kusee pee

I'm going to see them on Sunday. Getting well excited now!

As a general rule, the more you move and the more fun you look like you're having the better. On stage, I try to model what I want from the audience. Can't expect them to jump around, laugh and have fun if I'm not. I typically go over the top and it rarely fails to amuse the audience which then gives them good memories and an excuse to engage with us.

On the rare occasions that our drummer loses a beat we always go with him. It's more noticeable for the drums to change than the rest of us, so where he goes we go. Fortunately, 99% of the time he's on the money.

Jumping Jack Flash has become our default opener. It just worked its way there and seems to go down well.

Well done. You'll never look back.

I learnt by playing along to records, mainly Duran Duran. Then I got a good instruction video (YouTube would be the thing nowadays) which was good for technique as I could watch and copy other players.

I regard myself as average although I quite often get compliments saying that I'm good. However, compared to many I know I'm definitely nothing special. I'd certainly like to get better and always like challenging myself with new stuff. The others in my band are all better musically than I am which is a good incentive to try and keep up.

My parents are both outstanding musicians, far better than I am. I really wish I'd kept up my theory lessons. But it was good always having music in the house and I passed various grades on piano and trumpet. I then rebelled against having lessons and gave up for a couple of years until I got my first bass.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1474389726' post='3137619'] I have just started this as we are going to be doing it. I assumed it was going to be easy, but I didn't realise the chorus part was like it was, and although I play it fine on its own, along to the music, the run down misses notes playing it with something else. I use my pinky, but then I always do - I don't have a great stretch. Luckily I do like the song! [/quote] I love playing this, mainly because of the bassline. I play it on a 5er and it's fairly easy fret wise. I agree about Rhythm Stick. I think it's quite doable but I've always given up as it clearly takes time to nail. So laziness would be my reason.

Well done, it had to happen and you won't regret it.

We (the four musicians, not including the sound guy) own all the big gear in equal shares. The PA, desk, van etc is all shared plus storage costs, insurance etc.

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1474306483' post='3137003'] The painful reminder that technology has moved on and left me behind....it all sounds fantastic, I understand IEM's and even own an IPhone but putting the technology together scares me. From your IPhone can you alter the mix for the other members of the band and just give them loads of lovely bass guitar? Could a member of the audience with the right app totally trash your monitor mix and even replace it with a One Direction song playing in your ears? [/quote] You can do pretty much what you want, it amazed me to be honest. But you can lock everything down and just give each member what's useful to them. The audience can't interfere as you need to be on the wifi from the iPad controlling the master mix and it's all password protected.

Thanks all, seems definitely worth pursuing. Was nice not to have to worry about catching the sound guy's eye and just being able to adjust myself. I only had the bass and my BV to play with this time but I'll put the whole mix on next time.

Any else tried this? Our engineer brought it along for us to have a play with at a gig last night. I was able to control my IEM mix from my iphone between tracks, was pretty simple and quite cool. We'll probably stick with it and see how it goes. I am guessing it has far more potential than I currently think. Anyone else used it and got any tips?

I did. Bought one of Derek Forbes' basses from him. Didn't pay a huge premium but I was certainly willing to pay a fair chunk more as it was used by one of my bass heroes in my favourite band. Very pleased to own such a thing. I would only do it again if it were from a name who really meant something to me, not just because it was someone famous. So, yes for emotional reasons of attachment, no from a commercial or bragging rights point of view.

Get a 5er and never turn back. You know you want to.

Barry Adamson with magazine. Particularly this: https://youtu.be/TFVrEJR2jN4 Great tone and playing, cool song too. Never have had the need to try and replicate but love the sound.

About an hour and a half each way is the norm for me. Normally means very late getting home (2-3am) after locking up the van etc but it's my choice to gig away from where I live and work. The tiredness gets me but I remind myself that gigging is a privilege. It would be ace to have roadies and a 10 minute drive but it's not going to happen.

We have 80s/90s but also plenty of 60s/70s and post-2000. Anything that gets people singing and dancing. Everything through FOH but with a markbass combo and extra amp on stage too. Gig a Dingwall ABI 5 mostly with another Dingwall as a spare.

I wasn't really sure why I first got a five but soon learnt that it's a far better instrument for gigging for me, much more flexible for hand positions and allowed me to play further up the neck - good for someone with short arms! I've played purely 5s for the last four years and would never go back now. They look cooler too 😎

A good drummer is essential to making a band sound good. Totally worth going through the hassle of moving the current one on and finding a replacement. You'll forget the hassle as soon as the first rehearsal kicks in.

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1472813999' post='3124448'] Not sure I reckon 'now' is that great. Sure there are niches like jazz, fusion and prog metal where there are top players but in much mainstream and dance stuff the bass is all computerised. Back in the early-mid 80s the charts were chocka with songs that had upfront bass playing what with Level 42, Sade, Duran, Paul Young, Associates, Smiths, Japan, ABC, Jacko, Paul Simon etc doing their thing. [/quote] The era and bands you mention are the reasons I play bass. For me, definitely a golden era, both for bass and for pop music. I'd throw in Talk Talk, China Crisis, Simple Minds, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Nik Kershaw, Kajagoogoo and many more - great basslines all over the charts.

I think TrevorR summed it all up nicely. Live with the hassle and the benefits should come back to you, particularly if you want to be getting into this type of gigging. Be the helpful band that did everything to make the occasion great. I normally like it when it's a bit different with other singers and stuff, makes it more interesting and a learning experience. Good luck!

In my experience, it's worth being as accommodating as possible unless there's a real cost to you or a risk to your equipment. It's a shame you weren't asked before but if you show willing to do everything to make the event special then the chances are that the reputational benefits will come back to you. Particularly if you are trying to get a foot in the functions door. There have been many times where we've got bookings from guests, friends, relatives of the original client and it's as often from how we are to deal with as how we perform. Of course you don't want to be taken for a ride but you should be able to get a win from this I would think.

I never get nervous nowadays but used to a bit in the early days. The nerves went as we practised more and gained confidence that we knew we could always put on a good show. Preparation is an important key for confidence.