philparker

I offered up 'Anacrusis' as a potential band name, a couple of years ago, but nobody else would have it!

You have a pm!

That was quick?!!!

Not unexpectedly though!

Another fantastic and inspiring workshop, with lots of tips and knowledge gained - it is hard work, spending the whole day being put through one's paces with a busy musical program, but very rewarding and encouraging as well.

It was also good to see Martin Penning (Luthier) in attendance as well as some of David Heye's teenage prodigies putting both my DB playing and musicality to shame with their technical and practical superiority. Some of the DB ensemble playing, with deference to Remembrance Day, was such a joy to be part of that cannot be replicated for me in my amateur orchestra!

Next workshop on Sunday 29th January 17 - if anyone is interested?

The next Double Bass academy is this coming Sunday the 13th November at the Wells Museum, adjacent to the Cathedral - itinerary pretty much the same as the last one with new material of course.

It's well worth attending, even if you're a comparative beginner, you would gain a lot by just attending and listening if you don't want to play. For those 'improving', just like me, it is very good value indeed, even though it's nearly a 2-hour drive for me.

I like it - and I like the sound, but we would need to hear it in a stage setting to see what the feedback characteristics are?

I have an AER One, which I also use with a 5-string Wal fretless as well as my DB. I also have the AI Clarus +, which I use with one (or two) Crazy 8(s).

The AER is definitely a one-for-all solution and I have gigged with it extensively, You have identified a problem that can be overcome and that is experimenting with the EQ; you can get it to be punchy with both DB and EB as well as an unlimited palette of colours. The AI is clean and transparent without trying to dial in that clarity - indeed, it is difficult to get a muddy tone from the settings, whereas you have to be careful with the AER. I can use the AER without a pre-amp, but then again I laso have an GK MB 200 that I can also use (with a Crazy 8) without a pre-amp.

I prefer the flexibility and I also can use the 2 Crazy 8s as a small PA or acoustic amp for my classical guitar performance, which the AER would not match.

I use an AER Amp 1, which is small, but not quite as light as it looks like it will be, but at only 13 Kgs it's not exactly heavy.

I also use 1 or 2 'Crazy 8s' with either an AI Clarus + or even with a GK MB200' which is a very light and capable set up and doesn't even need a pre-amp with a Full Circle.

I've not played any gigs where I need more volume, but if I did I would be looking at F112 or F212 or even a Barefaced.

Congratulations - on your new baby!

[quote name='Mike' timestamp='1474302654' post='3136960']
Great, I'll shoot some money over now. These will be fun for my students sightreading!
[/quote]

Great idea; I will do the same, but sight reading for me!

Well worth the money!

[quote name='chickencole' timestamp='1476085220' post='3151004']
Figured the only way to sort it would be to go for a rigid bag, (not that we have done this as yet), would be more like a coffin for a double bass!
[/quote]

One word of caution about the covered-polystyrene-hard-cases, whilst they are functionally very good in protecting the instrument - they are huge and cumbersome and take up a lot of space both when stored at home and when taken to a venue.

I had one but sold it, very cheaply (on this forum!) and the buyer got a real bargain, but when not in use, it was larger than the wardrobe in my spare room; when going to venues it was difficult to find storage space - it also makes it harder to manoeuvre through doorways and to fit in the car compared to a padded soft case.

That's a good price for what you're getting, but as above, it will need the tail-piece wire shortening and may probably need a good set-up as well (probably hasn't already been done) to make the playability easier - even with that extra added cost it is still worth buying!

Well, it gets a big thumbs up from me! A fantastic Workshop - I can't wait for the next one on 13 Nov.

Quite a few people had to cancel for different reasons (no doubt, the DB bash, which I would have otherwise gone to!), so we had a small class, which could have made it more intense, especially as the others were already pupils of David's and I was the newbie.

He's a really nice guy with a relaxed and confident teaching style from a very well structured program. I learnt so much in one day and some of the information I wish I'd been taught earlier, so after my next exam I will alter my practise program to take in some of the structure, particularly technique, thumb position (10 minutes a day) and more sight reading.

I got at least 30 mins one-to-one on one of my exam pieces and hopefully my exam date will fall after the next workshop, but there is constant teaching throughout. The ensemble playing was very rewarding

As mentioned above, it would have even been worthwhile to come along for half a day just to watch as there was so much to learn

Music stand; stool; pencil, rubber & pencil sharpener; Adam Hall music stand light; spare rosin; end pin anchor and non-slip stop; tuner; bottle of water.

