JTUK

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1420473490' post='2649705'] My approach to playing is that the original artist is in the audience and is looking for a new bass player. IMO you should aim for 100% of the feel, but as far as the notes are concerned, sometimes you have to play what's written but at other times you are free to play. [/quote] I'll always hope my take is better or works better, but sometimes that is a tough ask... but unless all the other instruments have gotten it down, I'm more interested in it working than be exact. I worked out Rhythm Stick but it was the rest of the band parts that killed it... typically the keys ..well, that's my story..

I think you're overthinking a track like this.. It's a major triad pattern across the two chords... and you could easy just play them as qtr notes only.. Without a drummer, it will sound ok, but within a band it should swing along quite well..and you don't need to bother about anything else. IMO.

[quote name='SingleMalt' timestamp='1420325138' post='2648186'] I wonder how many people were inspired to get into Bass by Geddy. I know I certainly was. [/quote] Certainly wasn't... I gave them a huge miss. An empty vase as far as I was concerned. I tried to watch their apples and oranges thing on the TV, but I really couldn't stay with it.

See how far off you are just by playing what you hear.. and then fill in the gaps. You tube has some good pointers but mostly for the obvious and popular stuff... I used to wear out the turntable years ago..but now I just aim for close.. I not sure why I would want to learn something note for note now...depends on the context.

3 of these sound a good deal... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/rcf_art_310_a_mk_iii.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/rcf_art_310_a_mk_iii.htm[/url] As said, you could get a P.A bundle for less than £800 and use the Mackie as a monitor for the time being. The P.A bundle ...brough from these guys, no problem [url="https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/rcf-art-310-a-mk3-active-pa-speaker-bundle.html?source=googleshopping&sku=rcfart310amk3bun1&gclid=COT__N3c_MICFSbHtAodgGAAfg"]https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/rcf-art-310-a-mk3-active-pa-speaker-bundle.html?source=googleshopping&sku=rcfart310amk3bun1&gclid=COT__N3c_MICFSbHtAodgGAAfg[/url]

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1420453480' post='2649409'] I'd agree in part, the material has to suit the vocalist(s) and to this end we work out if a given song indeed be sung, but we don't generally have issues of 'I don't really like it, therefore I'm not going to try' or 'its beneath my musical intellect' [/quote] That is why we give the singer the final sanction ...they choose the key and they then have to deliver it. If either of those things don't work, then we have to drop the song. I've had many a great suggestion, IMO, dropped because of that..but you trust the singer is doing it for the right reasons rather than just doesn't want to do it.. This is where you need trust and a good band ethic about it and that is why you also need to keep everyone pulling in the same direction for as long as posible, but as time wears on, this gets harder to do to any reasonable level as loads of other stuff can get in the way.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420424454' post='2649282'] Great point, how serious are you, do you really want this and why. if it's just a whim, none of this stuff really matters. When I have auditioned for high level *functions bands, I carry on like this; I show up in character and show them the product they will be getting with me from my playing, stage presence, hair color, down to my boots, accessories, my bass, amp and pedal board. I have been this way since I was 12 years old and started gigging. Blue * I have never won a functions band gig. I am not sure why, but I think it's because i come off as the older [i]"well heeled" [/i]60s rocker type. Younger folks don't get it or like it. [/quote] You only have to look at a few show reels to see how function bands tend to work an image, typically. We always note that even quite a sniffy gig we are going to be smart casual... and that 'dress code' is determined and agreed at the booking. If they wanted the band in DJ's we'd be thinking it wasn't our sort of gig and we'd pass. As for serious, well, we take it seriously, and we all deliver upto the point that we want and agreed to.. but we don't chase any old gig all over the country and we make a good effort to match the audience upto us as well as us upto them. There is no point chasing the money and falling flat on your face as the agent just wanted their fee and didn't care that the gig was a complete roasting.. Another reason why we prefer book direct as then we get to ask the right questions and know whether it is a gig for us. The downside may be that a lot of gigs will employ an events company and wont want the hassle of direct... but we've also found that a company want us..thro a personal recommendation, and then they have put us together with the events co.. so they don't have to be involved in the finer details and communications anymore. That works quite well, IME, on occasion.

Can't argue if it works... not sure how practical it is for all gigs and would also want to see if the pattern was repeated, but as I said, if it works, it works.

The singer is the key focal point between you and the audience so there is no point having them do a song they murder... Having said that, they may have good chemistry with a crowd and that can get you so far, but it is unlikely to have a great singer and a great frontman..they are like hen's teeth, IME. Personally, I go for the best singer and put a good band round them and that can be enough to connect if the singer hasn't got that.. You definitely need one of the two, IMO.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1420406008' post='2649085'] [b]Meh I'm not the biggest fan[/b].... [/quote] Since you mention it, I'd agree, not something I'd put at the top of the list tho

We've had songs suggested that we just wouldn't do... as they just didn't fit. We also resisted 'sex on fire' for eons and even put in Mollie Chambers to get past that KoL 'request'. We thought is a better song...but of course, nowhere near as popular. We only ever did 'sex on fire' when the fee was good enough... and that was a unnaminous decision. Apart from playing the songs well, I think song choice is critical and my pet hate is that a lot of bands around here don't give it much thought. They'll pick everyone else set as they think they will make them as popular...

