to the rear windscreen behind the driver's seat. Then slide the neck across so the bass is lying on its side, bridge facing in, along the recllned passenger seat. Put the driver's seat up and there's even room for a passenger on the back seat. This is the saloon model, I can't speak for the newer hatchback - though you'd think that would be even easier. Happy New Year!

I started on DB a mere month ago, coming from ukulele and a summer of Ashbory mini bass. I tried to fight it, but after having a couple of tries on other people's basses, I needed a bass of my own. I got a teacher, had a lesson and dragged my teacher along to try out a used Boosey & Hawkes which came with lots of wonderful extras, like a soft case, rosin and a bow. I practice for 15 minutes (ish) at a time, two or three times a day. I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist, so am taking extra care to keep my wrist flat - I have a full length mirror in my practice corner, to keep a eye on that wrist. I've also booked a session with an Alexander technique tutor in the new year to get more help. My debut (as in the avatar) was an end of term concert led by the wonderful Julian Martin in Cardiff. I only played one number on the upright and got my first blood blister. The bass has Helicore hybrids and I've just ordered a set of Innovation golden slaps which I'm hoping will make life easier while I'm finding my way around the beast. Tell you something - you walk in with a ukulele and people groan. Walk in with a double bass and everyone's your mate. Great!

There's this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-4-4-full-size-no-strings-/290649349615?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item43ac0d1def He says 4/4 but then isn't sure, and it's not too far from you.

You might like Walking Jazz Lines for Bass by Jay Hungerford - it takes you through walking blues lines, rhythm changes and some standards. It's aimed at the bass guitar, but other than a couple of pages at the start, I can't see that it wouldn't work just as well for the upright. I find it easier to get to grips with than Aebersold, who throws in loads of chords. And of course, various Aebersold books are available as illegal downloads on torrents which I only mention as a caution because I know you would wish to avoid such nefarious activity.