Pete Academy

I clicked on the Bass Gear link for Namm 2011. Talk about bass porn!

Glad they've sorted the website at long last.

Get those 10,000 hours in.

I was still at High School when I started playing. My parents didn't have the funds to buy me anything special, but they showed incredible patience when I got home from school, absolutely desperate to play my bass, as the whole house shook while they were trying to watch telly in the next room.

[quote name='Dandelion' post='1301458' date='Jul 12 2011, 07:20 PM']Can extensive practice ever make up for lack of talent? If I practiced for 50 years, would I ever be as good as Jaco was after one? [/quote] By the sounds of it, no.

Pino. Nuff said. Totally original. Instantly recognisable. I can't forgive Berlin for that stupid 80's video with some wrestler/boxer in it. Embarrassing.

I've been playing a long time but I've never been in a touring band. My present band has played abroad, but only for a couple of nights. I'm not talking the Stones or Led Zep with a private jet. Any good stories?

Years ago I had a beautiful 1997 Stingray 5. During a mid-life crisis, I decided I should get a Bongo 5 in orange. I thought of it as a souped-up Stingray. I sold my Stingray and bought the Bongo. Biggest mistake ever. I couldn't make it sound good. In a live recording I was shocked at how crap it sounded. Maybe it was just me, but never again.

[quote name='retrohelix' post='1296387' date='Jul 7 2011, 08:22 PM']Posted this in "bass tracks to listen to before you die" thread, and am now posting it here The bassist is a woman named Meshell Ndegeocello (thanks to bubinga5 for pointing that out) Bit of a strange one this, but it satisfies all of my groove needs... [/quote] Both tracks, great call.

One of the finest jazz/funk/ fusion albums ever IMO.

[quote name='paul h' post='1293899' date='Jul 5 2011, 08:33 PM'] [/quote] Marcus's bass part makes this track. Imagine it played fingerstyle? It would work but just wouldn't have the same impact. A perfect example of melodic slap.

Slap bass evolved from jazz upright players, who wanted to be heard. Larry Graham allegedly invented the style for electric bass, having no drummer in his act. As a style, it's unique. We should celebrate this. There are thousands of players that are technique only, but when played with feel and musicality it's unsurpassed.

I love it. But beware those that will class it as lift music, as a recent slap thread showed.

I look at Dood's tapping on a 7-string and think 'Wow, I would love to do that.' But I will never in a million years learn that style. I'm not jealous, but I think I would love to do that. I can play slap and love it, but I can't do the Mark King machine-gun style. I'm trying to double-thumb but it's not happening, although my muted thumb technique is coming along OK. Just do what you like and enjoy it.

I thought he was great. The backing track was simply a foil for his slap playing, which was faultless. Let's give this guy some credit.

[quote name='silddx' post='1292636' date='Jul 4 2011, 08:04 PM']Probably quite unmusical people though aren't they, if that's what they feel they should practice? If they can not understand that technique and facility is rarely valued without a musical element? Most slappers and shredders I have seen on youtube simply can't seem to get past the motor skills element and into the MUSIC.[/quote] Yep. I'm for any technique, but make it musical.

The eternal slap debate. As someone who thinks being able to groove is the most important aspect of bass playing, I also think Kim Deal is being patronising in that clip. And I get the impression she's not really able to write a bass part that is more melodic. As for slap, for the millionth time, if it's played for technique's sake, it sounds tedious. In the hands of someone like Marcus Miller, it's a technique that's unique and actually makes the song. I would avoid the Youtube bedroom players. I would draw your attention to this: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=144275"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=144275[/url]

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1291443' date='Jul 3 2011, 08:52 PM']Nice bit of playing. The song itself is pants tho.[/quote] It's merely a backing track. I've heard lots worse.

Bubinga is dead right. Why knock that guy. He's a great player. So what if the backing track is 'lift music'? He has great technique and isn't showing it off for technique's sake. His groove is impeccable. What's wrong with that? There seems to be a lot of negativity when anyone posts a slap groove.

Sour grapes, anyone?

What about the bass playing? I think the criticism about the backing track is a bit harsh. The guy is obviously very good.

Love it.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1291219' date='Jul 3 2011, 05:46 PM']If you are playing a slow ballad and you need to play a semibreve (or two tied together),you don't want the note to die after 3 beats. I'd much rather have an instrument that has good sustain,because I can always mute the strings and make the notes shorter.[/quote] Semibreve? What's that in seconds?

[quote name='KingPrawn' post='1291320' date='Jul 3 2011, 07:13 PM']1.Basses that look like coffee tables 2. Headless basses 3. when you go to try a bass, and the twat shop person noodles for 5 minutes before handing it to you saying " try it for yourself" 4.Idiots going through midlife crisis, who can afford much better gear than i have and don't no how to use it i realisei'm off topicslightly, but i feel so much better[/quote] Number 3 is spot on. I generally pluck an open string to demonstrate the controls on an active bass - volume, pan, bass, mid , treble. Never make the customer feel insecure.