Tugmonkey

The course is part of the UHI in Scotland. As far as I'm aware it's one of the main, if not the main place to get an education in music in the East and Highlands of Scotland. I expect it to be popular for that reason, and suspect the standards are higher than average at least, but I just don't know.

I actually like this suggestion, had a listen and learned up to the 2nd verse last night. Gonna chip away at it again today then make my mind up, but cheers for the suggestion!

This was my thought too, because I'm so comfortable with it, I can easily improvise or throw in some fills of my own to show a bit more of what I can do.

Audition Applicants are asked to give a short 5-minute performance on their principal instrument. Performance material should demonstrate your level of technical, musical and interpretative skills. In addition, you may also perform on a second instrument or equivalent (e.g. composition and creative skills; music technology including computer-based music production).

Hi guys, so as the title suggests, I have a college audition and am looking for a bit of input on the audition song choice. My audition is the 13th of March so between work and commitment, I don't have a huge amount of time to be learning anything too above my ability. The course is to do a BA in Applied Music, and I got through the first part of the process by recording a performance of until you come back to me by Aretha Franklin. This time it' a live one and I'd obviously like to top Aretha. I was thinking of doing Sir Duke, because I know it and can play it well enough to get through it with minimal hiccups. However, I'm concerned it won't be 'impressive' enough to get me on the course. So basically, what do you guys think, and if not sir duke, do you have any suggestions?

Hi guys, recently decided I want to make the jump from 4 to 5 strings. I've played my P bass for about a year now, but feel like I want to try a different favour of bass, something more modern with plenty tonal options. After looking at basses within my budget, I think I've narrowed it down to the 2 mentioned in the title. But I feel I'm at a bit of a stalemate in my decision making process. On one hand, I really enjoy the look and sound of the Ibanez, but my main concern is string spacing. I'm worried I won't take to it as well, and it may pose as a problem for slapping down the road. I do like the 3 way mid switch though. The yamaha, has the wider string spacing, active/passive switching... But it doesn't have as nice a look as the Ibanez, in my opinion of course. They both seem quite versatile, and playing in a cover band, that's important. Although I know there is more to playing thay how it looks, the difference that creates is, the nicer the bass looks, the more excited I am to play both, and I feel more inspired while playing. That might seem a bit daft, but it does have a minor effect. So the reason I'm here, is to ask what your guys thoughts are on the two, what experiences have you had or little nugget of advise can you pass on about either or both basses. Cheers!

Great, thanks very much!

Hi guys, As stated above, I change the bridge on my P to a gold Gotoh bridge. I've left the ground wire in the same spot under the bridge, but I just realised I don't actually know if this is correct. Is it okay to ground to gold? I can't find anything onlie, and sorry if it seems like a daft question! Cheers.

For what it's worth mate, I always find listening to the music I want to play helps, or even any music and pick out the bass and try to visualize what's happening on the fret board. But that's just me, I could never just listen to a lesson and take anything significant away from it without being able to play along, but I'm sure there are plenty people who can. Listening and visualization are big ones for me.

Thanks guys. Managed to figure it out. It was to go through the hole to make contact with the bridge. Lesson learned for next time! Thanks again for the replies.

Maybe it is, but it hasn't been soldered. There is also a wire soldered to a small pice if metal that I think is the ground.

Hi Guys, I have a Mexican P-Bass and I thought it was sounding a little muffled so I took off the pickguard to have a look. There were no loose solders or anything, but I've attached a few pictures of a rougue wire. It was inserted into the small hole that I've taken a picture of. It wasn't attached to anything, and can't go anywhere I can see. So, is there something I've missed, or can I get rid of it? Also, if anybody has any ideas about my muffled sound, I'd be happy to hear your ideas! Cheers.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I'll be popping my cans on and doing some listening tonight and throughout the day tomorrow.

Awesome responses so far guys, I'll give a listen on my lunch break!

I recently made the switch from guitar to bass in November last year and I just joined a local covers band. We play a bunch of songs from the 60/70s with a few newer numbers thrown in. Since playing bass, my passion and interest in music has skyrocketed more than it ever did playing guitar, and recently I decided to take a bit more interest in tone shaping. So I ordered myself a compressor and 10 band EQ to get me started. As I was researching effects I began to realise that I don't think I've ever (at least consciously) picked up on anyone using bass effects in songs, maybe that's down to what I've been listening to. So I wondered if you guys would share some examples of songs or isolated tracks that utilise different effects, envelope filters, phasers, distortion, synths etc. Just as a starter so I can hear how they are used as I just can’t seem to pick them out. Cheers.

you probably already are, but I'd be keeping a close eye on Gumtree too. Fingers are for you mate.

I've never bought anything from them online, but from my experience in stores they are a right dodgy bunch, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them, but that's just me.

I've only been playing Bass since December last year. But before this I'd played guitar for around 10 years. I was in an originals band, and I always tended to play using octaves and fills, which I didn't really think much of, it's just what sounded good to me and made us sound a bit different. anyway, I seen my uncle play bass, he's a big Mark King fan, so he's slapping like crazy and it just spoke to me more. For the next few years I'd dabble here and there whenever I had a chance to pick up a Bass. I left the band I was in and haven't played outside the house in about 4 years. I'd play guitar now and again and mess around, until I got a visit from a mate who's old cover band were starting back up, and he asked me to play bass. Once I started listening properly for the bass, I fell in love with that low end groove, and I've been hooked ever since. I already play bass so much better than I ever played guitar, and apparently blew the rest of the bands mind when I showed up for the first rehearsal, and I've never had that reaction playing a guitar.

I'll give the doc another phone tomorrow morning then. thanks for all the responses.

Sorry I wasn't clear. it's my fretting hand, and I'm 25, with no history of joint trouble. I live in Fife in Scotland, and every GP practice is the same through here, it's a nightmare. I can maybe milk it enough to get an emergency appointment, it's worth a try I suppose. was actually hoping it might have been a common enough issue, that somebody would have a quick fix.

Hi Guys, been lurking a little while now, picked up some great information, good community you have here. the reason I'm posting is because I recently made the switch from guitar to bass, and as awesome as it's been, I seem to have injured my pinky. I'm now aware that it was definitely a technique issue (had my pinky out straight when using it) I've since been consciously correcting this, but the pain won't budge. every time I open my hand, from the knuckle down on my picky aches. It's not excruciating, but its sore enough to notice. on the underside of my finger where the knuckle is, it feels like there is another knuckle bulging out from underneath, and I don't have the same issue on my other hand. I don't know if this is something that's always been there or not. Basically looking to see if anyone has ever experienced something similar, and has any advice they'd like to share? the nearest appointment I can get at the doctor is the beginning of march, just before somebody suggests that. I am also having to learn the bands set list for rehearsal next week, so I can't really afford to rest for any significant amount of time. Sorry for the long post, but hopefully it helps paint a more accurate picture. Cheers.