paul_c2

That looks like damage in transit. Hopefully the shop can claim off the courier no worries, then send another one which won't be so badly damaged.

Scott Devine

I've already moved on, in a way. Music was/is a hobby to me, but playing on your own is a small fraction of the enjoyment of playing with others, in a live situation. We haven't rehearsed together for 6+ months now. We did 3 or 4 recordings initially when everyone was in lockdown/on furlough, but that's passed now and the interest has waned. I'll keep playing, but its "idling" along and I pick up the guitar once or twice a week nowadays. I bought a keyboard and was initially enthusiastic but more recently I've only played that once/twice a week too. If/when it returns, I'll get back into it, but for now, my interests are gradually shifting towards other things, which are easier to do on my own (at home).

There is no connection, the point was, over the range of options available, these are two (basically unrelated) options which address the spread over the virus by breaking/not creating transmission opportunities.

Putting to one side you've quoted the Daily Mail as a scientific source (indirectly), you've made the mistake of not quoting YOUR OWN reference properly. The figures are 13 Sept: 3.20%; 20 Sept: 4.9% and you've rounded down to whole numbers of 3-4%; had you rounded it properly, 3-->5% it would have given a different impression - that infections in pubs/restaurants are rising quite significantly. Its also notable its only for "outbreaks" - I'm guessing there is a threshold, above which the number of infections is defined as an outbreak. Semi-useful, I guess. Anyway, getting back to the point, I welcome the call for justification for restricting pubs to 10pm closing but I do agree there is an unintended consequence of doing so; and no easy way to refine the rule. However its a "behavioural science" area for a unique new virus so there won't necessarily be evidence (just theory and what little we have so far). Its not easy to do - far easier to simply bash the government. Whether it gets worse or better; and if it gets worse what the next step is (personally I think fully closing pubs again is around the corner but I don't wish it on anyone). I think sooner or later, they'll need to choose between a full return of students to unis; OR pubs remaining open.

I wasn't aware there was a scientific study showing the percentage splits of where infections are occurring - can you provide a link please?

What was the exact advice from MU? Are you awaiting clarification from them; or are they awaiting clarification from somewhere else? We need bodies such as the MU to be "on the ball" at this time, not lagging behind or unclear on advice.

The government guideance was updated again yesterday: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do They've clarified what happens for "amateur musical groups", although it is still not black and white. Since the Police would probably use this same guideline for deciding whether to issue a £100 FPN, I'd not risk it in my circumstance but other groups/bands >6 members (England) may decide to still go ahead: 3.19 Can I go to my hobby club / amateur musical group / other leisure activity? It is against the law to gather in groups of more than six, where people are from different households or support bubbles. The rule above does not mean that there cannot be more than six people in any one place. All activities for under 18s are exempt. There can be multiple groups of six people in a place, provided that those groups do not mingle. In practice, however, this will make it difficult for some activities to take place without breaking the law. Activities where there is a significant likelihood of groups of more than six mingling – and therefore breaking the law – should not take place until further COVID-19 Secure guidance has been developed and approved to enable the activity to happen safely. This may include extended tour groups, large banquet dinners, society or club meetings, or amateur music or drama rehearsals.

I've tried both and they are like chalk and cheese, very different basses.

Would be interesting to know what for - too noisy, lack of social distancing, or just not allowed? Or is Darwen one of those places with additional rules, I can't remember?

I agree, its contradictory! I think it needs to be interpreted as such though. Note, this is just my opinion, I'm not an expert etc: 1. There is a guideline that says a bunch of stuff about performing arts and rehearsals etc. In that, it says amateurs and pros can do it in a Covid-secure way. (15th Aug) 2. There is a law which says you can't meet in groups >6 except for (a list of exemptions including) work. Thus, a group of <=6 could still rehearse; if its a group of >6 then it would need to be "work" ie professionals otherwise they're breaking the law. (effective 14th Sept) 2 overrides 1 - because its law, not guidance.

Read the document! It says so in it....

