SpondonBassed

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1480179123' post='3182311'] Just a thought but why are the strings on basses/ guitars ordered top low- bottom high. Why not bottom low - top high? Would sort of make more sense. Is it because of how commonly each of the strings is used? (but doesn't that vary person to person as well?) [/quote] I can't tell you why but many players have the strings reversed in the manner you mention. Having started myself with a left handed friend's instrument I had to relearn on my first proper bass. I don't recall it being a problem relearning. I hadn't a great deal of experience anyway so I followed convention for convenience. I don't think I could play a lefty in the same way now though.

[quote name='simes' timestamp='1479440106' post='3176576'] Tenuous claim to fame......I was once on a course with Martin's wife and Wendy Smith taught me music therapy :-) [/quote] You should send that in to Shaun Keaveny's "Small Claims Court" on BBC 6Music's breakfast show. Perfect for the feature.

I'm looking forward to that. Thanks for the OP and the correction.

Phew! I thought for one horrible moment that 2016 had claimed one of the Sprouts! Loved them. I was lucky enough to have friends who were cool and played their albums before anyone else got them.

Welcome Dejan.

Welcome Stevehill.

Welcome FNaville.

Welcome Calduggan

Welcome Neil.

Welcome GirlOnADragon. Great screen name.

Welcome Krevvy.

Welcome Keef71.

Welcome Rob.

Welcome Fastra.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1475681170' post='3147931'] Realistically it's best if I just don't think about it, it's never gonna happen! [/quote] Oh, ok. Pulling your leg.

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1475631762' post='3147540'] Indeed it is. The 'Left brain/right brain' myth of cognitive style took hold in the 70s and has proven very difficult to eradicate. As a metaphor for different ways of thinking, it may be useful. It has been proven to be scientific bunkum, however. [/quote] I'm glad you told me that. Will you now please tell Paul Simon? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-WAfxOEKY

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1475670554' post='3147773'] If I could play like Geoff can with the one I got for free then I'd have a bid, I suspect I'd sound much the same with it, awful. [/quote] Yeah. That was sweet. Something to aspire to though eh Pete?

[quote name='zbd1960' timestamp='1475523549' post='3146669'] OK here's the interesting point: all my right-handed activities are below the waist... [/quote] TMI

I play just like Mark King (with both arms and a leg in a sling)...

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1475504355' post='3146435'] Norman Watt-Roy with a touch of arthritis. [/quote] That made me smile.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1475443225' post='3145997'] If people REALLY REALLY want to chip in then Roger (Bassace) is the chief financial officer. [/quote] I forgot to thank Roger who gave us a warm welcome and who smoothed the water when there was a complaint from The National Earthquake Information Center on the campus of the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

I think more people are ambidextrous than give themselves credit. If you need to you can train either hand to do what is required. What might make a significant difference is which half of your brain a run or tune comes from when you are composing on guitar, bass or otherwise. One half of the brain is said to be creative or "romantic" the other is said to be logical or "classical". If you consider that notes are formed largely with the fretting hand on a guitar more than with the plucking hand, it might have a subtle influence on how a tune goes. I suppose you could say similarly that the rhythmic part of a tune comes a bit more from the plucking hand. Because the opposite side of the brain is responsible for each side of the body it does my head in thinking about it so I try not to. It's probably a lot of rubbish anyway.

Room for improvement.

I have no objection in principle. Like yourself, I'd have reservations but for the most part I enjoy sharing the experience and getting to try instruments that I may never actually own for myself. At the double bass bash yesterday for instance, I got to try some proper bass fiddles (sorry Owen, heeheehee). Of course, a level of competence is expected at a bass bash but from what you've said you wouldn't be expecting to give the great unwashed in general a go.

Very enjoyable. Good to see some of the faces behind the screen names too. I even tried to wrap myself around a DB5, that's a five string double bass not the car. Thanks Owen and Jack for letting me have a go.