risingson

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1348437422' post='1813721'] in my case it was not strength, but stamina, for fingerstyle. It helped me a lot more than simply just playing. Good warm up too. [/quote] I think one or two people might be labouring under the slight misapprehension that these things are going to be detrimental because 'strength' isn't necessary factor in playing bass guitar. Quite right, however strength in part comes from improved muscle mass and that will simply not be achieved with these powerball things as the work the muscle group is doing simply isn't strenuous enough. [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1348438783' post='1813735'] On the subject of wrist exercises helping or not helping with bass playing... I have been seriously weightlifting for about 4 months now, and twice a week I do dumbbell wrist curls. It hasn't helped my bass playing in the way of speed or anything.. But it HAS dramatically increased my strength and endurance so that I can play hard for much much longer without my arm feeling fatigued! I do 2 hour long metal gigs quite often and I can definitely assure you I've noticed a difference [/quote] Likewise, for me also. Dumbbell curls include your forearms as synergist muscles, the muscles that aid the target muscle in the travel and completion of the move.

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1348227035' post='1811068'] This is cool: This is meant to be cool: [/quote] I think that's the other way round

The term 'fusion' tends to send a shiver up my back. But you can't go wrong with a bit of Weather Report. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThF63iql478&feature=related

There was a thread a while back about this where I argued that I thought that they weren't totally useless and got into a bit of a debate with another poster. Personally I do not use one. But put it this way, any exercise, musical or not that warms the muscles of your forearm up before playing is going to go some way to helping you perform to your potential. Bass playing can be seen like an exercise, typically when you lift weights in a gym for example you would not throw yourself in at the deep end with the heaviest dumbbells in the gym without doing potential damage to your muscles, instead, you start out with lower weights and work your way up to begin with. The power ball accesses and utilises your forearm muscles in what is known as a compound move (more than one muscle group being used to achieve the exercise) which would suggest to me that actually, once you've got your blood supply pumping to the right place in your body, this does indeed constitute at least a step in the right direction to a decent warmup and as we all probably know, muscles work best when they're warm. Personally I'm an advocate of warming up on your bass first and foremost as exercising in context is important, especially before gigging. But I also see no reason why if you think a Powerball would go some way to helping you out in your warmup routine that you shouldn't use one.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1348412016' post='1813276'] I try to deals with people who are:[list] [*]Regular posters in the forums [*]Have great feedback [/list] So far, all the transactions have been smooth as a babys proverbial. [/quote] +1 to all of this.

Don't get offended, just let your playing do the talking for you. I started gigging when I was young too (I guess I still am relatively young at 23) but it's your [i]playing[/i] that counts. Most of the guy that would be quick to tell you that you're too young will soon shut up when you start to play if you're a good player who's got a professional attitude. Act your age as well though, there's nothing worse than being old before your time!

Remember that price has little bearing on personal preference. I've played £200 basses that to my ears and hands play better than £2000 basses I've played. I tend to find that I get on well with Stingray pickup configuration quite well i.e. that single humbucker in the sweet spot that your Sterling will have, but I have my reservations that have stopped me owning one, namely I don't think it's got the same kinds of lows and low mids that I can get from a P-Bass for example and therefore wouldn't cut it in my band. Others will disagree though, that's why your own personal preference is more important than anyone else's. If you feel more comfortable on the Squier then play the Squier.

Here's another favourite, 'God Only Knows': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kak2x0j_m8I&feature=related

I've been listening to the Beach Boys, probably due to the fact I've got a P-Bass again and have once more gotten totally hooked on the brilliance of Carol Kaye! Thought I might share this audio clip for those who haven't heard it before, it details Brian Wilson in the studio directing 'The Wrecking Crew' session players and other assorted musicians from L.A on what to play and where on one of my favourite songs, 'Sloop John B'. It touches on Wilson's need for absolute perfection from the guys and girls he had in the studio during the Pet Sounds sessions, really incredible stuff and an superb ear for arrangement and production. It has also got one of my very favourite Carol Kaye bass lines on it also. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9iu65sot1E&feature=related

It's a free bump and a compliment, so no I don't find it in the least bit annoying. Quite the opposite in fact!

I can vaguely understand why someone like Matt Garrison for example has one, as his right hand technique involves his thumb and three fingers spread across a wider area than the standard two fingers, giving a more even playing surface presumably. Personally I don't get them at all, clearly some players swear by them but I can definitely get by without one.

