Eight

I wouldn't mind having a squizz at this thing that everyone is so keen on. :-) Super_Mario_Bass - Oct 21 2007, Chezz55 - Oct 25 2007 lobematt - Nov 26 2007 guyl - Apr 2 2008 acidbass - May 2 2008 five-string.co.u... - May 2 2008 queenofthedepths - May 24 2008 aceuggy - Jun 14 2008 AndyMartin - Oct 2 2008 juannycerveza - 13th Oct 2008 Eight - 22nd Jan 2009

If I remember rightly, you can enter yourself for any exam but I don't know the ins and outs e.g. where you would sit it, whether you'd be expected to organise your own room under regulated conditions etc. etc. Might be worth ringing the exam board and talking to them about it. I'm sure things are in place for adult learners to do this.

I like it... and I know my mate (who is more into this kind of punk/rock than I am) would really like it. Seems a well-written song. The only thing that grinded on me a little was that the two sets of vocals were a wee bit out of sync with each other. Not quite at the point of being an echo but not quite sounding like you're singing together. I don't agree with you that they're "woeful" though - that's too harsh.

Another +1 for Sennheiser. I've had numerous pairs of HDs and they're great for everything from listening to mp3s to studio monitoring.

[quote name='Beedster' post='387121' date='Jan 21 2009, 08:31 AM']Um, haven't you read the papers recently? I've got friends whose businesses are thriving but despite this the benks are withdrawing their credit facilities. Sorry to be blunt - and I haven't read the posts above as I'm in a rush[/quote] We went through it all earlier. Those lucky folk who's bank love them are making a killing; if you're one of them then great. ~ I'm getting a bit sick of online shopping - if my favourite retailers haven't got an item then I've given up on searching the ten billion music retailers to find it. I'll buy something else. I've worked in web and eCommerce for a loooonnng time and the current situation and trends worry me. I'm almost at the point of saying Prosebass's prediction about everyone just buying from Thomann will come true. Maybe things will all collapse and we'll end up with three sites on the internet for making purchases - Thomann for musical instruments; and eBay & Amazon for *everything* else. But personally, I'm sick of the post office. Sick of failed deliveries and long delays before getting what I want - increasingly these days I'll look to a real shop instead.

I can't quite work out what we'd play but sod it, here's my band. Nina Hagen - Vocals Amanda Palmer - Piano/Keyboards Johnny Ramone - Guitar The ape from the Cadbury's advert - Drums

[quote name='truebassman' post='386730' date='Jan 20 2009, 09:01 PM']Shall I bring my £200 bass (OLP Stingray copy) I'm very proud of or will it just be embarassing/laughed at ? I'm the sort of person who would bring it in a plastic carrier bag[/quote] ... Well thats it sorted then - there's no way I'm bringing my £50 bass if you're worried about being embarrassed about bringing a £200 Stingray copy.

Turnkey in London was always my favourite music shop. You went in and they just had everything out from guitars to whole DAWs/sequencers that you could play on - didn't even need to ask the staff first. Spent so much money in there. I'm told they closed down or moved or something.

[quote name='spiltmilk_2000' post='386465' date='Jan 20 2009, 05:44 PM']I started the thread about minor modes which was mentioned earlier in this discussion. I wasnt looking for someone to supply a magic answer or anything... or to tell me what to play when... And I dont think our original poster here was either. More I wanted to understand the theory of minor modes so that I could analyse what I already play (through feel!) and try to see why it works or why I like what I like. You've got to have parameters and rules so you can decide when to break them![/quote] I totally agree with what you said - but I often think that last expression doesn't help. To people who don't like the idea of the theory side, it might suggest that music theory is somehow a rule that "learned" people follow and ignorant/rebellious/creative people do not. Which in my opinion, is untrue and unfair. edit: I guess saying that perhaps you need to understand the convention before you break it doesn't have much of a ring to it. I prefer to think about music theory as a way of qualifying and quantifying elements of music. It gives people a way of discussing music in detail (as opposed to a vague comment like 'moody' as I used in another thread). As you said, working out how/why you like certain things in music (other people's and your own) and sharing those opinions. Analysing effectiveness - particularly in your own music e.g. you wanted a certain feel, but why didn't you get it. etc. There are benefits when writing music too. I've never said that anything you learn from music theory can't be similarly achieved by people who never study it. For me, I *know* it helps - the more I learn the more productive, creative and inspired I am. Others have to do what seems right for them.

