SteveK

Watching Top of the Pops religiously, as a child, every Thursday, through the 60s and 70s. Listening and watching the bands, thinking "that's what I want to do"... So, I gotta say, doing TOTP for the first time...ambition fulfilled! And, receiving my first paycheck...for playing music.

Not interested in the "He's better than him" BS... But, interestingly, it wasn't till the Flea clip that my foot started tapping.

I'm not a big fan of encores, either as a performer or as a punter. It's something that we (the band) have discussed, agonised and argued about for many years. We've tried not doing encores with no explanation (think we only tried that once ); Not doing encores and explaining that this really is the end of the show (tried that several times). The problem is, everyone expects it. If you don't play the (encore) game it can create bad vibes and turn, what was, a fun and enjoyable event, into something unpleasant.

This thread reads like "spot the deliberate mistake" [quote]I,II,III,V,IV so in D you would have D,E,Fsharp,A,B[/quote] Doddy, I'm sure you're in the process of correcting this as I type

[quote name='beerdragon' post='609987' date='Sep 27 2009, 01:47 PM']Hey Steve, if you don't mind me asking what made a pro player in a pretty well known band come on Basschat.(your the only one on here as far as i know) i've always wondered if they have any interest in what the rest of the bass playing community are doing and playing.[/quote] Hi beerdragon, I can't remember how I found BC, probably just stumbled upon it Googling for something or other. Anyhow, it looked interesting, and initially, I thought, as I've been around the block a few times, that maybe I could offer some advice to anyone new to the business. The reality is, that I've actually picked up a few bits n bobs myself, and now I try to check in regularly to see who/what's new, and occasionally I'll add my 2 bobsworth to any interesting debate or discussion I have a view on. BC is a great resource that, unfortunately, wasn't around in my formative years. BTW I think that there are a few pros here. Jakesbass I know, from reading some of his posts, is a full timer, Who, I think, does quite a lot of session work - on the road and in the studio (sorry Jake if I've got that wrong). And there are others, whose names I can't remember offhand.

I have quite strong views on this. If a band can't produce a totally "live" live album then they shouldn't do one. It rankles me when bands/artists pull the wool over peoples eyes just so they can pretend to be better than they really are. Mind you, it's not as bad as going to a "live" show and not getting a "live" show... Here's a LIVE album I played on...and guess what...It's [b]all live. [/b] [url="http://www.manfredmann.co.uk/music/malive.html"]mp3 samples[/url]

[quote name='barneyg42' post='603034' date='Sep 19 2009, 06:01 PM']Went to Go West in the midlands with an ex who was a big fan especially of Peter Cox. Stopped at services on the way back and Peter and Richard Drummie turn up just as shes using the coffee machine. Cue Peter to go over and help her press ONE button she had to press to get the drink while she gawped at him. Speechless and melted on the floor was how it looked.[/quote] I think your ex may well be interested in PC's next venture - tba in the next couple of weeks. She doesn't live near Southampton by any chance, does she?

[quote]I used to get the odd day or two in the first 6 months of playing when I got frustrated that I couldnt do something and thought about quitting. But I rode it thru and ive been playing 4-5 years now and ive only just realised that im in no way musical. I dont understand music, I dont understand theory, [b]I dont listen to much music[/b] and I do not have any sence of rythem.[/quote] [b]Simon Cowell mode: ON[/b] [u]"I dont listen to much music"[/u] Why do you want to be a musician? Judging by your post it seems to me that you're not really into music. To get any enjoyment out of [i]playing[/i] music - you've, at the very least, got to enjoy [i]listening[/i] to it... preferably, loads of it. I really don't mean to sound harsh, but, perhaps music is not for you. [b]Simon Cowell mode: OFF[/b]

Yeah, saw a DVD of this guy a year or so ago. Very impressive and very talented.

Our drummer did the Seeds Of Love tour, he could tell a few stories. They were certainly the more acceptable side of 80s pop. [quote]Even the bands who got classed as "boy bands" back then (Duran Duran, etc) could sing,[/quote] Remember Wild Boys?...has to rank as one of the most excruciating vocal performances of the 80s. Only surpassed by Marc Almond and Jimmy Sommerville's I Feel Love.

[quote name='liamcapleton' post='520439' date='Jun 22 2009, 12:38 AM']Leland Sklar, session ace with the likes of James Taylor, Toto, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton and countless other people never uses his pinky ever and claims to have awful technique, and he was/still is one of the most sought after session aces on the planet.[/quote] I really don't want to labour the point here...but, I suggest that Leland Sklar is successful [i]in spite[/i] of his bad technique not [i]because of it.[/i]

[quote]I'd disagree with everyone that has told you that you're limiting your technique by not using your middle finger, simply because if you're happy enough with using what you've got already then why does it matter? If you can get by, then it's fine.[/quote] If Bay Splayer only wants to "get by", then, I'm in agreement...hopefully, he wants more than that.

