Marvin

Talking to yourself is a bad sign

[quote name='Doddy' post='787282' date='Mar 26 2010, 06:18 PM']To be honest,so do a lot of other musicians.[/quote] Ah, yes, can't argue there. I think that's why I used to really enjoy jamming with my best mate. He always doubted his ability, but I always found it really easy to play bass when he was playing. Halcyon days.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='786890' date='Mar 26 2010, 01:12 PM']THey are all as good as each other really. Its the doing of the thing that is hard and takes focus. [u][b]The concepts are quite simple.. [/b][/u][/quote] I understand the symbols, well a lot of them . But am unable to apply this understanding, that will take a lot of time. I've just started learning to read the dots (and I mean just, like this week). The expectation for many I think is that it's just a five minute affair to be able to learn to read sheet music. However, you wouldn't expect to have a full conversation in a foreign language if you only started learning it a few days ago. I've got a couple of books I am using (I simply can't fit in lessons, it's simply impossible, thankfully I know a few people who can read music and constantly ask them questions). Books though are a minefield, one persons meat is another's poison. I've got Adrian Ashton's bass handbook which has got a section on reading music and some bits on theory. Can't really remember what the other one is, it's red with a P bass on the front.

[quote name='The Funk' post='787230' date='Mar 26 2010, 05:24 PM']An ear for music is a gift. I'm cursed without a good natural ear.[/quote] I'm in your gang. My ears are 'not fit for purpose' in that respect.

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/"]GAK[/url] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/"]Gear4Music[/url] Wife bought my Christmas present from GAK and said they were excellent. I've only used Gear4Music for small inexpensive items but never had any complaints.

Most drummers seem to vastly overrate themselves - well the ones I've met. (The only one who didn't was a mate who had no kit, no lessons, knew his limitations and just jammed with us because it was fun). Drum machines don't have egos, which is a great benefit.

[quote name='hellothere' post='786527' date='Mar 26 2010, 12:34 AM']The new(ish) Gerald Veasley signature model seems to be priced at around 4700 pounds [/quote] HOW MUCH! Like Doddy said, looks the biz, but what a price.

[quote name='mikeselfinflicted' post='785398' date='Mar 25 2010, 01:28 AM']Give this a look!!!! [url="http://line6.com/lowdownstudio110/"]http://line6.com/lowdownstudio110/[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHaj0IJUmqI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHaj0IJUmqI[/url][/quote] Good amps.

Welcome to Basschat. I too had a break from playing, 17 years, and I am still as bl00dy awful as I ever was.

[quote name='Clarky' post='786139' date='Mar 25 2010, 06:21 PM']The mere mention o f Let's Groove Tonight (or McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stopping Us Now) has a strange effect on this ageing rocker and for a second I am the disco dance king. Wonder why my kids find me embarrassing?[/quote] A bit before my time, I am quite young after all. Only the other day someone at work shouted, JUVENILE, at me.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='786133' date='Mar 25 2010, 06:15 PM']Try as many as you can and go with what feels right for you. If you can't play too much at the moment just try holding it and seeing how it feels. Owning a musical instrument is a very personal thing and you should just enjoy the hunt for that all important first one. Welcome to Bass.... Welcome to Basschat[/quote] Very sound advice, a definite +1

The SR300 is brilliant, so to are Squire VMJ's. Someone had an SR300 going for £200 on the forum but unfortunately they withdrew it.

Welcome. It's a brilliant site/forum. Which means we all spend way too long posting rather than practising

One caveat, in some instances it may be advisable for the singer to stand in front of the drummer. It is dependant on the drummer of course

He sounds like one those disorganised fellows. He'll never change, it's either put up with him, try to 'organise' him (which basically means reminding him every minute of the day when practice and gigs are) or replace him.

What on earth were you thinking of anyway Nigel? Even thinking of getting rid of those lovely Warwicks, being seduced by whims and fancies, you'd need your head read. I'm glad to see you've come to your senses. I really can't afford to GAS (... no I'll be fine please don't pity me ). But it doesn't stop me eyeing up equipment. However, this week I've really found a new inspiration for playing. I've practiced for probably 6 hours this week, which doesn't sound a lot but, when the kids go to bed at 7.30pm, and by the time Mrs M and I have cleared away the devastation they've caused over the previous 10 hours, there's not a lot of time left in the day. So this week I've started to learn to read music, with some help from Mrs M because she can read the dots, and I'm really getting into it.

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='785783' date='Mar 25 2010, 01:21 PM'][attachment=45625:jslive.jpg] Stadium gig [/quote] You need to find venues with higher ceilings for your mate on guitar.

Welcome to basschat.

Welcome to basschat.

Welcome to basschat. And no, never sell your gear, I did that once, very silly. All the best

£240 can get you an Ibanez SR300. It's what I've got and TBH it is for it's money very good. OutToPlay Jazz rates them, and if you look at his regular kit and that he makes his living out of music, I think that speaks for itself. If you're looking at saving up to £1500 then try as many as you can. You may blow the lot, you may only lighten your wallet by a few hundred quid. Price doesn't seem relate to how an instrument works for a player, especially these days.

[quote name='phobucket' post='785096' date='Mar 24 2010, 08:18 PM']Thanks all. The missus and I are big 80s/90s Brit TV fans (Lovejoy, Wooster and Jeeves, Poirot, Campion); if anyone has recommendations for others we'd be happy to Netflix them. Yeah, I'm just looking for an excuse to hop on a plane to England for a bass trade... And to completely derail my own introduction thread: if someone says he is from Shetland, he means the island and not some area of London, right? Seems like people on this board would probably know [/quote] You've got brilliant taste in TV. I watched so much Jeeves and Wooster not so long back I was going around saying things like "what's a chap supposed to do?" and lots of "bally people". And yes, Shetland is just off Scotland.

What a bargain that is.

There are a couple of suggestions on a previous thread. I've got the Kinsman bag thingy. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=81923"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=81923[/url]

Welcome to basschat, enjoy yourself.