mikel

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1475848750' post='3149223'] It's music, no matter what you call it, or how you dress it up, and there are rules. You can learn or study them, or discover them accidentally, but they're there. [b]I remember seeing a similar thread a while ago. Someone posted that they didn't know what they were playing, and used to just play all the notes randomly until they found something that would fit over a chord, then they'd do the same over the next chord. So trial and error. Wouldn't it be easier and quicker to know what you could play over a chord, and how what you choose to play would sound like ?[/b] [/quote] Well, surely they did learn what fits, and in real time. They learned the notes on the neck at the same time, and while learning a song. Also, lots of new stuff can come from a happy accident. As for playing a minor blues scale run instead of a major? perhaps thats exactly what the player intended, it fits but its not what the music theorist would have played.

I have no interest in musical theory for any instrument. I am from the old school. Listen, try to play,listen again. Modify, adapt, use happy accidents. Dont copy or "Study" anyone, enjoy there playing personality and absorb a little of it into your playing. Try to be a little different and have your own playing personality/sound. Its Rock and Roll, there are no rules.

Yea, its the new obsession . You have to be better,bigger, stronger, faster, fitter, blah. blah. No you dont. You only have to be happy and healthy. If you are happy with how and who you are, no matter how average, then you have cracked the meaning of life.. If you are not happy cos you are constantly striving to be perceived as "better" at something, so much so you cant accept or enjoy what you already have, then I am truly sorry for you.

Yea. They have been looking at Gibson Firebirds. Not bad though/

I am fairly easy to blind with science and that blurb did it after about three paragraphs. If something needs that much explaining I dont see what it can actually do.

Nah. My Dad could knock a tune out on the accordion and my Mum and sister could both hold a tune, but no musicians. I was the 60s black sheep. Always tapping on things, playing drums on pots and pans. First guitar at 15, first gig 6 months later. No lessons, thats cheating. Marriage sabbatical from music for a few years. First drum kit aged 28, first gig 3 months later, all self taught. Still play the drums but Bass is my instrument now. My younger brother can play Bass, Drums, Guitar and keys, all to a high standard. All self taught so he is following the family tradition, so in that respect I digress, I do come from a musical family. If only he would flog me his Status bass.

Anyone who needs a book or a teacher to learn to play Rock and Roll is a whimp. Back in the day you formed a band first, then learned to play an instrument. Listen to record, lift off tone arm, practice lick, replace tone arm, listen to lick again, repeat till you have got it. Nurse, my medication please.

He must put rubbish bands on. If he advertises a band then you know the people who turn up want to listen, its not rocket science.

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1475657391' post='3147636'] Yep I read that on the website too, but from the manual: - [i]Speaker Out: There is an 8 Ohm min load speaker out-put located on the rear of the AAA-60 (disconnects internal speaker AAA-60 ONLY)[/i] Perhaps contact Ashdown directly and ask them, in my experience, they are good at resonding to general queries. [/quote] Cheers mate, I will give them a try. If I get anything I will let you know.

You could try ditching the music and the tab sheets and listen to songs you would like to play. Listen to the music and what the bass is playing and use trial and error to work out yourself what the guy is playing. This will improve your ear, and ability to change things on the fly. Your ears are the most important tool you have when it comes to jamming with others and making up your own bass lines.

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1475502586' post='3146415'] All I'd say is that it seems on that particular combo, if you connect another speaker, the internal speaker is disabled, so not maybe quite what you think.. [/quote] Really? The tech info states that for gigs the 1 x 15 can be added for extra tone and volume.

What a beast, hope the house foundations are good.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1475412701' post='3145700'] Anthony Jackson, Matt Garrison, Michael Manring, Janek Gwizdala, Lawrence Cottle, instantly spring to mind as being players with amazing technical ability, who use it only when needed. Personally, I'd rather have the ability and use it when required, than not have it. I've personally always strived to be the best player and musician that I can be. Consequently I studied with some great players and teachers.I'd practice for hours and hours, maybe 30 or 40 hours a week. Then went to uni and did a music degree. In life I'd rather set my goals high, I may not ever reach them, but I'd achieve more than if I just settled on being average. That's just me though. [/quote] Its an admirable quality in a young musician If you want a job in the music industry. For us older guys it was never intended as a career. Back in the day you played in bands and hoped to get signed to a record deal and play the big gigs etc. A great band was the way to make records and tour the world, and with a lot of luck, make a bit of money. Since the bands I was in never made it big, back in the day, I play now cos I love it and gigs are my musical oxygen. Never wanted to be a cog in any industry, and that is what I feel the session musician/hired gun now is. May as well be one of the suits.

Its worth what you paid for it, thats a given. Fane speakers were at the cheaper end of the spectrum back in the day. If you like the sound then its all good, surely?

[quote name='JoeEvans' timestamp='1475397412' post='3145540'] My theory is that too much technical ability doesn't make for a good bass player. People who can play lots of notes very quickly on a bass tend to do so at every opportunity, which isn't especially effective or enjoyable. You can play this bassline with one finger on each hand but it sticks in your head forever. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaRXtLX4sMk[/media] [/quote] Exactly, play the song not the instrument.

I am looking for a lightweight combo, primarily for home practice and rehearsals. I need the headphone and MP3 facility, and the fact the EVO can be paired with an Ashdown 15" cab for gigging makes it look a great buy. Before I travel for a try out, is there a glaring reason why it seems so cheap? like, for example, it is rubbish or is not reliable? Or is there a more obvious candidate for a cheap lightweight combo. Thanks for any comments.

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 then in on the 4

By listening to records and learning the notes on the fretboard. Is there another way?

[quote name='blisters on my fingers' timestamp='1475196251' post='3143999'] After a good few Friday night pints chat (life in general not just bass) a good friend of mine told me that my problem was that I was a perfectionist. Bollocks I thought. And told him so. Thinking that meant manicured nails, lawns, tortured poets all that Then by chance read this article [url="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/20/should-i-stop-being-a-perfectionist"]https://www.theguard...a-perfectionist[/url] Researched perfectionism a whole lot more, and realised that maybe this was actually me. Stuff I do well, somebody else could do better. Stuff I can't do yet... why bother ? Procrastinate...good at that ...always have been This way of viewing the world is Bollocks. A pissed up pub chat opened my eyes [b]Do what you enjoy doing. Do it well. Don't worry about it. It is it's own reward.[/b] Perfectionism can kill the fun [/quote] This 100%.

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1475175668' post='3143826'] I suppose most of us get to the standard that we need to be for what we aspire to do then the drive to improve, and indeed the pressure to improve lessens. [/quote] Exactly. Why pressure yourself to learn stuff you will never need? If a song requires you to learn a bit of new technique, and it interests you, then great, cos you need it and will use it.

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1475145968' post='3143385'] People who are very good at stuff are seldom happy with their performance - that's why they are so good, they are constantly driven to improve. [/quote] My point was that no matter how good he is, or may become, he is not enjoying it, so what is the point? I play cos I love and enjoy the whole experience, and I am a firm believer in the old saying "Its not what you play but how you play it" Also, on 99.9% of gigs, I could play what he is required to play so I dont see the point of learning to play at 300mph, or play like Jaco Pastorius when I will never need to in a gig situation. If you are happy with what you have then you have everything you need.