mikel

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1477666543' post='3163752']
Use to know a drummer a very long time ago who used to sing the song to know where he was...and it worked well for him, but I never understood why he never counted the bars.
[/quote]

I also play drums in a band and I have never counted bars. If you know the structure and lyrics to a song you always know where you are.

I practice/rehearse the songs till I can play them on my own, no other instruments. I imagine the song and also sing the vocal lines to myself. I can only really enjoy playing a song if I know what its about, by knowing the lyrics. If its an instrumental I also memorise the melody and signature parts of the music. For me each of the instruments are only a small part of the music, put together properly they are much more than the sum of there parts.

The only downside I could see is where in the info it says it has 6 strings. In the photo I can only see 4. A misprint or a dodgy add?

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1477600828' post='3163347']
Cheers buddy - I'd appreciate that.
[/quote]

Apologies mate, spoke to my bro this morning and he has never had a manual.

As I say, its the whole bands responsibility to keep the time/groove. If any member loses it, its there responsibility to get back in time with the rest. It seems wrong to me to expect the rest of the band to change stride, at the same time, to get back in line with the one who has lost the groove.

Hi, my bro has a Synapse, I will ask if ha has the manual.

MB 802. Sorted.

Another bassist drummer here. When drumming I always turn up early, even for rehearsals, so I am often the first to be ready to play. Also means I can claim my space on the stage.

Its the whole bands responsibility to keep time, so If the drummer slips up its up to the drummer to get back on the one.

For me its the whole system. Starting with the bass and ending with the cab/speakers. If there is something not to my liking with any of the components I have to rectify it.

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1476885656' post='3158116']
No solos for me - yuch

So...

Watt Roy - Rhythm Stick
[b]Wetton - Burlesque[/b]
Cornick - Teacher
Karn - Halloween & Visions Of China
Jones - Nuclear Burn & Born Ugly
[/quote]


Arghhhh, how could I forget Burlesque? Doh.

When asked how the Stones achieved there groove he said something like "When it all works Charlie plays behind Kieth and I find a space between them". I loved that almost shambolic, on the verge of falling apart, groove there best songs had.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1477309027' post='3161225']
My gig last night

This was my gig last night. Quite an important one because the band wanted a residency, which we got. We don't rehearse, we just turn up and play. We use charts, but playing by ear is a massive part of the gig. listening to what's going on, keys changed at the last minute, the arrangement evolves as the song goes on, watch the MD for cues re solos and dynamic etc.
[/quote]

Thats one version of playing by ear. I believe what the OP meant was not being able to read music or charts and learning songs by ear. Listening to music and working out the bass parts yourself. Or someone running through a song and you just pick it up during rehearsal. Playing standards is not really playing by ear, its having a good memory.

When I said I wouldnt play a song without the band having practiced it I meant because we change songs to suit the style we play or play them in a different genre. I think its nice if a band starts and finishes a song at the same time and are doing the same stops during the music. I can jam and improvise with almost anyone, and we sometimes include that in songs, but personally I wouldnt improvise a whole set I like us to play tight.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1477249645' post='3160873']
I think ambient means when the audience are already there waiting, they can't sit and watch you learn each song for 15 mins before watching the whole band then play it again!
[/quote]

No idea. I would never play a song to a paying audience without practice for the whole band. If it was a 12 bar then that would be easy.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1477219804' post='3160587']
How do you play to a song that you've never heard before ? How do you know what note to play first etc ?

I'm just curious.
[/quote]

The same as the keys or guitarist. Ask what chord the composer is playing, or watch and listen as he/she runs through the song. If its a cover I listen to the recorded original and work it out "By ear".

If it fits and you enjoy what you are doing then no problem. I have no idea when it comes to reading music but I know the notes on the fretboard and what fits with keys and chords so I dont find it a problem. We have a keys player who cant read music, must be almost unique in my experience, and he is the best keys player I have played with. He is an intuitive player and can pick up any song, his improvisation is very creative and sensitive to the music so he always gets my vote.

Is there a headphone out and an aux in on the unit for practice?

Anyone use or have experience of the Palmer MI Pocket Amp? I primarily want to use it for quiet practice by using the headphone and aux in facilities. I cant find a local shop that stocks and dont want to buy on line if its poor buy. Any help appreciated.

You dont say..........so thats what a PA system looks like. Who would have thought.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1477151073' post='3160188']
I don't know where you lot are living?[b] A biscuit tin through a decent digital desk could be moulded to sound better than many acoustic bass drums, [/b]failing that leave the kick at home and use a kick drum trigger from a used £50 electronic kit and choose your favourite kick drum sample from your record collection!

We have a drummer that plays with all the bands in town, in one really small place he uses a Roland V drums kick drum but with a normal snare, hats and a single tom, sounds great and saves 2 foot of floor space.
[/quote]

Well, possibly, but at the size of venue we are talking about you would still hear the biscuit tin. Feel free to go on about big PA systems but it has already been pointed out that its neither practical or necessary in the situations we play in.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477144874' post='3160132']
I take it you didn't google the Tascam DR07 before writing your response then?

What about a miced kit?

And the "quality" of instrument balance is pretty critical to a good sounding band...
[/quote]

Dont need a miced kit in a pub room as our drummer is a musician, he knows how to play his kit and balance the drum and cymbal sounds, it goes with the job. As I said, its down to the musicians skill and experience to get a good balance in any room, If you need a full mix in a pub to achieve this then the musicians are lazy/ inexperienced.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477138606' post='3160086']
I'm sorry. Our opinions differ.

Put a live recording up of your band... and I'll put a live recording up of my band from my Tascam DR-07
[/quote]

If you take the feed from the desk then no argument, but thats hardly fair. Record your fully PAd sound from the back of the room, as would be the backline recording, and the only difference would be the quality of the instrument balance, and that is down to the musicians in the band in both instances. If you cant get a decent balance in a pub without a sound engineer than you are in trouble as a gigging musician.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477066358' post='3159687']
Well done that man. A pride in one's work.
[/quote]

If you cant put on your best show, in a pub, with just PA tops and your backilne, then there is something seriously wrong with your backline.

Agreed. Saying "Whats your best price" Is not haggling.

Him saying 899 was his starting price. You cant seriously expect anyone to drop a price merely cos you ask, doing a deal, If indeed one is possible, is a two way thing. If you had tried the bass, had a chat with the guy, said you were really interested but 899 was out of your budget and offered 800, then you were giving them the opportunity to decide if they could sell at that price, or a little higher. Or say no but we can throw in a hard case and a lead. Thats how it works.

If they cost 200 more in GAK then you would have got a bargain at Macari's asking price.