I've trialled both the Honey's and the Arco/Jazz [prototypes] as part of Daf's Innovation Strings Trial - and both were as good as any other hybrid to bow.

I did a quick YouTube clip showing the difference of the Arco/Jazz compared to Evah Pirazzi's and Belcanto's, but I've improved my Orchestral playing two or three-fold in the last couple of years and listening back to my arco makes me cringe, so I won't post it!

Hey, congratulations and welcome to the club. Great effort to drive all that way, but it is the only option and the one I would advise to anyone wanting to buy a DB - you have to be prepared to travel. I've travelled a lot for DB activities: purchases; lessons; workshops; concerts etc. but it's all worth the effort.

I hope you enjoy - there's plenty of helpful experience on this sub-forum!

Edit: That's one hell of a collection you've got there?!!

Well, I'm signed up - here is the day's events, I'm looking forward to it:

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"][b]Registration[/b]: 09:40 – 10:00[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"][b]Schedule[/b]:[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]10:00 Technique Session[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]10:40 Massed Basses[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]11:20 Coffee[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]11:40 Massed Basses/Ensembles[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]12:30 Scale Studies[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]13:00 Lunch[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]14:00 Open Lesson/Master Class[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]15:00 Massed Basses[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]15:40 Afternoon Tea[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]16:00 Informal Concert[/color][/size][/font]
[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]16:30 End[/color][/size][/font]

I use Carlsson, having previously used Nymans and Pops, couldn't get on with Hidersine.

As above, I've seen it written that Carlsson and Nyman are practically the same, but Carlsson being slightly softer and that some people use Nyman in summer and Carlsson in winter, but they all tend to go off after a while so every now and again I'll get a new one.

There are lots of methods and I'm sure some good suggestions will come along soon, but FWIW, I just give them a good wipe with a lint free cloth and then wipe the dust off the belly - I have to do this once or twice a day so I don't want to faff around, it takes me about 10 seconds!

Anybody going?

The first one is on Sun October 2nd at the Wells and Mendip museum, run by Davis Heyes with more to come every 6 weeks or so. Info on Martin Penning's website.

It's aimed at orchestral playing and improvement from the minimum level of about grade 5/6, with technique, bowing skills, performance, sight reading, repertoire etc.

It's about 50 miles for me to drive there, but I'm hoping it will be worthwhile- I've found music workshops very useful in the past.

Bargain...I've spent more than that on strings!

Turn up the bass; turn up the bass; turn up the bass! like normal bass playing, but with more bass!

I play a few reggae numbers and you can have great fun especially filling in the gaps when there is just one guitar and no keyboard, I improvise a bit. I went through Ed Friedlland's reggae method and a Bob Marley Play-along (Hal Leonard) just to get my head into the different rhythmic patterns. We do a Bob Marley medley and it is my favourite piece to play, although I have the exact music score I still have to alter it to suit the sparse line-up.

For some reason, compared to the other music we do in the set, the reggae songs require that deeper drive, which the bass boost on my AER can do with one switch (I'm also 54, but on a diet )

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1471266756' post='3111651']Don't discount the idea of studying with a good teacher - I've been studying with a terrific classical teacher[/quote]

+1, for everything SS has said.

I was in the same position as you 4 years ago and got great advice from this forum and I've not looked back since. Technique-wise there is a big difference between DB and EB and despite fortnightly lessons I still get picked up regularly for letting my technique slip. I could only find a classical/orchestral teacher, but I thought the discipline would do me good - I am now a member of two amateur orchestras and I play DB far more than EB and love all genres.

Lessons from a good teacher would be my advice without disparaging all the good videos out there (including Geoff and Ed) one-to-one sessions correct your technique and keep you on track. I intend to keep regular lessons even after I've finished my ABRSM exams, although less frequently.

I use the AER Bass One, which is more than ample and good for EB, DB and EUB, but of course it's not a cheap option!

[quote name='philparker' timestamp='1470209267' post='3104031']I can't describe how to check the difference between ply and solid wood, perhaps someone else will offer words of wisdom?
[/quote]

Whilst I can't describe it in words - I can see it in most instances and that screams plywood!

My own opinion, now I've seen the photos, I wouldn't take the gamble; even at £100, you will probably need to spend another £400 on strings, bridge, bit & pieces and set up and then pray that it sounds well and plays well. It certainly isn't worth £300.