[quote]Is there anything wrong with using extra light strings?[/quote]Nothing at all. [quote]I get the impression that generally with basses/guitars, one is kind of considered more impressive if one uses ’extra heavy’ strings and somewhat looked down upon if one uses extra light.[/quote]Never, ever encountered that. [quote]People always say that heavier strings will give you better tone,[/quote]I'd be surprised if you [i]couldn't[/i] tell the difference tone wise. I would guess that [i]most[/i] prefer the sound of a heavier gauge. [quote]lighter strings give you better playability,[/quote]Not so sure. Personally, my right hand fingers prefer a heavier gauge, while my left fingers prefer a slightly lighter gauge. [quote]Are there any ‘famous’ players who use extra light?[/quote]Not a clue. FYI I use 40-100 Stadium Elites. Changed every 4-5 gigs Don't forget, you will need to make adjustments to your bass according to your chosen gauge of string.

[quote]But, as you say, if it ain't broke...[/quote] IMO I don't think the OP realises that [i]it is[/i] broke, and [i]how[/i] broke it is.

How can you play any chromatic phrases with any accuracy and speed without your middle finger? You'll be seriously limiting your ability to play so many things. Take my advice and start trying to use it.

[quote name='henry norton' post='517488' date='Jun 18 2009, 03:54 PM']Losing your fingers means losing your job as well as your hobby for most people operating planers and table saws,[/quote] Sadly, a great sax player and great friend of mine did exactly that, about 15 years ago. His other passion, aside from music, was carpentry. Sliced through half the fingers of his left hand with one of those big mounted circular saws. Doctors re-attached the fingers, but sadly his sax playing days were over. End of career and end of hobby! You'll probably recognise him from [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPKDS5QP0Tc&feature=related"] [b]this clip.[/b][/url] unfortunately, most of the solo is cut. Oh, and handsome bass player, don'tya think?

[quote name='Johngh' post='509407' date='Jun 9 2009, 07:19 PM']No, he was at the Robin 2 at Bilston. He did his own stuff on Saturday night together with some Purple stuff and then on Sunday he did a whole set of Trapeze material. I had to miss the Sunday gig which was a shame, Saturday was brilliant though, as usual.[/quote] OK! Saw him in Bad Urach on the 30th. Caught 4 or 5 numbers. Said he had laryngitis and should be tucked up in bed...still sounded pretty good to me. Are pick users frowned upon? If so, don't know why that should be. As already mentioned, plenty of good/great players use a pick. Come on you frowners, step forward, make yourselves known...

[quote]I saw Glenn Hughes in concert last weekend.[/quote] Wasn't Bad Urach, Germany by any chance?

IME, there are [i]usually[/i] 2 reasons for being sacked: 1. You are a PITA to work with. 2. You're not musically up to the job. Neither can be remedied overnight, so, in that respect there is not much to discuss. Bands don't usually fire musicians for fun. My guess is that this has been building up for a while, you just weren't reading the signs. Text, Letter, Phone call, Face to face....sacked is sacked! Steve

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='481533' date='May 6 2009, 11:54 PM']or just buy a synth...[/quote] Could do with a **Yawn** emoticon. I, and many other bass players have spent virtually a lifetime attempting to master the bass guitar. I'm afraid I don't have another lifetime to reach a similar standard on keyboard. Anyway, why shouldn't bass players have synth sounds at their disposal?

[quote name='liamcapleton' post='479560' date='May 4 2009, 11:49 PM']Never really bought into the whole guitar/midi thing. I think if you wanted to make your guitar sound like a synth, then buy a synth instead. Maybe that's a bit close-minded of me but all the same...[/quote] Never got the logic of that argument...seems to have one obvious flaw!

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='476065' date='Apr 30 2009, 02:52 PM']Nope. Not for me. Bass gets tuned monthly.[/quote] Should've bought from a decent shop - got mine from a really good shop - bloke told me it was all set up - consequently, don't have to worry 'bout all that tuning stuff.

[quote]because he's a show-off.[/quote] Hmmm, aren't we all? My guess is that he'll only really ever be known as "That guy with the odd playing style".

[b]"Bulk up"[/b]? [b]"Put on a couple of pounds before you go"[/b]? Can someone please explain why? I've played these places many times in the last 25 years or so, and never once felt it was necessary to bulk up. Never once heard anyone say, "We should've bulked up before leaving home". These countries have food, it ain't expensive, and some of it is quite edible. Steve EDIT: When I say, "these places", I am referring more to the former Eastern Bloc countries.

Go Pre EQ and speak to the engineer about the sound you like, and [i]hope[/i] that he/she takes that on-board. By going Post EQ you'll be complicating matters. Maybe you like a bright sound with not too much mid, the engineer hears it and thinks, " hmm, that's a bit bright, and there's not enough mid" and adjust accordingly. You either use your own (trusted) engineer or hope for the best. EQ-wise the sound guy's going to do (pretty much) whatever he thinks is right anyway. Steve