Boodang

Another method! Slightly more complicated but works a treat once you get your head around it; Start at C. Play a major triad. Now go around the circle of 5ths, doesn't matter which direction, and play a major triad each time. Say the root note each time you play it. Do it again with minor triads. Work out variations in how to play the triad patterns in different positions and do them. Use a click track. Now you not only know the notes on the fretboard but also associated triads.

Many years ago, my first proper lessons were with Joe Hubbard. He had a warm up exercise which doubled for learning the fretboard; Play all the E's - start with lowest, play them all on the E string then the A string then the D string etc until you get to the highest, then go back down from highest to lowest. You should now have played every E on the neck. Do the same for F, F#, G, G# etc. Say the notes as you play them and when it's, for example, G#, say G# going up and Ab on the way down. If you can use a metronome/ click start at a speed where you don't make mistakes then build it up.

Yep, Break the Machine out of stock so went online to get from Seamoon direct. Postage is a flat rate of around $35, they didn't mention if there was a waiting list so I'm assuming they're in stock. Then it's just a case of import duties!

According to their blurb it has an 'old school' monophonic octaver setting. I haven't tried it so I don't know how close to an OC2 it can get but I'll be interested to hear from others who have tried it. Apparently the toneprints enable modulation as well as octaver settings which sound interesting.... I'm tempted!

On the extreme, my double bass strings have been on for about 15 years and I've got no intention of changing them!

If your brain wins and you want to get some money back for the Seamoon, do let me know!

Players change roundwounds regularly as they can lose their top end quite quickly. Flatwounds don't have so much top end so not really an issue.

According to Sting in an interview, the song is about a stalker!

And STING. How to do (iconic) bass lines with the minimum of fuss.

If it's funk don't forget BOOTSY!!!

Scott's Bass Lessons or something similar. You can go through the free stuff on youtube but then you're just scratching the surface whereas completing a program really helps you dig in and internalise the information. For beginners tho I would recommend SBLs fretboard accelerator program. At the end of it you'll have fluidity around the neck, know where the notes are, know your triads and have a good understanding of the basics. Can't ask for more really.

Chris Squire used a pick, along with his Rickenbacker, to be heard. To aid this he would slightly brush the string with his thumb on the downstroke to increase upper harmonic content to cut through even more. Chris Squire was certainly not trying to blend in when it came to his playing! The other band members always said he was key to their sound.

If you do buy second hand I'd still pop into a shop, hopefully they're nice and friendly. Then you might know if you prefer chunky P type necks or the thinner jazz necks.

Honestly you can't go wrong with any of those choices. I'd say at this stage the most important thing is how they feel to play for you. Go into a shop and just pick one up to see how it fits the hands and feels, you don't have to play anything and one of them just might 'feel' like the right thing. If then you have no preference pick the one that looks the best! If you're going to be playing with other musicians you'll need an amp but if you are not and it's just practice at home get a small mixing desk (a small Behringer will cost about £50) then you can play with headphones and mix in tracks and lessons to play along with. Or get a preamp like a TC Electronic spectradrive which does a similar thing but you'll also be able to use later when you're in a band. If you do need an amp you'll need to get advice on what will suit. Don't underestimate how much it takes to be heard over a drummer! Nothing worse than turning up to a rehearsal to find you can't be heard. If it's just low volume acoustic levels then it's a lot easier. Good luck and let us all know what you get.

Like hifi it's the law of diminishing returns. Technically it'll be better at 18v but to your ears it'll be minimal. Then there's the other pedals your signal will go through, plus your amp, plus your speaker cab....

Bought a few TC pedals recently and just love the toneprint facility. Everytime I download and try out a new print it's like buying a new pedal, and it does make them very versatile. So, what are other people's favourite toneprints? At the moment I'm using Captain East on the spectracomp as it's a nice 3 band setting which gives the bass frequencies some punch without squishing the top end (this is on permanently now). Funk in the Trunk tube drive, nice for when you want to drive the bass forward in the mix a bit. Gwizdala's Sausage & Beer on the Fashback2. Three or four repeats so not overwhelming. Steve Vai's Ocean Machine on the HoF2. A nice wide wash with a bit of chorus.

Update on stability; went away for a few days on a course, came back and strings were a semi tone down (and no, my tuners are not slipping). Tuned up, another day of playing and at the end of it they seemed stable, plus after the initial tune up they didn't need any tweaking. So, 2/3 days to settle down but don't know how much of that is down to the amount of hours I've been playing them. Great strings tho, really enjoying them and will be putting them on a fretted bass. At the moment they are on a fretless jazz, I've been learning some Brecker Brother tracks and they sound perfect.

I do a similar thing. For home practice I use a small mackie desk and headphones to mix my bass and play along to tracks and online lessons.

Sorry, got the wrong thread!!

For home practice I use a small Mackie mixer and headphones. Great for not annoying the neighbours and good for playing along to songs and online lessons.

Came across the Fender Rumble 25 & 40 combos. They don't look all that but was amazed at their performance. Interestingly the 25 & 40 have fender speakers whereas the rest of the line have eminence I think.

... so remember, get good by playing with other musicians but don't play with other musicians until you're good!

When I played sax I used a Gallien Krueger MB-150S combo (the metal cased combo) on a sturdy mic stand at head height as a monitor. They sell a 'U' shaped bracket to mount it. That setup also works quite well as a stage monitor for bass.

IEMs is a good way to go but take a bit of getting used to. Also a bit of an investment, but worth it in the long run. Also a bit of a faff for just a jam night but I would at least get a clip on mic.