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[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1362507537' post='2000432'] Funny that Nige, I`ve tried a couple of times to sell my CIJ Precision, and last week came to the realisation it`s actually my favourite bass. The USA plays better, and sounds better, but for some reason I just like the CIJ more. So lesson learned, it`s not going anywhere now. [/quote] Yeah, funny innit. It's the best bass I've played and yet I still fancied swapping it for a Precision or a block and bound Jazz. Just for a change.

I've always said he should have upgraded to a Ritter Jupiter.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1362508140' post='2000456'] I've edited my post. FWIW I think to get on in anything in life, you have to have an awareness of your strengths and your weaknesses. Unfortunately, I am more than aware that writing hugely successful, international, Grammy award winning pop songs is not one of my strengths. Sadly, my first foray into the world of songwriting (mid '80s) came to a sudden end. The chap recording my song, who was a well known singer and actor, a couple of weeks after recording the little ditty, promptly... died! I have considered it my duty, since that day, to never to let any of my 'masterpieces' escape the confines of my 'studio'... my 'Pandora's Box' if you will [/quote] Ahh that's good. Because when I were a nipper, Blinded by the Light and Davy's on the Road Again blew my little mind Shame about your singer biting the big one mate

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1362511466' post='2000577'] I refuse to compromise by going commercial, and just concentrate on good writing, Just want a Lidl bit of your love baby, But it don't Asda be a Lidl bit, My darlin' Tess,come here baby, Please don't wait, rose of my life. [/quote] Is there a smiley for a dribble chuckle?

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1362508690' post='2000480'] No, because pop songs have to be sh*t to be a hit these days. I am too good for that sort of thing. [/quote] I'm assuming you are being serious because you've been a gobsh*te in the past on similar subjects, so I am happy to say that your pronouncement is absolute bollocks.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1362506784' post='2000403'] But F isn't in the key of E Major, so therefore the pretty standard FGAC progression isn't in the key of E Major. I wonder why it is so common? Is it just nice to hear? [/quote] But what about lyrics? The chord progressions are the easy bit, the words and arrangement are the killers.

My Warwick Streamer CT is my ONE bass, I love it. I even tried to sell it last week

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1362506097' post='2000390'] Well, yes. Everything I've ever written was a hit, but the f***wit publishers / record companies / performing artists / record buyers couldn't get their tiny heads around songs about abbatoirs, pelican crossings and chutney. [/quote] Lyrics are the hardest part I reckon.

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1362501960' post='2000293'] I'd be interested to hear what kind of success TAXI had already - i only scanned the site so far. My other half's B-I-L has written a few very commercial songs but can't get a foot in with anyone of note. Had a couple of almost was's and no-hopers promising him God-status - for a half credit of the writing they had sod all to do with. I thought Payola was long gone. [/quote] [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAXI_(A%26R"]http://en.wikipedia....iki/TAXI_(A%26R[/url]) (probably written by TAXI ) Interesting downer on TAXI [url="http://passivepromotion.com/12-years-with-taxi"]http://passivepromot...years-with-taxi[/url] [color=#111111]" You might consider joining Taxi if:[/color][list] [*][b]You want to sign with a label[/b]. If you’re young and attractive with a radio-friendly sound, a large following, verifiable sales, and touring experience, Taxi might be able to hook you up with a label. But with all that going for you, do you need one? [*][b]You write songs solely to pitch to other artists[/b]. Taxi provides opportunities you won’t find on other “tip sheets,” and they seem particularly well-connected in the country music industry. [*][b]You want to earn a living through film and TV placements[/b]. If you’re disciplined enough to write cues to spec, day in and day out, and treat it as a job, you can make a lot of money after a few years. Check out their [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/taximusic"]video series[/url] on the topic. You’ll want to sign up for Taxi’s Dispatch service to receive daily last-minute requests from music supervisors. [*][b]You want to get better[/b]. The cost of membership might be justified purely as an educational expense. The conventions, called Road Rallies in keeping with the automotive theme, are top notch. Song critiques are a mixed bag. I’ve had the same song get 9′s and 10′s on one critique, and 5′s and 6′s on another. That’s the subjective nature of music. I don’t take any particular criticism seriously until I see it more than once. [/list] [color=#111111]If you’re thinking about signing up, be sure to [url="http://www.taxi.com/"]check the listings[/url] first to make sure the industry wants what you’ve got. "[/color]

