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[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='939770' date='Aug 30 2010, 08:19 AM']Really loving those tracks Mike - the bass solo is great. I really wish I could pull off a solo like that but would have no idea where to start! Nice work. Mark[/quote] Thanks a lot Mark - in truth the solo I did was all about phrasing and not about chops, though I tried to squeeze a couple of those in as well - but as pretty much all the chords are minor it's mainly Dorian mode up and down half or whole steps, then it's a case of knowing how to play that all over the neck, which can take a while to get down... Thanks for the positive feedback Cheers Mike

[quote name='Bottle' post='938843' date='Aug 28 2010, 03:47 PM']Nice stuff there, Mike. Listening to it on crappy laptop speakers at the mo' which doesn't do the bass any justice, but I'll give it a serious listen when I get home and can push it through some decent speakers. But I'm liking what I'm hearing. Cool Ian[/quote] thanks dude glad you dug it Mike

My three lovelies here [url="http://www.munkio.com/music/music_gear.html"]http://www.munkio.com/music/music_gear.html[/url] M

Thought you guys might enjoy some of this - I posted some stuff from my funk band the other day but I think this is better - first tune has quite a melodic solo from me - and the second tune is an original of mine called 'Push' the last one is the guitarist's tune called 'Carousel'. Hope you dig it Mike

[quote name='Faithless' post='932807' date='Aug 22 2010, 03:13 PM']Well, if it's the same chap, that played Chicken live on TV, well then.. Nice chops, but, probably all of the kids I got to see on Youtube have some sort of 'bad time feeling' disease spread between 'em..[/quote] I kind of agree - but I can hear he's improved a great deal since some of those TV clips - the couple from the outdoor gig - especially the one above are great - he's very musical for his age - his solo lines and timing on his solo on the second clip are just lovely - I say give him a chance - I don't think any of us here were any where near this kids level at age 12! I'm not saying he should be 'excused' for his age - but you know, give the guy a break... M

Damn very sad news - the one time I met him at a Bass Bash two years ago he said "stop playing that jazz nonsense!" which I wasn't too happy about at the time but he came across as a guy who loved life and loved bass and music in general - and his contributuion to Basschat has been immense and very well noticed - it's awful news and I really feel for his close friends and family. RIP OG

Great posts here chaps - esp Bloodaxe - I'm a jazz professional of one sort or another (I write about the damn stuff for a living - and yes I DO earn a living thank f***) - anyway I've been checking out some old classic Blue Note albums lately - the Rudey Van Gelder remasters - and they are shockingly good - the much is just banging... grab any album from this golden age of recording - mainly from the 1960s - and you'll hear some amazing stuff. Not just the playing but the sound of the recording is just awesome, especially remastered - and the tunes were there by the bucket load - check out Herbie hancock's Maiden Voyage for starters or something like this: or this is just lovely... That's the kind of easy access stuff that doesn't compromise on playing or quality or melody but is just top notch classic 'modern' jazz. I listen to absolutely every strand of jazz going - it's an absolutely VAST genre - for every one thing you may hate, or dislike, I can guarantee they'll be at least one that you'll enjoy - the problem is always knowing where to start listening - once you've found the area you like then there will be tons of artists who sound kind of similar and from there you can quickly branch out and find tons more great stuff... I love and hate music in all genres - for me it's about whether it's music that I respond to and that is usually because it has a melody, or groove, or 'sound' that does something to me emotionally - but I also love the huge variation and complexity of jazz harmony - and that is just part of its sound - don't let that put you off - it just takes a bit of work to get into it... which is probably why jazz gets ignored by the mainstream media because it challenges the audience rather than placates them...

No not this year - I've got a gig!

Hey Got together with a drummer I've been playing with recently and had a kind of open jam yesterday - at his brother's art studio - anyway here are a couple of sections that sounded OK - hope you like some of it... I'm starting a new band soon - should be rocking. Cheers Mike

[quote name='devinebass' post='932790' date='Aug 22 2010, 02:40 PM']Lol, yeah i'm using a pick on this one... it comes from my obsession with Steve Swallow. I don't generally use a pick but i think it sounds great on acoustic basses. Easy man, [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com"]http://www.scottsbasslessons.com[/url] [url="http://www.scottdevinemusic.com"]http://www.scottdevinemusic.com[/url][/quote] Well yeah if you;re going to choose one pick player who is head and shoulders above most others (aside from Carles Benevent) then Swallow is THE man - such an awesome player and all round musician - he's at the London Jazz Fest in Nov with John Scofield if you wanna catch him - Bill Stweart on drums and a second set with the Scottish National Jazz orchestra... should be a cracker. M

