Mikey D

I have recently been reworking my 3/4 finger technique to play fast lines and bebop heads...it is going quite well. I started playing like this when I actually picked up the bass when I saw a Billy Sheehan article, in Total Guitar I think!?, but most things I played didn't call for it, but now I am playing some seriously burning jazz, the effortless of playing with 3/4 fingers really does help. Still along way to go practice wise, however I prefer using P-I-M-(with the occasional A depending on line I am playing) as I can get alot more consistancy and speed than playing I-M-R or R-M-I. I am thinking of filming how I play donna lee, as supposedly it's a little different to most!?

You would be a lunatic to miss Metheny and Mehldau in London...prob more on the pricy side, but definately definately worth it. [url="http://www.culturekiosque.com/travel/item11318.htm"]Info[/url] Or you could get yourself over the 606 club. [url="http://www.606club.co.uk/index.htm"]Visit My Website[/url] Sunday 1st TAMMY WEIS CELEBRATES “CANADA DAY” with Special Guest STEVE WILLIAMSON-sax. Tammy, a popular regular at the Club, is a fine Canadian singer now resident in London who performed to great acclaim in her native Vancouver for some years. Her love for the American song book has led her firmly in to the area of the classic Jazz standards, which she performs with a wonderful sense of melody and swing. Her debut CD, “Legacy” has been universally well received, and has led to appearances on national TV and radio as well as gigs at both the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals. Highlights in London include playing with Jamie Cullum at the Jazz Café and Ray Gelato at Birmingham Symphony Hall. This gig also features the excellent saxophonist Steve Williamson (Julian Joseph) and one of the country’s finest pianists, Tom Cawley. July 1st is actually “Canada Day” (much to Tammy’s excitement!) so expect something a little special tonight! “Tammy Weis has a deliciously haunting voice.....this is how it’s supposed to be done” John Beaudin 103.1 FM; “She’s the real deal” Time Out

[quote name='kjb' post='24122' date='Jun 27 2007, 07:43 PM']Do you play live with her, I live in Birmingham and love watching live jazz ?. Also I don't suppose you know any drum students looking for a few gigs do you, we have to share our current one with about 4 other bands.[/quote] Not so much, being a bassist I play with quite a few trios and quartets, mainly functions and things. I do know quite a few very good drummers who would always be up for playing, is it paid? Also, the link I gave to Lydia, she is always up for playing and swings HARD! I can pass on your number if you want. The best place for jazz in Brum is the yardbird on a thursday night first band on about 8.30 with a headline national act, friday at symphony hall about 5.30 for the free rush hour gigs and whenever there is anything on at the conservatoire. The jazz orchestra gigs are always worth a watch as well.

A few of the people on my course wanted to do a quick recording yesterday, so I helped out on double bass (First time recording on it...eek) 2 hours in, set up, record 3 tunes (Alone Together, I'll Remember April and My FUnny Valentine) and mix tracks. Bounce to stereo on pro tools then copy to cd...not bad for 2 hours. Line-up is: Guitar, Alto Sax, Double Bass and Drum kit Let me know what you think. They are on the drummers myspace: [url="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=135600914"]Visit Their Website[/url]

Any makers mark on the inside? Do you know where it was built?

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='23055' date='Jun 25 2007, 03:46 PM']Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed A totally sublime and brilliant bassline by Herbie Flowers...[/quote] That is two! For me it would have to be: Whatever it is I just can't stop - Jamiroquai Hooked Up - Jamiroquai Hollywood Swinging - Kool and the Gang and although technically a melody, Scophile - Patitucci...oooh

[quote name='jwbassman' post='22141' date='Jun 22 2007, 09:52 PM']I can probably sort the jazz quintet for the afternoon slot with enough notice... [/quote] I could do the same...but why don't we just have a Bass-quintet!? Upright, Fretless, Four String, Six String and Drummer. You know you want to...

Anybody? I'm thinking of getting one as for the money they look the best value and I already have a single ibanez now which I am quite happy with. Did you get one in the end?