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420323954' post='2648173'] If your bring your own gear, showing up on time and the ability to set up quickly usually goes over well. Also, I hate to be superficial but it will be interesting to hear what some of you have to say. If it's a high end function band showing up with well maintained good gear is always good. You don't want to show up with older beat up gear thinking it''s your playing skills that will get you in. It usually doesn't work that way. I remember when we were auditioning drummers and some of these guys showing up with old ratty kits with no cases was not impressive at all. Blue [/quote] It depends how serious you want to take but there are certain fits that you can't really ignore. We've been down this with music stands... and a metal band just wouldn't entertain them, for example... Some hotels that will pay top $ wont have leads all over the place, and they wont have them gaffered up the wall etc etc ...but this is mainly common sense and a degree of respect for the type of gig you are booked to do. A tatty old 412 with the cloth kicked in ..? no one will bat much of an eyelid in a pub but that is not good enough when people are paying £100 a ticket at a expensive function... So, you should know what is expected by what sort of work the band does.... but I would also expect that you'd ask that sort of stuff before you agreed to audition..?

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1420405363' post='2649069'] Yeah, you'll get bored of playing songs you like and end up hating them. Why is change so difficult though. just learn new tunes! [/quote] Yes, but I didn't start out bored... And change isn't so difficult if you retain the enthusiasm and energy to do so... which is why you don't want to kill it prematurely picking songs that someone hates/resents/doesn't fancy etc etc etc .. It takes a lot of effort to pick an imaginative set that is not overdone/flogged to death by other bands in your area and keep it fresh..

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1420402541' post='2649012'] I'm in bands with people who are emotionally stable enough to play a a tune without it causing resentment! I'm not on about playing an entire setlist of songs everyone in the band hates. [/quote] I think you'll get away with that once or twice but after a while people can think they are bored with this. I don't want a band going through the motions just because they get paid, personally. If it is not fun too often, for whatever reason, that is the route to a tired old unit...and even if the bands members stay, they might stay because they find the money useful. The hardest thing about a band is change...and it is just easier to do the same old thing... which is why most bands should quit..certainly after 5 years...give or take, IMO.

No, I don't know them, but I have heard more than one person say that they are way better than their pricepoint might suggest. I went for Yamaha as I thought the QSC were in no way £200 odd better... but since the price is a lot closer now, I'd buy QSC is buying now... but Alto are waaay waay cheaper so you have to hear them side by side and see whether you can justify 3x£300 difference in them.. or whatever the final figure is..

Can't see it myself... He'll charge a fortune for 3 songs..do a P.A type stint and then be off....which is nice work if you can get it..and also if you can afford it.

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1420396364' post='2648864'] That's a load of bollocks about if one person doesn't agree then you don't do it! Grow up, it's just a song. It's not like you're asking them to be injected with ebola. In our band if someone suggests something we learn it. We see if it works well to decide whether we keep it. I find it incredibly pathetic when people won't play songs cos they don't like them or the band. Childish! [/quote] What is the point of making someone dance through hoops for a song they don't like? I find we play better on the songs that we want to do... so no one is forced to do anything. If you want to tire out a band before its time..load it with a load of resentment over things that they have to rather than they want to do.. Songs are just part of this but it is better a band pulls in the right/same direction rather than be forced to..

With a 5 piece band there are going to have to be compomsing attitudes or else the band leader can do everything but he'll pay for the privelidge. I always like a democracy in that everyone's opinion is as valid as anyone elses and so we suggest we need new songs and we have a session where everyone proposes 3 songs. They sell each one and go for agreement. If anyone really hates a song, then there is no mileage pushing it but they need a good reason..and just as the proposer has sold it, the disenter needs to justify why they are 'vetoing' it. The hardest part is in a new startup when you are looking for common ground in your picks and a common theme as to waht you are trying to do. This is why I tell the guys we approach what the idea and goals are... so we don't end up with a metal drummer when we want groove... It isn't that a guy that is really into metal wont work or be good enough, but that direction isn't on the table. You will have talked a few things over with new guys about what they listen to and what they'll bring along. I'm very careful about what I put together and who fits the 'vision'... if someone suggests an 'off the wall' track, then listen to how they propose we do it, and then try not to scupper the idea until you have rehearsed it and then evedyone should agree it works or doesn't. If people don't do enough to get ready for a rehearsal ..it is a waste of everyone's time otherwise and we never get enough as it is... then that is a seperate issue and that isn't good enough from that person.

I'd put a Line6 300w 15" combo on the table. Very versatile... Not lauding it over all else, but for a cut down lightweight gig, and at £500, maybe worth checking out

I think there are classic combinations.. Fender Jazz ( or the better clones ) and SWR were a classic pairing, IMO. And I think Aguilar ( big blocks ) and Jazzes work very well..

[sup]Opps..... not going to like this thread... I'm bored but I'm out as well. [/sup]

I just followed the link in the OP..so thought that was the song we were talking about..??

I'd use this as a template [url="http://www.e-chords.com/chords/roachford/only-to-be-with-you"]http://www.e-chords.com/chords/roachford/only-to-be-with-you[/url]

Just don't blow the gig out...and by that, I mean, decide if it is what you want to do but upto that point, be Mr Convivial. You can't really do anything about them liking your playing etc etc

There are going to be situations where it will come into play but that may not need to be on the bass signal at source. Of course, some playing styles are heavy and levelling out those spikes might have to be necessary