ianrunci

A friend of mine from London is worth a listen, he's a drummer and Producer called Jeffrey Jai Seopardi He's played with brand X, Sad Cafe and was the drummer on the original version of Build me up Butterup (although this is something he keeps quiet lol) he's worked with some brilliant fusion musicians over the years but his m,ain thing is fusion blended with latin music. His myspace site is [url="http://www.myspace.com/jeffreyjaiseopardi"]http://www.myspace.com/jeffreyjaiseopardi[/url]

You could get yourself a Line 6 UX1 Toneport for half your £100 ( £64 in fact is about average for one) and download a cracked version of Sonar 6 or 7 from a blog site. ([i]Although no way am I condoning the use of illegal software I hasten to add[/i]) With Sonar you would get session drummer, so you can download free drum samples and make your own kits up, and loads of plug ins and soft synths. I pesonally have a mac with pro tools and a Digidesign 002 but I have used sonar regularly and you can produce stuff as good as anything on CD with virtually no experience. The UX1 has an instrument input, a balanced Mic input + headphone out, 2 anoalogue outs 2 line inputs and a stereo monitor in input. For the money I don't really think there is anything else that even comes close

Mine was a Fender Precision. Sunburst with a rosewood fingerboard. Citca 1976 ish. I took the frets out in about 1981 and then not long after traded it for a dan armstrong perspex.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='222351' date='Jun 19 2008, 05:39 PM']My apologies for being such a self-righteous bollock-talker. I don't recall doing any mud-slinging at cover bands so I'm curious as to why all this ire is directed at me - maybe I've struck some raw nerves. Anyway I'll join in the fun by conceding that cover bands do have an important job to do as retirement homes for former musicians.[/quote] actually you did say most cover bands suck. If that isn't mud slinging its insulting none the less. your last stement I presume was tongue in cheek so I won't rise to that one

Nothing more frustrating than being in a band where the other members don't have the same level of commitment as yourself. It's happened to me numerous times over the years and I have always found honesty to be the best policy. If I was in your position I would tell them exactly what I wanted to do and what I expected from them in terms of commitment. Then if they disagree you have a choice to either compromise or stick to your guns and search out players who will commit as much as yourself

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='222325' date='Jun 19 2008, 05:05 PM']Some people sprout a load of b*ll*cks sometimes. I've been in some originals bands that have stifled my creativity more than covers bands 'ever' have! Playing music increases your creativity and playing with other musicians, no matter what the context, can and does expand your knowledge base and your creativity. More importantly, please lets not lose sight of WHY we play music and stop trying to dumb down covers etc [/quote] Hence the last line of my last post and the reason I'm giving up on this one

I have always used these. I gig a lot so I need Liability insurance and it comes with their policy so its handy. Plus no reciepts are needed just a quick estimate and a list of all the items you want insured [url="http://www.musicguard.co.uk/home.asp"]http://www.musicguard.co.uk/home.asp[/url]

[quote name='Virtue' post='222143' date='Jun 19 2008, 01:48 PM']Hey there, I'm Adam, the frontman in a band based between the Hertford and Broxbourne areas. We're currently looking for a decent, dedicated bassist to join our line-up. We aim to start out as a covers band to help get our musicianship tighter all the while writing our own stuff to eventually transition into an originals band. Our type of music ranges from old school rock and roll to modern and alternative rock with many different influences. Doesn't really matter where you live, as long as you can get to us for sessions. Cheers, - Adam.[/quote] ]Might not be worthwhile doing covers apparently it can harm your playing and creative skills [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=21757"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=21757[/url]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='222151' date='Jun 19 2008, 01:57 PM']Chances are they'll get better. They wouldn't get better if they weren't at least trying to produce their own material. So we should all give up trying to do anything new and stick to playing other peoples' old tunes over and over again, because anything new's going to be derivative anyway? I never said anyone should give up, just cos I think its crap doesn't mean it is, after all its only my opinion But does it make you less creative than someone who plays their own music? And more to the point, will it lead to you becoming less creative generally because you're not actively being creative now? Are you even bothered about your own creativity if - as you say - you "just like playing the bass"? Why would it make you less creative. I still record my own tunes, playig covers for years has only enhanced my songwriting not harmed it. Then again thats only my opionion of course I find many cover bands to be the most unbearable anti-snobs, and most of them suck at covers too. Let's not get into mud-slinging, eh? Whether a given band is crap or not isn't really relevant to the discussion. I'm not mud slinging and my oipinion isn't aimed at anyone on the forum particularly. I did say many not most whereas your reference states that most suck at covers which I would presume would include many people on this forum. this is turning into another original band V Function band post by the looks of it again. So I think I'll bow out now and leave it to the self righteous [/quote]

