No lust in Jazz

A gig was attended by a 'mate' of mine who plays guitar, but loves himself and his own opinions a little too much.

Whilst talking to him at half time, a punter came up to me and said without sarcasm - 'You are the best Bass player I've ever seen, I can't believe what I've just heard... do you teach?' I thanked him for his kind words and then made my excuses to leave.

While this was embarassing and clearly laughable - It couldn't have happened in front of a better personality.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1423649171' post='2687348']
I always keep an iTunes playlist of whatever is in the current set plus any 'works in progress' so I can quickly get to them and jam along with them if I go a few weeks between gigs and need to sharpen up. I wouldn't particularly go out of my way to listen to most of the set for pleasure though. Never been in a band that had the required musicians to play a lot of the stuff I like and there wouldn't be much of an audience for it in any case, plus I probably couldn't play most of the basslines properly anyway!
[/quote]

This sums up my reality except the iTunes playlist is an album called 'Band Stuff'

My first band played all the stuff that we listened to - The Dregs, Zappa, The Clash and assorted originals, without a thought to the audience, we played two gigs the second with many more people attending than the first - many years and many bands later the first band had it right.

I like everyone to chip in with their suggestions, this way I often end up playing material that I've not heard previously heard.

If presented with a number that I don't like, yet others do I approach it professionally and use the part as a technical exercise in excellence, mentally fining myself for errors.

[quote name='Froggy' timestamp='1423562869' post='2686253']
Here's a question though, what makes it harder fingerstyle compared to plectrum? When I play if feel that my hands work independently but in concert with each other. What would be different if I was playing with a plectrum?
[/quote]

Both fingerstyle and plectrumstyle are just techniques that require practice, at your stage I would choose one and go with it - play gigs and have fun.

I've never experienced brand snobbery in terms of gear, but it makes me smile when people come up after gigs and want to discuss what you're playing through. I like my gear there's nothing special about it and its readily available; the bit that's often over looked is the many years of practice and a real interest in music and life that contributes to the sound I make.

I smile less on the subject of musical snobbery - the notion that one genre is in some way better than another is pathetic.

Yes, I do this if we have material in the set that requires it, it just seemed more logical to do this than to buy a five string bass for the few occasions that I'd need one.

For me chord tones only put you in tune with the piece and can become sterile and dull without a little garlic to spice things up.
It's important to have something to say in your solo too - soloing requires thought, melody structure - much like all music.
If constructing a solo I aim to sing the part in my head and convert it to notes later. If pointed at, as in you now,I try and build something - I have a lexicon of licks that I can use and having listened to many players over the years I'm convinced that this is generally what happens.
Above all practice and have a laugh.

Just to add that I changed out a BBOT on a 90's CIJ Fender recently for a GOTOH "OEM" BBOT which in my view had better quality screws, its also manufactured from a slightly heavier gauge plate..

For me, the feel of the bass has changed for the better, difficult to put this into words other than some nebulous guff so I'll avoid trying - but take my word for it, its just better - Less than £40 posted.

Did it change the tone? I can't tell you, as I dropped in some Nordstrand NJ4s at the same time and they sound properly naughty.

To be honest - there's rarely a Bass that I don't want, I've been mentally owning the Anthony Jackson 6 string Fodera in the classifieds all morning...

A reasonable approximation of how different basses sound in a mix is Dave Swifts contribution to Jools Hollands band in Later... He changes bass regulary I can't tell the difference.

If playing a cover, there will be a part to play and I'll endeavor to play it as accurately as I can.

There are a lot of similar tales from around the country.

I think that music is music, defined by feel, harmony, structure, time signatures and is numeric in nature.

Jamming often lacks enegy, focus and accuracy; because of this jamming music to an audience in my view, sucks.

<edit for clarity>

Right and Young Americans

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1422290619' post='2670748']
I swapped out the standard tuners on my American Special for Hipshots, much more accuare when dialling in that final cent to hit the note.
[/quote]

Really, in tune is in tune isn't it? I've never experienced issues with this..

Although, I'm replacing a BBOT with another BBOT, better quality grub screws, screws and finish are the reasons.

Craig Charles has been one of the standout presenters on 6 music for the last few years, Giles Peterson is also good and he's on before CC.

I use it on and off, I often struggle with the availablity of new music that I like on Spotify, but for older stuff its great.

My personal 'Acid test' for all music is whether it sends a shiver down my spine and as a callow youth in the 80's stood watching Rush live, their music most certainly did, that said, there was a sweet spot in their output and my own listening and much of their music has passed me by, we've both moved on

Couple of points I'd like to pick up on..
[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1421919789' post='2666504']
but yes, nobody takes them very seriously.
[/quote]
From what I gather, Rush don't take themselves very seriously.
[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1421919789' post='2666504']
where endless and aimless widdle or riffola seems to impress a tad too much...
[/quote]
Yes and this is something I hear in a lot of music, Rock and its many froms, Slap and Funk, Blues and Jazz,.. The thing is many people like it.

People playing music live and an audience enjoying it - All is good.

[quote name='Bass Culture' timestamp='1421832115' post='2665388']
Ha ha! As a 50-something bass player now I feel like Rush are one of those 'rites of passage' bands that you kind of feel obliged to dip into (maybe when you're younger) before you grow out of when you perhaps develop a taste for...er...tunes. (Puts on hard hat and ducks backs behind nearest parapet.)
[/quote]

Which 'tunes' were you thinking of?' (loads trebuchet, with a load of personal opinions and begins winding)

A very good six string - this is just GAS I expect it to pass

Just to finish off with this, I'm hoping to check out a Fodera next month.

Many thanks for taking the time to share views and experiences.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1421670678' post='2663729']
I just watched 4 videos claiming to explain the difference between a P bass and a Jazz. ..(edit).... I just don't think any of it matters very much!
[/quote]

In the world of playing with other musicans, for me it doesn't matter. Once you introduce other players, room acoustics and a signal chain, things get out of hand very quickly. I shug my shoulders, have the ambtion to hear myself and look to have a good time.

That said, as I embark on another year of exploring the boudaries of wallet size versus tone goals, I'll always retain a P bass and a Jazz.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1421590236' post='2662955']
I watched a load of bass videos today where players were demoing brand name basses; Foderas, Alembics etc.
[/quote]

Well done, if I try this I usually want to throw myself out of a window at around one minute in.

I'm looking into getting a Fodera, but the hardest bit will be trying one out.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1421515247' post='2662176']
Just buy the Fodera, and hit it a few times with a hammer, you will be less bothered about road wear then
[/quote]
Hmm..... Road worn Fodera's there has to be a market.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1421514581' post='2662170']
Fwiw IMHO if you're asking this question you can't afford the emotional trauma and stress of the worry involved in taking a Fodera out on a gig.
[/quote]
You're probably close on this. The thing is, I gig my fenders without a second thought to damage or theft, they're uninsured whatever happens happens. I just wondered if other players have translated this mind set to an instrument costing 3 - 4 times as much.
[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1421514581' post='2662170']
Good luck whatever you choose to do.
[/quote]
Thanks

I'm thinking about buying a Fodera or similar, can you enjoy a bass that you've paid around £4000 for and what, if any, are the pitfalls of owning and gigging high end basses?