[quote name='JMT3781' post='932810' date='Aug 22 2010, 03:17 PM']Yeah.. don't mess otherwise a moderator will stick up for me only kidding I'm blessed with the memory of an elephant, so its very rare i write anything down, if i do, is a random stream of chords symbols, rhythm marks and the swear words lol.[/quote] Well I happen to agree and be similar to you as well - while I love sitting down and working things out note for note, my approach these days is more about absorbing the principles of a theoretical idea and really getting it locked in to my playing - but also when I'm playing with other musicians just listening and (hopefully) reacting in the correct manner to what the song or situation requries. I also have a good long term memory - but don't ask me what I had for breakfast yesterday...

[quote name='Faithless' post='932803' date='Aug 22 2010, 03:07 PM']Not writing it out doesn't count as transcribing, bro.. [/quote] Not true at all - a few words of wisdom from Mr Gary Willis: "I did a lot of transcribing. I wasn't very good at the notation side, but eventually got there. You're better off staying away from transcribing bass players, they tend to stick to things that bass players can do, imagine that.The main thing is to transcribe with the goal of not having to write it out but have it translate directly to you instrument." Whatever it takes to actually PLAY the stuff - rather than 'know more than you can show' - is surely what transcribing is ultimately all about? Just my opinion anyway. Mike

I'll say it again Scott - nice work - I can hear that you're using a pick but it sounds really good - very guitar-like but in a good way. M

Hey I know these threads pop up every now and again - but this young Brazilian kid is truly amazing - there are quite a few clips of him on Youtube playing the Chicken but this version of 'Mr PC' has a lovely solo on it and his slap groove is nicce a flowing too - obviously he's getting a lot of attention because of his age, but there are millions of guys and gals three times this little dude's age who would struggle to play with the fluidity, and maturity he shows here. It's kind of depressing on the one hand, but on the other at least the future of music is in good hands and no doubt holds many more surprises. M

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='930642' date='Aug 20 2010, 10:07 AM']Hey thanks guys. I'm used to writing more heavy type stuff but I won't deny the Chili's influence in the new stuff although I must say I've probably not listened to them since Stadium Arcadium first came out. I'd really like to try more of this. What do you think could I do better the next time?[/quote] well speaking from personal experience, I've found that after a few years of mucking about trying to get better at recording and 'producing' my own stuff I feel like I can actually 'visualize' the overall vibe of the track in my head better - so that may mean I have a strong intro, more dynamics across the whole tune, and not be afraid to strip things back to almost nothing and then build up the layers to create more drama and tension in the song. But like I say these are all things that come with time and it takes a while to find better sounds and better techniques with adding effects and simply arranging the song. So to answer your question I don't think you need to worry about doing things 'better' - what's great about your track is that it has character and reflects your musical influences and instincts - so my advice is just keep following those instincts and trust your own musical decisions - recording is just like developing your own style on the bass - and the more you develop your style of recording the more distinctive and interesting it will be... that's all I did Hope that helps - if you have any technical questions I again suggest you check out Youtube as there are millions of really helpful vids up there on all sorts of recording techniques and tips. Cheers Mike

In a nutshell I really like it, warts and all, it's all come together well, it sounds like it's the kind of tune that's 'more than the sum of it's parts' which is a compliment... meaning it all works rather well together As a first attempt it's very good, the more you record the better you'll get at every aspect of it, and don't worry about mastering this - I don't think it needs it - IMO it's better to wait until you've made something you're really proud of then take it to a pro mastering person and let them do it. Well done, time for the next one... Mike

[quote name='devinebass' post='928985' date='Aug 18 2010, 07:51 PM']Hey just checked your album out on itunes... sounds great! The playing and production sounds beautiful. Easy man, Scott. [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com"]http://www.scottsbasslessons.com[/url] [url="http://www.scottdevinemusic.com"]http://www.scottdevinemusic.com[/url][/quote] Thanks Scott And do keep us posted on how your project develops, it sounds very promising Cheers Mike

