Mikey D

Cheers very much...not sure Charlie Hunter has anything to worry about...yet! I have been challenged by someone to learn the Coltrane solo and play that and bass at the same time!? Another few years maybe...

I spent alot of time practicing this in my 'youth' and getting things like classical thump down and to be honest at the time I really enjoyed it, but overall the time dedicated to it was a bit of a waste. I should have just spent the time transcribing or something. But it is nice to pull it out occasionally as it does impress the lay people out there. I went to a jam session once and there were some pretty good solos played that night, but almost everyone was more impressed with the 'slap' bass solo! (In fact, this man could not slap in time and was making some horrible sounds trying to do so, but the people liked it.)

Yes it is on every year and yes it is Sligo in Ireland. 1 week and counting!

I know bassplayer2016-something-something of Talkbass is going and KJB on here (unless they are the same person). Just wondering who else on here is going to study at the Sligo Jazz Project? It seems there are going to be 17 bassists in total from all over-with the standard on all instruments being phenomenal! eek.

[quote name='guitarnbass' post='38216' date='Jul 28 2007, 06:30 PM']I reckon it's true though, crap prices, crap customer service, crap website, and now more and more people are buying their strings and other accessories online cause it's so much cheaper...[/quote] I agree with this comment and the one before, I have only met one member of staff in about 4 sound controls who has been a nice, decent person and very knowledgable. I could have just been unlucky I suppose. Then again, every music chain seems to hire the wrong people, maybe musicians shouldn't actually work in the shops as they tend on the whole to think they are better than the customers.

I don't think I can describe how much I hate the look of that thing....pine!:!?

I have finally got my iSight out and working so thought I would do a couple of clips of me playing so I have something to look back on to see if I have improved over time. I have only had the instrument since February and to be honest I haven't put as much time in as I wanted as I have had to learn double bass this year. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvcfvSKP7Vg"]Giant Steps - Comping and Walking[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSA2_ZCY9-g"]Chank - John Scofield and Chris Wood's parts...at the same time![/url] I should mention that I'm not playing my bass on this, I am playing my 8 string hybrid affectionally called 'Jackie Brown' by my house mate. He's named all my instruments after Blaxploitation type movies... Comments/feedback always appreciated.

Anybody have any experience with the single 12 and 10 lightweight cabs? Output/volume? sound?

Ok, so I currently have a Phil Jones Suitcase and 4B which I am more than happy with soundwise, apart from the weight! I am looking for a combo or rig that will take 2 inputs and have the option to use them both at the same time as I play this bad boy: but I also need the amp to be capable of handling Upright bass and electric bass. It will mainly be used for rehearsals and smaller gigs so I don't have to lug around the Phil Jones, but ideally if it can cover most of the gigs I will do the Phil Jones will go... I am currently looking at this set up: So £499 and 3lbs!!! And whatever the Schroeder costs and 17lbs!! If I go for the light 10+ or maybe the 12+ if I want to be able to handle more bass... 20lbs for a dual channel 300w mini rig....oooh Opinions on either the head or cab? Any other combinations of combos that you guys recommend?

Overall the standard tends to be higher on the thursday as you have the jazz students and teacheres there, the wednesday ones can on occasion be a bit too samey with mainly 12 bar blues being called or footprints, but of course everyone is welcome and it is a good atmosphere to just get up and give it a go. Let me know when your heading up there, would be good to meet.

Yeah I tend to go every week on the thursday. I haven't played at it yet as I am not too confident about my upright abilities (they occasionally have an electric bass there). It is a little quieter than usual now that the students have gone, but come september it will be the busiest night there. There is also a jazz/funk/soul tye of jam every other wednesday aswell which I have played at. You should head along sometime if you are free.

This was filmed when we played at the Derby food and drink festival a few months ago...First time I played the tune, from a badly written chart. Thought I'd just share it: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BL689PWQNM"]MC4 - Break City[/url] Hope you enjoy it, ableit the fact it is very short.

[quote name='JohnSlade07' post='35810' date='Jul 23 2007, 09:40 AM']Thanks for that Mikey. So if I was playing over Dm7 - G7 I might play something like D, E, F, E durig the first bar and G, E, D, B during the 2nd?[/quote] Technically yes, but probably not as it doesn't create a good musical line really and that should be your aim. But as you are still learning there are many exercises you can do. I found this sheet on the internet a while ago, I think you may find it useful. Just work on each concept/idea one at a time just between two chords at first, and try to find every single possible way of getting from one to the other on every part of your bass. Then eventually start playing longer sequences of chord, then start mixing up the ideas, before you know it you will have some hip sounding lines and really know what you are doing. Not only that, but your knowledge of notes on the neck will be better than ever.

