Doddy

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1099724' date='Jan 23 2011, 03:20 PM']Do you know I nearly started believing some of what was being said here then I went to the "Funk and Groove" thread - seems like somebody needs to tell all of these guys to "KISS"... Marcus..Stanley..Victor..Les Claypool...Mick Karn..TK Stevens..are you listening?? KISS, in my mind, will lead to nothing but mediocrity and bass being nothing more than a backing instrument.. God bless those who break the rules!!![/quote] The thing with the guys you mention,is that although they all have great chops,they have all played their share of 'simple' basslines. Many of their bass parts are not always as complex as they may appear (Claypool in particular). In some styles the bass is still a backing instrument and requires simple lines,its part of the job.It doesn't always have to push boundaries. As far as mediocrity goes,there are a lot of mediocre players who think that they are pushing things and being creative(see the thread on Jaxsn),while there are great players who have the chops (like Will Lee) who can lay down a simple part all day with groove and conviction. Check out the thread about Larry Grahams line on 'Everyday People' as an example.

It may only be one note,but listen to the subtleties-he's playing quavers but he alternates between staccato and legato notes. I've never heard [i]anyone[/i] play that 'easy' bassline so deep on the pocket and not vary it once. Most people struggle with the discipline and the groove.

Reminds me of when I saw a Cort Tim Stevens signature model in a shop.

The thing with Rhythm Changes,is that they pretty essential if you are planning to play jazz gigs. If you are just starting to practice jazz,there are probably other places to begin,but if you jumping into the deep end by going into a gigging situation,I'd recommend learning them.

[quote name='morsefull' post='1098106' date='Jan 21 2011, 09:06 PM']I must admit to being a little worried about getting lost, but if i concentrate on Doddy's advice and listen to the rythmn changes, if it goes a bit wrong I'll just stay calm look confident and half the punters will think the others angst means they've cocked up not me!![/quote] Sorry,I think I've confused you a bit there...When I say 'Rhythm Changes',I was referring to a common set of chord changes that are based on the chords to the time 'I Got Rhythm',and are used for a large number of tunes-'Oleo' and 'The Flintstones' being just two. These changes are almost as common in jazz as blues changes are.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1098018' date='Jan 21 2011, 07:46 PM']i was just thinking.. what does the upstroke of the thumb do, that your pointing of index finger cant do? is it in the structure of the rythm?[/quote] It allows you to leave your fingers available for plucking.

Yeah,Hadrien had had the Fodera (Beez Lite??) for a few years now. A couple of years back he had a signature model made by Windmill,but he still favoured the Smith.

Every the technique that I use was new at some point. It's just a matter if repetition and ultimately becoming comfortable enough to use it without too much,if any,effort. I tend to get the basics down within about an hour,then it's all about refining it. Like everything else,I may never use it on a gig,but it's ready to go if it's needed.

[quote name='Dread Bass' post='1097011' date='Jan 21 2011, 12:04 AM']Without wanting to turn this thread into why do people order a custom bass thread..... some people cant get what they need from a conventional bass maker. I needed a 7 string left handed bass. I am sure people will argue the usual: Jaco, macca etc etc only needed four strings.... Well good for them but i need 7 to achieve what i am aiming for. Nothing wrong with 4 strings, nothing wrong with 104 strings as far as i am concerned.[/quote] Just wondering why you [i]need[/i] a 7 string? I can understand why you would [i]want[/i] one,but why do you need it? I get why people want to buy custom instrument-I've got a couple myself. The only difference is,I got mine second hand and have never paid over a grand for a bass guitar,and only a bit more for my electric upright.

Mike Stern or Mike Keneally or Trey Anastasio. Steve Vai aswell.

[quote name='alant' post='1097477' date='Jan 21 2011, 01:32 PM']Pick most of the time, but fingers on some numbers. I always suffer with blisters when trying to use fingers too much as I think I probably play too heavily - any advice to prevent them?[/quote] Turn the amp up and practice playing lighter. You'll get the same volume but with more tone and speed.

First of all,I know you're probably joking,but referring to the drummer as 'the neanderthal' is not cool. Possibly the best musicians I have ever worked with have been drummers. I always thought that bass actually travels further than the guitar as their soundwaves are longer. If it's quiet on stage, chances are that at the back of the room it sounds fine. If you are loud on stage the back of the room will be swamped with bass. Your best bet is to have everything at a good,quieter volume on stage and get a good balance through the PA.

