SpondonBassed

I play bass as an amateur. It is my second bite of the cherry, so to speak, having laid up my guitar for thirty years or so. It is that long since I played to an audience. I'd very much like to forge links with percussionists and drummers locally. This is with a view to tightening up my technique within a rhythm section and ultimately building a band on top. I like to play from my era, sixties, seventies and eighties pop. I am open-minded about other tunes however and quite happy to expand on that.

Yeah... imagine what it'd be like if you performed in just a top hat though. It would restore a touch of class to the whole act don't you think? Heeheehee.

Think what way? I am just quoting from the Guardian.

Not all of the slapping sounds come from Flea's bass... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqM86gj58OA (Warning. Not suitable for those who are intimidated by nudity)

I have had a similar experience just a few weeks ago. I was auditioned by a drummer and guitarist who had a singer absent whilst undergoing chemo-therapy. They are all senior citizens. It was explained that they were holding the singer's place in anticipation of a good recovery and that they wanted to audition for bass, keys and rhythm guitar thereby making a six piece band. On the night the singer dropped in for a short practice on his way home from hospital. We all got on well. A couple of weeks after we jammed I was offered the bassist's role. I duly learned the first six suggested songs and was waiting for a further six as promised. After a little delay waiting for the new material I went along to their place of practice and discovered them on their second rehearsal with a new bass player and a new set list! It was an interesting way to find out that my efforts were for nowt. I came away a little bit wiser and with a few more songs in my repertoire. Stuff happens. Still looking.

Indeed. PS. I had never heard the name before you mentioned her. This was on page one of my search results. HTH. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/06/marin-alsop-proms-classical-sexist

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1464120346' post='3056774'] Somewhat of a cheat as it is in a private party I am giving - so a captive audience who will have to cheer me! Thank you though. [/quote] I think we all do this sort of gig at some point or other. It's all good experience. Just tell the doorman to search guests in case they've brought rotten fruit to throw at yer. Oh and GOOD LUCK! Have a blast.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1464117968' post='3056736'] Personality issues, drama, focusing on petty nonsense about things we don't like or what we won't do is for amateurs and newbies. [/quote] Well done Blue. That was hardly patronising at all. Heeheehee.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1464112006' post='3056662'] I am happy playing bass and making music. That is all. [/quote] No better reason to do it. Money, some might argue, is. IMHO that makes music work rather than play. It is still a good reason to perform but is it as much fun?

My parents lived in Twickenham for years. I used to love to visit the Mulberry Tree when I was there. Great small venue, a music pub then. I think it became a Mongolian restaurant. I suppose pressure from local residents stopped the music licence being renewed eventually.

Welcome Bigjimmyc, Better late than never eh? GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) affects most of us here it seems. Left-handedness is no excuse! Heeheehee.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1464106260' post='3056604'] [color=#333333][font=Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif][size=3]Marin Alsop.[/size][/font][/color] [/quote] I've been reading up the guardian's blurb associated with that name. I won't comment other than to say I would question her nationality before questioning her sexuality. Of course, I am doing neither, you brought the name up.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1464091751' post='3056462'] [size=4][color=#34495E][font=Arial, Verdana][font=inherit]...[/font][/font][/color][color=#34495E][font=Arial, Verdana]video your part and upload it.[/font][/color][/size] [/quote] Come again?

[quote name='toml147' timestamp='1464022074' post='3055830'] ...I have a Laney RBX 3 <snip> How's that? [/quote] Welcome Toml147! I have two headless "stick" basses. Both are long scale with 24 frets and they're fine once you get used to not having a full body to rest your picking arm on. Some people dislike them for their odd balance but I am so used to it that I no longer notice. Of the two, the Hohner is the nicer instrument. It seems somehow better than the Steinberger in the way it feels and the tone is far more mellow. Must be its age, as my Steiny is only a young 'un. On the Laney combo - I haven't seen an RBX 3 so I will assume this is like my RB 3. I like it for practice at home and the one time I fired it up in an almost empty community centre at audition I was quite happy. I am thinking it might just work in that sort of venue when full with [s]victims[/s] an audience. Just to be on the safe side I got myself a nice 300w Ashdown combo though. It is fair to say that neither have been used in anger so I am wondering how you've been doing with your Laney?

I thought for a moment that "Rimshots" was one of those weird drinking games that first year Uni students are expected to play. Carry on.

Ba dap bap - gish

Interesting. Not captivating though.

I agree. Good service.

Yes. I had a set of 5 light intermediate round-wound double ball ended strings from them. I find them okay although I am no string connoisseur. I liked that they were ready two weeks before Rattle and Drum rang me to say they'd got some for me. I had to turn theirs down. I find it objectionable that a local shop is unable to get strings in quickly enough and blames it on Internet suppliers. Come on guys, you aren't even trying.

It's as if there were no other choices. Bah! Humbucker!

I've always thought of a rhythm section being a double act. The two play off of each other. It isn't a race, If you are trying to meet your drummer half way (you've gone further than that by what you said) and he isn't there to meet you, how can you ever feel confident? I agree with the "walk away" comment because you have not mentioned any support coming from the other band members. It's a hard lesson for them but a good one.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1463678133' post='3053338'] Stage time for bar bands is "golden" use it to improve your chops and understanding of the business. [/quote] I can see your point. I'd imagine that your bookings are more exciting than rehearsed sets given that you are all poised to find out what the band leader is going to call next. Some degree of spontaneity is a desirable quality for any performance

Good point. High Fidelity has not yet been satisfactorily replaced by High Definition.

I wanted to modify my Ashdown Toneman 300 combo by installing a pair of side handles. I messaged them from their website to ask if they could advise. A few days later I got an email asking for my address so that they could post me a detail drawing AND some handles! I rang to pass on my details and asked their correspondent how much I owed them. The reply, in a fine Sheffield accent, was "Nowt mate, we're happy to help." Lovely.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1463747583' post='3053802'] I don't really see the point of this? [/quote] Um, perhaps it is to sell more Fenders.