Pete Academy

[quote name='TimR' post='558776' date='Aug 2 2009, 09:59 PM']Good question. Some people get feel naturally. Some need to be told what it is and then they get it. Unfortunately there are also those that will never get it. It depends on how well someone can listen and how open they are to trying new things. There is some discussion that even classical pieces 'swung', but there was no way to convey this on the sheet music at the time, and classical music no longer has feel. I can particularly remember having this discussion with two people. The first was a horn player (classically trained) who couldn't understand why when she played exactly what was written on the sheet music it still didn't sound good. I told her to use it as a guide. The music tells you what notes to play and when. Imagine reading a book out loud. The words and punctuation tell you what to say and the rhythm, but you still need to understand the meaning in order to read it with any emotion. It was a light bulb moment for her. The second was a drummer (marching band trained). We were having real trouble playing a tune. But he couldn't understand the concept at all, and wouldn't listen. Everytime I tried to explain about playing slightly ahead of the beat he replied that you should always play exactly on the beat otherwise the tune will speed up. We had to drop the tune from the set.[/quote] This reminds me of when I worked in a music shop in Macclesfield, which was frequented by numerous snobby piano teachers calling in to buy sheet music. I remember some of them being outraged by the fact I couldn't read music, and so how come I was working in a music shop? When I asked them if they could play anything without music and improvise a tune, they admitted they couldn't. But the most alarming case was a teacher who came in to buy a graded jazz piano piece and was flummoxed at the word 'swing' at the beginning of the piece. 'How do you make something swing?' she asked. And this was someone being paid for her job.

I've seen that guy before...amazing!

[quote name='davidmpires' post='558593' date='Aug 2 2009, 04:49 PM']I think it can be learned by submerging on the style you plan on playing. i.e. if you want to play latin, you need to listen to it for hours on end, until you feel every change and the most important signatures.[/quote] Absolutely spot on.

Love Games and Mr Pink? High level, I would say.

I think, for me, the player that most epitomises the grasp of feel is Me'Shell.

[quote name='6h5g' post='558418' date='Aug 2 2009, 12:14 PM']+1 yeah definitely[/quote] Most of my playing and listening life has revolved around funk. That's not to say I don't like other genres, but I just began to realise at an early age that the bass seemed to be the most important element in that type of music. I rarely care about lyrics. To me the song's groove is what draws me. Because of this I tend to automatically syncopate everything, even a rock groove. To me, you are what you listen to (mainly). I just wouldn't sound right in a rock situation.

By far the best sound I ever had was a Marshall VBA 400 all-valve beast. No messing with tone controls - just plug in and away you go. This was through my AShdown 4 x 8" and 1 x 15". However, the amp was basically atwo-man lift, so my back couldn't cope. I now use the same cabs with a Superfly head and I'm happy enough. I stand right by the cabs at ear height, so they are mainly monitoring, as we always use a PA rig. I don't think you can beat big stuff, but my back doesn't agree.

I was having a discussion with a fellow band member the other day about feel, and whether it comes natural or can be taught. I reckon it's something you develop mainly by what you listen to and consequently play a great deal. How could you teach it? Any thoughts?...

Without seeing the damage it's hard to discern how bad it is, but believe me, there are repairers out there that might be able to make it as good as new. I've had smashed acoustics come back without any scars whatsoever. Might be worth posting a picture of it as it is now.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='555790' date='Jul 30 2009, 12:33 AM']He then went onto use Alligator gear! And a Roland synth bass![/quote] Alligator! No!! Bad, bad memories!

We need a Bring Back Henry Thomas campaign.

Just been watching some of the original progs on YT. Where's Henry these days?

Whirlwind are always a safe bet.

Henry was my hero, especially as he used to dress up in the style of music they covered. I remember him doing a Country and Western slap part way before Stu Hamm did.

Does anyone remember Rockschool from the 80s? I used to love it. Do you think a similar programme would work these days, or has YouTube killed the idea?

Westone were one of the most popular basses of the 80s. Made in Japan, they were well-constructed and sounded great. The Thunder was III especially good. However, I think the seller may be trading on the age of the being collectable more than anything.

[quote name='AxelF' post='555336' date='Jul 29 2009, 05:17 PM']Haha, I seem to be yet another in the long list of people flogging themselves to death trying to learn this tune with all the incredible little subtleties casually improvised on the fly by Mr Watts..... Anyway, the most useful YouTuve vid I've found is this one - bass seems to be mixed higher and clearer, plus you can get a better chance of working out the little fills etc from the guys left hand. If anyone hasn't seen Marlowe DK's videos by the way I can highly recommend them - superb player and has helped me out no end with tricky passages of songs I've been trying to learn! Anyway, hope this helps... [/quote] I've seen a lot of this guy's vids...he's a legend! Completely nails every track.

If you like the track, I would recommend this DVD: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Disco-Town-DVD-Various/dp/B00096J1HS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1248882143&sr=1-2"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Disco-Town-DV...2143&sr=1-2[/url] It's called The Best Disco In Town, and if you can get over the embarrassment of having such a title in your collection, you'll see and hear some fantastic bass playing. The house band - especially the bass player - is top notch, as they back Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Shalamar, Tavares, The Real Thing. Rose Royce have their own band and another amazing bass player. The gig ends with a sublime set from Chic. Bernard Edwards' replacement is fantastic, as is Omar Hakim on drums. Highly recommended. Oh, and the female vocalist in Chic is WELL fit.

[quote name='Captain Bassman' post='555126' date='Jul 29 2009, 02:36 PM']He did play bass on most Shalamar tunes and, I believe, most of the stuff he produced from the Solar Records stable at that time. I always thought "There It Is" sounded like a bass synth though...too perfect and almost looped. Could be wrong! Tis a wondeful bass part though. Other LFS parts I like are; And The Beat Goes On (The Whispers) Sweeter As The Days Go By (Shalamar) Friends (Shalamar) All tight as the proverbial gnat's chuff! And if you like Shalamar choons check out the bass line on the title track from their album "The Look". Played by none other than a certain Mr Stanley Clarke... CB[/quote] Ah, the unmistakeable sound of an Alembic being slapped. Stan used to have Howard Hewett from Shalalmar guest on his albums.

[quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='554811' date='Jul 29 2009, 09:48 AM']Its Leon Sylvers on bass playing a Rick[/quote] A Ricky??!! Godammit!!

Definitely try a new set of strings...should cure it.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='550286' date='Jul 24 2009, 03:30 PM']I trawled the net and found this guy in Wales. Making me a padded four incher. £50 delivered. Mark Roche MD Dragon Leather Products Tel: (+44) (0) 1656 722728 Unit 39 Tondu Enterprise Centre CF32 9BS S.Wales. UK [email protected] www.dragonleatherproducts.co.uk www.larocheproducts.com[/quote] Just received my custom-made strap from this company...4" wide padded leather with adjustable buckle. Fantastic job! Feels very comfortable. £50 delivered, and a lovely chap, to boot. Highly recommended.

[quote name='molan' post='554781' date='Jul 29 2009, 09:28 AM']I thought the, wonderfully named, Leon F Sylvers III played on a lot of Shalamar's stuff (as well as writing & production credits). James Ingram also credited with some bass parts on the Friends album [/quote] That's him!

It sounds like Bernard Edwards but it wasn't him.

Yep...same here.