NHM

My laptop doesn't have an ethernet connection, so I bought a cheapo USB-Ethernet cable from ebay and it works fine as a connection to the home plug. Wireless of course would be simpler, but the home plug system has transformed laptop and TV operation in a house with a poor wireless signal.

The wifi is poor in our house, so we've purchased 'TP Link home plugs' for our laptops and internet tvs (all of which tend to stay in the same place), and it has significantly improved service speed and solves the cabling problem. I noticed this morning that our local Tesco is selling a pair for £30 which seems a good deal.

I knacked my hands from too much keyboard typing, so learned the hard way. But I've adapted and now manage without any problem by using other fingers. For bass playing, vary what you do, so some finger, some thumb, some pleck, never too much, never let it hurt.

I've used Jacks too - very good service imo.

thanks for all the tips. I too thought Jamulus looked the easier of the two to use and we had planned a rehearsal for last Weds but ended up not doing it 'cos one of the band had to work. Hopefully this Weds...

Anyone rehearsing online using free software? I've had a look at Jamkazam and Jamulus - are there others? Any recommendations from those that have gone before...?

I saw FC at Whitstable a couple of years ago, where he played the Ibanez fan fret. I 'just happened' to be down by the stage at the end of the show, when he came back on to pack away his gear. I asked him what it was like to play a fan fret, about which he was very enthusiastic. So much so that he invited me on stage to play the bass, and we chatted for about 15 mins. What a nice guy.

Yes, read the QAA and TEF reports by all means but take them with a pinch of salt. Having worked in higher education for 40 years, I know they only tell a small part of the overall story. The best things about being at a conservatoire will be the intensive teaching, being surrounded by the cream of teaching talent, the connections these people will help you make, and being in a broad pool of similarly-talented and aspirational young musicians. And the resources you will have at your disposal will be unparalleled. London is the best place to be, however attractive other places are. I assume you have been to the college, met some staff and current students, had a tour and passed an audition, so you will have a gut feeling to tell you if you fancy it. The key to success will be whether you find your tutors and the modules inspirational. If you do, then you will have an incredible learning journey and end up somewhere you couldn't have imagined. If you don't you can always transfer somewhere else or change tack completely. Think of it as a one year financial commitment in the first instance, and see where you are at the end of your first year.

yes, it is excellent. I've heard it is an edited down version as it was originally much longer - I'd love to see the first cut. Some amazing footage, bands and songs.

to quote Jack Dee, it's the No 2 on Boxing Day that you should worry about.

this bass doubles as a fracking device

I bought Burns-Bass's 2210, it's a cracker, sounds like thunder when you crank the amp, lovely to play too.

'Happy Ways' by Joe Walsh - must be one of the simplest ever.

That's really helpful, thanks. Funnily enough we used the asymmetric approach last night (although we called it, 'turn just that side up'), handy for a weird shaped pub in a weird shaped world. … which wouldn't have worked in Bridged mode...

Hi BCers I can't get my head around the 'stereo or bridge' switch on our PA amp. We run a stereo PA amp into two speakers, left and right, fairly standard I guess. However, everything is mixed to mono at the desk. Is there any advantage in setting the PA amp to bridged mode?

is the date correct, according to our Cairn terrier calendar 28th is a Sunday???

the Black Griffin just across the road from the Cricketers might have someone on.

really good stuff, recommended listening

some gigs I play through a Keeley Bassist - on other occasions just direct to the amp. It's how I feel on the day as to what sound I want. I like it 'on' but I like It 'off' just as much if not more, as 'off' is more versatile. It's the only pedal I use, the rest have been ditched as redundant; I'm tempted to move it on but I haven't quite got there yet. The Keeley does the job very well and adds a very musical/complementary sound if that's what you want.

just now I showed the breaking news pic to our drummer who immediately replied 'fake news'!