ian61

I simply cannot comprehend not being a musician. And at the risk of sounding pompous and a bit up myself I cant imagine what its like for those who aren't because as has already been suggested playing a musical instrument and even just thinking creatively kinda rounds out the personality. It's certainly made me into someone that thinks about stuff a lot....I also like to think the majority of musicians are a kinda peaceful bunch too.

I concur with the cymbals eg above. Cymbals dont really respond to technique or experience, they either sound horrible or beautiful. Played drums on and off o ver the years and whilst I could getaway with any old cheap kit my cymbals were always expensive...it was a no brainer really.

I spent my entire playing life looking over my shoulder and there isnt much I cant play. There's always someone new around the corner who's just fresher than you, got little to do with your chops.

And of course he of... 'I Will Survive' fame, which after nearly 50 years I still can't nail properly....He's been a massive influence on me.

Wonderful stuff indeed, I love the Philly thing. Could be Scott Edwards, Ronnie Baker.. pretty sure its not Jamerson, his last hit was Rock The Boat which I think preceeds this gem..

Strange mix maybe, its just the way I roll. Bernard Edwards Boz Burrell T.M. Stevens Scott Edwards (Philly session player) Ronnie Baker (ditto) Alan Spenner Jaco And Jamerson, tho I shamefully didn't realise it was him till much later. So many guitarists, impossible to list them.

Ok, nother dad here who has played old school everything. Im afraid this tune is just about everything thats wrong with music today. Bass line is standard fare nothing special but nicely played and great tone. It's the lack of melody and that drop out thing when theyve run out of ideas that gets me everytime. Its pretty poor.

I havent seen any specials live stuff for years then last nite was reminded why I always preferred them to Madness, just great, tho the camera work seemed a bit grainy.

You hear it all the time on TV ads now. Some great old tune twisted and re-written to within an inch of its life. Going back to this, "Girl" sounds nothing like the original. I'll stick with the original.

As usual Nut..Sledgehammer. So, hows about banning all young people up to the age of eighteen from owning any sort of tech that can access the internet? Or at the very least ban all children up to the age of sixteen from owning a phone? Because kids will find a way around this... you can bet.

Cant say Ive ever sufferd from 'missing notes', but duff notes?... sure, loads.

@1.20

Even thats stretching it. I know drummers and pianists and classic players who have never heard of Fender, Gibson et al and don't care either. Anyway, Ive had a few vintage basses, sold the lot and now play a lowly CV 70's P bass and want for nothing more.

Not that ur probably interested but try doing that in a very good country style two step band.... ie one two one two. Have to admit to being guilty of trying to jazz it up a bit, but they dont like it. But there are lots of groovy one note tunes that still need to be kept simple. Off the top of my head.. George Bensons Love X Love . Very simple bass part but its gotta be played well.

Ive always gone for melodic accuracy and musicality and that can be either one note per bar or a trillion notes per bar. If the bass part doesnt make music then I'll play it with less enthusiasm than a part that really fits the tune and makes it sparkle.

It's nothing new. It was the same 40 odd yrs ago. Ive always been just a tad envious of musicians who can play guitar and sing well. Knew several guys years back, one a very good bassist, who played in bands but could also do the acoustic/vox thing well and they earned a lot of money just sat in the corners of bars/cafe's churning it out. A nice way to be for a musician.

I was looking for that Chuck Rainey quote too, knew I'd heard it somewhere. But its interesting phenomena. Couple years back I got a dep with a very good Beatles/60's outfit. They were all retired with wifey on keys, hubby on guitar and a very good singer/guitarist..plus drums, all singing harmonies. Dont think I've ever worked so hard... There were no charts or anything. 60 tricky tunes in 2 weeks and I did drop a few clangers here and there. They were tight as a wotsit and I dont think the singer was totally impressed. Most of the time you can get away with it... but playing with them was def pushing the envelope so to speak, needless to say I didnt hear from them again.

This whole anti Lydon thing is grating. I wonder how many of you were actually there as a mid aged teen in 76? I was, and his theatrical presence was like a cyanide laced razor blade bursting outta the Zeitgeist. It was pretty mind blowing, but you had to be there. I've no time for them now because for me they represented a new type of yoof thinking at that time. Anyway good luck to whoever has the rights to go out performing as the 'SP', but for me the Sex Pistols were then and not now. Now they are just old men playing the tunes. It ain't the same... at all.

Ali-express is full of them.

I would have thght more important would be the way you look, not sure the mush pit would be too bothered bout the type of bass ur playing.

Still wondering whether to show the one and only photo from those first gigs....what was I thinking...

Well this type of thread cetainly highlights all the different thinking and styles of playing. I personally prefer four because Ive always played down ny the nut where the tone is plus I have no problem leaping all over the board if I have to ... In a strange way its kind of fun.. dare I even say.... more show biz?

Here too, tho with the BA-110 and my laptop speaker which is enough for practise. I'm wary now of squirting sound into my ears.. Too many yrs on stage has left them in very poor condition.

1978, Deni Deni by Blondie in a dark and dingy basement night club on the Isle of Wight. Im 17 and incredibly nervous. Our girl lead singer didnt help either in stockings, heels, and wearing an unbuttoned blokes shirt. She really did think she was Debby Harry! We'd gone straight from the guitarists bedroom to that mush pit and my abiding memory of that night is not being able to hear a thing as I was using the main acts pair of Orange bass bins and had never been on a stage before. Guitarist was to low, vocals and drums to loud and the keys player and myself got horribly lost. What a car crash. Ive never seen a dance floor empty so fast! ...haha. But I think back now of all the different musical experiences I've enjoyed since that first, crazy terrifying night and feel blessed to have a had a life playing bass....Still loving it now.

Oh dear. ...