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Looks cool guys - just got back from my gig - sadly I really couldn't have made it as we had to sound check around 3pm, all went smoothly so at least I got some bassin' in - my Sei single cut (as ever) was a joy to play live... though if Ped ever wants to sell his Vigier... well obviously that's just silly PS - lovely B&W pics too chaps - very arty! M

Here's a chord based solo piece I wrote, I use variations on some of the commonly used triple stops, i.e. root, third, seventh, but I also like to use some barred chords which give a slightly more ambiguous quality to their sound, these are sort of 6ths and 13ths, but I've given it all a twist with the variation on Wooten's open, hammer, pluck thing, hope you like it: Cheers Mike

[quote name='OldGit' post='620076' date='Oct 7 2009, 11:01 PM']Excellent. Once you can play it's all about being on the same page and reliable, friendly, personable and doing the ground work...[/quote] Absolutely - and as some wise person once said "half of success in life is based on just showing up on time..." being punctual goes a hell of a long way believe me! No matter how you good you are there's no excuse for being really late to rehearsals/gigs whatever - and being an egotistical twat is also inexcusable - I don't care how good you are - your sh*t stinks just like everybody's does... as Doug Wimbish once said (in a Bassist interview many moons ago). M

Pop fact: I was in a band for a year or two with Ace before he formed SA - lovely bloke he is too - we were a bit more like Living Colour though...

Doh... looks like I'll miss this as well (along with Bass Day and the SE Bash ) as it's my first weekend off from gigging/rehearsing - I'm away chilling out - I thought it was a week later than it is - nevermind at least I'm playing lots of bass at the mo... see you next year! Mike

Um, this is wicked... and will get this rainy, crappy Monday off to a much better start! You have to click on the [b]'Planet Gear'[/b] link on the right of the video box - I tried finding a separate link but there's ain't one! [url="http://warp.net/records/events/squarepusher"]http://warp.net/records/events/squarepusher[/url] Cheers Mike

Seeing as I'm missing the Bass Bash on 11 Oct - and Bass Day - I'm going to try and get down to this - Franc O'Shea is one the UK's best players/composer IMO and I'm a huge fan of Mr Cottle - so hopefully see some of you there.

I use it quite a bit but only for short sections in a song or groove - it's a different 'colour' and applied properly can sound just fine - a 70s funk groove played in the style of Larry Graham sounds great IMO. The real problem I think is not slap per se it's using inappropriate or busy/over complicated playing when something simple will do - slap gets labelled as the main offender in the this case but it could apply to fusy finger style or tapping or whatever... being able to slap is fine but it's just one very small aspect of being a good bass player/musician. M

[quote name='alexclaber' post='600157' date='Sep 16 2009, 01:18 PM']I'm no hardcore jazzer but my thoughts would be that if you're trying to discover jazz, start with that which is closest to your current tastes - so there's some great jazz-hop out there that crosses quite a lot of lines, a few really intense fusion records like Mahavishnu Orchestra's first two albums, Billy Cobham's Spectrum, some accessible funk related stuff like Headhunters or the more out there Thrust or yet more crazy Miles Davis's On The Corner. I don't like smooth-jazz generally, it smacks of breakfast TV saxophone cheese and is deeply uncool and lacking the raw edge that makes jazz great. From another direction, big band stuff like the incredible Sinatra At The Sands (with the Count Basie Orchestra) is seriously hard swinging but lacking the more challenging harmony of bebop etc. Alex[/quote] +1 - Smooth Jazz = The Devil's own lift music...

[quote name='Major-Minor' post='599979' date='Sep 16 2009, 10:56 AM']I know some forum members will disagree with my thoughts here - so let's have a heated debate !![/quote]

