SteveK

[quote name='BigAlonBass' post='1153142' date='Mar 7 2011, 10:41 PM']......and there's the crux of the whole argument, right there. If you play in front of an audience, you have to play what THEY want to hear, or you don't work.[/quote] [quote name='skankdelvar' post='1153794' date='Mar 8 2011, 01:56 PM']The transactional nature of paid public performance means that you have to give the punters what they want. If you don't give them what they want, don't expect to get paid or get asked back.[/quote] How times have changed! When I was cutting my musical teeth, the general vibe amongst serious bands was, you played what you [i]felt[/i] was good, you experimented, you attempted to do something original. Whether the audience were going to dig it or not was secondary. Seems now, there's too much "playing it safe", taking the easy route. Musicians these days seem to lack the courage of their convictions. Question: If a band has more success with songs than the original artists/bands, does that still make them a "covers band"? Guess it does! ...oh well!

Doddy is mostly correct in what he is saying. However, I think he is in danger of overstating the case and in his enthusiasm making one or two rash statements. As I've said before in previous threads on the same subject, we have all heard of the great non-trained, non-theory musicians. In fact one of my closest friends, who will be known to some BCers, hasn't the faintest idea about scales and modes, and basic theory, BUT, he is probably the most phenomenal guitarist/musician I know. These people are very few and far between. It's dangerous to think that maybe you will be one of these great, untrained musicians... it's a fairly safe bet that you won't.

On the evidence of this thread, it seems to me that the message is getting through. We don't have the "I don't do theory...I'm a feel player" and "Jaco Miller doesn't know any theory and he sells by the gazillions" type posts, as I seem to remember from older threads on the subject. Personally, I would advise that theory is a bad idea and should be avoided at all costs... ... last thing we old pros want is for some young(er) rapscallion to start getting all the gigs.

[quote]a slight difference in tone[/quote] If it really [b]is[/b] a slight difference, then, I wouldn't worry about it. That's one of the differences between man and machine. In the past, producers and musicians alike will have spent hours programming their sequencers to get that "slight difference in tone". Nowt wrong with using one finger if you really want that machine-like quality.

I bought the [url="http://www.guitargrimoire.com/gt03.htm"]guitar version of this[/url] many years ago (don't think there was a bass version then). If the bass version is anything like the guitar version, then, it's Probably got every scale/mode known to man.

[quote name='blamelouis' post='1141749' date='Feb 25 2011, 08:55 PM']BIG Jaco fan but hadnt heard that before ...thank you for that [/quote] You may also enjoy [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89WkxKpevLg"]this from the same album[/url]. Doesn't feature Jaco in the same way, but IMV his contribution to the theme is the icing on a great track.

Respect to Pete Academy for his restraint in his response to BigRedX's post. I'm sure on re-reading BigRedX regrets his post and will want to edit it.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMXz7FUi4-I"]Jaco's "burp"[/url] in all it's glory. The guy deserves respect from each and every member of BC

[quote name='Faithless' post='1138656' date='Feb 23 2011, 03:01 PM']I'm going to fly with Ryanair to London next week, and I've bought my bass an extra seat to have it with me.. and my question is - can I have things like cable, strap, etc in my gig bag to bring into the plane? The thing is I don't have checked-in baggage, so if I'm not permitted to bring that crap along with me, they gonna stay at home..[/quote] Done it many times over the years. They are not restricted items. Shouldn't be a problem.

Looks to me like a confidence issue or a technique issue.

[quote name='endorka' post='1135197' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:35 AM']This and the similar sentiments expressed by others in the thread surprises me. Jennifer[/quote] Come on Jennifer, the word "shallow" in the topic title should've been enough to tell you that this was a [i]males only[/i] thread.

[quote]Anyone else as shallow as me? smile.gif[/quote] When I got my first brand new sunburst Fender Precision (very early 70s). I would wake up in the night, switch the light on and marvel at its shape and contours... ...and then I would look over and notice the bass Of course you're not being shallow. We're all a big bunch of kids who want to look cool.