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1362501844' post='2000290'] Easy peasy! It's the easiest thing in the world. I mean, the inane lyrics the predictable choruses. I could write half a dozen tonight in my sleep... I just choose not to... I'm really not prepared to compromise my integrity. [/quote] Are you being serious? I can't tell

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1362502298' post='2000304'] Nope, a lot of very self important musicians act as though they could rattle of as many hit pop songs as they liked if they were so inclined, but such empty frivolity is beneath them, they are "true" musicians and people who don't appreciate their music are uncultured philistines. The reality is that writing a song that literally millions of people will enjoy immediately is an incredibly difficult task. Just one personal touch could alienate half of your potential audience, one note or an unorthodox key choice could change the mood of a riff or hook and suddenly a lot of people won't like it. That's why a lot of the very successful modern pop albums are designed by committee, to smooth out everyone's influences to a marketable, accessible average. Take a look at the credits for Adele's "21", 7 writers and producers for 10 tracks (discounting the Cure cover). So no, I couldn't write a hit pop song, and even if I could, I definitely lack the industry contacts and experience to get it recorded, as do most people. [/quote] I completely agree, and I get quite bristly when people say it's easy, inane, beneath the serious musician etc. You can still say a lot of good stuff through a pop song, and there are some magnificent pop songs out there that epitomise great writing, lyrics and energy.

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1362500700' post='2000264'] We've got a few songs the guitarist and I have written and discounted from teh set for being too 'poppy'. We were talking about how they would suit an X Factor wannabe and we should demo them in that manner. Whether they'd be hits is another matter entirely. Interesting exercise. What's TAXI? [/quote] You should, you can clearly write good songs mate. TAXI is a publishing intermediary. I heard about it ages ago and thought it might be a load of old pony but they seem legit. $300 to join so confidence and objectivity are probably good things to have before committing [url="http://www.taxi.com/"]http://www.taxi.com/[/url]

Realistically, do you think you could? It's something I am going to try over the next few months, write what I think are three commercial songs, and sign up to TAXI and see what happens, just for fun

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1362420911' post='1999467'] I have played with one particular KB player for years, and it never fails to shock me how ham fisted, un swinging and groove ruiningly bad his playing is. On a gig I have to try hard to pretend he's not there. What is odd is this, he has a superb ear. One of the best I've ever come across. It's a funny old world...... [/quote] Not using his superb ear very well then is he

I'll download tonight, looking forward. I have heard a good few of your tunes before so I reckon I'll lke it a lot! Cheers!

If it's within my technical abilities and I can FEEL the music, then I can probably play it. I can't play jazz, limited at notey funk, but I've played in a variety of bands with styles from alt metal, Bollywood pop, funky electronica, folky, poppy, rocky, psychedelicy, experimental soundscapey ...

Ahhhh, how I envy you Congratulations!

It's 'guitarse'. Ok?

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1362414540' post='1999285'] maybe I'm being thick here, but why do you have to alter your bass to odd tuning just because the guitard does? if you really want to tune down to Bb (can't see it cutting through much that low tbh) why don't you tune all your strings that low i.e. Bb, Eb, Ab, Db?, or I'm I missing something [/quote] Look, can we stop with this 'guitard' sh*t please?

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362414743' post='1999292'] Thats exactly my point mate. The bass does not have to tune the same as the guitar. 4ths all the way!!! [/quote] No. There are certain sounds and playing styles that altered tunings are best for.

