Burns-bass

This is a completely different use of the third finger. Plus this guy is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest classical players and learned the traditional way before developing his own unique approach. People here are trying to help. If you want to play double bass consistently well for a long time it’s a good idea to learn the right technique. If you’re using low tension strings that twang like a washing line, you’re fine to use whatever technique you wish. It’s all music at the end of the day. But playing bass the wrong way can really hurt.

Totally agree with all this. Jazz musicians (and any improviser really) exists at the intersection of inspirational genius and absolute failure. I love playing improvised music, but the audience at a jazz gig buys into it and understand the challenges. A blues band audience probably wants the songs played the way they were on the record. Without wanting to be elitist, jazz musicians are typically operating at a higher level of musical understanding, too. Almost every problem can be solved by chatting. I auditioned for a gigging band recently and the band leader said they don’t rehearse often (err, ever) but expect me to learn the songs, play properly and not to be flakey. I can introduce some personality into parts but ultimately stick to the songs as recorded. Do that and I’ll get paid and rebooked.

Best thing to do is (wait for it) talk to them. (Ideally without alcohol involved.)

Excellent advice.

I think you need to consider how you’re selling. A hobbyist assembling basses in your home is different to someone who is effectively operating as a business. The former has no real obligations to the buyer, the latter does - including giving the buyer the chance to return an item should they choose to. The problem with buying cheap parts and assembling them is you don’t have any QC. It’s positive that you’re dealing with it. Hope the bass gets sorted and starts making music.

It’s a Motown style track, so C minor wouldn’t really fit the “vibe”. People don’t think in terms of scales when compositing. You can try playing C minor fills over this but it’s not going to sound good! Anyway, we’ve got all the right notes for the OP to play it. Which is much more important!

It seems you’ve already have friends who play DB. Always worth getting some lessons to start you off. It’s a completely different (and hugely rewarding) instrument to play. Dont cause yourself any damage. Love to hear how you get on.

GPT coming to help here… —- 🎶 “Lose It” – Ben l’Oncle Soul Key: C minor → modulates up to C♯ minor Time: 4/4 Feel: Soul / Funk groove Bass scale suggestion: C minor pentatonic → C♯ minor pentatonic (post-bridge) 🎸 Intro (8 bars) | Cm | Cm | Cm | Cm | | Fm | Fm | Ab | G | 🎤 Verse 1 (8 bars) | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | 🎶 Chorus (8 bars) | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | 🎤 Verse 2 (8 bars – same as Verse 1) | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | 🎶 Chorus (repeat – same as before) | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | | Cm | Cm | Fm | Ab G | 🌉 Bridge (8 bars – Modulation starts here) Modulates up 1 semitone to C♯ minor | C♯m | C♯m | F♯m | A B | | C♯m | C♯m | F♯m | A B | 🎶 Final Chorus (in new key: C♯ minor) | C♯m | C♯m | F♯m | A B | | C♯m | C♯m | F♯m | A B | 🎵 Outro Repeat chorus progression in C♯ minor and fade out. 🎸 Bass Groove Tips: Use pentatonic scales for fills: C minor pentatonic (before bridge): C, Eb, F, G, Bb C♯ minor pentatonic (after modulation): C♯, E, F♯, G♯, B Emphasise the root–5th–octave movement for funk feel. Fill ideas over Ab–G walkdowns: consider chromatic or scale-wise lines to connect smoothly.

Seems really fair for a solid bass. Now the fun starts!

As long as you play the right notes the scale doesn’t matter!

This is good advice, but an easier way to approach this is as an F minor pentatonic if you’re learning it. This is a uptempo bluesy soul track and that scale would fit much better for the fills (obviously need to modulate too).

I think the best sale I've ever had was meeting @Happy Jack for a pub lunch (which he paid for!) and nearly getting thrown out by the non-bass loving landlord. Music is all about relationships.

Totally understand this, and as I said, I'm passing no judgement. I bought a bass here that was much lower than the shop value. When I decided to sell it I messaged the seller and explained it was valued by a shop for much higher. He shared your view and didn't want any extra cash because he was happy with the deal. Bowspeed are an incredible business. Not many like it left in the world. I'm due a visit soon...

I’m a little you get but the gym has been transformative for me. Especially as I was lucky enough to get a trainer to design a plan. Resistance bands, too, are really fantastic exercise.

Hi Ian. Stentor make good, reliable and affordable instruments from what I can tell. I have one and it’s well built and sounds good. It’s limited in terms of the tone, but when someone with talent and skill (not me) plays it, then it sounds great. The pickup here is a good one and the bass looks in good order. The bodies are small which can be a blessing if you’re not as tall as me, but you may find the sound isn’t as strong or loud as a bigger bass. Set up is important. It may be perfect but more likely it’ll need a tweak so factor that in to your costs (and inconvenience). Looks good to me. If you want to play rockabilly on it I’d look for a more affordable and durable ply bass.

Part of this comes down to how you view relationships online and with Basschat members. As part of a community here I’d consider people to be friends and expect them to treat me that way. (I remember when my band started. York5stringer gave me a £500 PA and told me to send him the money when I had it. That’s from a person I’d never met and had only ever interacted with virtually.) If you consider us all as individuals with a virtual relationship and no moral responsibilities to one another, then it’s fair game. Each opinion is valid. I subscribe to the former if I’m honest, but I’m knowingly quite naive.

Wow. I regularly see some of the bedroom dealers in Bristol pickup Facebook bargains cheaply and sell them in the same marketplace sometimes hours after buying them. It's really classless and a pretty awful business model. But I sometimes write for the *** newspaper, so I don't have a leg to stand on.

Cinderford is where i grew up. Best of luck to the new venture. Looks like a great place.

Has that happened on here? I guess you can make your money however you want, but that's properly distasteful. I think the one I had I sold for £150 (after buying it for that price). Capitalism innit.

The start price is fair but £2800 plus fees is insane. Badlands Guitars had one like this they couldn’t sell for months at £1500 (and that’s a shop). I sold mine for £1500 with a Hiscox case. Thought that was very fair.

Funnily enough I do run two businesses where I make a profit, but neither of those involve music gear! I think I can accept some losses on gear. It’s the cost of ownership I guess.

You know what he means. EBay used to charge you to list and then a final fee.

We do indeed! The Manners bass I sold could easily have gone for more, but who needs the hassle and the bad juju of trying to make a profit? When I’ve made the psychological decision to sell I just want it gone as quickly as possible. As for over priced basses, it’s a symptom of a wider problem with only e-commerce. Private sellers attempting to get shop prices.

I think these words can help us all as we navigate relationships. Basschat is as much a social outlet for me as the pub was (I’ve sort of given up the social drinking now as I didn’t enjoy it). Best of luck getting back on your feet Lee. One of my best friends is going though this and a few of us are helping him any way we can. I’m a bit strapped for cash but if i can help with equipment let me know. I’ve got all manner of leads, tuners, few pedals and things I’d be happy to help you out with.