thumperbob 2002

We Do Soul Christmas- graham parker and the rumour and Back Door Santa- old soul one- four chords each Bob

[quote name='crez5150' post='659345' date='Nov 19 2009, 03:49 PM']yeah I always use Keef O'Toole - Comedy Genius[/quote] Our old chinese percussionist used to use Fook Yu

Wow- how responsible- the only time i fill out a form at a venue is for the internal revenue service ( taxman ) signed Mickey Mouse

[quote name='Jamesemt' post='657129' date='Nov 17 2009, 03:55 PM']There's a few of us, I just can't remember names!! I'm in Ignition - only just started playing pubs and clubs so you probably haven't heard of us. What band are you in?[/quote] I`m in Soul patrol- we play at the Weir in Hessle and on the first Thursday of the month and fusion Bar in Beverley on the last Friday. We dont play much either- by choice. Polar Bear on Friday- first time there in about 20 years!! Come down if you fancy it and say Hi. www.soulpatrol.org.uk Bob

I think we all make snap judgements about people- its in our genes. When we auditioned a drummer for the band I`m in this young kid walked in with his trousers ( literally ) round his ankles- I had never seen this "fashion" before and he looked as though he was`nt bothered- did`nt really know the songs either. Anyhow we gave him the benefit of the doubt and he has fit in really well- for the first gig he had the set off pat- is a really hardworker and loves gigging. He was only standoffish because he is a bit shy. I say give people a chance- they will either step up or quit. Bob

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='657380' date='Nov 17 2009, 07:17 PM']I don't read music. However, I've always wondered how you can write a piece of music and inform the reader that it grooves. For instance, if you've been in a situation where you have to sight-read a piece of music and you never heard it before, as it's an original piece, how do you know where to make it groove? Is it just instinctive?[/quote] Now thats a question!! Andrew Gouche says you cant write this sort of thing down- no doubt there are some expert readers here- (I`m not one ) - that will disagree. Marcus Miller said he was paid so much because he could sight read a new piece of music and it sounded like he had played it for years. Then again what is Groove- does it exist? Can it be described on paper? probably- but by a better player ( reader ) than me. Bob

Sorry pal I`m playing a gig that night.Didnt know there was anyone else from Hull- what band are you in? Bob

I`ve been playing for 30yrs + and have dealt with all kinds of pond life in that time. I refuse to do it now though and do make my opinions felt in a fairly cold but honest way. Otherwise there will be trouble........................... Can be frustrating though- after a little time off I was asked to join a gospel choir- the choir were fantastic- would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up- had tv engagements, radio work etc. The problem was the band-- The Guitarist couldnt play The Drummer couldnt play The Sax player played too much- but never the same thing twice. The Keys player had to be seen to be believed- I have never seen anyone that could play every single note on his intrument in EVERY song! I let it go thinking they were finding their feet- later found out that they had been together for two years- I left at that time, having done about 5 gigs in a couple of months. They had some babes in the choir though! Bob

[quote name='fatback' post='651383' date='Nov 11 2009, 10:08 AM']Less is more? And less can be melodic, lyrical, startling and ultra effective. Goes for all instruments, not just bass. fatback[/quote] definitely right- i love simple bass lines and try not to be too bored playing them- Jameson could do both massively complicated and very simple- sometimes in the same song so anything works as long as it fits the song bob

see below for my rigs Practicing tonite with the 1212L and LM11 Bob

[quote name='Geek99' post='650593' date='Nov 10 2009, 01:21 PM']Speaking as someone who has just had major hand surgery for rsi, I would say its not something you should ignore or selftreat. I'd get two opinions, if it were me.[/quote] +1 and I would lower the bass- your wrist needs to be straight- or as straight as you can manage- always seems strange when someone picks up their shoulder- a bit like quasimodo- so lowering the bass I`m sure will put less strain on the wrist. Worked for me - see the dos though Bob

