lowdowner

Just wondering if anyone else on here also plays a classical guitar? If so, how do you deal with the 'nails' issue? Classical guitars needs longer nails to get a clear tone, but bass needs no nails to get the right sound. How do you deal with this, or do you favour one over the other?

Rotosound 66 (heavy gauge) on fretted, Rotosound 88 (black nylon) on fretless. *are* there other strings?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1357742808' post='1927618'] Indeed Jack. Here is my bandleader Sheema rocking her SGC Nanyo, she loves that bass. [/quote] Wow! Does she look cool!

Have you seen this? Lot's of pictures, so maybe basses can be identified, but if you play for a living maybe your choices might be driven, partly, by comfort? http://www.guitarworld.com/beauty-and-bass-eight-great-female-bass-players Anyway - worth a look and you might be able to contact some of the players and ask them their views? You might be surprised at how many are helpful?

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1357671233' post='1926466'] You can't trust anyone it would seem.... I mean to say , I bought this quality leather (Aria) leather strap about 30 years ago , as I remember for a fiver, and was assured that it would last me a lifetime . Now look what's happened !!! Think I should seek compo? [/quote] Was your bass OK?

Your first gig is a gas isn't it? You'll probably never forget it. Go you! Keep it up....

Indeed - always helpful, pretty direct (he once told me to get my fingernails cut or my tone would always be crap!), but no bullshit and excellent communications and delivery. Definitely recommended...

Was the post going to be about a Fender 'P'? It almost always is!

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1357636066' post='1925562'] no problem dudes, all we have to do is bash some tubs with some sticks [/quote] This is what I tell my drum teacher but he tells me there's more to it than that - i'm not convinced though, it all looks very easy!

I wonder if there's a similar thread on a drummer forum being all nice about bass players?

Looks like a 'no' - wow, maybe my first proper transcription effort then!

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1357437075' post='1922755'] I can't bear loud noise anymore. I even wear my earplugs when I go to the cinema cos its so loud, never mind gigs and concerts. I've even found myself putting them in when I'm in the pub, even without music or a band on. [/quote] Funnily enough i'm the same - I wear ear plugs in bed every night... now can't sleep without them!

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1357425690' post='1922628'] I use headphones (actually, the in ear buds) when I practice and have never had a problem, but that's probably because I don't have it loud at all. I don't like anything particularly loud (good choice of hobby eh? Haha). And I always use earplugs at rehearsal and gigs. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any damage [/quote] That's an interesting comment - *I* don't like it too loud either.. i even play my drums quietly! Not sure what high volume adds other than pain

Can anyone point me in the direction of some tabs or sheet music for Sophisticated Cissy Strut (The Meters)? Not 'Cissy Strut' - I have that I can't find it anywhere on the 'net Heeeeeeeeelp (please)

[quote name='topo morto' timestamp='1357494741' post='1923518'] My general experience: People who know no theory are quite good People who know a bit of theory are crap People who know a lot of theory are very good The sample is 'people I have played with', and I am not that great, which may skew the results. [/quote] What's 'a bit of theory' and what's 'a lot of theory' exactly? Having a few formal theory qualifications in music theory I can honestly say that all it did was point out how little I knew/know. Lord knows how you'd measure a level of 'how much' theory you know except whether you could put it into practice or not. Anyone can rote learn theory, but *applying* it is a whole new ball game. I'd rather know a little theory and apply is very well than a lot and apply it piss poorly Excellent thread by the way - lot's of really interesting comments.

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1357379684' post='1921746'] There are different levels of everything in the this world, including musicianship. The problem arises when others put their own meaning to whatever it is. Hence, it can get clicky and elitiste. If you play an instrument, whether it be in public or in private and achieve what you set out to do. You are a musician. It's usually others that tend to want to decide whether you are, or are not a musician (in their eyes) Just as an example, Gary Moore had virtually no theory, rarely used his little finger for fretting and couldn't read music. All things that go against the grain of what some percieve as a "real" musician. Especially tutors. Was he not a musician? I'd say he was, and a very successful and respected one. To the OP, yes you are, but it's up to you as to whatever level you wish to take that to. [/quote] +100 to this

