SteveK

[quote name='XB26354' post='463340' date='Apr 15 2009, 07:43 PM']Interesting replies, I thought I'd share my experiences as a player and teacher... The trick of learning intervals through the first two notes of a melody only works to show you an example of the interval. It doesn't really have a benefit when developing your ear, because you are hearing that interval over one harmonic sequence only.[/quote] I disagree. It's surprising how easy (with a little perseverance) it is to apply the method to other modes and scales. The trick that I suggest is not meant as an alternative to the more "traditional" methods, but, as a simple and surprisingly useful addition... something for the student to have fun with. Associating a tune to an interval is something I did in my formative years (musically speaking) and I found it invaluable. You don't have to have your instrument with you, You can hum the intervals to yourself while out walking, sitting on a train (first find an empty carriage though ) knowing that you have them correct, getting to know the sound that they make. After a while, when listening to music you'll know where a melody starts and where it goes, and then be able to apply it to your instrument. Of course, this does assume that the student is practising all the more mundane stuff as well. Steve

I have some sympathy with AM1. A question I've been asking myself for quite some time: Where are the exciting, intelligent arrangements? The killer bass/guitar riffs? Where are the virtuoso guitarists, drummers, keyboard players etc playing music that excites? Please don't point me to any jazz. I know there's some great jazz out there and I appreciate a lot of it, but sometimes a man's gotta rock. Someone, a month or so ago, posted a link to The Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein". I seem to remember that the general consensus was, "[i]They don't make 'em like that anymore[/i]" or, maybe, that's just what I thought. Anyway, you get my drift. Any pointers gratefully received. Steve I'll check out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as suggested.

Not sure what you mean by "hearing notes". Perfect pitch perhaps? If so, can't help. However, A simple trick to learning intervals is to associate the first 2 notes of a tune that you know to an interval. For example: I'm sure that you know the theme from Jaws, the bit when the shark's about to strike, well, that's your minor 2nd For Major 2nd you could use first to notes from Eastenders (the soap) Now apply your own tunes to all the intervals. You may have difficulty in finding one for Major 6th...My Way (the song made famous by Ol Blue Eyes) should do it. Even nursery rhymes have their uses: Pop Goes The Weasel = Major 3rd HTH Steve I should add that with time and practice you won't think in terms of nursery rhymes or soap tunes, you'll think "Oh, that's a minor 3rd" or "that'll be a perfect 5th then" and immediately apply it to your instrument.

[quote]I know the guitarist from Sick of it All, frontman from Dillinger etc all try and bulk up a bit before heading onto the road.[/quote] WTF Why would they do that? I don't know these guys, but they obviously inhabit a different world to me. It's when I'm on the road that I tend to do my [i]bulking up[/i] Steve

I'm keeping my gob shut!

Don't know any musicians who make "physical preparations" for a tour. A good book, MP3 player, laptop will all help pass any boring travel time. If you or any of your bandmates are into backgammon or chess, a travel set would be good. Steve

[quote]Paul Jackson is the don![/quote] Then you may be interested in this CD/DVD by my good friend and fellow band-member, Jimmy Copley [url="http://www.jimmycopley.com/"]Slap My Hand[/url] The live DVD (filmed in Japan) features Paul Jackson. The CD features PJ, Pino, Jeff Beck and many more. Check out the samples on Jimmy's site. The CD, while being a studio album, is about as live as you can get, ie. No overdubs (vocals apart) and pretty much first takes. Steve

[quote]I couldn't tell who the drummer is but there are some serious mistakes in the drumpart.[/quote] Are you sure that the "serious mistakes" aren't just edits in the clip? (there are many) Steve

Mostly it's down to "nerves". Before counting in think about what you are doing,[i]relax[/i] for a few seconds, don't just rush in. Think of the key part of the song, the riff, the chorus melody etc, and hum a couple of bars to yourself and [i]then[/i] count. Sometimes it may be a little fast or sometimes a little slow but you should be "in the ball park". Steve EDIT: casapete, I know that you weren't after advice, but the tip may be of use to someone.

[quote]Chris Slade has played with loads of artists, sometimes he's done tours for some bands without necessarily appearing on the original albums. He's toured with ACDC, Dave Gilmour & Asia as well as those already mentioned.[/quote] Indeed... ...He also spent many years with Manfred Mann's Earth Band...but they're rubbish, so we won't count them.

