Steve A

Some excellent points there, thanks chaps.

Ever heard of a small organisation called Google?

Paul Chambers, Sam Jones, George Mraz, John Patitucci.

I'd never consider using a pickup for recording purposes as I hate that false electric sound... nothing comes close to the sound of the bass projected into a room with nice acoustics does it. Thanks for the info on the Groove Tubes mic. I'm pretty sure a drummer/producer friend of mine has one of those and found one used for a ridiculously low price.

Great stuff. I'm using a 'Realist' through a Radial Tonebone acoustic preamp (blended with an SD systems mic for live use). Looking forward to experimenting with mics for recording.

Good stuff chaps. Glad none of you recommended Neumanns (costing more than my bass is worth!)

Hi all, Does anyone have a favourite or recommended large diaphragm condenser mic for recording double bass? What, in your experience has given you a good, solid, natural sound? Thanks, Steve

Thanks Colin! Hope you're well.

Thanks guys, really helpful stuff and I'm taking it all on board. It was VERY difficult to play the ballad (not that ballads are easy anyway). It's so hard to play at slower tempos and maintain that strong time-feel. And you're right about the piano... I was struggling constantly to play WITH him on that tune because of those other issues you mentioned. I suppose with confidence it would be possible to discuss those things and work out a way to play together more successfully. Tone-wise, I wasn't too happy with the sound of the bass on the recording. I agree with the comments about the notes being too short in various places. I would go and practise but it's 3:20 in the morning so maybe later!

Jake that's a real compliment thanks. It's been six years or more since I last played with the piano player and I hadn't expected my friend to have developed so much on the instrument. I also expected that we'd do more familiar standards at slower tempos. Therefore I felt totally in at the deep end and felt like the least experienced member of the trio (no bad thing of course, just a bit uncomfortable) having never done a proper jazz recording before. I studied double bass for two years on a jazz course at Birmingham but pretty much stopped playing after that to concentrate on electric bass, eventually selling my bass. I picked it up again early this year and have been playing some acoustic trio singer/songwriter shows but no jazz gigs. As a result I felt a severe lack of stamina at the faster tempos. My brain was getting tangled up. I was also playing from written changes because I wasn't so familiar with the tunes. I definitely was having to hear it 'line by line' as opposed to chord by chord, which I guess is the way when navigating fast tempos? I love Ray Brown of course but I mostly listen to Paul Chambers and would love to play like George Mraz! Thanks for your kind words. Keep the criticisms coming chaps. It's great to feel inspired (I was considering selling the double bass after the next series of acoustic gigs but before I heard the tracks back. but now I feel like practising). Steve

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the feedback. I had a really hard day on that session feeling like I wasn't making any of the chord changes at the tempos we played at so feel a bit more inspired to practise now!

Thanks a lot chaps, that's very encouraging!

Hi all, Please check out a recent project I've been part of for my friend, Jazz pianist Hamish Balfour (I'm on double bass on 'Minority', 'Celia' and 'My One and Only Love' and Harmony H22 hollowbody on 'Nature Boy') [url="http://www.myspace.com/hamishbalfour"]http://www.myspace.com/hamishbalfour[/url] Hope you enjoy the tracks. Opinions and constructive criticism welcome. Steve

Hi all, Please check out some recent projects I've been part of. First of all alt-pop/folk band The Musgraves (Fender P, Lakland Joe Osborn and Harmony H22 Hollowbody) [url="http://www.myspace.com/themusgraves"]http://www.myspace.com/themusgraves[/url] Secondly my friend, Jazz pianist Hamish Balfour (I'm on double bass on 'Minority', 'Celia' and 'My One and Only Love' and Harmony H22 hollowbody on 'Nature Boy') [url="http://www.myspace.com/hamishbalfour"]http://www.myspace.com/hamishbalfour[/url] Hope you enjoy the tracks. Steve

Thanks chaps!

Hello, I am an experienced bass teacher (and touring/recording musician) who's been teaching in Birmingham for the past 15 years. I concentrate on teaching the fundamentals of music and the essentials of bass playing. You don't need fancy techniques in order to play well and get good gigs... you need a solid foundation: Good time feel, a developed sense of musical hearing, understanding of your options which will enable you to make good choices regarding notes, rhythms and phrasing (which comes from analysis of musical styles and the music of other bass players and other instrumentalists). Understanding the basics of harmony is actually not as hard as you might think. The hard part is committing to a routine of personal practise outside the music lesson to get the concepts in your mind and under your fingers. Whether you are a beginner or have been playing for a number of years, I can help you to develop as a player. My experience as a working musician means I understand what is required on the gig, beyond the mechanics of notes and technique. I teach all ages from 10 to adult. I offer regular fortnightly lessons or a less regular schedule to suit, depending on your commitments. Find directions and info here: [url="http://www.timtandlerdrumschool.co.uk/"]http://www.timtandlerdrumschool.co.uk/[/url] and check out my own website [url="http://www.steveamadeo.com"]http://www.steveamadeo.com[/url] ***Lessons take place at Tim Tandler Drum School, opposite PMT (professional Music Technology) in Birmingham, every fortnight on a Monday, daytime or evening*** Please feel free to get in touch to discuss your requirements. Best regards, Steve ***Work on developing the fundamentals, develop a stronger sense of harmony and strengthen your own creativity by increasing your understanding. What you hear on recordings or in your mind need not be a mystery!***

Bump.