[quote name='Clarky' post='221841' date='Jun 19 2008, 12:12 AM']Played gig tonight - four bands, all due to soundcheck between 6-7pm. We get there at 6.10pm, no other band. As we are not headlining we are not allowed to soundcheck. An hour later, no other band. 8pm only one other band has turned up. 8.10pm the opening band finally walks in the door with no apologies to be told they should be performing on stage in 5 minutes - they promptly take 20 minutes farting about, changing batteries in effect units and tuning up. We go on stage after their set, no soundcheck having been at the venue for close to 3 hours. I cannot hear any notes on my bass, other than the lowest notes (on boomy stage) and do not have one of my greatest nights as a performer. AAaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh What happened to manners and courtesy??????????????????????????[/quote] In these situations the best policy is to take the headliners out the back door and kick sh*t out of them, then explain to the venue that you will have to headline the show as the main band are in the hospital

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='222048' date='Jun 19 2008, 12:22 PM']Doing your scales, chords, theory etc is about developing muscle memory and insights so that, when you seek to execute an idea, you are able to do so. Learning to read music has many purposes, one of which would be to allow you to execute the ideas of others. But that particular skill also allows you to record (as in write down) your OWN ideas and recreate them some time later without having to try to 'remember' them. It also allows you to provide instructions for other musicians who agree to work with you in creating your music. All of these skills are necessary to become a rounded player/composer/artist. The problem with suggesting that playing in a covers band is a a 'learning experience' is not that it isn't. it is, but that what you learn is of limited value and can be learned more effectively and quickly in other ways. If you just learn, by rote, Watt-Roy's line for 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick', you are only able to play that tune that way in that song. If you study that line, comprehend the scales used, the chords and the context in which they are used and the nature of the choices Watt-Roy made, then clarify which technical/motor skills he is utilising and the extent that they can be built upon to increase your OWN creative potential, then you can probably transfer that information to any one of a myriad of alternative situtations and retain the collected information as a lesson for life. But this assumes several things. Firstly, that the line involved is so critically original that it warrants that level of investment. Secondly, that the motor skills required to execute it are something that the developing player needs to acquire (like two handed tapping, it’s a creative choice but I subjectively think it mostly sounds like a bag of spanners being thrown down the stairs – others disagree and are right to do so). Thirdly, the time it takes to acquire that skill is worth the investment (I have no doubt that I could play like Michael Manring given infinte time and space but, having critically assessed his work (by listening to it), I do not believe that, in order to take my own concepts of musicality further, this amount of effort would be a productive use of my time). Otherwise, thank God that Manring exists and continues to do what he does. Fourthly, that there is something specific about that particular piece of music that makes it important for [i]me/you[/i] to wish to invest [i]personally[/i] in exploring its mysteries. To be blunt, at this point in my career, I have yet to find a 'function band' cover I can't play pretty much straight off, as well as if not better than most of my peers and certainly sufficiently well to satisfy any customer (this is not about playing Weather Report or Stanley Clarke covers which never appear at functions but the about playing the usual bubblegum called for by function/covers bands). Its been a LONG time since I actually 'learned' anything technical from playing covers other than how to play those specific tunes, most of which I can take or leave. The only way to improve is to study music; not licks, riffs, musicians or acres of other people’s basslines but music, the art of it. Learning to write is not about learning to regurgitate other people’s stuff’; thisnameistaken’s girlfriend need to have something worth writing about before she even starts. If people copy other people’s stuff in literature it’s call plagurism and gets you seriously censured and wholly discredited. In music we call it a tribute band! I sometimes think people are not really aware of what is out