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1357345508' post='1921553'] I think the issue is that a lot of players - especially bass players - only ever do covers, and they learn them from tab, so there is almost no incentive to understand anything about what they're playing - all they need to do is memorise the part. [/quote] Couldn't agree more. The time when theory becomes useful is when you are either reading sheet music or when you are composing. The latter is really helped by theory. This isn't just about being able to understand notation - but understanding how the music 'works' so you can make it do what you want. 'Theory' is just a collection of existing knowledge about how music 'works' - a sort of common wisdom - held together in a convenient way so it can be learnt and discussed and extended by other people. You *could* learn it all from scratch through experience, but absorbing the existing common body of knowledge is not necessarily a bad thing and can cut out a lot of time. Mind you, you could argue that it also might restrict your thinking to whatever is considered 'worthy' of being in the common body of knowledge. When you learn 'tab' you're learning some music theory, and when you learn where notes are on the neck you're learning some theory, but it's a bit of a tip of an iceberg compared to what you *could* understand from the common body of knowledge.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1357374801' post='1921681'] It all depends on what you've practiced. Classical music doesn't tend to swing, classical musicians (in general) don't learn to swing and don't practice (in general) improvisation. [/quote] I'd not agree with this (well, *someone* had to!) There are plenty of examples of classical music - especially contemporary, but even as far back as baroque - that 'swings' i.e. keeps a constant 'swung quaver' rhythm somewhere in the score. In pre-swing era music it tended to be written out long hand (with constant repetition of pairs of 'dotted-quaver - semi-quaver' notes), but more recently using the 'swung' notation above the initial pair of quavers to indicate swing. You could argue that it's not really 'swing' because it doesn't follow the conventional jazz/swing culture, and the players aren't really part of that 'loose' playing highly specialised mind set that good swingers have, but it's still a swing rhythm. I'm currently learning a grade 6 classical guitar piece that is explicitly 'swing' (contemporary modern) so they are definitely out there.

Rather than 'if you play an instrument then you are a musician', i'd say: 'if you can express what you are feeling using your instrument then you're a musician'. Obviously to be able to express yourself you need to be able to play an instrument but it's much more. Robots and computers can be made to 'play' and instrument, but they're not musicians.

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1357318962' post='1921014'] I thought "hipsters" were those blokes with shoulder-bags and skinny jeans who mince around cities on single-speed racers with tan leather saddles and narrow handlebars. CB [/quote] I'm glad I don't fit that description, but many do and it seems a little harsh on them... each to their own... who are we to judge? Back to the topic - erm, surely a Warwick Thumb 4 Bolt-on? I can't think of a more iconic bass... not their 'top' model, but perhaps one of their most distinctive? Obviously I'm biased

My land rover defender short wheel base is rubbish - no internal room at all I can get a guitar, amp, and two cabs, but not much more. I can get my drum kit into it if I need to, but I then have stands and seats and stuff sticking into me in painful ways. If I didn't have dogs and live up a dirt track I'd have an estate any day

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1355761414' post='1902337'] Reminds me of this story: A little boy sits on the river bank and is "fishing" with just a twig with a piece of rope, a bent nail and some bread crumbs. Along comes this insufferable twat who'se never been fishing before. Out of his car he takes the most expensive fishing gear that money can buy. He uses a lot of time connecting al the bits and pieces, and then proceeds and catches all the fish. best, bert [/quote] funny how these stories don't get passed on isn't it - i think life's unfair, and i need to live with it!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1355759927' post='1902292'] To be honest you come across in your post as just as deluded and arrogant as this other guy. Good luck, but there's more to music. I think you should probably chill out and have a good look at what's going on around you. WTF????? Goddammit! The BC software is feckin' up! best, bert [/quote] erm... did you mean to quote me there?

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1355753951' post='1902180'] Never has the phrase "All the gear and no idea" been more apt. [/quote] I wish you'd stop saying this! I'd like not to take it personally, but i *do* have all the gear, and I really *do* have no idea! It's depressing to be reminded of this....

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1355662839' post='1901022'] ... plinky plonky jazz ... [/quote] ?? is that a new type of jazz?