[quote]ably supported by ex Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade.[/quote] Wot?...the same Chris Slade featured in [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Monp42hqw"]this clip[/url]? 'e gets around, don't 'e !!??

[quote]It makes me laugh when people with about 1/10th the talent of these guys come on here and comment about their playing.[/quote] hmmm! A couple of points: 1. You know nothing about me. 2. This is a forum... A place to debate an issue or express [i]opinions.[/i] [quote]Copeland = favourite drummer of all time Sting = one of the main reasons i play bass.[/quote] OK, you're a fan and the band obviously means a lot to you. FWIW I think Sting is an outstanding songwriter and the band made some great records. The OP, however, asked for opinions about the rhythm section. My feeling is that there are two quite different aspects to The Police: Records and Live shows. As I've said, they've made some great records, but film of the live shows that I've seen (mostly from 70s and 80s) gives the impression of "Heads down and first one to the bar" Of course, one man's "Frantic and grooveless" can be another man's "Exciting". I'd certainly be interested to see the Certifiable DVD though. Steve

[quote]The BBC has apologised after Bono called Chris Martin a "w****er" live on Radio 1[/quote] Yeah, but was he stating a fact, or was it just his opinion...after reading this thread I'm not sure of the difference.

'fraid he comes across as a bit of a fruit-cake to me. Doesn't matter how good you are, or [i]think[/i] you are, if no-one will work with you it means jack-sh*t. FWIW my good friend and colleague, Mick Rogers, played bass for Frank Z for one show (mid 70s) when Tom Fowler couldn't make it. Had to busk a 2 1/2 hour Frank Zappa set Steve

Records = Not too bad Live = Dire I should add that my judgement of "live" shows is based on what I've seen on telly. Steve

[b][u][size=3]It's official[/size][/u][/b] [u][b]U2 only 1/2 as good as Take That[/b][/u] [b][i]"The group's 12th album No Line on the Horizon sold 64,698 copies on its first day on sale" "Last December, Take That sold 133,000 albums on day one"[/i][/b] Quotes from Music Week taken from [url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7921583.stm"]HERE[/url] So, there you have it...Now, let that be an end to it!

I don't get the "Friction/grip is good" thing. Why would you want to make it harder for your finger to get from one side of the string to the other, ie: Pluck? Liking a fairly bright and sustained sound, I would change strings every 3 or 4 shows, it tends to be 4 or 5, or sometimes 6 shows these days. The downside is that the new strings (I use Elites) tend to be a little rough for the first 1/2 hour or so of use. My remedy: Raise my fingers to my head and use a little "brow grease"...more effective than gob

[quote]and they're led by a twat with a Messiah complex...[/quote] Don't really want to get into the "U2 are c**p" thing... ...but, I am reminded of an old joke: [i]What's the difference between Nelson Mandela and Bono? Nelson Mandela doesn't think he's God.[/i] OK, I never said it was a [i]good[/i] joke Steve

[quote]So I wanna play funk., Advice?[/quote] All of the above... And, you gotta think "Sex"

All You Need Is Love - by that obscure 60s band from Liverpool.

[quote]not everything is on the internet you know.[/quote] [quote]Can I nominate this for the best quotes sticky if it's still going[/quote] Or maybe more appropriately, [b][i]"Can I nominate this for the best quote if the going gets sticky"[/i][/b]

Perhaps the OP could post a link to any article that refers to a Stick as a "Bass guitar"

If you can afford it, definitely drum machine. I can't think of anything more boring than playing to: [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click [b]Click[/b] click click click etc etc 5 minutes of that and I'm ready to kill Music's s'posed to be fun...right?! Steve

[quote]I'm not sure what that emoticon means. I'm guessing: ho hum![/quote] No, not at all. It means that I was half expecting someone to link to an accomplished player playing thumb style However, my answer to the original question: [quote]Is there any reason not to just use my thumb?[/quote] would still be: "None at all...but it's highly unlikely that you will become an accomplished player." (Note that I say "highly unlikely" and not "impossible") To advise a relative beginner to play by just plucking with his thumb would be bad advice. Steve PS. Does Robbie [i]never[/i] play the orthodox two finger style?

[quote][url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc[/url][/quote]