SteveK

And once you've got a basic handle on chord tones and diatonic scales and modes, the next step ( ) would be to incorporate chromaticism into your walking bass lines. Chromatic approach notes can really make a bass line flow and swing, and opens up near endless possibilities.

I was asked by two of my band mates to do a couple of songs with them at a gig organised by Paul Jones. My boys had their work cut out as they were accompanying all the guest musicians for two nights. I wasn't at all envious of them at that point. I got to the Cranleigh Arts Centre at 4pm on the 13th (yesterday) to run through a couple of things. Later on Paul announced in the green room that a special guest was on his way and would be doing a few numbers. Sure enough the guest arrived and stood at the green room door at which point Paul got to his feet to welcome him. I was busy tuning up and generally getting ready, until Paul said, "Eric, I'd like you to meet the guys". I looked up, and sure enough there was Mr Clapton. The 200 odd punters (sold out both nights) at Cranleigh Arts Centre were in for a treat, and boy did they get a treat. He did 3 numbers, trading solos with the 2 other guitarists and keys player. I stood at the side watching my boys on stage with "Mr Slowhand" himself...now I was envious Gotta say, Eric played and sung great, and was obviously having a ball, and the whole band were tremendous. I got up and did my stint a little later which included a slightly heavier version of Mighty Quinn than Paul will have been used too, but he did great as did Robert Hart who shared the vocals. A great and unforgettable night was had by all. [url="http://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-eric-clapton-guests-paul-jones-charity-gig"]EC at Cranleigh[/url]

[quote name='wal4string' post='1086984' date='Jan 12 2011, 06:02 PM']I read that she was in so much demand at this time she kept a diary which she still has, and apparently the diary clearly states that she played on the session, but yes it has Jamersons chromatic trade mark runs all over it.[/quote] We've all read/heard about [i]Jamerson and Kaye, who played on what?[/i] I feel that It's possible that Kaye has been a little maligned in this debate. In the session world it's not uncommon to have 2 or more musicians do a part. I don't know the history of the track, but It is possible that Kaye did the "I was made to love her" session and then had her part replaced by Jamerson, or vice versa. Maybe the entire session was scrapped and started again with different musicians. I have (once or twice) been called to replace an existing bass part. It's also quite probable that some of my parts have been replaced. I've even been credited with sessions that I have absolutely no memory of.

Used Rotosound Swingbass since about 1973 and never had a problem with them until the late 80s, when I started having trouble with the E string in some packets. Not tried them since - may be they've improved their QC since.

There's an awful lot wrong with that clip. If he was after advice, I would suggest a good teacher before he develops any more bad habits.

[quote name='arthurhenry' post='1081485' date='Jan 7 2011, 08:20 PM']"As a bass player, you can't play when the drummer hits the snare, you have to stop." ???[/quote] Absolute tosh! If it's an accurate quote and not taken out of context, then, frankly, I'm staggered.

Not sure if this is the kind of thing your after, but, 'killer' bass line anyway, imo. Courtesy of TM Stevens. I'm surprised he doesn't get more attention on these boards. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tYIbLrco24"]I Shoulda Loved Ya[/url]

The drummer looks familiar... ...oh yeah! that'll be Jimmy Copley who just happens to be our drummer [url="http://www.manfredmann.co.uk/"]link[/url]. He's the guy on the right (colour photo) in the black t-shirt. Jimmy often talks about his days with Upp, and in particular, Stephen Amazing. I think he said that Stephen passed away some years ago. I saw Upp once, about 1974/75 at the Marquee in London, in fact my band were support. I remember at the time being hugely impressed with the band. I think SA was the first bass player that I'd seen playing serious slap. They were a great 3 piece. Jeff Beck gave them a lot of support at the time and would sometimes get on stage with them. Apparently Upp were quite an influence on Jeff Beck, certainly in the Jazz/Funk department. In fact, Jimmy said that they demo'd a few tracks for Blow by Blow. Little did I know then that Jimmy would become a good mate and colleague. Incidentally, Jimmy recorded a solo album a couple of years ago, [url="http://jimmycopley.com/"]'Slap my Hand'[/url] on which Mr Beck (with many others) guested.

