EssentialTension

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1374245553' post='2146880'] It is unreasonable & wholly unrealistic to expect everyone's experience of Jaco to be the same. [/quote] Yes, that's right.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1374244209' post='2146849'] I agree. My point was that if you are playing strictly by ear, i.e. copying exactly what is being played in a song, you dont necessarily need to know theory, or for that matter, the actual notes you are playing. [/quote] As well as with so-called covers, that would be true if you're making it up yourself - no need for theory or knowing the notes, just play by ear. The reason I point this out is that, in my experience (but yours may differ), people who play or copy merely by ear have a tendency to get it wrong or at least to copy inexactly.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1374239014' post='2146757'] ... If you weren't around at the time it's probably hard to understand the impact ... [/quote] I was around at the time and my experience of Jaco was not as you describe.

It's not essential but the more your fretless bass is like your fretted bass then the better your muscle memory will serve you when you change over.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1374231358' post='2146652'] I suppose it all boils down to what a person wants (i.e. their goals). If the preferance is to play covers, then it is possible to get by with little or no theory knowledge. However, I have come across, in this and other forums, people who grow tired of the confines of playing covers. They find themselves in a rut and want to "spread their musical wings" a little. The only way to do this is through learning some theory. [/quote] Theory is the same whether you're playing someone else's song or your own.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1374236213' post='2146725'] I'm still trying to process "...in his own modest way..." [/quote] Yes that was strange, it must be a joke.

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1374229318' post='2146608'] Ok, hands up, who has googled 'autodidact'? apart from me, that is. [/quote] So now you are an autodidact.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1374231307' post='2146650'] Why has this thread gone on past this post? [/quote] One reason is that you and several other people have responded to that very post. A second reason is there are other things to say.

[quote name='merello' timestamp='1374222583' post='2146520'] It is always daft to have a pissing contest over how great someone is. Here is my opinion, and remember, you are all entitled to my opinion! I was in a flat in Glasgow when, late at night, a channel put on live music. At that point, I only really listened to The Stranglers and Genesis and had started playing bass in a band for a laugh. The height of bass was JJ and Foxton with their great, driving, thunderous bottom lines that drove songs on. It was Shadows and Light by Joni Mitchell. Not really my scene but as the evening progressed, I drifted closer and closer to the telly and further from the beer. I was hypnotised by the tic-a-tac and low smears. The lack of slavish root note playing and the way that everything served to make the song better enthralled me. This was the early to mid eighties and there was no easy way off finding out who he was. Eventually I ordered a Japanese import of the record at great cost. I think an album was about £4 and this was £16! Whatever anyone thinks about him, he is one of the few musicians ever to sear himself on my life from one performance. [/quote] I do love Shadows and Light.

I had a USA L2500 which was fantastic in every way - except I should have bought an L2000.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1374195326' post='2146420'] My favourite track with Jaco wearing his sideman cap. This is one sweet groove The outro is pure Jaco. You can almost see the mischievous grin on his face, knowing that it's going down on a track hoping to be a top 40 single http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgGjg9FLq74 [/quote] I liked that.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1374192104' post='2146411'] No I wasn't. Ask a cross section of joe public to name a bass player and I'm pretty sure he'd be way down the list after, for example, Paul McCartney, Sting, Phil Linnot, Chris Wolstenholme, and probably after John Entwhistle as well. Most people have never heard of him. [/quote] Most people wouldn't recognise any of those people as bassists let alone know Pastorius.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1374221030' post='2146497'] I think it may depends what circles you move in. The only people I know who've heard of Jaco have done so because they're either already jazz fans or I told them. Most people I know have no idea who he was. [/quote] Most people have no idea what a bassist is ... and why on earth should they?

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1374168379' post='2146091'] I understand the respect for Jaco on here. However, I have tried to listen to his playing objectively, but its just not my thing, just a bundle of notes really. [/quote] I only ever like him when he's playing with someone else - Joni Mitchell, Weather Report (although I prefer them with Miroslav Vitous). I don't get it at all when he's solo.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1374167694' post='2146082'] ... Clapton can't do what Eddie Van Halen does ... [/quote] Surely that's a good thing isn't it?

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1374156663' post='2145906'] ... you all think its better to learn theory ... [/quote] Wrong. I expect you'll find most if not all people in this thread think it's best to do ear training and to learn theory. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1374126565' post='2145485'] ...and there are some even better ones around today. [/quote] If so, they must be standing on the shoulders of giants.

Tell the truth. They may let you keep both speakers and you'll have done the correct thing. They may pay to return the second speaker but you'll still have done the correct thing.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1374054843' post='2144655'] The answer is "lavender". Or maybe "pale green". Depends really ... [/quote]

Loosening strings is not essential. Nor is tightening the strings essential when turning the truss rod the other way.

Robert Christgaau - Dean of American Rock Critics - said at the time of release: "But most of the movie music on side two is so far from hypnotic that I figure Bowie, rather than Eno, must deserve credit for it. I mean, is Eno really [i]completely[/i] fascinated by banality? [b]B+[/b]"

[quote name='dwh87' timestamp='1373906619' post='2142979'] If anybody is serious and wants one soon then start calling places tomorrow since it looks like they will not be hitting the UK again for 6 to 8 weeks. The VM Bass VI has proven very popular, more so that first thought so even then supplies may be limited. [/quote] Hmmm ... 6-8 weeks ... just in time for the first second hand models perhaps ...

I refer you to my previous answers.

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1373872338' post='2142354'] is it time for another P/J thread already ?? [/quote] Wel, it's been nearly a fortnight.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1373809761' post='2141813'] This didn't really answer my question; if the bass was, say, just packed in a cardboard box and the insurers don't pay out as it wasn't in a rigid hardcase, who do you feel should pay for repairs, buyer or seller? [/quote] The seller who takes responsibility for packing and for delivery.