[quote name='mcgraham' post='386350' date='Jan 20 2009, 04:25 PM']Eight, I don't pretend to speak for everyone, I was merely making an observation that was my opinion.[/quote] Sure thing. [quote]as for the rest of your post... it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me[/quote] Ok, I'll try to put my opinion a little blunter. If you're talentless, then it doesn't matter if you know music theory or not. If you're talented, you'll find a way thats best for you to use to that talent. Maybe that includes theory, maybe it doesn't. I do not believe music theory stifles creativity one bit. Music theory does not tell you to do anything; its not rules and its not a prescription. Its theories and explanations. Understanding cadences does not restrict you from using any note available to you on your instrument to end your measure/piece etc. etc. Just in the same way as a fairly adequate knowledge of English grammar and spelling doesn't prevent me from typing something like "lolwut n00bs" as a stylistic parody of World of Warcraft players. I certainly don't recall anyone credible saying that music theory is a replacement for ears; and I would never say that you must must learn music theory if frankly, you don't want to. But to suggest that it is actually detrimental to creativity is completely unfounded.

[quote name='mcgraham' post='386202' date='Jan 20 2009, 03:10 PM']I totally agree. It's sickening that the most learned people often seem to be the most stale musically.[/quote] *Seem* is the operative word. As in "seem to you". From what I can see, (and bass seems no different from any other part of music in this respect), most musicians are stale. Law of averages in a way - or perhaps the definition of average. Some choose to study large amounts of theory. Others choose not. My opinion - in music, the end justifies the means. And mediocrity will still be mediocre whether the writer is an encyclopedia of music theory or not. Genius will be still be genius, and pants will still be pants. Each to their own.

[quote name='William James Easton' post='385698' date='Jan 20 2009, 08:46 AM']i might go back to reading that.[/quote] BassPlayer? Is that the really thin, over-priced bass guitar magazine? I like BGM. Ok yes, the reviews are probably a little on the dubious side but its a good read and I find the tips/technique/transcriptions stuff to be good.

Ok so the vote is long since over... but as someone bumped the thread I felt like posting my opinions. 1. John Entwistle - The Who For me, John's lines are proof that bass doesn't have to be repetitive following the chords, or a mirror of the guitars. I know he's not the only one btw but he happens to be the one I look to. 2. Sean Yseult - White Zombie Bit of a contrast, Sean shows that bass doesn't have to be like John Entwistle to be great. Thumping great rhythms that really shaped a band I loved. Plus she's a hottie. This is all subjective so I get to include her. 3. Pete Steele - Type O Negative I love the moody basslines he writes. Plus it helps that by being the front man and main songwriter, they put out tracks where the bass is essentially the lead instrument. So close... 4. Kim Nekroman - Nekromantix Rockabilly/psychobilly is teh sh*t! I love that stuff and few are on par with Nekroman. Couldn't quite decide between him and Steele...

[quote name='Hoppo75' post='385566' date='Jan 19 2009, 11:00 PM']Let me know folks[/quote] Yeah I'll definitely be driving so if you and you're company can swing some easy parking then it'd be much appreciated by me. Good thinking.

It can't be done - I just tried.

[quote name='Josh' post='384501' date='Jan 18 2009, 11:12 PM']Simply Red's Bassist and Moloko's Bassist. If anyone knows their names I would greatly appreciate it .[/quote] I don't know about Simply Red, but Moloko's Mark Brydon used to play bass and may have played on their tracks. Fine Geordie lad there - always did like that band.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='384454' date='Jan 18 2009, 10:27 PM']Not impossible but a Metro ride and then a bit of brown nosing with someone who has a car (hint below) wouldn't go amiss. [/quote] Hahaha, no brown nosing required. The offer of transport is there for anyone who wants it. March 1st looks good with me.

[quote name='uptonmark' post='384260' date='Jan 18 2009, 07:10 PM']are you sure you`re not really a guitarist [/quote] LMFAO!!!!

[quote name='Geek99' post='384072' date='Jan 18 2009, 03:37 PM']Thoughts?[/quote] How long have you been doing work on this and having these problems? From earlier life experience on a different instrument, the only thing I know that helps you follow/count the beat is to keep doing it. Hours at a time if you have to. I guess its easier if you know what you're playing quite well and can devote more of your brain to concentrate on timing. And yeah, there's no physical *need* for you to tap your foot - maybe practice counting the beat out loud as you play. I hate doing that - makes me feel such a moron but it does seem to make it easier to avoid zoning out. I am having to work on this myself - just bringing up old tips that worked for me once and will hopefully help me again now