leschirons

Bit of a trek for you I'd imagine, Saumur, in France.😂

The agent was at the previous one where I actually played and probably wouldn't care if he knew the situation for this time as long as he gets his money. It's a cocktail gig for a bank. They won't even notice anyone is there at all. We'll be stuck in a corner and mistaken for coat attendants and waiters😂

So, been offered a gig that normally just requires a duo ( sax, guitar + b.trax) However, for some strange reason, the agency now needs three people on stage ( it's actually a smooth cocktail set for an hour) so I've been asked. Last time, the sax player took the bass off the tracks and I played. This time is too short notice so I've been asked to mime as the setlist is different. Very good money at minimum 250 + for an hour and I'm being driven there and fed but not sure how I feel about doing it as now, he's asked me to bring an EUB that I've owned for only three weeks as it'll "look better" What can possibly go wrong?😂

Good gig tonight. Kept the punters in right until the end which is unusual for this place as it seems to be the bar where people go before going out if that makes sense 😂 Anyway, owner very happy so rebooked us. Two tech problems at the start though. Guitarist's wireless system packed up (bloody things) and my new-ish 50€ super duper custom 3 mtr instrument cable cut out. Luckily always have spare, coiled on top of amp so a quick change over.

My choice of gear these days seems to be based on other factors. Can I lift it? Can I have it round my neck for 2 hours? Are we playing on the ground floor? The actual sound I like on stage probably bears no relation to what I'd hear out front and tbh, I can probably get that sound(ish) with any gear be it £2000 or £200 as I'm not really that anal or fussy. As long as the bass is comfy to play and everyone can hear what I play, then I can enjoy making some music with a great bunch of people. My gear is chosen to make the experience easier.

Okay, it's a five string but been using this for a few months now and before a USA SUB5 so have the choice of 2 band or 3 band EQ. This one really does everything I need in the band. We cover everything from Edith Piaf to the Ramones, Queen, AC/DC, Chic and beyond to fairly modern stuff like Cake by the ocean and Feel it still. Fab tonal palette, comfortable, good balance and great string spacing. This one had a preamp change which also gives me the passive option. Only downside, I wish it were the classic shape body hence I also have the old USA SUB5. Go for it.

Couldn't have put it better.

Robben Ford, last night in Issoudun. A bit lac-lustre to be honest. Love his sound and phrasing but he's not a great songwriter and his lyrics appear to be simply the spaces between solos. He's obviously touring the new album, fair enough, but you'd think he'd throw in a couple of his older numbers from the Blue-line days as that's when he picked up most of his fans over here as a solo artist. Bass player certainly up to the job (I'd not heard of her before asking on here) Ryan Madora. Her playing didn't seem to have the personality of Roscoe Beck's but in all fairness, that could have been due to the current line-up due to a second guitar on stage this tour. I'd only seen him as a trio or with keys before. Highlight of the show was the drummer really. Gelled perfectly with the bass but his playing stood out as exceptionally tasteful. Oh, and Robben, just a tip mate, the Max Wall look is not a good one🤨 (Can't post a pic as we were all banned from using any kind of image or sound recording equipment)

I was thinking more of his XLR cable😂

Nice try Lozz but it would appear that you're peeing into the wind as far as I can tell.

Cool. Just out of curiousity, I'd be interested in knowing what dance numbers you include. Be nice to get a handle on what constitutes "dance" your side of the pond as over here, the majority of covers bands are all playing the same numbers.

You have a venue called Blondiepop?

What to do? What a daft question. Do what we all do on here. Sell it, a week later, really regret selling it and buy the same thing again but £60 dearer than you sold yours for😂

Last night's gig. Hmmm, going to sub title this post as "How to make an emergency snare drum" First two things you need are an idiot french drummer who's left his on the kitchen table and then driven 120 kms to a gig thus, removing the possibility of going back for it. Secondly, you need British resolve. Next, remove his 14" tom whilst he's sitting outside telling everyone we can't play tonight and tighten to nearly breaking point. Look in boot of your car for anything handy. Somehow find a bathroom plug on 2ft of chain. Secure on edge of floating drum rim, drape across top head and fix with Gaffa tape on other side. Voila, one not too clever sounding but very funky gig-able makeshift snare. We were still playing at 2.30 this morning. Went down a treat. We'll see what he forgets at tonight's gig😂

You're right, it doesn't have a waist extension and it does tend to swivel. I've been studying the videos to try and find some uniformity on instrument position/angle etc but it seems that every player has their idea of what is correct for them. Some play with the bass parallel to their body, some at an angle and a couple I've seen, nearly 90° to their body. As mentioned, I'm going to concentrate for a week or two on left and right hand technique and maybe see what developes stance-wise but still look for a tutor before any really bad habits set in.

You're right, and of course I communicated my look of death to the guitarist and drummer, but only until I dropped the bum note😂 and then the drummer peed himself laughing. Of course, I want things to be as good as they possibly can but I don't do this for a living and when it's a one-off (we all make mistakes but this was everybody in the band all in the same 20 seconds) we all laugh and it reminds me why I'm playing with these particular people. No egos.

That's fine with me. It didn't happen then😂

Had a great gig yesterday doing a wedding but someone has now stuck a number on You Tube. The one number where our singer forgot the first line, the guitarist and drummer start off too fast and I drop a note whilst wondering if the singer is going to start at some point in the evening😂 Ah well, live music. Seems a bit prissy to ask people to take stuff down and if I couldn't handle criticism, I shouldn't be up there I guess.

And I was in Bradenham on Monday and Tuesday.

The perfect wedding gig at the perfect venue. Stunning location. Great food, great audience and the cherry on the cake was that we were on before the food and DJ We ate after the gig and including the 1 hour drive, was home at 10.30. Result.

Thanks for all your replies. I thought I'd found a tutor yesterday but it seems he's not interested in teaching upright "stick" bass only real double bass. Do I have a "stick" bass? FIIK I thought they were the ones with no body at all. Watched two of the Geoff Chalmers vids and found him very agreeable to listen to however, on the posture vid, he's making a point of contact with the bass body that I don't have on my bass so that's confused me a little.

Thank you both for replying. I will try and find a tutor, at least to get me started and will also check out Geoff Chalmers. I know a great tutor here in the UK but not sure what I'll find back in France, especially deep in no man's land where I live😂

Just bought this as I've decided I'm at that time of life when I need to give it a try. Not sure if there are defined ways on how to start off or whether it's just see what sort of works. Found one or two things on You tube but they are mainly just plucking exercises and don't advise on best way to hold the thing to avoid any future bad habits. Any advice or links appreciated.