Burns-bass

After a lay off of a year or two I’ve now got some time - and more importantly the space - to play DB. Aiming to do about an hour a day, with my focus on getting up to speed to play jazz. My practice is based on what I used to recommend to young students. (Just finished my hour now, hence the questions!) 15 minutes of scales and arpeggios through all 12 keys 15 minutes of reading practice. I use some jazz books that I own (currently the Ray Brown book and the Evolving Bassist) 15 minutes working on a track (Anthropology at the moment - but at about 100bpm) 15 minutes playing along with some tracks (John Martyn, Gregory Porter, whatever takes my fancy!) I hold no aspirations to be a pro, but I do practice with a couple of bands. Ideally I’ll be out playing a few jazz gigs within a year, but that may be fanciful. Does this sound reasonable? Am I missing anything specific to DB? Once I get a bit of confidence back I’ll start refular lessons again.

iPad stuff has been reserved. Will be adding more tomorrow...

I know they're unfashionable, but my Dacia Duster is brilliant and will fit in pretty much everything.

It is! Mark and his dad are still there. They’re no longer Fender dealers and more guitars than bass but still a great and very friendly little shop.

This is exactly the same process I went through. The only one I kept is a 66 jazz bass that I'd owned for 12 years and used on recordings and tours. That's under the bed in its case loved, but unused. The bass I use the most now (and absolutely love) is a Mexican jazz I got in the Richtone sale for less than £400. It's beautiful, cheap and always makes me smile.

Yeah, it’s a lovely thing. Now I’ve got two kids and no time I really miss it.

Great shop. Used to go there and Remus Sounds in Gloucester all the time. When a 70s Ricky could be had for £600. Great days...

I’ve seen your beautiful car and there’s no way you’re getting a DB in there!

My dad once ordered a Dire Straits album from the Brittania music club (remember that?) and he was sent a Run DMC album. Wasn't happy! Think of the B-boyer who had to spin Money for Nothing however...

Agreed, sometimes this stuff does happen. Brands get a bad press, but it's not always the case. I took my work MacBook into the store as the battery had been fried and the charger not working. I explained how important it was I had this working (as it was my working machine at the time) and was getting a little irate. The manager sauntered out from the backroom and explained that while my computer was out of warranty, they would replace the battery an the charger immediately as a gesture of goodwill because these components shouldn't fail. Saved me about £200 and earned a customer for life. Subsequently spent about £5,000 on work gear with the same guy.

If you're in Bristol they're also playing the BeBop Club at the Bear in Hotwells on Friday which happens to be one of my favourite old school boozers in Bristol.

Great. I'm going to buy one at the gig and will post a report when I've seen the gig.

At least you gave it a crack, so many people have dreams and do little with them. If it helps, the only full time gigging musicians I know are session guys for big bands who earn enough to (just about survive). Everyone else subsidises their income another way through teaching, work etc.

I've been going through my cupboards at work and finding stuff I don't need. I'll keep adding the details here as I find more. All free but you'll need to pay postage through HErmes (so £3 each item). I also can't pack it up and send it straight away, but will do it when I get the chance. iPad Mini bluetooth keyboard - works perfectly, aluminium case, I never used it as the keys are too small David Shrigley iPad Mini keyboard cover Mac bluetooth keyboard - broken space bar, but all worked fine until then. Sure someone can fix this... Old school Apple wide power cables. I don't know what you call these things, but I have loads of them. I'll stick them all in an envelope and send them to you. Californication Bass Book (tab and dots). Guessing this was a present to me, now it can be yours...

Not sure if this is your cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. Double bass-led jazz, funk, proggy fusion. Not sure if the bass player is a member here, but if you are, it's awesome and I'm looking forward to seeing you Wednesday. Check it out if you want to and if you hate it, that's OK too. https://wanderingmonsteruk.bandcamp.com/releases

What’s funny here is that DG like Clapton before him is essentially saying that the guitar he uses isn’t what creates the magic - it’s the player. We fetishise old instruments but DG will sound incredible on any guitar you give him I imagine. Theres no magic in a old guitar, just in the hands. Personally I’d like the government to stick an export embargo on these and buy them for the nation. Stick them in a museum and celebrate how a tiny island has transformed music and popular culture for decades. The 4 guys in Pink Floyd have probably changed more lives that than every single author and every single novel published in the last 50 years combined.

Buena Vista Social Club is a good place to start... I’m sure much more learned folks will be along, but definitely worth a start. Saw them live 15 odd years ago and it was a brilliant gig. One of the worlds coolest Bassman players in its hottest countries!

I've just replaced the strings on my Fender Mex Jazz. They were never used, factory fitted (so I assume Fender branded). Yours for the cost of postage...

That’s a shame. If anyone can send me them via pdf that would be great. But understand if that’s a hassle

I still don't see how I can get the notation. I'm on a Mac so might explain it?