Rocker

I love the sound of a bass but am increasingly finding it difficult to practice my bass playing. It is the lack of melody content in the bass that is the problem. Bass is essential in a band situation but how do you practice songs, songs that only feature root G, C and D notes? Even if it is more challenging than that, it is still hard to practice. All suggestions and advice welcomed. Thanks.

Andy, your work always impresses me. Good of you to show us all what happens and the problems that arise. Keep the pics coming.....

Just because you 'can' does not mean you 'should'. That video of [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx1RccwlF5g"]Michael Manring "Adhan"[/url] is a perfect example. Makes little or no sense musically while impressing the impressionable with outstanding technical ability. Some instruments work best when played solo: piano, uileann pipes, bagpipes, church organ - all these are powerful instruments that don't need support.

I don't see a bass as a lead instrument any more than a drumkit. Both bass and drums are crucial sounds in a band. Bass fills like drum fills are part of the sound. Trying to suggest otherwise is nothing more than wishful thinking. Enjoy and appreciate the bass for what it does.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1477998027' post='3165789'] I notice he provides no evidence of his testing methodology. [/quote] I noticed that too. But the cynic, that is me, wonders why the guy expends so much energy into just proving that something does not perform as the manufacturer claims. If buyers believe it works, then it works for them. If not, it doesn't. I believe that the so called 'retail therapy' can make us feel a lot better about ourselves. The new suit theory... What is wrong about feeling better about ourselves? There are enough problems without someone adding to the list and calling us liars if we believe something works, even if it can be 'proved' that it does not.

Another vote for the Markbass 802. I have one and it is fairly small and light weight for carrying. Cost a fair bit though but if you can afford it, why not?

On the www.thefretboard.co.uk website, check out the member ICBM there.

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1449965369' post='2928492'] Hi Rocker, You mentioned that you tried and liked a Markbass amp. Have you considered one of these: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/markbass_micromark_801.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...cromark_801.htm[/url] They're very small yet when I tried one out a little while back I was amazed at how big they can sound given their size. The downside of these being that they have very little in the way of controls, just a simple Volume and Tone however it does come with an Aux in and Headphone socket which could be nice additions if you're ever wanting to jam along with a track or two while avoiding annoying the neighbors/mrs. All the best James [/quote] Thanks for the suggestion James. I did see one in one of the music shops in Dublin last week but did not try it out. They also had a neat MarkBass combo with what looks like two 8" speakers [it might be the MiniMark 11]. The MarkBass CMD JB Players School Combo interests me but I did not see or try out one.

Thanks guys. I should have said at the beginning that it is for home use with an occasional get together of my former band mates. I know little about bass playing but want a 'soft' traditional sound. No slap. No bass solos either. And I have very little room in my music room. It is home to my hi-fi system, guitars (don't ask how many), guitar amps, pedalboard and associated items, CD racks and a decent two seater couch. Tested one of the smallest MarkBass combos in a shop. Nailed the sound I wanted and not too big. Might be too good for my needs. Not cheap but could be got at a pinch. And I plan on having a series of lessons on the bass post Christmas. I know now that bass is different to a Strat or a Tele....

Any opinions on the Roland Cube 80 Bass amp guys? Thanks.

Not sure how much to spend, <€400 if possible, but I need a small bass combo. My music room is fairly full and there is not much room. On TheFretBoard I read positives for Fender Rumble, any MarkBass combo. Negatives for TC Electronics. I tried a MarkBass which while at the top end of my budget, sounded very good. A little less for an EBS which sounded good as did a Rumble 100. Not sure what to do, any advice welcomed. My bass is an Aria STB Series. I have played 6 string electric guitars for years and got the bass mainly to learn about it. Now I want to learn how to play it and hope to get lessons early in the New Year. Hence the need for an amp as my guitar amps do not sound great when the bass is plugged in. Thanks. Ps, apologies if this subject has been raised many times in the past.

I am new to bass so I joined up to learn something. Anything I learn will be appreciated. I mess around with guitars - playing for my own amusement but definitely no plans or hopes of playing in public or gigging. My favourite music is traditional Country with a bit of The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival thrown in. I listen too to classic rock and absolutely love classical piano music especially Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven. The late Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and Status Quo are among my all time favourites. But I always listen to music with an open mind and am always prepared to add another song to my playlist no matter what genre it is. I live in the midlands of Ireland. Lots of musicians in the area but few play bass! I bought an entry level Aria bass mainly to see what it could do and to get an appreciation of what a bass does to the sound. I managed to work out a few walking bass lines, very simple ones!, and the intro to "Dancing in the Moonlight" by Thin Lizzy. Looking out for a small bass amp, space in our 'music room' is at a premium. Suggestions are always welcome. At the moment I use my second guitar amp, Orange Micro Terror through a Blackstar 1 * 10" cabinet. Not ideal but it is loud enough for where it is. The Orange/Blackstar combo lacks low down sounds so any amp or a combo that is designed for bass ought to be better. My music theory knowledge is almost zero. I, and just about every musician that I know, learned to play by ear. Listen to the song/tune and try to replicate it. Some we got right but most wrong. Anyway close enough is good enough. The years are creeping up on me, I will be sixty next January. Retaining any information is getting harder. But that is the way with life. You do your best..... Other interests are Golf, clay pigeon shooting, listening to music, Sudoku puzzles, Everton FC supporter, Irish Times reader, DIY and routine garden work. You guys have a great setup here, well done to all.