To outline the harmony clearly. Yes and Yes.

For electric: Steve Swallow - Enroute live with Scofield Anthony Jackson - as above For classic walking check out Oscar Peterson's Night train album. Ray Brwon laying it down.

At the moment. Sly and the family stone - I'm want to take you higher NHOP - Donna lee video on youtube...absolutely ridiculous... Jamiroquai - hooked up the 'chorus break' in white lines...oooh

hmmm, will have to try that sounds good. But for me Bb is just a note different and appears much easier

[quote name='paul, the' post='34966' date='Jul 20 2007, 09:42 PM']Trying to play "[url="http://www.theartthieves.com/mediafiles/Kurt%20Personal/Stevie%20Wonder/09%20-%20He's%20Misstra%20Know-It-All.mp3"]He's Misstra Know-It-All[/url]" right now. Of course the music I'm reading is a semi-tone sharp as well as the fact that I'm trying to visualize the treble clef as a bass clef - i.e, what would that be on bass clef minus a note. Then flattening it and trying to play it on a piano. Witch is about 6th nature to me. My brain can't cope. I'd love to be able to do what you can do Mikey D, but I don't think I have it in me. Do you have a good ear and voice as well?[/quote] Ear? My house mate says it seems good...when at a piano. But on bass? Pretty sh*t, but the more the course goes on the more I can tell it is improving. Hearing chord types and progressions. As for actual notes, no chance at the moment. Voice? Much like a grown up choir boy. Who has gargled petrol and razers from their youth. I try not to sing in public. But I do practice it a lot when playing as I have heard all about the benefits.

[quote name='kjb' post='35129' date='Jul 21 2007, 10:53 AM']Could you do this before you started your course, or is something you've learned since. I'm thinking of doing the jazz course next year, either that or the bass degree here [url="http://www.icmp.uk.com/"]http://www.icmp.uk.com/[/url]. I can sight read bass clef, but I struggle with treble, and as for reading and transposing, I have to pencil the notes in. You've kind of put me off Birmingham conservatoire a bit though with having to learn to play upright. It would make more sense though seeing that I live in Birmingham.[/quote] If you love Jazz then this is a great course as you are with like minded people who are really into it, but i your musical interests lay elsewhere and you jsut want to get your playing to a high standard then you may not enjoy it as much. There are oipportunities to do other styles, but jazz is really the thing obviously. To be fair if you were a good electric player and didn't want to play upright then that may be ok, but I really do get the impression that if you say you aren't willing to learn then you won't get the place as many other people are. Aswell as the actual double bass players that audition. I think I said before, can't remember if it was you or not I don't mind havin a meet in teh conservatoire over the summer and go over a few thigns.. Also, aren't you the one goign to Sligo? Can talk more there in person. To answer your question and to not threadjack-I could do it already. I have always had access to treble clef and Bb parts so just learnt to read them. Eb is much harder and I am not so fluid at it.

Done. I'm looking forward to seeing the transcriptions. Saw Jonathon play at the jazz cafe a few years ago wtih GC and he grooved his ass off.

I have the Ibanez GWB35 and it is made of bass wood. It is ridiculously light. The lightest bass I have owned.

I can sight read bass and treble clef, also depending on complexity, reading and transposing Bb and Eb parts on the fly. If you want to be a complete musician I personally think it is very important and there is really no excuse to not learning it or giving it a go, as with anything. It can't do anything but help you progress on your instrument. As a music student i use the skill a lot: on gigs when a tune is called i don't know but they have the score/real book etc. For recording other peoples compositions, for learning transcriptions and parts for bands. Being able to look at and actually analyze the music on the paper is also a great skill to have as then you can actually get the concepts into your playing. Most people don't need the ability to read, but I stress learning at least a little to everyone i teach. Also, I don't use a metronome that often personally, but when I do it tends to be for walking practice with the click on 2 and 4 or if feeling fruity on the swung 'and' of 2 and 4.

I'm gutted I didn't know about this sooner. Anybody got an update on what he talked about and played?

Laurence...Woop!