[quote name='robocorpse' post='1133236' date='Feb 19 2011, 11:54 AM']Its a guitarists technique that the bassist has to follow to make it easier on the ensemble.[/quote] Why? I totally understand why a guitarist would use such a tuning. But why a bass player? He won't be playing open power chords...will he? The same notes are available, he just has to reach them in an unorthodox fashion, which would make study bloody hard work.

I understand the need for drop tuning, but I can't figure what advantage there is for C# G# C# F# tuning. You say you haven't been playing long...I can't help thinking you're making a rod for your own back. Not sure how much harder you could make it for yourself

Probably a "must have" if you're thinking of joining an 80s tribute band Always thought they looked hideous. Does anybody (apart from Mr Rhino) still use one?

The fact is - regardless of which end of the note you tune to, you are still gonna be more in tune than your keyboard player

[quote]The main problem i have is the D and G string are just not prominent in the mix and really do sound thin.[/quote] If the D & G sound thin in comparison with the E & A strings, then, providing you're not trying something extreme EQ-wise, I would first check the set up of the bass. Is the action uniform across all strings? Are the pickups and strings aligned?

[quote]Whadd'ya reckon?[/quote]Don't worry about it. [quote]Having just got a korg pitchblack+, I can actually see it happening... the note starts sharp, comes into tune and then goes flat....[/quote]Forget what the display shows, it'll just make you neurotic. The difference you see is totally insignificant.

When playing straight octaves (low to high) I think most players would find it easier playing down - up. However, when I first started playing (we were still living in caves) I used a pick, and I figured (or I read) it must be better to learn exercises, scales, modes, phrases etc both ways, ie. starting with down-stroke and then the same starting with up-stroke. I've pretty much stuck with that idea ever since. Even when I started playing finger style, I would start with the first finger and then reverse the fingering.

If you see two 1962 Fender Precisions for sale, similar condition. The first bass 20 previous owners, the second only one previous owner - you would still expect to see them priced about the same. Number of owners is irrelevant - It's all about the condition.

Just done a quick Youtube of the song. The chorus is played with a pick and consists of an 8th note followed by two 16ths an octave up, a la dum diddy dum diddy etc If you've only just started playing again, then I think you will probably struggle to play it the conventional two finger style. I would think a pick would be easier (and more authentic). Definitely do not attempt all down strokes - you'll do yourself a mischief Another way, you could try playing the lower (8th note) with the thumb, and play the higher octave (two 16th notes) with the fingers.

Whatever you learn, try it out in a musical context. Get together with some musician friends, or if you have some recording gear, try recording a simple chord sequence, and have a play around with what you've learned. Listen to how the scales and modes sound - experiment! BTW learn to play the scales and modes over 2 octaves and beyond, and using different intervals 3rds, 4ths etc. Edited for clarity

Fretted or fretless, if you set the action too low you will get rattles and buzzes and may notice a deadening of the note. The ringing could well be the truss rod. I've had it in the past on a couple of basses. A slight adjustment may fix that. If it only happens on open strings check that the string is located in the nut properly and that there is a reasonable angle over the nut.

[quote name='The Funk' post='385003' date='Jan 19 2009, 02:44 PM'][quote name='Leowasright' post='384794' date='Jan 19 2009, 11:15 AM'] 3. Tap your foot!!!!!!![/quote] NEVER!!!!!!!!! There's no need for this whatsoever - and for some people it distracts them from playing in time. [/quote] I can't imagine not tapping my foot. If you're not tapping your foot then you've got to be moving some other part of your body. IMV if you aint moving, you aint feeling it - and if [b]you[/b] aint feeling it, how do you expect a listener to.

[quote name='EskimoBassist' post='1090652' date='Jan 15 2011, 05:19 PM']That sounds like a truly magical evening, I must admit to feeling rather jealous reading your account of it![/quote] Yeah, it's not too often that you get to share a changing room with "God". For all you younger members [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clapton-God-Various-Artists/dp/B000S6EYN0"]God[/url]