bass_dinger

The motto of all Gear Abstinence members, every year...

I am looking for an Eastman Mandolin, and Richard's Guitars seems to be the only UK shop with the full range of instruments in stock. Four hours on the train, but nevertheless on my "must visit" list.

In the language of basschat, that means "Buy another five string, but make sure it's a better one next time."

Lego will have a shock when they put it into production, only to find out that all the votes came from poor musicians who are saving up for the real thing, or were bassists, or are waiting for Behringer to create a homage to the original instrument.

Reading between the lines, that sounds like a sad story, even though you were able to benefit from the gift. Be sure to use it, even in a rehearsal, so that you can send your benefactor a YouTube link, so that you can show your friend that you are using it, and that it sounds wonderful.

I say to the drummer (always the same guy) "you're slowing down" (or speeding up).

An undeniably pretty instrument - thank you for sharing that.

How did the event go? Any videos or photos to share?

@SamIAm - a sad loss. She had enough character to leap off of the pages of this forum, and become a real personality - honest, warm, engaging, funny. And not embarrassed to be in a ukulele band.

Judging by your post, it's much harder than it looks!! Any photos of your new kit?

The bass is a gift. The Shipping fee is not in the signal chain... Still in, I would say.

That'll be me, right enough. "Gear Up Music. Because the Post Office is closer than the charity shop...." I shall have a look at this, too. Yes - a quick tour of the area with Google Maps showed an anonymous office, rather than a vibrant guitar shop. Yes, and even the 100 "proper" Google reviews are suspiciously well-written. Capital letters, full stops, sentences. I guess the question is "is basschat willing to risk my bass guitars on the company?" Hmmm. I might contact them tomorrow.

Has anyone used or had dealings with Gear Up Music? They are based in London's Covent Garden, and seem to offer an easy way of selling instruments. Email, valuation, post the item to them, get the money via bank transfer. I am tempted to try them. However, before I do, has anyone tried them? https://gearupmusic.co.uk/

Personalised band plectrums? Perhaps if they were reclassified from "plectrum", to "triangular plastic business cards", then you would be exempt from failure.

I think that you plan to install an effects pedal and speakers into your cello. Or, more likely, it is a home cinema/ surround sound hifi. You will play Deutsche Gramophon CDs of orchestral masterpieces, and sit in the middle, playing along with your cello

@EddieG last visited basschat in the back end of January. I am confident that he will respond in good time, and when he has something to report.

@BassTool My daughter reached Grade 8 on violin, and grade 5 in Theory. I asked her if she recognised the book, but she didn't. It may simply be that she followed a different syllabus (ABRSM, rather than the AB of your book).

I entered a Rubbish Car giveaway on Facebook, for a Morris Marina. Luckily, I didn't win it...

I am impressed that you know what note I am playing! I should have written "One reads a middle C on the clef but one actually plays a note one octave below that. Is this the case?" Even with better grammar, the answer is still yep, of course.

You wouldn't fit much gear in one of those!

And also, music notation can be played on multiple instruments, without having to be re-encoded. If I have notation for a bass guitar, it can instead be played by the left hand of a pianist (and, indeed, often is!); a double bassist; an organist... I am told that the bass guitar is a transposing instrument. I read a middle C on the clef but I actually play a note one octave below that. Is this the case?

Band in a Box was popular (and perhaps still is), if anyone needs something more adaptable. https://www.pgmusic.com/ Hardware solutions might include the Yamaha QY series - I had a Yamaha QY700.

It's a hard line - every not counts, and terrific fun. Here, a version with the "weww-weww-weww" slides. I think that I am ready to try that extra bit, having learned the line a few years back.

I have just now spoken with a pianist friend who is serial winner of Distinctions, and a naturally talented musician. Even she reckons that three months to the next grade is pushing it. Likewise, the consensus here is that I needn't be pressurised into a speedy transition of the grades. So, I practice, and focus on the syllabus. And if I am ready for the exam in June, then all well and good. And if not, then November is an option too.

You are right - I retired from work as I no longer enjoyed the stress of deadlines, nor did I enjoy working on my keyboard all day. To go back to that stress ( and to pay for it too!!) is not what I wish for. If I am ready in June, then I will do it. Otherwise, I will wait for the November exam.