musicbassman

So maybe we all have our personal definitions, and that's just fine. My personal definition is when someone knows that they're playing something WRONG, rather than right. So that's all about developing a good musical ear, which can take many years for us mere mortals. I remember when I'd been playing for about a year and I first learnt to reliably 'hear' a fifth interval. What a sense of achievement!

Here is clear evidence that relic-ing can never look quite like the real thing!

....... Ahem ................

You know how sometimes you put a song together in rehearsal and it just 'works' almost immediately? And other times you can work and work on a song trying to get it to sound right and trying to polish a t u r d comes to mind? I reckon its all down to some sort of basic rhythmic conflict - usually between bass and drums, bass and guitar, or guitar and drums. So I think it's sensible to break the song down into its core elements play the song through with just bass and drums, just guitar and drums etc, and try and source the problem. Easier said than done. Even if done with the utmost tact prepare for denials, hissy fits and name calling, especially from guitarists! Why are some musos so defensive that even if its b.obvious there's a problem they won't admit it, or throw their toys out of the pram? The songs never going to sound better unless you pipoint the problem. And don't get me started on drummers with dreadful, weak, or non existent kick drum technique - just about impossible to lock together with the bass.....

DITTO ! 1968 - Saturday morning 'rehearsals' at the drummers house. There were six inputs on the only amp we had - a VOX AC30, so there were two guitars, a bass and three mikes plugged into it Must have sounded......err......fantastic! 😀 👍

If the time signature is the main thing you remember about a song then I would guess that the song may be rather weak. Here's an example where you only become aware of the 5/4 time as the song progresses - it doesn't bite your face off as soon as you hear it, it just feels natural. From the very wonderful Cardiacs - here's 'Day is Gone'.

Thanks Skankdelvar, for writing such an excellent article and providing all us BCers with free entertainment! Lots of glorious detail there. Never mind playing the bass, you should be a comedy scriptwriter.

No one's mentioned the rarely available Roadworn Gaylord series with the distressed truss rod yet...

My usual practice technique these days By stingrayPete1977, 10 hours ago in General Discussion

Putting a band together from scratch that fires up on all cylinders from the off is a big ask, and then putting a gig diary together for a completely new band becomes harder all the time. Ask yourself if you're happy with what your new ready made band is doing in terms of: - the type of material, - the standard of playing, - the type of gigs they are doing, - their ages and personalities (as far as you can judge) - their location - you don't want to be driving 60 miles each way just for a rehearsal If you're happy, then this ready made band might be very hard work initially but if it works out you've potentially saved at least 18 months of blood, sweat and tears. And possibly frustration beyond belief! The fact they've headhunted you is a massive plus, and any reasonable band of likeable people will certainly not be expecting a recording studio level of performance for a 1st gig. Playing with a good feel and locking in well with the drummer might be considered more important.

Wow - there's a whole new instrument family there just waiting to be discovered

I hope these two topics don't get mixed together or confused in any way by some over enthusiastic members...

Yup, been loving Knower for a couple of years now... - and don't forget the wonderful Tim Lefebvre - digging in so far on this track that I surprised he's got any fingers left

Lets see now... Purchase this and you'll immediately get a fantastic gig and maybe some New Age friends, although you can't actually really play ! Free enrolment into School of Gullibility ! Contains shakric crystals! Monks (or something similar) chanting whilst it was made! Built on a ley line, and then suspended on warm stones for 3 days ! Genuine Realisation Mantra written on old scrolls concealed in neck pocket (plenty of room there) !

Bubinga 5, you have good taste! ☺️ I remember a friend playing me some of 'The Truth' album - first time I'd heard of this guy. Obviously some of that could sound a little dated now, but the standard of playing is A1. Any idea who the bass player is on this? - Obviously joined by an umbilical cord to the drummer, never to be cut. I wish i could play like that (or maybe work with a drummer who could even make that possible!).

Well, you aroused my curiosity, so about 40 years after the event, I opened up the Big Book of Internets yesterday evening and after some digging I came across this. He had an unusual name, so chances are this really is the very same guy, and it all sounds about right...... I rest my case. Currently working on the A14 near Cambridge and cheating on my wife. I'm a pretend bodybuilder and claim to have competed at the highest level possible in this country although no one has actually seen proof of this. I love listening to music with a varied taste from u2 or anything guitar orientated through to Alfie Boe which my beautiful wife introduced me to as I had never heard of him before I met her. I love good food, good wine even though I don't drink cos I am an alcoholic. I'm a rubbish listeneras I believe what I have to say is way more important than anything you want to say but a bit shy as far as ladies are concerned, although i do try behind my wife's back. I think i'm romantic and quite possibly a bit of a knob head. I am a gypo, so will take everything of yours, show you no respect a compulsive lyer and I believe all women are second class citizens including my wife. I am married to a beautiful woman who gives me her whole being. We have had a horrendous few years living in a caravan like a couple of skanky old pikey's in a field with no money. At one point we literally had a bowel of porridge between us for the day , honest truth!, we had no toilet and she had to do her business in a plastic bag. Sometimes I had to leave her for weeks on end with only the dogs to talk to to go and work. She has given up her whole life for me, her home her family and her friends and constantly reassures me that it will all be ok and we will get thro this. We are now in rented accommodation but even right here right now I have left her out in a village with no furniture , she is sitting on a cover on the floor and has no car or money. And I am up here trying to see other women whilst she is there with nothing. And I know she will not leave me even after doing this to her. What a great guy am I !! By the way, my black hair is almost all grey now, I do have a child and I couldn't give a damm about them. your weight matters to me a lot, the fatter the better, which is the complete opposite to my beautiful wife who trains every day and has a fantastic body, she tries her best every day to look good for me, I'm not athletic, I've got a fat belly, I get out of breath going up stairs and I smoke like a chimney and I didn't go to school. As for children, my girl was prepared to take on my five nieces and nephews when their parents died despite being estranged from her own thro no fault of hers. She also supports me in every thing I do. She has and still does sacrifice her whole life for me, .......she makes me laugh and is my best mate.........Still, who cares she is the most wonderful woman I have ever met and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her, her but Im still gonna mess around behind her back. So, in conclusion, I'm a fat, bald, lying, cheating gypsy who spends all my money on fags and will happily share my chlamydia with you.