I dig the Chili Peppers,apart from their last two albums,but I think the main reason that people are critical of Flea is because over the last 15-20 years he has been lauded as being the 'greatest' by many players. He's a good player and he certainly found his niche in the music world,but there are better players. It's always the same when a band becomes very popular-its members are called superlatives like 'genius',regardless of their actual ability ,by their fans and slated by those who don't like them. I'm not knocking Flea,he's done some really cool stuff,and I spent time learning his lines from 'Mothers Milk' up to 'Californication',but this was because I was digging the band rather than worshipping Flea as an awesome player ( his old video made sure of that).

The OP says that 'being allowed to play more than just root notes on the beat is a definite must'. Why is it? Because you get bored? Lack discipline? What if you were given a chart where you just had to play root and fifth on beats 1 and 3 or a ballad full of semibreves? Would you make it more 'interesting' or would you play the part and get hired again? There are times when the bass can step forward and be melodic or busy,but there are probably even more times when you just have to lay it down with a simple line.Just because you may have some chops,doesn't mean you have to show them off. Once again,Adam Clayton got mentioned,and I will give my usual response. There is a big difference between someone who plays simply because it is all that they can play (eg.Clayton?),and a player who plays simply because it's the right thing to play (eg.Nathan East?).

I use my fingers pretty much all the time,but have no problems playing with a pick.I'd rather not use one but I can,as proven when I had some finger problems a few weeks back and used a pick for a couple of weeks (about 24 shows).

Initially it's the aesthetics. Then it's a combination of weight,balance,neck feel,tone...pretty much everything is an important factor.

The problem with that price range is that the active circuit is one of the main places where they cut corners. Checking the second hand market is your best bet,otherwise you would probably be better getting a passive bass.

I love that video of Branford. He's just so right.

[quote name='cd_david' post='1096360' date='Jan 20 2011, 02:11 PM']I know we are not a company but we are a profession.[/quote] Although let's be honest,for 90% of members on here it's not a profession.

[quote name='LeoFender' post='1096317' date='Jan 20 2011, 01:42 PM']Yes that is called reflection, however it only truly works as part of a complete learning cycle as in Kolb. ie taking part in all of the experiences which is'nt applicable as i did not play or compose the piece of music in question so therefore the value of your critique is little.[/quote] But,when I talk about limited harmonic content it could (should?) make you look at your own harmonic ability. I've read people slag off guys before for certain aspects of their playing and have gone on to look at those aspects of my own playing. So even though you haven't written the music we are talking about,you can still benefit from the discussion of his abilities.

You are Jaxsn and I claim my £5

[quote name='LeoFender' post='1096288' date='Jan 20 2011, 01:22 PM']Well tell him not us. I, nor anyone else will benefit from your peer based assessment of his performance[/quote] He can read it if he wants. You could benefit from it,to a point,if you take on board the problems pointed out and work on them yourself. I do this all the time.

[quote name='270degrees' post='1096268' date='Jan 20 2011, 01:01 PM']He knows how to hold a bass./He's sh*t./Nice jumper. [/quote] Haha

[quote name='silddx' post='1096256' date='Jan 20 2011, 12:52 PM']No. You have not utilised the constructive feedback sandwich. Positive / Negative / Positive You could, for example, have mentioned that his slapped double stop slides did in fact remain diatonic. And that he demonstrated some awareness of the concept of the ONE.[/quote] Right ok....I was unaware of the sandwich concept.

[quote name='LeoFender' post='1096035' date='Jan 20 2011, 09:48 AM']If you dont have anything constructive to say, leave it alone and move along dont point and laugh at the musicians you dont appreciate.[/quote] Alright then..... Rhythmically he is all over the place.Whenever he goes for anything even remotely complex his time seriously drifts and he ends up doing those big slides while he gets himself back together. Harmonically,everything is very simple and based around the minor pentatonic,with his slap playing being limited to E and occasionally A minor pentatonic. Technically,he gets a lot of fret buzz and he often trips himself up because he is trying to execute ideas that he can't pull off. He has a lot of confidence in what he is doing,which because he is unable to back it up with his playing,manifests itself as ego. He could be a much better player if he spent some more time in the woodshed rather than producing ego boosting videos of himself. Constructive enough?