lowdowner

that's great, thanks

Does anyone have any recommendations for resources for becoming more familiar with musical notation and the bass clef in particular? I was to improve my bass clef sight reading and I'm finding that most resources include tabs with the clef notation and - apart from covering the tab up with masking tape each time! - i'm always distracted by the tab and then don't concentrate on the actual dots. I want to become more familiar with playing from bass clef rather than tabs because I think it opens up some options with positioning and theory that you miss with tab (don't get me wrong, tab is *really* useful and I use it all of the time). When I used to play a flute, because there was no tab available and everything was in standard music notation my treble clef sight reading became second nature and I never had to think about it much, but bass clef is becoming a challenge because it's just so easy to get by without it and rely on tabs or chord sheets. I'm looking for theory and training books, resources for bass guitar music in bass clef notation (no tab), online bass clef sight reading courses, training software, or any other recommendations for becoming fluent with sight reading bass clef.

Have a Vigier Passion III with carbon reinforcements - great thing is, I can put any gauge strings on and not bother about truss rod adjustments etc. Love mine

I did a search but obviously couldn't find the right term to get a result

Same outfit as me: B|Amp and 2x HD 112's Great sound. I bought mine from Bass Direct back in September and didn't realise they were going to get so difficult to source so I'm glad I did!

That seems completely sensible

7 - all drumming (long story about 'filling in' and getting stuck behind the drum kit!)

I've been watching a few performances lately of pub and events covers bands and I've noticed in more that a couple of cases that the bass player is using a music stand. I do this for fun, and I couldn't really care less whether anyone else uses a music stand when gigging but I've been playing most of these tracks so long it's all muscle memory now anyway so I don't, but I wondered how common it was. Do you use a music stand when gigging? Do you know others that do (or don't)? Just wondering...

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1507492887' post='3385886'] The groove is more important than the actual notes [/quote] So true

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1506026148' post='3376039'] The reason you should be getting a 5 string is for the extended low range and for the easier reach of notes when grooving (saves moving your hand about so often). It's just some extra notes, not a completely different instrument. But it is a lovely bass. [/quote] Basses are my only weakness! (well, and decent white burgundy, but that's genetic!)

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1506024838' post='3376025'] If your 4 string bass is that good you don't need a 5 string bass. [/quote] but... but.. look at this beauty....

Maggie-may. Great bass line https://youtu.be/h9dlG-iq3F8

I was once in a band (playing bass of course!) where the lead singer was an ex girlfriend of the bass player in hot chocolate! And, yes!, I *do* believe in miracles!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1506022275' post='3376001'] That would account for the waltz being played under the third verse then ... [/quote] You wicked man!

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1506022681' post='3376003'] I would say leave any 4 stringers in the case and just use the 5er. That is what I did, then whatever I had played on a 4 string I moved up 5 frets, almost like there was a capo. That was how I got my head around using the centre of the neck - and then it just kind of followed from that. Then again I tend to use 'shapes' and no theory so it may not work for everyone. [/quote] great advice - problem is, my 4 string is a *beaut* of a bass and I love her *very* much

Apparently, when recording 'Johhny B Goode' Chuck told the band "You can play whatever you like but if you don't stop for my lead - you're fired!!" Cool

[indent=1]Chuck Berry is our band's finale! Mind you, I play the drums and our bassist moves to the front and shows off his licks so I can claim no fame![/indent] [indent=1]Always goes down well though [/indent]

Finally I'm going to get a 5 string after years of 4-stringedness! For any players who have made the change, any advice on how to get the most from the extra string? I want to think of it as a new instrument in a way and not just 'a 4 string with an extra low string tagged on' - any hints or tips to make the most of the new opportunities?

I'll take a look at all these - thanks guys

Apologies if this has been asked before but... I don't have *any* pedals, I've always thought maybe I'd learn to play my bass 'properly' first and then try out some pedals. Now I'm bored of waiting to get good enough to excuse buying a pedal so.. if you bought just one - or you were starting again and wanted to buy your first pedal - what would it be? I'm not so fussed with flexibility, more what would be fun/wow-factor/interesting?

Are they still going? I thought they were defunct?

Man - the bass can go *high* if you're funkin' and *low* if you're groovin' - everyone knows both are cool!

[quote name='Higgie' timestamp='1494377043' post='3295516'] Mini rig: Darkglass Microtubes 900 - Bergantino AE210 Main and backup heads with my 2 main cabs. The Epifani will shortly be going into the van for my function band, leaving me with the Bergantino AE410 and 210s as my main gigging setups. All 3 cabs just for the hell of it [/quote] How are you finding the Darkglass? I wondered whether you tried the Bergantino B|Amp as you have their cabs?

[quote name='pbasspecial' timestamp='1492719450' post='3282743'] I have just learnt 20 tracks over a three week period for a new band. Get them to where I am 80% happy with them but I know in rehearsals they are probably going to: 1. Change the arrangement 2. Change the bloody key! I work on the Pareto principle/80/20 rule whereby you get 80% of the result from 20% of the effort e.g. 1 hour of practise will get you 80% and 5 hours will get you 100%. I am experienced enough that I wouldn't want to spend 5 hours of my free time learning a song and then they either do 1 and/or 2 or possibly no. 3. Which is drop the song all together. Now that's really annoying but have only lost 1 hour as opposed to 5. [/quote] yup - good answer... the 80/20 rule is right IMHO