Doddy

Some I like,some I don't. I've played in the pit for a bunch of them.

Yeah,I've heard about latin percussionists (congas etc) doing that.

Does it really matter? Some very good players don't earn a fortune,and some mediocre players do. It happens,and has more to do with things not bass related(band popularity/pretty singer).

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='989604' date='Oct 15 2010, 07:57 PM']You can have a million degrees in music, but as a bass player you have to hold a groove. Is that what the OP is about? It would be unusual for someone from a music college to come out and not be able to play well, but I've had experience of musicians being tied to the notes and not being able to do anything without them. Just a thought.[/quote] I don't think that going to any music college had anything to do with playing well or not. I've worked with guys who have been to various places who have been fantastic,and others who have been completely sh*t. It says more about the individuals than the colleges.

I'd avoid using players who openly slag off their band leader and band members on a public forum.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='989441' date='Oct 15 2010, 04:55 PM']Our original sax player went to Leeds and she's brilliant.[/quote] Indeed she is. Hmmmmm...... It appears that Mr Candles has gone rather quiet on the subject. Beer and posting on forums aren't always a good combination.

That's a shame. I've played the Springhead a number of times when Terry was in charge,and everything was great. He was always really fair.

To me,it just feels wrong in E.

Someone isn't happy tonight.

What Jake said.

[quote name='BassBus' post='986958' date='Oct 13 2010, 02:06 PM']A number of examples of those without great flourish to their playing have been given. These players do fit so well with the music they play in though.[/quote] Yes they do fit the music- but we are(I am) referring to technique and not if they fit the band or not. Let me put it this way,you can play U2 lines with minimal technique,but if you have more to spare it makes it so much easier,because you aren't pushing to your limit.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='986875' date='Oct 13 2010, 12:58 PM']so you agree - not necessarily [/quote] I agree in as much as that players like Wyman and Clayton are successful by virtue of their respective bands-their success is predominantly as 'band members' and not 'bass players'. So if you want to go about it that way,you don't need good technique,but in the highly likely chance that that doesn't work,or last, you will need good technique to further your career.

[quote name='charic' post='986543' date='Oct 13 2010, 07:05 AM']I already know the theoretical side tho (to an ok standard, I'm no bilbo ) and I can read bassclef just not sight read it. Also I know the notes on the fretboard but not in a snap second. I have the tools I need to work out anything anyone throws at me tbh.[/quote] And I have the tools I need to work out how to cook,but it doesn't make me a good chef [quote name='charic' post='986543' date='Oct 13 2010, 07:05 AM']Honestly I doubt I will ever have to sight read bassclef in a rock band so its not an issue and has been said before I don't wnt to end up viewing the neck of my bass as a keyboard.[/quote] I don't get what you mean by that. Why would you not want to fully understand the fingerboard? To me,that is basic stuff. Oh,and for what it's worth,I've sight read in rock/pop bands,so it could be an issue.

[quote name='chris_b' post='986804' date='Oct 13 2010, 12:04 PM']Darryl Jones is still playing Bill Wyman bass lines and he has a ton of technique. Says it all![/quote] But,Darryl Jones would never have got the call if he hadn't been one of the top session musicians in the world. So,although he is playing relatively simple lines,his abilities are what ultimately lead him to the gig.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='986762' date='Oct 13 2010, 11:27 AM']To acheive success as a bass player - not necessarily.[/quote] It depends on how define as 'success as a bass player'. If you want a long term career as a player,you have to have your technique together. There are hundreds of players around who have had 'success' with their bands,who now don't play because they didn't have the ability to branch out and sustain a career after their band went tits up. Unless you are in the rare minority,if you want success as a bass player,or any musician, need to have your technique together.

I've got one. I've not used it for a while,but it sounded ace when I was gigging regularly with a rock and roll band.

[quote name='charic' post='986395' date='Oct 12 2010, 10:59 PM']In my case I can sight read treble clef but not bass, however were you transpose a bass score onto a treble clef I still wouldn't be able to sight read it because I do not have the capability to think 'c#' that's here on the neck in a split second. However if a tab tells me e string fret 2 I'm there without thinking. I know its not right and it limits my playing somewhat but I havnt got around to it yet. However I also find it somewhat liberating not to think about what note I'm playing and rather concentrate on what sounds good to me, as opposed to what should theoretically sound good (trap I fell into on keyboard for a while)[/quote] If you've already proven that you can read treble,why not take the extra step and learn bass clef? It shouldn't be that much of a problem for you. If the problem is recognising the notes on the fingerboard,then I think that should be sorted out pretty sharpish. As has been said in other threads,knowing how to read has nothing to do with 'what should theoretically sound good'. You can read music to a very high level without understanding the theoretical side.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='986283' date='Oct 12 2010, 09:37 PM']I can read music but can't sight read.[/quote] I've never got this comment (nothing personal,just in general). I mean,I can read something in French and take ages to work out what it means,but I'd never say that I can read/speak French.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='986235' date='Oct 12 2010, 08:59 PM']no he isn't successful though Sting undoubtedly is I don't think he could be considered the (arguably) second most successful bassist in popular music. I was referring to Bill Wyman.[/quote] Riiiight. To be fair,you do only need very basic technique to play the vast majority of the Wyman-era Stones stuff. Then again Wymans success had nothing to do with his bass playing,and everything to do with being in the Stones.

[quote name='risingson' post='986071' date='Oct 12 2010, 07:03 PM']You mean Sting? Sting isn't a tight player. Sting knows this, every producer and band member he's played with knows this. But listening to some of the multitracks off of off Synchronicity, the guy just hit the nail on the head with what was required.[/quote] If it is Sting,he doesn't just use his thumb. He often uses his thumb and two fingers-using the thumb for the lower strings an the fingers on the higher strings,especially if he's playing octaves or something. He also uses a standard two finger technique on some of his busier lines.

Right OK. Personally,I'd just stick with the tracks that are in the grade book.

What board are you studying for your Grade 4? Because I know that Rockschool has their own pieces to do,and I'm pretty sure that RGT don't have a section to play songs of your choice. I may have misunderstood what you want them for,so if I have could you clarify what it's for.

[quote name='charic' post='985961' date='Oct 12 2010, 05:37 PM']I can read music (keyboard player) but I tend to read the tab and just read the rhythm from the score [/quote] Why read two staves when all the information is on one? It's just making the job more difficult.......besides the hardest part about reading is the rhythms,so if you can already read that it won't take long to suss out the notes.

[quote name='toneknob' post='985603' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:24 PM']Question for iGig users: Could I get the following in the pockets? Analogman Bi-Comp compressor SansAmp Programmable BDDI Boss TU-12 Tuner 2x 3m leads, 2x patch cable 1x 5m XLR cable (If it helps I can provide approx dimension) Thanks![/quote] Yeah,you can fit that lot in-there is tons of space in the iGig G515 model.There is plenty of padding between the bass and the pockets, so you don't need to worry. I pretty much never use a hard case anymore.I've had my bass in fully loaded vans,in just the iGig,and it's always been fine.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='985820' date='Oct 12 2010, 03:24 PM']I would say the (arguably) second most successful bassist in popular music could be considered great by that fact alone, but he has poor technique by just using his thumb to pick.[/quote] Who's that then?