Sometimes, the flakey vocalist is the reason the band is a draw - unpredictable, outrageous, entertaining, etc. But they are always 100% difficult to work with - unreliable, no concept of time or logistics, won't learn lyrics, insist on bringing equally flakey partner to rehearsals etc. It's a balancing act. Along time ago, a new band i was in got a support slot at a local theatre with a semi name band as headliners. The show was running very late due to PA problems so there was only time to play five songs, and this had been made perfectly clear to us before we started,. So after five songs the band left the stage but singer refused, and proceeded to give the stunned and silent sit down audience a five minute lecture about how he was going to be the biggest star in the whole world, ever, and no one would tell him when the show was over. He was eventually physically 'removed' from the stage by two roadies from the headline band. It was just about the most embarrassing five minutes of my life, and of course, the end of the band.

Well, ALL of them, of course! Otherwise it's not fair on the ones you leave behind, and they'll sulk...

Stewblack, I feel for you. Sometimes life can be a s##t. But, reread what you wrote above, and pick out the good bits. You worked hard and clearly enjoyed, and are still enjoying, the status of being a respected muso. You don't have to stop, just because you have to get some sort of dayjob for a while. It's very common amongst actors as I expect you know - they call it 'resting' (!) And you've made good friends and contacts, and this is maybe the most valuable thing of all. So, keep on keeping on, as they say... 🙂

Jeez - almost 60 years old, and I bet it's seen more debauchery, sin and abuse in it's lifetime than I have. I'd be quite happy to take care of it and give it lengthy counselling sessions to help undo the traumas built up over many years.........

I might be pointing out the obvious here, but this is to my ear is definitely pick playing, but I'm sure you've already realised that. If you've got reasonable technique, then this should be quite straightforward : Full treble on a decent P bass and playing pretty hard, but don't grip the pick too tight. People are saying rounds, but I think decent newish flats might be a better option. The sound really should be almost there straight away and only require minor tweaking. I have a very early JV Squier and this is almost its default sound when used with a pick. (For a pick, I would suggest a 1mm Jim Dunlop nylon as best all rounder.) 🙂

This guy is the absolute biz. Mind you, I understand he's been playing since he was four....... Here he is with Donyea Goodman showing us what we could be doing. His phrasing is remarkable.

Ah! - when i wrote this I thought you were asking about an individual muso doing a dep gig, not a whole band !! For a band doing a charity event the organisers are going to expect a 'special' rate, and it depends whether you have an interest in supporting the charity concerned. But it's reasonable for the promoters to make at least a token payment to cover some of the expenses and travelling time . If they won't do that then I would wave goodbye - after all, they wouldn't expect to get a hall hire or caterers for free, would they ? BTW, I think skidder652003 is about right for pub gigs - with a few exceptions, there's not much money left in that sort of business now.

Anything from £5 plus a drink to £500 plus expenses. A lot more information required - Type of band, Type of gig, Size of venue, Size of band, Playing level of band, (keen amateur, dad rock, semi pro, pro) How much you would guess they're being paid, How far away it is, How long you'll actually have to spend hanging around at the venue (can be a problem with weddings and functions) How much rehearsal time (if any) required, How much you'd like to do the gig (prestige, possibility of permanent position, other musos in the audience looking for a bass player) That'll do for a start... 🙂

'Agua De Beber' is a Jobim standard that's been covered so many times - I think she's slightly over egging it here, and the last note/notes are a bit - err - microtonal. This may not be everybody's cup of tea, Newfoundfreedom, but maybe you'd have to understand it in relation to the booming Latin scene of the early 60's. *Gets out musical history books* And maybe to understand 'Jazz' you have to try to learn the language a bit - otherwise it's like listening to poetry in another language - you get an idea of what's going on by the meter, but can't 'hear' what they're saying. You could try listening to Jaco's 'Donna Lee' again and don't think of it as random bass notes, think of it as an expressive language which you might like to learn ? Sorry if this sounds a bit pretentious, but it's the best explanation I can come up with. And at the end of the day, just listen to whatever you like that makes you happy !