Ask yourself, 'what does one have over the other?' Unless you're a hypnotist, I see very little advantage in the old mechanical type. Advantages of an electronic: 1. Often have an earphone socket. 2. Often double as a tuner. 3. Often have a volume control. 4. Can be small enough to fit in your gig bag. 5. Often have simple percussion type sounds. 6. Often have quite sophisticated percussion type sounds. 7. Sometimes have simple grooves pre-programmed 8. Sometimes have quite elaborate grooves pre-programmed (can sometimes programme your own grooves) 9. Can be used on a slight incline. 10. Can be used on a boat. 10. Can be used on its side. 11. Can be used upside down. 12. Usually has a pretty flashing light(s). (actually, know a couple of drummers who use the flashing light to set tempos on gigs.) 13. Won't remind you of your old school music room.

It's all down to personal taste and how you attack the strings. I generally play harder than your average player. Consequently a bass with a 'good' 'low' action will be too low for me - too many rattles and buzzes. If your a tickler then a very low action will be possible. Some players are also more tolerant of rattles and buzzes than others. Experiment - see what suits you. BTW before playing with the action make sure the truss rod is suitably adjusted.

I've read many posts in the 2 years or so that I've been here, along the lines of: [i]'How do I get this tone?'[/i], [i]'How do I get that tone?'[/i] [i]'How do I get to sound like Jaco'[/i] [i]'How do I get to sound funky?'[/i] My usual response used to be, 'It's in the fingers'. I don't generally respond to that type of thread anymore. It kinda gets boring trying to explain it to those that would prefer to ignore their fingers. Give me any reasonable quality amp and cab combination, give me any reasonable quality instrument and I will sound like me. Give me a DI and plug me straight into the board and I will sound like me. Amps and cabs and instruments have their own inherent sounds of course, but in the grand scheme of bass playing that is pretty insignificant. Far too much emphasis is placed on gear. IMO of course

[quote name='bobbytodd' post='1060147' date='Dec 15 2010, 10:50 PM']ive got an old presonous tubepre di our desk is some yamaha thingy that can run 2 monitors but we use 3 mackie srm450v2 as monitors so i was thinking if we linked two of them together for vocals ect then run the other one from the second aux with just my bass through it.[/quote] Okay, my last reply was assuming that your PA could cope with task. I don't know the gear you list, but my guess is that it's not up to the job... I think I would get a mate to help you get your gear up the stairs.

[quote]any of you lot just run direct into the desk and not bother with a bass amp.[/quote] Done it once or twice over the years. I wouldn't do it again out of choice, but providing you have a DI and you can hear yourself through the PA or monitors, then, you should be ok. I remember doing a festival in Switzerland many years ago, and the John McLaughlin Trio were on the bill. Dominic de Piazza just turned up with his gig bag slung over his shoulders, he unzipped it, took out his bass, walked on stage, plugged into a Di, and off he went...no back line at all...sounded pretty good to me.

[quote name='blackmn90' post='1058234' date='Dec 14 2010, 09:48 AM']funky_numba. There seems to be a lot of utter crap on this thread.[/quote] Not sure that I would've put it quite that way!! I think the confusion comes from Paul's (funky numba) misuse of the word 'funky'. He is obviously using the word to refer to the [b]sound[/b] of the bass. 'Funky' has nothing to do with this. Paul, you can sound funky on virtually any bass, whether it has brand new 'Super Zing' strings or 120 year old 'Extreme Flatos' - It's all in the fingers. If however, all you want is a bright zingy sound with lots of sustain, then, that will be down to your bass, how it is set up and strings etc. 'Funky' is a style, not a sound...at least in my book.

Bought these a couple of months ago. They really are quality products, with absolutely no metal or plastic. [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/4787-dsl_leather_2_5_black_leather_guitar_strap_stitching_"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/47...trap_stitching_[/url] [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/5614-dsl_gep25_15_2_5_garment_leather_with_leather_piping_guitar_strap"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/56...ng_guitar_strap[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1048158' date='Dec 5 2010, 12:47 PM']I remember seeing a documentary about Jamiroquai, where the band was on a fixed wage for doing nothing.[/quote] It's called [i]a retainer[/i] - not that uncommon. Been on retainers myself in the past.

