aceuggy

[quote name='silddx' post='1027208' date='Nov 17 2010, 07:20 PM']There's no Olympic White so I can't play.[/quote] +1

P bass for me. I bought a jazz for the way it looked, but play a P for the way it sounds.

A good source of tab is [url="http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/"]http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/[/url] Just type in either name of the song or artist you want and there is usually 2 or 3 tabs for it. Often a bass tab, but be aware these tabs are not necessarily correct. You will have to use your own jugement as to how it sounds when you play it.

[quote name='lojo' post='1005030' date='Oct 29 2010, 12:24 PM']Cant wait for your next question Enjoy playing, I have met very few players who are happy with their current ability, reader or not[/quote] Ha, no more questions from me. Think I have stirred up more worms than you could shake a stick at already!!

Gentlemen, I think this thread has got a little out of control. I never intended it to become a slanging match between those that think reading is good and those that don't. I merely asked if it was essential to read to play in a band. Just a pub rock and blues band. I think somewhere in there there was talk of horns and stuff!! The answer to my question I take it is no, not essential, but useful. I am relatively inexperienced as a bass player and have a lot to learn, but I am looking forward to that process however far it takes me.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1004477' date='Oct 28 2010, 10:25 PM']Incidentally I don't think I've ever read a tab either, it looks like a crap way of describing music.[/quote] That's as maybe, but it's the only way I can play music at the moment and I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Hopefully in time I will discover other ways.

[quote name='XB26354' post='1004464' date='Oct 28 2010, 10:16 PM']Replying to the OP? I don't know. Do you need to read music?[/quote] I don't think so. Being able to play along in sync with the rest of the band and enjoying the vibe seems to be more important.

[quote name='silddx' post='1004317' date='Oct 28 2010, 08:15 PM']Thinking a bit about this, it's a common question and I used to be quite paranoid when i was starting out about whether I would need to sight read. Much more important things to consider if you want to be in a band are: Will I ENJOY being in this band? Do I have reliable equipment which I know how to use? Do I have a plan for when a string breaks or my sound cuts out? Do I have/need an active DI box (SansAmp etc.) for emergencies? Can I learn songs as quickly and as accurately as the other band members? Do I need a form of reliable transport? Do I understand, and can commit to, the level of time and effort expected by this band? Am I a reliable person with a professional attitude? Am I a nice person to be around, diplomatic, open minded, and know when to shut the f*** up? Can I accept that bands are not always democratic? Am I prepared for this band to eat into my time and financial resources?[/quote] Feck this is getting complicated!! But can answer in the affirmative for most of this. I can play along to stuff I listen to after getting the gist from tab. Surely it would be the same playing in a band. Once we have decided what we are gong to play, that's what rehearsals are for, right?

[quote name='silddx' post='1004279' date='Oct 28 2010, 07:53 PM']Depends on the band. It's a bit like saying do I need carpentry skills to work on a building site. You haven't really said what sort of music you want to play in a band. If it's pop, rock, blues or whatever, the answer is normally no, you don't need to read music, you will learn the music by ear.[/quote] The answer to that is probably rock and blues.

[quote name='bh2' post='1004209' date='Oct 28 2010, 07:01 PM']Yes... Your CV P looks nice with the covers btw.[/quote] Thanks for the compliment I am very happy with it.

[quote name='lojo' post='1004211' date='Oct 28 2010, 07:03 PM']Forgive me, but due to the need to ask the original question and your statement about learning the fretboard, you are in a very fundamental position, perhaps a perfect starting point to learn "properly" reading an all Im trying to say that if you are going to have to learn the notes etc anyway, why not combine it with reading I think there are alot of guys on here like me, who have learned much as we have gone (like knowing where every note is throughout the fretboard) etc. but not learned to read, and given our time again would have combined it all[/quote] I understand what you are saying, but my original question was do I need to read to play in a band? The answer to that it appears is no. I think learning to read would be a nice thing for me to do, but not essential to play in a band. The thing is I don't aspire to any great musical standard. It would all just be a bit of fun really.

Ok, thanks everyone for your input, some great advice there. The general consensus seems to be that it's not essetial to be able to read to be in a band, but it wouldn't do any harm. For me though I probably won't learn to read as I won't ever be playing in a pro band, but I will try to learn the notes on the fretboard so that I can at least noodle around in the correct key. Using my ears came up a few times and I think that is the most important piece of advice. I must get away from relying on tab and just try to play something that comes from me. Thanks again guys

I've been playing bass for a couple of years now and I only play for my own enjoyment on my own, or with a mate who is a guitarist. I sometimes think that I would quite like to play in a band, nothing too serious, just a bit of fun, but perhaps do the occasional gig. I can get by using tab, listening to a track and playing along. Would that be good enough to play with a band, or would I be out of my depth?

Ok, at the risk of being ridiculed I ask the question. Is there such a thing as a purely acoustic bass? Like an accoustic guitar without any electrics at all? I want something I can take to work on nightshifts and just noodle on without any amplification.

I own both the CV Jazz and P 60's bass. I bought the Jazz because I liked the [b]look[/b] and still do, however I recently bought a P bass ( Many thanks Graeme) and I prefer the sound I get out of it as well as the look. So my preference has to be the P. You really need to try both to see which is your preference

Beatles/Stones or Free/Bad Co.

The kid is awsome and obviously enjoying himself. I'm never sure if this kind of clip inspires or depresses me. I aspire to that standard of playing, but sadly doubt I will ever achieve it.

[quote name='StevieC' post='975692' date='Oct 3 2010, 08:14 AM']No complaints from me - I play a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision and it's spot on for the money. Steve[/quote] I agree. I play both the Squier CV 60's P and Jazz basses. They are both great and excellent value

You look like you are really enjoying yourself there! Nice one!

[quote name='flyfisher' post='935947' date='Aug 25 2010, 01:46 PM']The Beatles - Taxman [/quote] Like that.

[quote name='fender73' post='950548' date='Sep 9 2010, 01:07 PM']Hee hee - am looking to sell mine actually - it's the Sonic Blue version in great, almost perfect condition. They are cracking basses, and will become future classics i'm sure! PM me if you're interested? Cheers Graeme[/quote] Very pleased with my purchase Graeme. Lovely bass, pleasure to do business with you!