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1348181303' post='1810672'] I shall just mention the popular music combo 'Keane'. I think I need say no more. [/quote] The White Stripes, The Yeh Yeh Yehs, a lot of Radiohead's latest stuff... it's a rich tapestry of 'no bass required'!!

Jazz for me, although only just. I'd see about sneaking a P onto the island with me too. Probably give me a B-15 Portaflex to play them all through too?

I'd make sure you were earning well over 1000, and if not then take your work elsewhere because there will be people willing to pay you more (think corporate) for a NYE gig. Double or triple more in fact.

[quote name='WACOJACO' timestamp='1348183179' post='1810695'] He actually was an uncredible writer [/quote] D'oh! Jaco was an incredible bass player who really did change a lot. There have been a few others along the way as well but he certainly did a lot for pushing things forward. There may have been more technically competent bass players since but the fact he did it all first is very telling.

I don't know but it looks stunning and I want one.

I let my head judge the correct notes, dynamics and rhythmic inflections of what I play on bass. Dynamics are so important, and not just the loud/soft (or piano/forte if you're a toff) aspect, I mean literally the whole aspect of the way you play, it's got to work for the music you're working for otherwise it really shows. My head also tells me to play less nowadays with the music that I write, record and perform.

I've just ordered some Status Hotwires for my P-Bass after I saw one or two people waxing lyrical about them on here. The price was certainly right, only as much as I'd pay for rounds so if they're any good I'll make sure I let everyone know!

Not so inspiring sounding anymore. One of the reasons I like Steely Dan's older stuff like Aja or The Royal Scam was because whilst it was modern sounding at the time, there were limitations to the amount that they could take things in the studio and I like the sounds of those limitations. Nowadays it's just way too clinical. The song itself is nothing not heard before, the lyrics don't seem up to Fagan's witty usual standards.

Wow, would probably just go to Paris for this shop alone!

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1347970788' post='1807327'] Thier are various levels to the meaning of this song , and a whole degree course could be built around just one verse Your just not digging deep enough Oh and the rappers delight version, great fun [/quote] I think you'd really be pushing the boat out if you were to write a dissertation on the lyrics to 'Good Times'. But then the lyrics are very uninteresting in themselves, the interest is generated by the song, the feel, the very clever harmonic ideas actually which Bilbo hasn't touched on in his critique!

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1347908961' post='1806552'] Don't take this the wrong way (Naturally, somebody will!...) but I find a few Bass Players have very selective hearing. They listen to a song, of whatever genre, and only seem to concentrate on the Bass Line. If the Bass is brilliant, the song must be. However, there are some out there, myself included, who like the 'whole' sound of a piece of music, and if the Bass Line is excellent, well that's a bonus. Because Funk and to an extent, Reggae, feature prominent Bass parts, then the slightly selfish attitude of some of us thinks instantly "I'd love to play that" which in turn means it must be good. I've played songs with absolutely rubbish Bass parts in the past, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience, because I've been part of the ensemble performing it to Joe Public, who in turn seemed to enjoy themselves. As a case in point, Pino ALWAYS plays brilliantly to my way of thinking, but he's worked for people who (in my opinion only) turn out pile after pile of sh**. Nothing can detract from his performance or skill, but he's part of something I don't enjoy, so I can't listen to it. The same goes for a lot of Funk Bass Players-brilliant at what they do, but the music is the finest aid to insomnia that I know of personally. I'll get my flame-proof overalls on now, and nip off to listen to a bit of.......well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? [/quote] I think you're bang on the money actually. It's not just bass players either, all instrumentalists are guilty of it to one degree or another.

I like his stuff as well.

It's easy to relate to Funk music as a bass player because the bass is always so very prominent. Personally I don't think there's as much to be said for 'Funk' as a genre as much as there is for 'funk' as a type feel to be integrated sparingly into other kinds of music. Feel is what is most important for bass players, obviously good funk bass players have a lot of it and it is inspiring for some to hear. I would say that there are probably too many bands trying to trade off of a funk-style sound. Absolutely fine in most cases, I have no problem with it per se except that [u]everyone[/u] nowadays is doing it and when its obvious that one or two players in the band have no background in playing or listening funk and R&B, it suddenly becomes terribly contrived and worse still will often sound very tame and very uninspired. It just seems to be everywhere right now!