Eight

+1 for the Ramones I think I mentioned this in another thread, but whenever I'm finding bass practice a bit tiresome (damn scales/improv etc.) I break out the Ramones - particularly Sedated and Pet Cemetery. Nothing than better than an absurdly simple bass part that lets you tear up your practice room (i.e. dining room) while playing.

So how do you do it? Just play hard on strings with lower tension than usual?

I like 'em. Although I did kinda assume they'd be cheap (something about them gave me that impression)... until I saw the price.

If you're in a funk generally - I mean, looking for a job just sucks so much ass - you'll find your motivation for everything just goes through the floor. If noone's suggestions work then you just have to fight through it; and when your life sorts itself out a bit and all is well away from the bass, all will be well at the bass. Failing that... buy new gear.

[quote name='Hot Tub' post='427540' date='Mar 6 2009, 08:17 PM']OMG! The stuff you guys do for "fun" is the top end of "challenging" for me.... And I've been playing for 30 years!!![/quote] Yeah I was just thinking that. Lol. My idea of fun right now is just to strum along to something. Tonight, since I can't face scales, arpeggios or any improv, I've just been playing along to the Ramones on YouTube - Pet Cemetary, I Wanna Be Sedated, Psychotherapy, 53rd & 3rd etc. Now that's fun! Although not for my neighbours who whilst probably used to the bass, could really do without my singing on a friday evening. Edit: Wayne... pure class!

I know just what you need... get a car!!! [quote]I was looking for something like a suitcase on wheels[/quote]

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='427177' date='Mar 6 2009, 01:34 PM']Having said that, £600 really is a steal for such a high-calibre instrument.[/quote] I just know I'm going to regret not getting in on this order. One day I'll be laying down £700 for a bass and thinking I could have had a rare Dean for £100 less. Unfortunately its £600 more than I've got available this month. And I wish I could take offence at the joke made early - but people have seen me. Sweaty long hair and a tank top isn't too far off the mark.

I searched but am not sure if we've done this before. I realised this morning that I've been taking my bass practice way too seriously of late. So what suggestions have you got for basslines/songs that are just pure unadultered fun to play along with. Doesn't need to be tricky or even interesting, just good ol' fashioned ear-to-ear grinning hillarity.

Good on you Ad. And bon voyage (assuming you find a guitard).

[quote name='Pbassred' post='1411' date='May 18 2007, 12:55 PM']Having looked through many music notation books it seems that most are written for piano (Bass is written one octave up from the actual pitch.).[/quote] You don't like it being transposed an octave? It makes sense to me - why put everything on ledger lines below the staff when its so much easier to read (and tidier) if written an octave higher.

Don't they know the economy is in crisis - you can't just go around making people GAS like that. 'bout £600 before shipping costs then. I hate once in a lifetime opportunities... especially when you have to watch them go past.

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='425912' date='Mar 5 2009, 10:57 AM']They're designed for drummers[/quote] Ah that explains this gem of a review I just found on Amazon. [quote]This is, just as som of the other reveiws say, that ther is not much eksplaining in the book, so if you have not bin reding that much before, don't start with this book. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book (though with small mistakes now and then, so if you keep makeing the same mistake, tjek if the bare length is right) and it will get you from the point of "needing a minute, to be able to read the page" and to the point of "just count it of" all and all, its a good book that evry serius drummer shouldt have in ther collection.... injoy[/quote]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='425885' date='Mar 5 2009, 10:38 AM']It's a moot point. Punk was *all* about fitting in.[/quote] Ok you might have a point there.

That books sound interesting mate. I might get that myself.

[quote name='silddx' post='425874' date='Mar 5 2009, 10:32 AM']Do the job properly. Get a new USA Standard Fender P or an old Jap Squier P - they both play great and sound the part. Bin the Eden too and get a dirty old Marshall.[/quote] Surely nothing is *less* punk than buying a Fender just to fit in?

[quote name='The Funk' post='425861' date='Mar 5 2009, 10:19 AM']Exactly! I can understand the tribute band exception though.[/quote] Yeah, I kinda see that one. You've not got much choice there - but then, you probably wouldn't be in the tribute band if you didn't want to look just like them and play the same gear. I relate every purchase to the hours spent in my sh*tty office. So irrespective of how superficial my choices, I never want to sit and think, "god I worked for two days to buy that and I don't even like it".

I think its all graft. I'm on my second bout of developing sight reading skills (too many years without doing any) and I've never seen any tips/cheats which really work. Get graded sight reading (so over the sessions the rhythms get more complicated etc.) and crack on with them every single day. Edit: and while you're at work (or whatever) in front of a PC - [url="http://www.practicesightreading.com/"]http://www.practicesightreading.com/[/url]

Wow. Spending money on something you never wanted seems a little crazy.

I've never liked Vs... but something about this one is really appealing. Did they release the pricing yet?

Just had to Google this one, but I like the look of them. Unfortunately they appear to be about a grand more than I spend on basses.

Monthly will be great - as long as there's enough good stuff to fill it. I find it hard waiting two months for an issue of any magazine I buy religiously; but at the same time I don't want to spending £4 on a pamphlet. Mike, you've got me all excited. Am looking forward to seeing how it all shapes up.

+ Liked the JJ info - I know nothing about motown etc. and at least now I know one more of those famous bassists you all go on about. - NAMM feature was a bit poor. - Another pointless spec sheet of basses without telling you anything about them i.e. if they're any good etc. + Good tutorials. Particularly liked the Billy Sheehan stuff which gave me my first ever attempt at playing with 3 fingers. - Not interested in the transcription. Can't they do more than one per issue?!?! + Vigier review was interesting.

I was in two minds about this whole thing - but after following the link from ARGH, I think I kinda like the insanity of it all.

[quote name='Rodders' post='424462' date='Mar 3 2009, 08:02 PM']I read somewhere on the net that the open low F# on a 7/8 string resonates at 23Hz[/quote] Hmm... to be honest, I would have thunk that if you're getting an actual F# then it'd be lower than 20Hz mark. Which begs the question, can you still call it an F# if you can't hear the tone and its just a mass of vibration rumbling through the floor!?! Edit: just seen the overtones stuff. Bit beyond me but would suggest you can hear some kind of note in there. lol.