Hey Scott It sounds great - beautiful tone and great ideas - very Matt Garrison - my only criticism is I was dying for the track to develop and really take off - faultless bass playing but I'd love to hear the music expand and evolve - plus I felt the 'ambiance' could do with a little development too - but man, you sound fantastic - keep sharing this stuff and I look forward to hearing your album. Hope all that's cool - keep up the good work Cheers Mike

Just wanted to give you guys a head up on this amazing new album - Esperanza just keeps getting better and better - this is such a gorgeous record - the bass work is wonderful but beyond that the music is gorgeous - the girl can write, sing and arrange stuff great too! EPK here [url="http://vimeo.com/12205114"]http://vimeo.com/12205114[/url] She's playing the London Jazz Festival in November - bu it's sold out already! And for those of you wanting something more funky her 'Radio Music Society' follow up album will be a set of funk, soul and fusion - that should be out next year - but this is a GREAT album to get into in the meantime. M

[quote name='Doddy' post='924532' date='Aug 13 2010, 11:41 PM']Gary Willis is a great player. I saw him in clinic a while back and he was killing and had a good attitude too. I love his first solo album 'No Sweat'. It's one of my favourite 'bass player' albums.[/quote] Same here No Sweat is really cool, the last two tracks are beautiful and his fingerstyle grooves on the tune 'Til The Cows Cone Home' are just incredible...

I'm a massive GW fan - for me he's in another league to the vast majority of other players out there - I was lucky to hear him play a full on jazz gig with Gerard Presencer in London a few years ago - pretty much sat in front of his amp and it was stunning. One of the modern greats.

[quote name='Linus27' post='923587' date='Aug 13 2010, 10:38 AM']It really does sound sweet. What bass is it?[/quote] Thanks again man - the bass was made by a very talented if obscure Brighton based luthier called Jeff Chapman - it's based on a Tobias Classic but has a very thin body and is very lightweight (lighter than a Tobias) and is made from a single piece of African Mahogany - with an ebony board [url="http://www.munkio.com/visions/jeffchapman_fretless.html"]http://www.munkio.com/visions/jeffchapman_fretless.html[/url] - it has a really unique tone - which is good as you don't always want to end up sounding like Jaco! M

[quote name='Linus27' post='922975' date='Aug 12 2010, 05:45 PM']Very nice, really enjoyed that. As someone who is currently working on an album and playing fretless on it, this has been very enjoyable to listen to. There really is not enough fretless bass playing around so thanks for posting.[/quote] Thanks man - I have to admit I've been ignoring my fretless for a while so I put some new strings on it a week ago and have been getting back into it again - this bass has a wicked tone and it's very easy to get around on because of its narrow string spacing but I'm trying to play it with as much control as possible, and almost succeeding! I love fretless but I don't think it works all the time, but for lyrical melodic playing it's absolutely perfect... glad you enjoyed this I pleased with the backing as well on this too. Mike

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='923297' date='Aug 12 2010, 10:34 PM']Nigel, I'm no jazz cat but I think you should be pleased with yourself (especially if that's your first time). I'd only say to remember that it doesn't always have to be four equal notes, you can adjust the phrasing to adjust the emphasis and so make it talk more at least some of the time - if that makes any sense. [/quote] +1 Hey Nigel I had a listen and what you're doing sounds good my only suggestion - and this is something I had to learn early on when learning about jazz - was that you don't start a tune playing all quarter notes like on the first melody or 'head' in a standard you can just sustain a root note on the one of each bar, or play two in the bar on the 1 and 3. If you do the later and double it to quarter notes every other bar your lines will breath a bit more, but aside from that keep it simple and from the sound of it you've got the idea of using chromatic lines, root, fifth and octaves. I also thought you were pushing the time a little hard, I find it quite hard to play behind the beat too, but try experimenting with a more laid back feel but the most important thing is to work with your drummer and push or pull depending what they do. A nice thing is to practice is just groovng a walking line with your drummer and getting a really swinging groove going together... hope all that helps. Sounds good overall though

[quote name='silddx' post='922877' date='Aug 12 2010, 03:49 PM']That is a lovely sequence, and your playing is, as always, excellent. Your modal harmony (if that's the right expression) sounds very dark to me, and I notice you end a lot of your runs descending. Does this say something about you do you think? Is it a conscious choice?[/quote] Thanks Nige - it's definitely concious but that's beauty of the fretless - you can get a bit more melancholy on it - plus a lot of the chords are minor here as well Mike