xilddx

Be yourself. I'm nearly 49 and I'm not shy on a stage, but I used to dance more 5 years ago, now I'm comfortable moving how the music makes me move. A certain confidence and authority can come with age. I play with 50 year olds, and 24 year olds, we just do what we do and give a good show. No real need to force the moves, just look the best you can and move naturally.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1358959545' post='1947687'] Thanks to the wonders of Spotify, I have just heard Sheik Yerbouti for the first time. Interesting but a bit like using nanotechnology to create artificial dog poo. [/quote] Try Roxy and Elsewhere or Make a Jazz Noise Here. I think they may appeal to you more. SY is not a good intro to Zappa, although Wild Love and Yo Mama are sublime, most of the album is not the sort of Zappa you would get on with I reckon.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1358905540' post='1947018'] Just finished mine for this month… [url="https://soundcloud.com/skollob/make-it-right"]https://soundcloud.c...b/make-it-right[/url] I've been listening to a lot of old Bristolian trip hop recently - Massive Attack and Portishead in particular - which I think has leaked into my musical subconscious Was hoping to persuade Mrs Skol to sing the vocal on it, but she's crazy busy with work (stressed teacher) hence I ended up doing it myself this evening. A few bum notes but heh, who's counting. Cheers all! And thanks to Bob for picking a cracking picture - it's sparked a lot of different ideas by the sound of things. [/quote] Excellent mate! You seem to have developed a style too. It's got a really nice feel and I like the news clips at the end. Great stuff!

May I suggest you try to enjoy the whole song and appreciate the part you play in it, rather than doing what too many people do and only focus on yourself? The clue is that you hadn't even realised how simple the bass line is, THAT my friend is REAL music. You've been tricked by movement and harmony. I very much doubt that you are playing the part well enough to get your mojo on, so concentrate on nuanced playing and how you fit in the song. Just because you don't have 16th note triplet arpeggios to play does not mean the bass line is simple or unmusical. So many of us are trying to learn stuff that means nothing on the bass unless it's in a virtuoso context. There is far too much emphasis on chops and f*** all on MUSIC. If you can truly learn to love simplicity, you will be a much better and more useful musician for it.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1358866547' post='1946255'] With respect... Bollocks! [/quote] Seconded!

I think you have to hear it in your head Bilbo. But play a lovely chord and see what your head hears as coming next. Do you get a little fizz in your stomach? That's when you know you heart agrees with your head. Keep doing that and before you know it you have a emotional journey that will lead you to cadences and structures that maybe you couldn't have imagined in their entirety.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1358782004' post='1944860'] I posted it in response to a comment from BRX relating to how if you can't hear yourself properly (i.e. "cut through the on-stage mix") then it can be difficult to know if you are playing in tune.... [/quote] You know what, I thought Luke had posted it so I was replying to his comment. Ignore me mate

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1358777660' post='1944781'] wow, how she managed to get her keys part in the right key and then stand up and play the bass in the wrong key... how? [/quote] She publically apologised for this f*** up two years ago. But I'm struggling to find a connection between this vid and the thread mate, have I missed something?

As Steve says, it's all in the arrangement. In fact his last paragraph is bang on imo. But you need sympathetic musicians with some experience or instinct to realise this.

Have a great show, Joe! Sorry I can't be there mate.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1358613230' post='1942226'] When, indeed? Semi-colon required. Please commit seppuku immediately. Yours, Mr Graham Arne-Artsey [/quote] Does lady silddx count?

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1358599212' post='1941918'] Well TBH even the most humble BCer seems to find errors just by reading it; this thread is proof of that. Your comment about the standard of the reader, and their grasp of grammar, is noted, but if you had a number of members performing this task I'm sure it'd be better than little or no proofing at all. To be fair my original comment was a throwaway line, more in jest than anything else (thus added as an afterthought). However, it now occurs to me that it might not have been such a daft idea as there are a good number of members here in teaching. Also a quick read through our regular 'grammar Nazi' threads would highlight some likely candidates. [/quote] When does anyone who demands a reasonable standard of written language in a written medium become a grammar Nazi? In printed media, I demand a high standard of language and grammar in addition to quality content, after all, I am chucking a fiver at the publishers. BGM has not improved. I am tired of the same mistakes being apologised for year in year out with no improvement despite editor and publisher changes. You'll notice the price has increased, but the poor standards remain. If your band made the same mistakes every gig for years you'd be laughed out of the venues and get less and less work and punters. It will be a hell of a job to rescue BGM now I think.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1358598554' post='1941907'] And he played bass in the Beach Boys after Brian Wilson baled out! What a resume' [/quote] I like how he said 'I can play bass but I'm not a bass player'.