Yeah great post by Bilbo Saw a function band at a ball I was at on Sat night. Really proficient bass player but I guess was really bored as was slapping on the most basic tracks- added nothing. However when he started to sight read on Walking on Sunshine I was a little confused to say the least. Bob

I use my amps flat with just a little EQ on my Warwick- I do agree actives can be too powerful so you need to know what you are doing- it takes years really. Played mainly passives for years and no doubt these will improve the tone of your fingers- using actives EQ to compensate does not work. Dont forget all basses are different and like Marcus Miller says- you have lots of options open to you with 4 strings and two pickups- I play a 5 Bob

30 mins a day of challenging stuff- whether a new technique or brushing up you r reading skills- try not to practice things that you can do easily- transcribe records you like but cant play

I have a 1212L and a 1515L- no issues at all initially but just recently there is a buzz coming from the tweeter on the 1212L- checked wiring- all OK- is intermittent and goes when I switch the tweeter off. Contacted Shaun at SHX where I purchsed it and he said they are looking at another which has the same problem- thinks its the tweeter switch or crossover. He said he would get back to me by the end of the week so we`ll see. Paid about £1200 for both cabs and they sound immense!! Shaun seems a very nice chap and I`m sure he`ll sort it. Will keep the forum posted on this. Other than that I`m delighted with the cabs- massive sound, lovely warm tone and I can carry both in one trip. Bob

1987- Manchester international II- supporting Zoot and the Roots- the best gig I have ever played/ attended. Proper sweat coming down the walls type gig. Packed does not describe it. It all went wrong later when filthy lucre rose its ugly head!! Bob

I`ve done loads of charity do`s in the past and believe me it is always best to go on first- the times I`ve been sat in the dressing room just kicking my heels for nothing are too numerous to mention so I think you did what was asked of you- other than the verbal confrontations that is. Its amazing how after a few gigs- and depending upon the money for your living you start to have a real disdain for the audience- well I did. Funny that. Now I love gigging now I dont depend upon it. Bob

really fancy a skjold david dyson signature- but the problem is I would sound like me and not him! i`l stick with my warwick and just try to do a good imitation of him- and fail. bob

I`m a bit short sighted and ( like John Lennon ) take off my glasses and hey presto the audience turns to a blur- job done!! Really helps in a little venue. Bob

Been playing bass for over 30 years- since was 15- always played at least four times per week- mostly in cover bands though was with a couple of signed bands- never really got anywhere. Had a period ( 4 years ) with one tribute band where we played almost every night- toured UK, Germany, did cruises- bahamas- Israel etc. Really not a great life once you have been doing it for years. Being in others pockets can be difficult- esp 7 in a van for hours at a time. Am really happy now playing 4-5 times per month. Have my own business so no real financial pressures. I have had some years without playing a note- really because for a period I played too much and got burnt out. Now really enjoying it again. Good luck to anyone trying to go pro- my advice is to practice- get yourself about a bit and stay nice. Stay off the booze too. Bob

[quote name='bubinga5' post='634091' date='Oct 23 2009, 01:15 AM']Blimey that was good....forget your Saadiq....he really is so talented this guy..[/quote] What a terrific keys player he is...............got all his albums.............there is a clip on youtube with Pino Palladino playing live- think its on the arsenio hall show- amazing laid back bass. Bob

Yeah Most "normal" venues it is 70% visual and the music comes a distant second. Just the way is is- but should not be. I always look pissed off- but in reality I am loving it- however I hide behind the brass section! Bob

Absolutely terrific- wish I could play like that but I`m too old school- or too old. Bob

yeah I would leave the amp flat and concentrate on the bass and fingers- by far the two most important factors- find out exactly what the individual pickups sound like- different plucking location- bridge- neck- you should really only touch the volume knob- though you may need to tweak slightly depending upon the room - but only small adjustments- takes months to really find out what a bass wil do / sounds like. Always viewed the amp as a tool used to simply amplify the bass signal. Do not try to boost either the bass or treble frequencies- concentrate on the mid range. Bob