The Funk

Good advice! Nothing works better than eye contact - and frontmen can't give eye contact, so hand/arm/body signals are what you need from them.

[quote name='chris_b' post='611700' date='Sep 29 2009, 10:26 AM']So you want to play bass? That's good, but PUT YOUR PLECTRUM AWAY!![/quote] (But don't throw it away).

[quote name='thunderbird13' post='625876' date='Oct 14 2009, 12:02 PM']Thanks for the advive guys on reflection I think I see where my problem is. Due ot the nature of the music its flexible so although I might learn something as 16 bars during rehearsal it might extend to 20 bars and so I'm getting confused between sticking to what I have learnt at home and what I'm hearing in rehearsal. I'm going to agree some cues with the rest of them and then then write them down and use them as markers for when to change. Anyway I've just had an email from the guitarist saying that he thinks its going really well , I hope thats not the dreaded vote of confidence !!![/quote] Well, that explains it! If the structures are flexible then you're going to need: 1. cues to transition from one section to the next; 2. play with your ears open and watch for the changes.

You say there's a lot of noodling and such. Does that mean the song structures are fixed, flexible or improvised? If the song structures are flexible or improvised, you might pretty much get to set them yourself, if the guitarist and drummer are soloing all over the place. And if it's the guitarist who sets them, then listen to him for any changes while you're playing. You can only really practise that with the drummer there too. If each section is quite complex and the song structure is flexible or improvised, don't be too hard on yourself for getting lost from time to time. If the structures are set, you have no excuse! Write down and memorise how many bars there are in each section, then count the bars as you're playing. If there are vocals as well, I don't see how you can get lost.

CaBlEz RuLz! But seriously, I've heard great wireless systems. I've never wanted to use one - we all remember Spinal Tap - but our very own LukeWard used one to great effect when I saw him live.

[quote name='The_D' post='623471' date='Oct 11 2009, 09:10 PM']My problem is that I aint exactly the greatest bass player and I kinda have to concentrate on a lot of songs. If I try and smile and stuff while concentrating too hard I tend to look kinda ill.[/quote] Sunglasses, hat, good shoes and a f***ing great jacket. Make it look easy when it's bloody complicated and make it look f***ing intense when it's actually totally straightforward.

Sounds fantastic! I will hopefully be at their next London show! I've heard people say they enjoy watching Nearly Dan more than they've ever enjoyed watching Steely Dan!

You could always get a Deep Impact and a bunch of Moog filters. In fact, Nord did a keyboard that could take any input signal and run it through all the virtual analogue filters on the keyboard. Obviously the rack version would be more appropriate and look less stupid. There are a lot of options along those lines but really you should just get a keytar and be done with it.

No excuse for it. I once turned up 2 hours late for an audition. I had no transport and no knowledge of the area and it was far up in North London when I was from South London. I had to get a lift from someone who also didn't really know where this place was. Thankfully the guys were still there (although now stoned 'cos they thought I was a no-show). Anyway, had a decent jam with the drummer, got the part, played with them for a few months, eventually left 'cos the singer was awful - and took the drummer with me!

The keys players are going to do WEIRD things over the top of what you play. Don't follow them - stick to the changes. The stuff they do is awesome but only works if you play what you're supposed to play. In terms of changes, expect your standard blues and jazz changes. I-III-VI-II-V-I and variations thereof. Don't do anything flashy at all. Just play the tunes. Leave all the flash to the singers, keys player and occasionally the drummer. Rhythmically, you shouldn't get anything apart from standard 4/4 with a back beat (with varying degrees of funkiness) and swingy 6/8. Stand as close the keys player as possible 'cos he'll inevitably be the musical director and understand your role better than you do.

[quote name='Tengu' post='623087' date='Oct 11 2009, 01:41 PM']Chances are that they will have some kind of bass preamp as well so that you can play with EQ etc to get closer to your usual sound.[/quote] I prefer the sound of my basses through a preamp rather than a straight DI - it doesn't have to be a bass-specific preamp. Take the Markbass with you just in case. I find it's only my passive Fender Jazzes that sound good through standard DIs. The Warwicks need a preamp of some kind to get the best out of them.

My drummer's at Trinity in London. All the players there seem pretty good!

Next time!

Looks like a great day, lads! Next time, I swear.

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='620188' date='Oct 8 2009, 01:14 AM']the bloke is in wrong when you cut to the chase, no two ways about it. What can he do? Call the old bill? Maybe, but you can argue that technically its yours because you've paid for it. Take a copy of the bank statement to prove you've paid for it[/quote] It's not theft if you believe you're entitled to it (as in it already belongs to you), in West Ham and everywhere else in England & Wales. As the guy's in Scotland, I can't comment.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='620150' date='Oct 8 2009, 12:06 AM']I imagine if there are any bassists here without a gig it must be because they don't want one. [/quote] With work getting busy I've had to turn down 3 good ones, including 1 MD/bass gig. It saddens me a little but I have to be realistic about how I spend my time during a recession.

[quote name='northstreet' post='620058' date='Oct 7 2009, 10:42 PM']What's really odd about this is that I'm not even very good - steady and reliable are the most appropriate adjectives I would use. Nearly anyone could play me off the stage. Turning up on time, learning the songs, and remembering you're rhythym not lead seem to have got me a long way. If you're still reading then I admire your endurance. And, if there is a moral to this story, it's if you're sitting in your bedroom saying to yourself you want to play in a band, then go for it.[/quote] Great story! Thanks for sharing. I've quoted the bits that I think everyone should remember.

Put my guitard down for a pair of tall 2 x 12 cabs, loaded with Celestion G12H speakers. If you can make them 16ohm cabs, put him down for 4 (eventually).

[quote name='alexclaber' post='618562' date='Oct 6 2009, 02:01 PM']Are you already pivoting around your thumb?[/quote] That's what I was going to suggest.

Jeez, totally missed this thread over the last couple of months. If I can make it, can I just turn up and pay my tenner on the day?

I'll have a proper listen when I get home!

I do like Gallien-Krueger heads. Not sure which cabs would be right for your sound though. A good short-cut to that all-out valve overdrive sound is a DHA Dual pedal of some kind. My one sounds immense with both valves cranked.

Don't take the Shuker. Get a cheapo Jazz of some kind. Nothing wrong with taking a well set-up Squier. Congratulations btw! You're going to have such a great time!

[quote name='Major-Minor' post='617323' date='Oct 5 2009, 12:43 PM']My good friend Colin Hodgkinson was one of the first players to try this in the late 60's with his trio Back Door (sax/ bass / drums). You can find him on youtube. Well worth watching ![/quote] You, sir, are a friend of a legend!

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='617499' date='Oct 5 2009, 02:56 PM']went home with 3 hot girlies.[/quote] Sounds like an idea for a new thread!