FinnDave

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1410789013' post='2553123'] In the classical world even performers at the very top of their game often continue to have lessons (master classes) because it gives them a different perspective on the instrument, performance, technique, repertoire etc. Not everyone wants to continue to learn, and teachers aren't the only way, but for many people it provides a framework to be more than they'd be if they were self taught. For me, at my very early stages, it helps me to focus on what to learn, what bad habits to avoid, and ways to get exposure to techniques and ideas that would have taken me years to fathom. For me, they're worth every penny. [/quote] Thanks, it was a genuine question. I have been playing bass for 40 years and never had a lesson in my life. I'm sure my playing is full of bad habits but it's too late to change my ways now!

[url="http://www.alamy.com/image-details-popup.asp?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid={E137A9FB-F982-41BB-92A7-1BE32833FCAF}&p=&n=1&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=12&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d12%26sortby%3d2%26qt%3d%26qt_raw%3d%26qn%3d%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26aoa%3d1%26creative%3d%26videos%3d%26nu%3d%26ccc%3d%26bespoke%3d%26apalib%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26ot%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26name%3dJohn%2520Henshall%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26userid%3d{355AAFF2-B1E4-4D51-9718-831FE0CC2323}%26id%3d{355AAFF2-B1E4-4D51-9718-831FE0CC2323}%26a%3d%26xstx%3d0%26cbstore%3d1%26lightbox%3d%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26apalic%3d%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d%26nasty%3d%26t%3d0%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d&IsFromSearch=1"]Waiting for the next power cut at The Flying Pig festival last Friday[/url] [url="http://www.alamy.com/image-details-popup.asp?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid={125D684D-2525-4E02-AB26-E60D4CD2C6A7}&p=&n=5&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=12&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d12%26sortby%3d2%26qt%3d%26qt_raw%3d%26qn%3d%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26aoa%3d1%26creative%3d%26videos%3d%26nu%3d%26ccc%3d%26bespoke%3d%26apalib%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26ot%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26name%3dJohn%2520Henshall%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26userid%3d{355AAFF2-B1E4-4D51-9718-831FE0CC2323}%26id%3d{355AAFF2-B1E4-4D51-9718-831FE0CC2323}%26a%3d%26xstx%3d0%26cbstore%3d1%26lightbox%3d%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26apalic%3d%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d%26nasty%3d%26t%3d0%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d&IsFromSearch=1"]Whole band at The Flying Pig[/url]

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1410726621' post='2552507'] Never a charity bar is there ? A little secret, charity nights are suggested as zero cost events to landlords by greedy breweries. The donations come from punters, the entertainment as in the band work for nothing, the bar till rings all night long. Any charity will do. Taking the piss out of musicians to sell beer. Anyone who questions it is a kunt, Well get me a T-shirt, ill be a kunt, I have rent and bills to pay. [/quote] Spot on.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1410726123' post='2552494'] You know, I have a saying about the whole playing for fun thing. At my age, 61; [i]I certainly have fun playing gigs, however I don't play for fun I play for money and proud of it.[/i] Blue [/quote] Amen to that.

Are people really going to pay a fiver each to see the band? If so, why doesn't the organiser pay £150+ to the band so they can donate their fee (minus expenses) to the charity? Afraid I have played too many many charity gigs where the only people giving their time for free has been the band. I am not anti-charity, but definitely anti using 'charity' as an excuse to rip people off.

Why do you need a tutor? I've never felt the need for one.

I don't agree, if your band is worth, for example, £150 for a gig, in my experience the band will be treated badly and the charity will not see the £150.00. Better by far to do a regular gig for £150 and donate the money to the charity of your choice.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1410720913' post='2552339'] hey! If you're getting paid for both gigs right????!!!! so you have to roll with the punches... [/quote] Spot on! No complaints about the money, just questioning our sanity in agreeing to do then2 gigs so close together.

In my experience, a band is valued by what they charge, so a band that plays for nothing is considered to be worth nothing.

Thanks for the feedback, class A drugs on the way!! Second gig at Carriers Arms, South Marston Swindon, come and watch us fall apart! It's all Rock n' Roll, we've done it before but not with such a tight schedule.....

As a result of two events being cancelled next weekend we went from a gig on Saturday and a gig on Sunday to no gigs at all in the space of 24 hours, were then offered a Saturday afternoon gig which we took, and a day later a Saturday evening gig, plenty of time between the two so accepted that as well. Now the two pm gig has been shunted back to a 5 pm start, and the expected PA & soundman no longer involved, so we have to set up our kit including PA for five, play for 90 mins, break down, load cars, drive 20 miles, set up again and play for 2 hours before breaking it down again and taking it all home. Just over two hours between the end of the first gig and the start of the second. Any bets on whether we start the second on time? Will we all survive to the end of the second gig?? When are we going to eat??? Will we lose the remaining shreds of our sanity???? Who will flip out first?????

I have gigged my £150 Squier VM P Bass and it is always taken to gigs as a back up to my US P. I know a guy locally who gigs with an old Jazz copy he picked up for a tenner. Sounds fine.

Just back from a rather disappointing appearance at the Flying Pig festival near Swindon. Last year we performed in almost total darkness while the lighting man wandered around the stage trying to get the lights to work, this year we had three power failures during our set, resulting in instant silence and darkness. Had to skip some songs in order to finish on time, so as I said, all in all, a disappointing evening.

I was expecting to see a portrait of the amplifier (subtle Jaco content!)

Good luck, we had total power cuts plunging us into complete silence and darkness three times in our one hour set. One stage and audience sound was poor. Hopefully both problems will be sorted out by tomorrow.

Yes, past Blenheim, but be warned, there is a big horsey event there this weekend.

Take the A44 off the Oxford bypass, through Woodstock heading for Chipping Norton, Enstone is on the right a few miles before CN. I was over in that general direction an hour ago and often go past the aerodrome coming back from Banbury on my bike.

That'll be Enstone Aerodrome, then. No idea where the £35 comes from, that's what I was told when I asked how much. I am just passing the info in in case anyone is interested, I am not able to do it myself.

It's only about an hour from West London to Oxford, but I don't think they are planning to cancel. I was a bit surprised at the rate of pay as well, but might be fun for someone local who fancies something that evening.

The annual [url="http://www.flyingpigfestival.co.uk/main/"]Flying Pig festival [/url]takes place this weekend 12/13/14the sept. Lots of good bands on over the weekend, including my band The Wirebirds with Jenny Haan. We are playing at either 8 or 9 pm on the Friday night (the organization is a little loose, it seems!). Say hello if you're there.

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1410389257' post='2549046'] Only the one and I'm happy with that. How can anyone be available all the time if they're committed elsewhere. [/quote] Same, 100% committed to one band

I've been offered a dep gig in Oxford on the 24th of this month but can't do it. Fairly standard blues/60s pop pub fare. £35.00. Band is based in West London. If anyone is interested, contact me here or by PM and I'll pass on the details.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1410271061' post='2547681'] I was guessing Finnish. [/quote] Not a chance!

We have played as a three piece once or twice, the main thing I noticed was how much less space we needed compared to our usual 5 piece. That makes a lot of difference in a small pub, more room for paying punters!

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1410218864' post='2547338'] We're often up in Reading so I'll keep an eye open to see if you are on when we are up that way. Cheers [/quote] Cheers, Phil, keep an eye on our facebook page for details of gigs. And if you bring along any Babe Ruth records or CDs, Jenny will be happy to sign them for you, she still loves to chat about the band.