IainS

As the singer in my band gets older we're all having to play songs in a lower key than we did twenty years ago, which is fair enough. We've now got to the point though that we're tuning down a semitone, and I'm struggling with the loss of tension. I don't really like the floppy string thing. I've tried flats but didn't get on with them, especially in hot, sweaty pubs. Any suggestions for higher tension roundwounds? Thanks all

The Big F. I think 'my band' felt like my band because, despite my relentless enthusiasm and recommendation to everyone I knew to listen to the first album, nobody else got it. It came out in 1989 when I was 15 and it still reaches the parts other albums have never reached.

Brian Wilson's got to be up there somewhere.

I had a BLX130 for many years. It was a funny little thing that weighed about the same a small safe full of something very heavy. It was ideal for practising and doing small gigs, as long as the room was right shape. I sometimes miss it.

The problem with rude idiots is that they often don't know they're rude idiots; someone has to tell them. Unfortunately we're not always very good at that in this country, and I include myself there. Of course, some people are completely aware that they cause upset and offence and don't care, or even enjoy it.

Awful news. I remember first hearing Hands All Over when I was a teenager; like being smacked round the head with a sledgehammer, but with a big smile on my face. Best rock voice of that era by a mile.

I've had tinnitus for years and it drives me mad. I keep meaning to go to my GP about it, as is often recommended, but I'm not really sure what they can do. I always wear ear plugs now and wish I had started 25 years ago. One question, though: are in-ear monitors better for your hearing (and tinnitus) than standard monitoring? My ears always ring more after I've used headphones to listen to music so I assumed in-ear monitoring would do the same. The rest of my band use in-ear so it wouldn't be a problem to switch.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1493825175' post='3291021'] My first band in school folded. And then started again in a month with a different name and a different bassist. Luckily I am so thick skinned that I was over it within a day. This songs is for all of us. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr_s6-Q7f00 Well I thought about the army, Dad said, son you're f***in high. And I thought, yeah there's a first for everything, So I took my old man's advice. Three sad semesters, It was only fifteen grand. Spent in bed I thought about the army, I dropped out and joined a band instead. Grew a mustache and a mullet, Got a job at chic-fil-a. Citing artistic differences the band broke up in May, And in June reformed without me, and they got a different name. I nuked another grandma's apple pie And hung my head in shame. [/quote] Nice choice of song. I've never been sacked but I actually had those lyrics quoted at me when my band had to let a guitarist go. Luckily that experience hasn't ruined a great song.

When you're in a three piece band and both the drummer and singer/guitarist consistently turn up late because they're both so stoned they don't know what time of day it is, it's probably time to leave. So I did.

I've been playing unlined for about six months and it's been pretty tricky, but the sense of achievement when I recently nailed a song I've been struggling with was immense. Well worth the effort.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1493142363' post='3286023'] I'm finding a lot of the questions difficult. Even Q1: Favourite bass player. There are so many who are favourite for many things; particular bass lines, techniques, styles etc. Being a music fan isn't quite like following a football club. [/quote] I completely agree. Choosing a favourite anything tends to depend on the context and my mood. Anyway, I've done the survey as best I can. I hope the dissertation goes well.

We've talked about doing less well known songs but concluded that we might as well write our own stuff as nobody would know it anyway, but we don't have the time for that so we play well known pop classics. Never classic rock though, just classic pop.

[quote name='RickyV' timestamp='1493032619' post='3284931'] Longpigs. 2 fantastic albums and then gone. Saw them a couple of times in Cambridge in the 90's. [/quote] Absolutely. Two awesome albums and then nothing. What happens to these great bands?

I sometimes think that the only way I'm going to really learn fretless is if I sell my fretted bass so it becomes a choice of fretless or nothing. The temptation to play something perfectly in tune is just too great sometimes. I can see why it took you years.

I have been in a few three-piece bands and loved playing in all of them; much more space to play in the song and actual floor space on the stage. Can't go wrong.

Love is for me - The Meters. Knowing what George Porter Jr could do if he wanted to makes this approach to a bass line all the better, much like many of the other suggestions here.

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1490269644' post='3263745'] Conan's detailed post is excellent advice. There are so many variables. He's also right that people can see pound signs at the mention of the word "wedding". I guess the bottom line is to decide what you and the band would be happy to earn, taking all that into account and not to fret about it if you find you could have charged a bit more. [/quote] I think you're right; I'm overthinking it, which wouldn't be a first. Thanks guys.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1490249967' post='3263536'] Would can do it for free or charge £2500 or more ! Bands are like builders the range of quotes is vast and not always connected to the quality of service What do you guys need to make it worthwhile [/quote] It's an interesting question - once expenses are covered, how much money do you think your time is worth? And how do you work out that number? I'm sure some people will say that you're worth whatever people will pay for you, but there are people in this and other lines of work who fight for equality for pay who would strongly disagree, but maybe that's for another thread...

All very useful thoughts, thanks people. I looked through the above link to 'you and your wedding' and had sent that very section to the band to let them mull over what we need to think about. Excellent advice. It seems that £500 is an absolute minimum and £1000 wouldn't be unreasonable given that 5 people are going to be putting in at least a 12 hour day (with travel etc). And our drummer's a member of the MU so I'll ask him to have a look at the suggested templates etc.

Hello all. I just wondered what a typical fee for a wedding gig might be. I'm in a five piece covers band, mostly 80s and 90s stuff, and we usually play pubs and the occasional 40th/50th birthday gig etc. We've played weddings before but only when we have had some connection to the people getting married so we end up charging mates rates. We've been offered a wedding in Reading (we're in Kent so have to consider travel expenses) later this year and don't want to undersell ourselves but also don't want to lose the gig. Any thoughts?

It's a beautiful bass, isn't it? Mine also has gold hardware. I'm not sure I've seen the sunburst with anything other than gold. Given how the jazz neck and smaller body make it an absolute pleasure to play (and look at), and it is incredibly versatile, could you overlook the hardware?

I thought it would help me get a girlfriend so I bought a shiny red bass (girls like shiny things, right?) and a few months later I got my first girlfriend. Coincidence??!!! Probably. But she stayed with me for three years and that was enough to convince me that bass was cool and sexy. 27 years later and I'm still convinced.

I'll answer to pretty much anything that has bass in the title, except dumbass.

Ben Folds' Rockin' the Suburbs is about Korn and mentions Michael Jackson, Quiet Riot and Jon Bon Jovi.

I guess any instrument would take a lifetime to master, but I'd have to get back to you on that one. As for short or long scale, I would go with what feels best without compromising too much on tone. I know that my smallish hands are much more comfortable on a short scale so I'm not thinking so much about what I'm playing and am able focus on what I'm hearing. I'd imagine that if you're feeling some discomfort this would be harder to do. But whichever you choose, play mindfully every day and you should notice improvement pretty quickly. I'd imagine being a guitarist already will help.