birdy

[quote name='finnbass' post='153294' date='Mar 7 2008, 06:31 PM']And your point is? That's like saying, 'God influenced God!' I'm thinking about putting up prize money however, for anyone who can stand more than 60 seconds of this: [/quote] On a lighter note I watched all of this. Not my cup of tea but each to their own. I didn't realise that Geddy Lee played stuff like this Steve

[quote name='bigd1' post='153509' date='Mar 8 2008, 10:57 AM']Your kind offer for me to come over to your place to see if I can keep up with you and that I could probably only last 6 or 7 minutes. Doesn't this just confirm my point about music first. Doesn't your offer make it into some sort of contest. I know I could not play technically the same as you, and as you said "why"would I want to but 3200 notes per minute..... really?[/quote] You are completely missing the point. I don't see where Janek invited you over for a contest? He asked you to come and listen as below..... I offer you an open invitation to come to my apartment in New York, or my house in LA when I'm not on the road to sit and listen to my practice schedule, I'm guessing you might last about 6 or 7 minutes, but you're more than welcome to come back at the end of the day to find me still there working on my craft, and possibly surrounding by a couple of take out food containers as one must eat while playing. It's not a competition, it's merely what I feel is right for my playing. I'm not saying that it's right for everyone who reads the magazine I have read a lot of Janeks articles on Talkbass and I think a lot of you are assuming he is some sort of ego centric American and having a dig because of your perception of him whereas he has always come across as being completely genuine and helpful in all of my dealings with him. Steve

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='152534' date='Mar 6 2008, 05:38 PM']I actually think that technical ability may hinder creativity. The majority of my favourite musicians are self taught or have little in the way of classical education. Maybe there's a certain magic created by trying to do a lot with the little that you've got? Maybe if you can't impress with technical ability, then you need to think of something else?[/quote] To be fair thats an interesting concept that I can't really argue with.

[quote name='bigd1' post='152505' date='Mar 6 2008, 05:03 PM']I don't believe a 10 hour practice would improve your playing nor your technique. As most teachers will tell you little and often pays far more that trying to force any technique.[/quote] Disagree with this. If you consistently play for 10 hours a day you will improve more than playing little and often in my opinion. To suddenly start playing ten hours a day or doing as a one off probably would not be beneficial at all though. The better you can play technically will not hinder any creation of music that you wish to make whether it be punk or jazz that you wish to play. You can still write punk but have more options the better player you are. I agree that it should be about music as the end result but just because you do not like the particular end result thats accomplished by Janek does not make it any less valid. In martial arts you often train at a lot higher level and do a lot of techniques that you would never use on the street maybe because if you got them wrong you would be in big trouble as an example. This is so that the basic simplistic things that you may need to do to survive will be easier because of the extra training that you have done. I can equate this to music too. I think if you want to chug out 8th notes all night someone who has practised scales with a metronome for 10 hours a day will do this better than if they had just noodled around for 20 minutes a day. You may of course disagree!! Steve

[quote name='bigd1' post='152209' date='Mar 6 2008, 10:03 AM']Just been re reading Janek's "Modern Bass Improvisations" in issue 35 of Bass Guitar Magazine. I say re read as I find what he has to say rather hard to accept. Firstly he claims to practice his exercises up to 10 hours a day ! Now we all know players who may play their given instrument all day or night, but to just be playing exercises for 10 hours, hmmmmmm yeah right. Second, he says start slowly about 50bpm, and then increase by 10bpm to improve speed. (no problem with that great advice) He then claims to go up to 400bpm playing through the first 3 Fragments. Now that means as the [b]1st & 2nd Fag[/b] is in quavers (eighth notes) at 400bpm he is saying he can play 1600 notes per minuet ! but then[b] Fag 3[/b] is semi quavers (sixteenth notes) making 3200npm. I'm would say this is not possible and even if it was, what would be the point. At that king of speed it would just sound like one long note or glissando. Some might say the point is the challenge of playing at 400bpm. I can sort of see that although, you may think I'm a bit old fashioned but, music is about just that making music, not how fast can I play it.[/quote] I dont know how much you know about Janek but from my experiences of both his playing and his communication he seems to be a very honest and humble human being as well as being an extraordinary musician. After reading many of his threads on his Talkbass forum it comes as no suprise that he would play just exercises for up to 10 hours a day and I fully believe him. I don't know what the point would be in playing that fast but Janek obviously thinks it improves his overall playing. I am sure others will leap to his defence also. Why not ask him the same question as above on his talkbass forum? I am sure he would take the time to explain why he feels his advice to be beneficial. Steve

Couldn't find a thread already but apologies if there is one. Sold Gary a 1x12 NEO EBS cab. Great communication and swift payment. Recommended. He even arranged his own shipment :-) Steve

Great guy to deal with. Bought my EBS NEO 1x10 cab and sent payment promptly. Recommended. Steve

Lawrie has bought an EBS HD350 head off me. He paid promptly and was easy to deal with, recommended.

I did a set like this with female vocals and a couple of Maroon 5 tracks worked well - Sunday Morning and She will be loved. We also did Right to be Wrong by Joss Stone, Beautiful by James Blunt and Suddenly I see by KT Tunstall. These may not be what you are after but you never know! Steve

Also like to add that in my opinion the Summit preamp really adds to the warmth and overall tone of your instrument when used in conjunction with the IP112. The rest of my band (even the drummer) have all commented on the sound and how its still full and bassy but without the usual boominess that often eminates from bass cabs. Ok, so the drummer only said 'wicked man' but you get the point :-) Steve

I would take the 61 out of all of them but they are all lovely!! Steve

[quote name='Beedster' post='150646' date='Mar 3 2008, 08:45 PM']I've moved to Milton Keynes ................. However, I will not buy any new basses this year, I promise Chris[/quote] Hi Chris, Good to see you back! You do realise how close you now are to Flanker and his lovely gear?!?! Steve

Good review Steve. I can't comment on the Epi gear as I have only briefly played it but I think you have summed up the IP112 nicely! Steve