[quote name='zedcar' post='22922' date='Jun 25 2007, 12:06 PM']Just got an email from GAK saying it won't be available til the end of August. Bit gutted to be honest. Anyone know of anywhere with stock at the minute??? I HATE WAITING!!!!!![/quote] You can ask these people [url="http://www.speedmusic.co.uk/acatalog/Fender_Deluxe_Series.html#a366"]and it is £435.[/url]

I have actually just bought a fretless with the sole purpose of tuning it like this, after a couple of days I really think this could become my main bass and set up. I usually play fretted 6, but I found that I don't really use the B that much and it tends to flap a little, thus 5 tuned high c. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_40310_ml_black_label.htm"]Warwick Black Label[/url] They are stainless steel High C (.020" .040" .060" .080" .100"), but I recently bought a couple of sets for my fretless and am really enjoying them. They come across as a bit rougher than some strings at first, but have a great sound. They are also fairly cheap from Thomann.de. However, you can get a set of Warwick Yellow Label 5-string Set M,* High C (.025" .045" .065" .085" .105") which are Nickel. I don't know who stocks them though, but Thomann do the 6 string set for about £13.50! [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_yellow_label_41401.htm"]Bargain[/url]

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='21866' date='Jun 22 2007, 01:12 PM']Yeah the Squier Fretless Jazz seems to be the best budget end fretless but i can't get one under £200 and I have to try and justify it to the missues![/quote] IMOI, the best fretless for the money is the newish modified squier. Jaco looks and a remarkably good sound with great build quality. You say you can't get one for under £200...what about [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_sq_vintage_modified_jazz_fl.htm"]£200.67!?[/url] is that close enough. Shipping will cost you about £7. I would say definately save that extra bit and go for a better quality instrument. Then in the future you cold always drop an Audure in there or something if you want a bit more...

It turned up yesterday at my halls in a massive box. Marks go to the store for great packaging. So I get it out of the box with case and strap supplied and have a quick look. Can't see anything wrong with it. I then get to my flat and have a closed look in bright light, I still can't see anything wrong with it. So I have a quick play acoustically and it has a nice mwah sound and I love the feel of the ramp more than I thought I would (I tend to play over the pickup on my trb when playing with 3 fingers as there is no ramp on there and it makes a nice alternative) but there was still too much room below the strings. However, the action is far too high for my liking 2mm on the high strings and a bit more on the E and A, but of course I got this to restring high c...luckily the set of warwick 5's I ordered turned up as well! bonus. So I took it into college yesterday and set about restringing it so I could play it through my phil jones rig. Easy to restring due to the cuts in the bridge, and the fact there is no groove on the tuner and even easier to turn the tuners with the ergonomic tri-headed(!?) machine heads. (The stringing job done by Ibanez was a bit shoody to be honest). Quick play...5 string fretless with high c is what i have been missing all my bass playing life...I set about lowering the action and redoing the intonation. Then I raised the ramp very close to the strings. For me, I don't think I have played a more comfortable bass. It feels more effortless than it should to play fast and string cross. I now look forward to trying it through my rig tomorrow as another uni bassist needed a rig for a gig down south... I forgot to mention, i have now noticed what "defects" the store said about...very very very minimal paint finish defects on the back that you can't even really see. I think I got a good deal.

Playing a bit of 'Glide' by the band Pleasure. Nice.

Can you tell me abit more about about this instrument, because as far as I am aware Michael Poller 3/4 carved double basses are only about £1450 new!?

I'd be up for the 18th. I'm in ireland learning with Dominique Dipiazza and Rufus Reid on the 11th...

[quote name='mhuk' post='20789' date='Jun 20 2007, 02:45 PM']yes (it was you ya bugger who got me thinking about this after the Bass Bash). Except I don't know what "All semiquavers Dotted quaver - semiquaver" means.... [/quote] Sorry...but it will be worth it down the line.. i promise. Do you understand what an 8th is? and a 16th? because they are just other terms for quaver (8th) and semiquaver (16th).

