dclaassen

I kinda thought it was ironic......so go with the deep self-referencing bit.....:)

I've always wanted to name a band "Free Beer".....

I've been playing "All Right Now" incorrectly for 40 years and just now realized it....

Or a guy with a 12 string….

Also 64, and have access to every nice tuner you can name. I can tune by ear, but, about 75% of the time, the guitar player is also (already) out of tune. It just works better for me to use the clip on pickup on my Korg to the headstock and tune. I will check it, and can tune on the fly with a bass I know well. Unless disaster strikes, I won't use a electronic tuner for the rest of the night. If I am fretting a bass (or guitar) out, I'll use a Peterson strobe...can't beat it. Oh, and I make sure my low B's intonation is spot on at the 12th fret...ya never know

I have had to learn a lot of material lately, much of which I either don't know, or have not played in years. I sit and listen to the song 2 or 3 times, just to get the general flow. Then, I just focus on chord changes...block them out only using 1 and the occasional 4 or 5. I also start thinking about hand position switches (major/minor, etc). When I can play all the root positions of all the chords, I'll start listening and copying the bass line. Sometimes this is really easy, sometimes it is lots more difficult. I figure out the easy sections, then research examples for the harder stuff. Keep doing this until I can play the song, then go back (over time) and isolate the harder licks, playing them in isolation and also incorporating them into the song. Keep going back to the same song every couple of days. For an easy song (ex. Louie, Louie)...this all takes about 15 minutes--once. For something like "I Wish", "The Chicken", etc, it could take days, weeks, or months (some licks on Chris Berg's "Chicken Arrangement" still escape me). As far as how you feel....right now you should be experiencing and learning. Being comfortable will come quickly and easily. Be patient in moving from the unknown to the familiar. Please remember that beginnings should be celebrated just as much as mastery. Good for you! Thanks for being so open and honest...and...good luck!

I played for years without changing strings, fretting out the intonation, adjusting bridge or neck....I was happy...and I only owned one bass at a time

Guess I’m not that stubborn. I get out the tuner, check my tuning, and go….takes about 40 seconds. If I want to feel good about it, I’ll use the harmonics method.

I prep a lot of students for auditions. Live auditions are traumatic for many, but it helps if they can keep their thoughts in the now and let go of perfection. Recorded auditions are much harder on them…they know they can redo it and are obsessed with solving every issue, no matter how small. I think live performance is like a live audition…you do the best you are prepared to do and let the errors go, with a mental note to work on it later. Then, I relax and have fun making music with the band.

I would not be brave enough to do this...I don't think I could drive home with these items placed where she would put them...:)

Be genuinely nice to the wait staff and bartenders. Don't order a bunch of fancy drinks when they are busy (I drink cola, water, or coffee), and don't expect free drinks. Complement the house staff from the stage. Use an instrument that stays in tune. I only expect to check tuning before the gig and possibly between sets. Don't talk too much. I hear old recordings of bands I was in and cringe at how I don't shut up and play.

My experience is that many performers are outgoing introverts. I know that I am. I can be very social, but also be secretly uncomfortable at the same time. What really helps me in any performance experience is to focus on the relationship between what I am playing and what the others are doing. As soon as that starts to gel, then I am fine, I guess because I am not part of a meaningful conversation.

Thanks! Your procedure is pretty much what I like to do. My memory for detail is not good until I have played the whole list live a few times. I've been out of action for quite a few years, and it feels good to be playing again.

BL just called back and wants me in…pretty stoked because they seem like a great bunch of guys. Now I’ve got a big set list to learn.

I am going to need a nearby tech (Cambridgeshire) as I am getting a non-working vintage Fender amp in soon. Any recommendations?

Not a gig, but I have an audition today with a bunch of old rock 'n' roll guys. I did not get the set list until yesterday afternoon, and have never played half the stuff on the list...so should be fun. I like the Who, but need more time than I was given to climb into Entwhistle's head......it is NOT a comfortable place for me most of the time... Pray for me....

I have only bought one new bass in 50 years of playing…that was a Gibson RD Artist, which is long gone now. I tend to buy and use one main bass, and maybe one backup. Back in the day it was the Gibson, later a Jazz with an Electra as a spare ( the one with the effects modules in the back….it was a hoot) now it’s the fiver with a MIM P as the spare. Guess I’m not a collector.

This is the best I’ve ever played in regards to consistent tone and playability top to bottom. No problems with the cut away either.

Perhaps if I was a studio player this would be a bigger deal, but I have some experience with both types of necks and have never seen that as the determining factor with either sound or feel.

Scott’s Bass Lessons had a great video on this…

One or two basses, the second left in the case unless needed (I am also one of those old-timers who cannot remember breaking a string in 40+years of playing) Combo Amp Gig bag has tools, spare strings, batteries, leads, tuner, a couple of rags, etc Small bag with spare kettle lead, fuses, mics and clips, guitar stand, direct box, Zoom, gaffer tape, 2 mic cables Maybe a mic stand and a music stand if needed (I cannot remember lyrics)

You’re welcome…https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/peter-paul-and-mary/kumbaya-tabs-2393417

I am always confused with comments attempting to divide folks into camps based on what kind of system they use to evaluate and remember music. I use all of them, read pretty well, but don't really equate that with being a better musician. We are all enjoying doing what we do, and use the tools at our disposal to do so. One of the best guitarists I ever played with didn't even know the names to the chords he was using...so what? We had a blast playing together. Please feel free to gather round the campfire and sing "Kum Ba Yah" .....bring your own marshmallows

There are always more than one way to play a part. The big boys don’t play it the same every time, and you should not feel you have to either. I have been trying to make the transition to 5 string, which means I have a lot more freedom to play lines on different areas on the neck. You do you, take the advice that resonates with you, and move on. Also, I wonder about the “play the part correctly “ crowd. I played the solo from “all right now” differently for years…didn’t stop the dance floor from filling up.

This does sound like good fun!