there in the world of music and the full potential of music to improve people’s (including their own) lives. They continue to be dazzled by the applause and perceived status achieved and by the reflected glory that is believed to be a consequence of playing ‘the hits’ – I still hear it in jazz (‘he can play ‘Donna Lee’ – so f***ing what? That was nailed three decades ago by Jaco and three decades before THAT by Parker. It’s mostly a party trick and, like all party tricks, impresses the uninformed and nothing more). It’s a hall of mirrors. I am not saying don’t DO covers – this industry demands it of us and, if there are no other gigs out there, I will continue to do it, but let’s not pretend that there is any nobility in it. It can be fun, in spite of its nature, but it is a crass job that fills our wallets (no shame in that) and is no more creative than flipping burgers. I am sure there are plenty of people out there having fun doing just that.[/quote] Playing in a covers band was never mentioned, learning covers was and I contend that everyone learns to play other peoples tunes as part of their learning experience, even if its only during their formative years. I suppose we are all different but I developed both my bass and my guitar technique by learning from others and blending there styles into my own distinctive technique, I doubt there is anyone out there who has developed their own style without learning others first. Also "playing in a covers band" I would say improves not only your playing but also your stage technique and presentation skills. I would agree there isn't much nobility in playing in a covers band but then again their isn't much either in continuing to churn out garbage original material that no one wants to listen to. I see lots of original bands on the curcuit but I don't see much originality, most of their material is the same old rehashed stuff we have been listening to in one form or another for the last 40 years or so. If you believe that just by saying I'm not going to play covers and instead churn out crap songs because I am no good at writing original material then you are certainly entitled to that opinion. Personally like a few posters on this forum have stated, I just like playing the bass and just because I play other peoples bass lines doesn't give me less integrity than them in my opinion. I find many original artists a bit stuck up their own arse, convinced that their material is the dogs bollox when 9 times out of ten its mediocre at best. And there are many bands & artists I hear on the radio who would do us all a favour by giving up on their music and playing covers ;-) And I still stick by the literary analogy. When you attend a creative writing course you learn how to write in different styles by studying great literary works, you dont just sit down with a pad and pencil and write a great novel without knowing what a great novel is, and the only way to recognise either great Art of Literature is by studying it. As I said in the other posting about function bands, the music is subjective. Whether you like Jazz, pop or rock music doesn't mean that one is superior to the other. I find your definition of a lot of pop music as bublegum as ridiculous as you find my description of Jazz as a bunch of self indulgent musicians noodling away for their own gratification.

Some friends of mine need a guitarist for their band, I know this is a bass forum but most of us know guitarists. They are wating to record a new album and have several high profile gigs to complete. They are looking for someone who is creative with some experience and skill. The style is hard to describe its kind of indie meets hip hop meets heavy dub. pref over 25 and based in or around Manchester

[quote name='queenofthedepths' post='221782' date='Jun 18 2008, 10:38 PM']Not at all; I quite agree with you. I was responding to thisnameistaken's argument, which struck me as more than a little flippant![/quote] My apologies I got the posts mixed up lol. My tired brain reacts this way at this time of the night

[quote name='queenofthedepths' post='221765' date='Jun 18 2008, 10:23 PM']I disagree completely. If she was copying out everything she read, that would probably improve her spelling. Then again, maybe not; people learn differently. We all approach things in different ways, don't we? Seriously?! I guess that proves my last point! If you seriously think that taking a creative writing class, or doing an English lit degree is copying down lines then you are missing the point entirely The same applies to learning complicated bass lines and anyone who thinks all you need to do is learn the notes and thats it I would contend isn't capable of learning them anyway which makes the whole argument pointless[/quote]