The new guidance is now available but its more vague than ever! In summary, social gatherings >6 are illegal, if its "work" you can still do it though; rehearsals are NOT on the exemptions list (but sport/recreation is); and the guidelines specifically relating to performing arts haven't been altered to distinguish between amateur and pro (previously they allowed pro but not amateur; on 15 Aug it was changed to allow both). So, they're somewhat contradictory. Here is the latest document though, make of it what you will: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Leads? Lead. I only have one lead I take to rehearsals. Bass --> lead --> combo amp. I carry spare leads in a "gig bag" which is kept in the car permanently, alongside other things I don't use such as pedals, wireless, batteries etc The leads are coiled up in a somewhat random way, which makes retrieving them fun, but because I play bass I don't have a ton of extra stuff or effects. One of the advantages of bass vs guitar. In theory if I ever returned to a rehearsal or actual gigging even, with a guitar, then I might have to investigate further how to actually plug in and use things like effects or whatever extra stuff other people have and plug into and spend money on etc.

LOL fair enough.....

This is a good argument against devolution, and definitely doesn't help the SNP's "we still want to become independent" campaign. With all the confusion, I can't help thinking they're making up different rules for the sake of it because they can, because they're devolved. I live near the Welsh border and some of the supposedly "science based" things are diametrically opposite. They can't both be right.

I don't know about pub groups but I can understand that. You'd need to read the guidance to see if your/a group qualifies. I've seen stuff on Facebook eg by brass bands where they're saying it needs to be a registered charity but that looks like invented Balaerics. Many amateur groups have a committee, constitution, bank account of their own, meetings etc etc very much like a business would be run - there is no clear line really. Some groups are obviously a business/organised group (but with amateur members, not professionals) and the stage 4 allowed these to return to rehearsals and gigging.

An organisation/business could rehearse indoors, so long as a risk assessment is done by the organisation/business which encompasses all relevant covid guidelines, eg socially distanced, reducing/eliminating touch points, etc etc, in line with "stage 4" of the master plan for performing arts/theatre/music etc. I'd link to it, but I have a funny feeling it will be irrelevant in a few hours.... To put it another way, a band rehearsal by an organised group was recognised as distinct from a social meeting.

Thank you, I had missed that piece of guidance. Or perhaps, in my mind, I'd dismissed it because it seems almost completely irrelevant to any type of music I know as such: "played at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult". I don't think there's ANY kind of live music which is such a low volume as to allow normal conversation over the top of it! And if it did....is there any point playing? Even a single eg jazz pianist would need to play softly.

You'll have to wait for the guidelines/law to be published later (today I think), to see if appropriately socially distanced band rehearsals are a valid exemption.

Were pubs ever allowed to resume indoor gigs anyway? I thought it was only for "dedicated music venues" and it was made clear pubs didn't fall into that group. Outdoors was different...

Forgot to add.....I've used a wireless but only because I was also soundchecking the vocals. But normally you'll get very little time to do anything like a proper soundcheck so you just get used to more/less knowing the right settings to use in the various environments you'll play in. That's also a thing to get used to. Personally I tend to use a 120W 15" amp (don't need all that power though) because I prefer it, but I can & have used a 30W 8" (I think? or 10") Fender Rumble and its done the job. But with the PA and singer too, and a lot of others, you eventually just run out of power.

I've played in a big band for a number of years and also set up the PA. Here's some thoughts: 1. You're at the back in the corner, right? You won't hear everyone, but I always went near the drummer. If you're positioned for playing a gig, you probably won't hear some saxes, since they'll be pointing forwards. But with you at the back, unless you do something incredibly daft with the amp, everyone will hear you okay. 2. Forget about PA, monitors or a sound engineer. Yes we had one - for the singer. More recently we stuck the keyboard through it too, and a bit of guitar. But not bass, well except as a backup in case the amp blows up (so...don't rely on the DI out the amp....use a DI box before). 3. The guitarist will have 100x the troubles of 'cutting through' unless they're positioned properly, I'd suggest right at the front for them and/or going thru the PA if you have one. 4. Less is more. Think of bass+amp as a self contained acoustic instrument and all the others as acoustic instruments.

Can you direct monitor it?

I'd import it into a track in Reaper. And if there's still issues convert it to a WAV