josie

Unexpected. My first duo partner, the first other person I ever played with (we played together at our local om almost every week for a couple of years) had disappeared for months with a serious mental health problem. He appeared unexpectedly at last Tuesday's om, looking dreadful, but at least he was back. Last night we were going to do two songs together, for the first time in over a year, but I got there to be told he had been taken into care the night before. Have You Ever Seen the Rain was one of our favourites to do together, and one that he had chosen for last night. Something in me had no choice but to do it solo, for him. Playing bass and singing at the same time, unprepared, is hard enough. Add to that, struggling not to cry, and no surprise it was a bit shaky. But the whole crowded noisy pub fell silent for two and a half minutes, and stayed silent for an audible moment before they started applauding, so I guess at least the emotion came through. It's not a song you'd naturally think of doing as a slow quiet lament, but it worked.

Welcome! That's beautiful.

Welcome!

Welcome! Beautiful bass 🙂

Welcome!

Welcome back!

Welcome!

Maybe not this (my grandson not quite 4yo) Seriously a u-bass or Mikro are good options, but I'd suggest taking him to look before buying one. I got a good uke for this little guy, and he has a 3/4 guitar, but he isn't very interested in either - he only really wants my Aerodyne. "I want the big one!"

Warwick Thumb 6 18/07/18 🙂 Not counting like-for-like "replacement" strings - tape-wounds incoming for my fretless acoustic, its current chrome flats to be moved to my fretted acoustic. Should be a significant change in sound for both. Whether it's positive remains to be seen! 🙂 ps I don't blame BC for making me want anything, but it certainly makes it easier to find things I already know I want!

Welcome Sam!

Welcome Andrés! Good production work, interesting visuals - thank you for those.

Surely there's some accessory you could still covet? A collection of decorated neck straps? 🙂

I wanted more than anything else in life to play bass 50 years ago. My mother beat it into my head that I never could. I finally defeated the demons about 3 years ago, started to play, and have been playing in a wonderful gigging blues band for 6 months. I could curse the wasted years, but it's more important that I'm here now. I've already booked my lovely local community music centre for my 64th birthday party in February - I'm inviting all my musicians friends for a blues jam, and I'm going to play bass all night 🙂 Plenty of technical stuff to go on working on, but the essential thing is the sheer joy of it. I've come to it too late in life after too long in the dark to ever lose the joy now.

Welcome! Nice Ibby, I hope you get it sorted out quickly and easily.

Welcome!

Some earlier comments here:

John Prine, Jerry Douglas, Amanda Shires, John Paul White, Lilly Hiatt, Lucie Silvas highlights among many others at Americanafest in Nashville last week. My son and his family live there and I only went to see the grandsprogs honest 🙂 Best imho was Lucie Silvas - I know her earlier soft sweet stuff, she's much stronger rock now and her voice (and stage show) is completely up to it. If you're into country / Americana also check out Southern Avenue (strong dynamic black woman lead singer) and Angela Perley and the Howlin' Wolves (tight through a stunning dynamic range).

Welcome Steve! Lots of sympathetic expertise here, I'm sure you'll get good advice.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome! I can say from good experience there's plenty of support for beginners here. Hope it goes well for you.

Welcome! Sounds like you have plenty to contribute. Look forward to hearing more from you.