Scales can be musical as well remember! When I practice then I split the time between doing them routinely to a metronome (on each beat and on 2&4 and on 1&3, occasionally on just the 1 aswell) as this helps your general time feel and in any of the following patterns: All semiquavers Dotted quaver - semiquaver Semiquaver-dotted quaver Semiquaver-quaver-semiquaver Quaver-semiquaver-semiquaver Semiquaver-semiquaver-Quaver Triplets These are most of the rhythmic groups you will come across as a bassist and you may as well practice rhythms while you are practicing your scales. More time effective! Then of course there are different ways of playing the scales in 3rds, 4ths etc. As triads, as 7th arpeggios in three not groups as triplets, as three note groups as quavers to get a three over four feel (or 5 note groups to get a few jaco type runs). The other half of the time I will use the scales as 'music'...Set a backing chord synth pad sound that relates to the scale you are using (is you can, if not if doesn't matter) and just play...You can limit yourself at first saying you are only going to use two notes, or you could only use two intervals, or chord tones etc. Don't forget to use dynamics (loud, soft, staccato, legato) and other techniques (hammer-ons, pull offs). Scale practice in itself can be a musical and grooving practice, you don't just have to run up and down them. I also practice my r/h fingering at the same time as this alternating between 2, 3 and 4 fingers.

WHen I want something i have it...money permitting.

I see...to be honest I would have been happier getting my 6-electric and fretless together, but adding the double bass doesn't bother me that much now. It really did though. Hopefully get it in a few days...we'll have to have a jam sometime if you are around the college over the summer.

I know, I went searching for 5 strings then realised I should be looking for a good one of these as I really like gary's sound and was goign to put a ramp on what i bought anyway. £350 including postage, can't go wrong*! *Unless I have been screwed!

Ah, see i knew I saw one somewhere. Yes that is me. Cool, sounds good on the recordings. Just need to get as good as fred now on the fretless! I have a quick question/s for you actually. Do you play upright? Did you ever play upright here? Were you made to feel like you have to play upright? Cause i have basically pushed towards it, not a problem now as I am really enjoying it, but i just wondered.

After realising that I wanted (I'm not going to pretend I need it) a new bass as my EBMM sub was not jazz enough in looks and sound and my Yamaha TRB6 being a bit too much for most. I had set my hopes on either a really good 4 string jazz as per a previous post or a 5 string singlecut tuned with a high c and ramp (matt garrison, janek gwizelda etc). I thought that the 5 was always going to be out of my price range. After the bass bash the main thing I came away thinking was, I want a fretless five tuned high c after playing petes...he wouldn't sell it! and i can't find the same anywhere, so last night I bought this of a german store: New for £350, with a couple of very very minor marks you can't even really see. I've got a few different sets of 6 strings sets on the way as well to try and get the sound I want also. I'll let you know what i think when it gets here and try and do a few sound clips. Anyone try one of these? Opinons?

A warwick streamer std 5 fretless not rock bass and not the expensive ones.....sell it to me pete....sell it.....

[quote name='NAS' post='18888' date='Jun 16 2007, 06:46 PM']ngombe and Mikey D for bringing the elegant Phil Jones suitcase and extension, that outrageous 7 string, and providing some of the most musical moments of the afternoon.[/quote] Thank you and it was my pleasure. Just want to say thank you again for hosting, it was a wonderful day. Next time, the ampitheatre! [quote name='beerdragon' post='18899' date='Jun 16 2007, 07:11 PM']Me playing umm.. playing something [attachment=723:bb2_011.jpg] A Yamaha six, (apologies some names i've forgotten) [attachment=726:bb2_015.jpg][/quote] The yamaha is a 6, the hybrid thingy is a wes lambe custom 8 If you want to know more or need to describe it to people [url="http://www.weslambeguitars.com"]Visit His Website[/url] That's me playing by the way! Great meeting everyone and trying out their equipment. Everything sounded great and was i surprised by many a thing...when's that fretless going on sale!?