[quote name='peteb' post='221762' date='Jun 18 2008, 10:19 PM']I totally agree with two provisos - playing in front of an audience sharpens your skills considerably; and why can't you learn to be a better bass player in the context of playing in an indie band? Having said that, learning jaco bass parts is obviously going to make you a more accomplished player![/quote] Don't get me wrong, I love playing Pastorios and clarke tunes but i hate listening to them. I would much rather listen to the Stone Roses or the Smiths any day of the week to jazz funk and jazz rock. I love classic rock & I grew up listening to bands like The Buzzcocks, The Pistols, The Clash etc so I am not trying to be a musical snob

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='221716' date='Jun 18 2008, 09:04 PM']Depends. As a bass player you probably don't need to know anything except the order the notes are in and what the song's supposed to sound like. [b]And you need to undrstand the players technique, nuances and timing,[/b] Whereas you'd need a much better understanding to have written the song in the first place, [b]Depends on the song I would think, listening to some of the original bands doing the rounds, understanding seems to be at a premium[/b] so again I'll contend that playing covers is not a creative pursuit and it will not bring any benefits to other creative pursuits you may... er... pursue. [b]To play them you first have to learn them & I think without listening and learning and understanding other players techniques what your most likely to create is drivel that no one wants to listen to[/b] Objection, yer honour; cover bands are only one of many different types of acts which perform live. [b]Your right, but the title of the post says nothing about playing in a cover band, it just says playing covers, and I doubt there is anyone on this forum who didn't learn to play by learning other peoples tunes[/b][/quote]

So learning shakespeare and performing it on stage doesn't make people better actors? To truly learn to play a complicated bassline from any record that you find difficult and challenging to play is a learning experience surely. Many of the worlds most talented musicians and songwriters spent years learning and performing other proples tunes. Sting being a prime example. All those years playing in orchestra pits and swing and Jazz bands surely didn't degrade his creative artistry. I imagine there are only two ways to improve as a player and that is to learn challenging lines or to constantly practice scales. I know which I would rather be doing. I played for years in original bands, I have done session work on lots of records where I have had to create lines from scratch and I have also wrote songs, I personally think that the only way I was capable of writing songs was to have some skill and experience to base them on in the first place. I don't think there is much difference whether your playing in a cover band or playing in an original band as far as playing skills go, but when it comes to writing an interesting bassline, having a good idea of how to string one together helps. And surely it depends anyway on what covers you are learning. If you go from playing original indie music to learning tunes by Pastorios & Clarke etc then how can that not make you a better player?

With regard to the original question. I think it improves both your playing and imagination. If you are learning new lines and riffs that you couldnt play before it gives you much more scope draw from when creating your own lines. I think there are things people wouldn't even have attempted to incorporate into an original piece if they hadn't nailed it while learning a cover first. When playing covers and learning new material you often have to learn stuff that you think is beyond your capability, how can learning stuff like this possibly sap your creativity and playing ability. Learning new riffs is expanding your knowledge and that can only help when it comes to creating original material. Its like an author doing an English degree, its hardly going to make his writing worse is it, quite the opposite I would presume

[quote name='Wooks' post='220483' date='Jun 17 2008, 11:42 AM']I've just bought one of the Tribal Planet GX15/B deluxe padded bass case from this guy, and it's top notch!! I too was bidding on one and was out bid and the guy offered me one on a 2nd chance offer on one for a tenner including the postage.....a bloody bargain if you ask me!!! I bought it yesterday and it's just turned up and like I said it's superb!! So you can't say fairer than that really. So thanks for the initial heads up [/quote] Your welcome, as soon as I see a bargain my first thought (well....maybe second lol) is to share it with my fellow string pluckers. I am in fact going to buy another one from them right now for my new bass rig Ian

Its a fairly simple line to play really once you try it as its just repeated throughout the song. However I think its so melodic that it actually becomes part of the melody and the song sounds wrong without it. There are a few numbers where the bass line is an intregal part of the song and I think this is one of them

I found this recently and thought it might be of interest to someone on here, the guy seems to be seeling some of his collection [url="http://manchester.gumtree.com/manchester/40/25033840.html"]http://manchester.gumtree.com/manchester/40/25033840.html[/url]