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='599647' date='Sep 15 2009, 10:00 PM']Thanks for clarifying the secondary dominant thing - I get it now. To be pedantic - I'm losing the grip on how these are substitutions if the "originals" are lost. How do you know they are substitutions at all? Why could he not just have thought "oh, that (the final) chord progression sounds good". Then someone comes along and says, "well, if you really twist it about you can see a way to describe these as substitutions over II-V-I" Re. taking any kind of interest in this. I am the sort of person who doesn't like to not understand things. It's just the kind of sad person I am. There's a whole bunch of craziness in jazz that doesn't seem to turn up anywhere else. As I say, I'm not quite yet convinced it's all particularly musical which makes it even trickier.[/quote] First off I think it's great that you're at least making some kind of effort in terms of 'trying' jazz - my question would be - have you ever seen/heard it played live by a world class band/musician? If not then I suggest you do - it's the one form of music that is significantly better live than on record - there IS emotion and pasion and soul in it - and to hear a band of top flight musicians seamlessly improvising together is a thing of rare beauty. But enough already - I understand that finding a way into to appreciating this music is hard - so here's how I did it... I was brought up listening to everything from the Beatles, to Floyd, Dylan, through to Slayer, Beastie Boys, pure pop and hip hop... but what got me into jazz was the more rock or funk influencd stuff - as there was a tangible groove that I could get into but there was still a significant amount of advanced soloing/improvising going on. And then following the musical connections between the bands - in jazz it's highly recommended that once you find a strand you like that you follow the different musicians and then listen to their projects and collaborations - it's a highly rewarding experience IMO. One of my fave bands doing this stuff today is the amazing Garajmahal - check them out [url="http://www.garajmahal.net/"]here[/url] - their bassist Kai Eckhardt is one badass player - he also plays on this amazing John McLaughlin CD [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-at-Royal-Festival-Hall/dp/B00008MLUD"]'Live At the Royal Festival hall'[/url] - and then there's ALL of John McLaughlin's stuff - but I particularly like [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Que-Alegria-John-McLaughlin-Trio/dp/B00000478E/ref=pd_bxgy_m_h__img_b"]this album[/url] from around the same period - it's beautiful and has some incredible tune and bass playing on from Dominique DiPiazza. Of course you could also go back to the amazing John McLaughlin stuff like Extrapolation - from the 1970s - and to his work with Miles Davis in the 1960s - In A Silent Way is an amazing album - and then there's all the mad funky Miles stuff like On The Corner, Big Fun, Live Evil, You're Under Arrest, Decoy and Tutu - to name but a few! This has relatively little to do with chord substitutions or Giant Steps changes - it's just about incredible, profound and deeply meaningful music that was made with total conviction and passion and not with a clinical, over intellectualised approach - it's stuff that lasts and rewards you time and again everytime you listen to it - like all great music (in any genre) should. Hope that helps - please ask if you need any more recommendations Cheers Mike

I'd love to be there but it clashes with the London Jazz Festival and a certain Mr Marcus Miller playing his special Miles Davis 'Tutu' tribute on the closing night of the fest (at the Barbican) - plus I have a gig the night before in Birmingham - a shame because it's a great day and well worth going to - please make it at the start of November next year... you guys have a whole year to book the next one! Have fun all those that attend - it's superbly organised and is a feast for bass players of all persuasions - far too much nice gear and good players... Mike

Just a quick up date - I now have a gig on the 10th so I'm probably not going to be there - never mind, at least I'll be bassin' somewhere that day... have fun - I was looking forward to seeing you guys. Cheers Mike

[quote name='Rumple' post='588295' date='Sep 3 2009, 08:52 AM']Cheers, I'm having to learn fretless all over again after many years of playing only fretted.[/quote] Yes but that's half the fun - it's great t be able to switch between fretted and fretless basses with confidence - took me a while but it's worth the extra effort That's one lovely bass too - beautiful workmanship and really understated, classy design - I'm impressed - hope you enjoy it for many years to come. One thought is that any new bass takes a while to get used to - be patient and you'll be all pver this beauty in a few months - plus the settling period always sees the bass move around a bit - give it a year or two, when the wood has really settled in and I guarantee this bass will be singing even sweeter... good things come to those who wait Congrats again Mike

Great stuff - but this is the way pros work - no nonsense, learn the tune, play... if you can play jazz at a high level, like Marcus does, these changes aren't very hard (obviously!) and it's the kind of B-line MM can play in his sleep, but it's lovely stuff and a cool tune as well - so thanks for posting.