I really can't imagine not tapping my feet, or at least moving part of my body in time whilst playing. I've always assumed it was a kind of subconscious metronome thing going on.

I would very much doubt that MacDaddy is referring to Sting... ...at least, I hope he isn't

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='984541' date='Oct 11 2010, 04:05 PM']I'm definitely not a great musician who has never studied or had a lesson in their life. I've had lessons [/quote] Apologies if I misunderstood your post. You seemed to be getting dangerously close to the [i]"yeah, but what about the legendary Jaco Miller - he never had a lesson in his entire life - I'm going his route"[/i] type post [quote name='MacDaddy' post='984541' date='Oct 11 2010, 04:05 PM']I've had lessons [/quote] LESSONS?...That's it then, you're destined to a musical life of clichés, constant widdling and general bad taste bassiness... ...according to some

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='984331' date='Oct 11 2010, 12:40 PM']so what do we think of Jamerson? Appalling technique - no teacher would advise a pupil to just pick with one finger - yet we can't deny his genius.[/quote] We can all name 1 or 2 great musicians that have never studied or had a lesson in their life - They are very few and far between. Safe to assume that you (or I) are not one of them and need to put the hours in.

I remember reading an interview by Phil Collins soon after being anounced as vocalist for Genesis..."I wan't to sing about stuff that relates to people - falling in love, falling out of love". I thought [i]that'll be the end of Genesis then[/i]. Of course I was proved right - as we all know, they sank without trace. FWIW Phil Collins? [b]Huge[/b] fan of his drumming - can't bear his singing.

[quote name='Mickeyboro' post='976385' date='Oct 3 2010, 08:21 PM']Last night we played a long, 2 1/4 hour set in a very cramped pub. I was more or less on top of the kit, not very comfortable for a six footer. About half an hour from the end I thought my drink had been spiked! The whole band sound seemed to get louder and less distinct at the same time. I could no longer pick out my bass lines from this noise and basically played 'by feel'. It was a really disorienting experience. My ears now (next day) feel quite tender but no ringing sound, thank god. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? I know for sure I'll be taking earplugs to my next one next Saturday.[/quote] Probably the cymbals. I don't wear earplugs and I sometimes get closer than I should to our drummer (Jimmy Copley) - the cymbals remind me that it's actually not a very good idea. He also plays the loudest snare known to man. Incidentally, he suffers from quite bad tinnitus and can't bare loud noise, so he uses earplugs and wears cans for monitoring. I've tried them, but I'm too long in the tooth to change my ways now.

[quote]And these "many venues" are?[/quote] I think that you're unlikely to get get an answer from the op to that question - he's probably retreated to a safe distance with his tail between his legs. [quote]You can't polish a turd.[/quote] Funny, whenever I hear that expression in a musical context I'm always reminded of The Frankies - Relax & Two Tribes... Trevor Horn -"[b]Turd polisher supreme[/b]"

[quote name='flyfisher' post='975104' date='Oct 2 2010, 04:28 PM']According to Jon Burton, The Prodigy's chief live sound engineer: The full article is in the October edition of Sound On Sound magazine and gives more details about his liberal use of 18-inch subs and, in case that's not quite enough, his use of triple 21-inch 'infra' subwoofers to handle the 15-50Hz frequencies. Might as well ditch my 2x10 cab then. [/quote] The man is absolutely right. Remember he is talking about PAs not bass guitar rigs. If you want punters to not only hear but [i][b]feel[/b][/i] the bottom end at larger gigs, then you will need large units - suitably housed of course.

I know loads of great and prolific songwriters in bands, who, if they chose to, could fill arenas and make a fortune. But, instead, they'd rather do Robbie Williams, U2 covers, and play The Dog & Duck once a fortnight for £50 Yeah, right!