Fascinating programme!

[quote name='iamapirate' timestamp='1358531063' post='1941033'] Feeling honoured at all the responses! It went really well, they're at the first 'stage' where it's coming in to have a chat and play along to the recordings (as their drummer isn't around all day every day). They'd auditioned a few before me but said that they were just too 'rock' and not enough funk. Apparently I have more funk than the lot of them which is nice! So yes, they'll finish off the album in the next couple of months and get back to be asap. I think the general impression was great, Especially considering I'm 19 and they're all mid 20s and above! [/quote] Sounds positive man. Nice one!

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1358529574' post='1940991'] Jeez, it's just a band audition. What next? Wash behind your ears, put on a fresh bra etc... Turn up on time, play to the best of your ability, if they like you, go for it - if not then stuff 'em! [/quote] I wish you much success.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1358514969' post='1940594'] Good afternoon. Back on topic - C'mon, how many of us old boys tried to tune up our bass G string to the guitards open G, got the octave wrong and bust a string then? [/quote] That would make you a basstard. Seriously? You've done that?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1358516505' post='1940633'] But they can take a hike if they come across like that... [/quote] It all depends

The audition process works in stages, you've already learned the songs so that's stage one. I hope you read the lyrics, it's important to understanding how to play with the singer. Prepare. Your equipment should all be spot on, fresh batteries, strings checked for damage, etc. Only take spares you absolutely need. Don't rock up with two basses, eight cables and your tour bag full of sh*t. You need to set up quickly so take the bare minimum. At this level your cables and pedals should be very high quality and spares should be unnecessary. Be friendly, humble and polite, but show confidence. Nervous watery eyes send the wrong message. As has been said, be clean, but don't overdo it on the clothes and perfume, it's not a fashion show til you hit the stage. Tune your bass before you set off, use a hard case if possible to preserve that tuning, so when you tune up at the audition, they are only quick tiny adjustments. Play the songs simply and right on the money. Feel, timing, groove, nuanced playing is all WAAAAAAYYYYYY more important than showing the latest Alain Caron lick you learned. A bassist need to be reliable, not a f***ing clown. If they want a bit of a jam at the beginning, play it cool, if they want one at the end start off cool but show them a few lovely things, but not stupid fast things, play them groovy things, timing displacement, show them you can jam bang in time with the drummer (look at the drummer too, shows them you care about the band's sound and that you pay attention). FEEL the music and where you think you can fit in with their vision. Play sympathetically with the singer's dynamics. Dont f*** around at the beginning or end. Do NOT widdle in between songs, talk instead, they need to know you are a nice person to be around. If you can play well and with the requisite feel and sympathy, that's a start, the rest is about whether they would like to spend two months on a tour bus with you. Very best of luck mate!

That's fantastic and amazing! Many congratulations!

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1358510691' post='1940485'] The current Mrs Discreet away again? [/quote]

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1358460547' post='1939817'] Dough, wish I'd fort ov dat. BTW discreet, is your avatar a close up of a cheese skon's surface? [/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1358460794' post='1939826'] No. [/quote] Blue cheese, Mark?

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1358504916' post='1940305'] I must admit that I wouldn't really want to see the magazine full of reviews of 'cheap' basses. I like the fact that they review high end stuff that's hard to find and try out. If I want to try a £600 Ibanez or Yamaha etc then I can simply whizz down to the local shop and have a go on one. [/quote] But they are very useful to the less experienced among us, or those buying their first serious bass. It shows them what to look out for, and what sort of set up specs they should expect, that's if BGM can actually be bothered to measure nut width, string spacing, action, neck thickness etc.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1358460292' post='1939806'] Must agree with you there, Clapton's currant effort with this song comes across as stale these days. [/quote] he's muffin like he used to be is he.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1358459665' post='1939784'] Baker was playing, wasn't he? [/quote] Yeah, with Jack Brews. Tea Room was awesome.