Obviously I'm biased - but all I'll say is I like the Bass Player website - both the video one and the mag one - they put so much of the content up there for free I haven't felt inclined to buy the mag for ages... can't remember the last time I did. M

[quote name='bubinga5' post='577326' date='Aug 22 2009, 04:41 AM']Im posting this to give props to Martins work..i know why 7string, sshorepunk,Urb and others dig these instruments Some have seen this (and ive waffled on about this bass) ..but here are some proper pics..this really is the most capable bass ive ever played..Light as a feather,everything about says play me.. I play alot of funk/jazz and it is so in its element when it comes to this stuff...fast gospel runs are so smooth to play,and no matter how fast you play the bass (with the U Retro) it will give you the cleanest punchy sound...., digging in funk gives an amazing tone like you wouldnt believe, and fast fingerstyle disco just makes you want to play more.. What i love the most is the vibrato sound it gives...just something else.. the original passive tone is great through the Agy, but when you flick the switch and EQ it right, it just makes you smile...i recently have been jamming with some seasoned jazz musicians and they adore the tone of it..., ive gigged it 3 times and bass players have asked what bass it is..dont all bassist know about Sei..?? Ive heard people say on here that high end custom basses help you play better, and its true! ive played Sadowsky, F Bass, Nordstrand, Skjold, and this bass. (ok maybe just for me) has got something else...Always amazes me how talented people like Martin are??..how do they get to this level of there craft????????? Boggles the mind...Passion and years i guess.. I wouldnt give up this bass for any AC.. I would love to play some of you guys non jazz SB's.. Thanks Barrie..you sold me more than you know.. PS...i really dothink ABS make the best bridges of all of them.just superb..there is no direction i cant adjust my strings...[/quote] I've played this bass as well - I was in the shop when Gwilym was there actually - and it's a great bass, my [url="http://www.munkio.com/visions/seijazzbass.html"]Sei Jazz[/url] was still being built at the time so it was great to have a go on a worn in one and really get an idea of how they sound and play. Having got my Jazz since I can only echo your comments - I've gigged mine a few times now and the tone is just extraordinary - I keep playing lines and little melodic fills and actually play less notes as the ones I do play sound so sweet! It's also a beast for Jaco-style finger work, it really honks - a fellow bassist come to my last gig on the weekend and commented how good it sounded - and I wasn't even going through the PA... I still love my single cut and play that a lot too but Sei Jazz's are pretty special that's for sure... Keep having fun - sorry just one pic of my lil' beauty:

[quote name='epique666' post='566322' date='Aug 11 2009, 10:16 PM']ok im sorry! i think i shouldve been more clear on the budget part... it turns out i can only shell out upto 400 quid...[/quote] Doh... well forget what I just said then... M

Ooops...

Hello Chaps (and laydeees) Just wanted to let you know I have a funny little gig this coming weekend in the beautiful gardens at the Horniman museum near Dulwich in South London - it's free and we'll be playing for 2 hours (not sure we have that many songs...!) - but it should be fun and pretty chilled too weather permitting. We're on between 3 and 5pm. More details here: [url="http://www.horniman.ac.uk/events/chill.php"]http://www.horniman.ac.uk/events/chill.php[/url] My band sounds like this: [url="http://www.ludomix.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=56"]http://www.ludomix.com/index.php?option=co...6&Itemid=56[/url] My next gig at the moment is a BIG one at the LSO St Lukes on October 23rd - with a brilliant Indian solo artist/music producer called Niraj Chag - it's great music that mixes Indian classical themes with funk and drum and bass, rock etc - it's an amazing band. Though I think it's actually already sold out...! Anyway it'd be great to see any of you down at the thing on Sunday - we could well be providing some funky background sounds but it'll be fun all the same. Cheers Mike

A lovely, lovely bass - pure class - and being a Sei Jazz owner myself I have no doubts as to its playablity and tone - I'm loving mine, it just ticks all my boxes Good stuff man Mike

That kicks ass - great bass playing ...for my sins I was a FGTH fan - and I bought this song on 7" vinyl when it first came out - I was a child of the 80s...

[quote name='Stingray5' post='561327' date='Aug 5 2009, 06:03 PM']Where in London would you be coming from, Mike? I'm in the far east! (far east London/Essex, that is!) and would probably do either Dartford (QEII bridge) or Blackwall Tunnel to pick up the M25 etc. Only other thing might be how much room for gear I have left! Steve[/quote] Hey Steve I'm in Brixton - not sure how that works with the 'as the crow flies' type directions but if there's some way I can meet you or you collect me on route then that would be cool - I'll PM you shortly.... ...hey, don't call me Shirley! (Sorry ) M

Anyone up for doing a lift share from London? I'm happy to get the train as I don't drive, but if there's two or three of us coming along from Laaandaaan it'd be cool to split costs etc, just a thought cheers Mike