Rowbee

I feel sorry for Lenny Henry - nice guy, but IMHO, every year his lack of any real talent beyond making a silly voice and sticking out his tongue becomes ever more apparent. I thought Dizzy Rascal was and is awful, I just figured everyone was entitled to an opinion.

Yeah, I love Rico's work with the Specials, being from Coventry and all.

Big surprise for me was Sam Sparro whose Black and Gold single I hate yet with Jools' band sounded amazing. The Ting Tings for me, define everything good in British pop music at the moment - I wouldn't buy their albums, but I think they have an edge. I reckon Svang, the harmonica group were the best band of the night. Duffy was awful and overrated as usual and it was interesting to hear Lily and Adele sing standards without their annoying Mockney accents ruining everything. Adele came out as a very good singer but I believe Lily sounded weak.

Man, I LOVE this thread!!

Hi Bert Good luck with the move. I lived in Exeter for three years and found the scene to be a little light on funk although if you do find a band there are a few venues that will book you. You might also find you have to travel great distances to rehearse or gig. I know a great guitarist and drummer I was putting band together with before I left. If you want I can put you in touch with them, although I don't really know what they're up to at the moment. PM me if you're interested. Cheers Rob

[quote name='AM1' post='364277' date='Dec 27 2008, 04:54 PM']Hello again I'm still learning the fretboard and only picked up the bass a few weeks ago. So, I am playing by ear and pretty much clueless as to the notes/key most of the time. Same as you, I can still hear what notes work etc but no idea what they are unless I work it out.[/quote] Apologies, I must have missed that. The irony that Budget Bassist refers to in his first paragraph wasn't lost on me either but perhaps he could've been slightly less inflamatory.

Although deviating from the initial discussion, that's an interesting argument. Although learning songs would only be part of what should be practiced in a structured study time, can it really be said that learning a song by ear means there is less of a conscious awareness of what key or notes and intervals are being played? I personally disagree and if I learn a song without written notation, I can still hear the root of each chord. Using my own acquired theory, I can still hear what scales apply and why certain note choices work? Perhaps something for another thread.

On this occasion, given the necessity for learning these songs very quickly, my suggestion might not help but I would thoroughly recommend getting hold of a Tascam Bass Trainer - They are fantastic for learning those difficult passages by slowing down and/or looping.

I really miss the Powertab Archive.