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362414338' post='1999274'] I know, just trying to be light hearted about it. I know some folk can be jealous of someone going out and doing something else. Ive had it myself, but then she was happy with the money I brought in from the band [/quote] Yes, I had a feeling you might have had a relationship like that from your post.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1362352961' post='1998950'] How long is a piece of string?... problem is, if a chap never picks up said piece of string, how is a chap able to measure it? To be serious though, I think what struck me most about the 'Practice' thread was the lack of commitment, devotion, single-mindedness, call it what-you-will from the contributors. When I was a kid my friends and I were obsessed with learning to play guitars... we wanted to be pop stars, and the only way was to be f***in' good at your chosen instrument, which meant putting the hours in, probably 3 hours on a school day and more at weekends. No music techs or colleges for the likes of us [/quote] I'm not far off 50 and the potential for a career in music has never been greater for me. I used to be immensely single minded and devoted when I was a young 'un, but the demands of life are simply to great now to be able to practice and play most of the time. back in the day, time on the old king cole was very well spent I would love to go back ten years and study composition at the RCM, or maybe soething like GuitarTech or whatever. I wouldn't study bass though, I would study guitar and learn piano. That said, I have a splendid musical life on bass and guitar, I play with some great musicians, both professional and gifted amateurs, I'm in three wonderful and diverse bands, I have a little studio I use for writing recording my own music, and tracking for my bands' recordings, play lovely gigs .. I just can't make a living at it, I have a day job for that so I don't have to teach or play Cinderella in a pit every night My ambition was to be in a successful band of friends like Rush or something, but that's the hardest and most unpredictable route to a musical career. The alternatives moslty involve being a musical drone and to be perfectly honest, for me a day job/career as a health and safety adviser is way preferable to playing Cinderella. I reckon I'd probably enjoy teaching though.

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362413470' post='1999251'] I cant see the problem. As long as you are tuning the bass down as it should be, the scale shapes will remain the same. Its just your key that will change. Its not like guitar , which can have wierd tunings like DAGBAD or the like. [/quote] One is not tuned in 4ths, one band is [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bb,F,Bb,E.[/font][/color]

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362413817' post='1999258'] Agreed. I was just thinking right enough, is this woman ( Im assuming here) making you leave something you love for spite, or has she got reasons? Im not wanting to pry, but you gotta say, someone who makes you stop doing something you love is being quite selfish in my book. I would bin the bird and stay with the band [/quote] What a weird post. What makes you think anyone is making him leave other than his own sense of resposnsibility and his personal problems?

[quote name='GonzoBass' timestamp='1361227650' post='1983297'] You might compare phrasing in music to phasing in conversation, especially since both are forms of communication. Basically, it's the delivery, length of, and pause between, your ideas. Consider the difference between listening to some overexcited, highly caffeinated chatterbox rambling full speed ahead using run on sentences, who won't let you get a word in edgewise (Kenny G and certain guitarists come to mind) and the deliberately paced reading of a poem, with it's dramatic pauses strategically placed for you to take a moment and consider the image being conveyed. Musically, you could include such techniques as; - Call and response/tension and release when coupling your phrases within a solo (ending one phrase on a high or tension note and then resolving to a lower or root note in your next phrase). - Either using longer notes to begin a solo or starting with a fast phrase. - The tension of ascending as opposed to descending phrases. - Separating your phrases, whether it being with a slight pause or a longer pause for effect. - Varying the volume and dynamics within or between phrases. The beauty of music is that the possibilities are quite endless and only limited by your imagination. Not to discredit guitarists as a lot here (you can almost [u]hear[/u] Stevie Ray Vaughn breath between phases during "Riviera Paradise"!) but I'd suggest listening to and reading horn lines for better examples of phrasing (look where the rests are and their duration), simply because horn players (cyclical breathing aside) [b][i]have[/i][/b] to breathe between their ideas, which makes their melodies much more lyrical in thier delivery. I hope this helps. [/quote] I like this post