The Funk

[quote name='ARGH' post='426806' date='Mar 6 2009, 12:59 AM']Ive convinced the guys Im with to write the next lp in drop A,and write a couple of tunes in B...regular 4ths.[/quote] The doom metal band I'm playing in on the side has just written a tune in drop A. I have a 4-string that doesn't get much use. Gonna try tuning it in 4ths low A-D-G-C because I don't want to have to bother getting my head round drop fingerings.

I have a pair of Acme B2s and I'm based in London. If you want to try them, PM me.

[quote name='51m0n' post='467431' date='Apr 20 2009, 01:29 PM']Thats cracking stuff there sir! [...] If I had to by a critical git I'd say your singer could do with giving it a bit more welly [...] and you could go for a bigger sounding vocal again for a chorus hook (quad tracking and panning would do it, with some harmonies too).[/quote] Agree with all of that. Good job!

I only got to about 10 seconds before I decided I love the video.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='467718' date='Apr 20 2009, 06:28 PM']I spend too much time masturbating.[/quote] [quote name='AM1' post='467756' date='Apr 20 2009, 07:15 PM']I guess that makes you a w*nker! [/quote] Someone told me the psychiatric definition of "too much" is 30 times per day. I think Golchen's pretty much got the bass definition down. [quote name='Golchen' post='467794' date='Apr 20 2009, 07:57 PM']To me this just harks back to the 'secret' bassists golden rule: Thou shall not showboat, even if it's entertaining and people love it, for thou hath a job to do.[/quote] I have mixed feelings about this rule. As musicians, we're in the entertainment business and whatever we do should be entertaining. The reason a lot of these tunes are pointless live is that they're not entertaining to anyone other than a few bass players in the room - and if the player's overall musicality isn't developed enough for the tune or if the few bass players in the room have heard it enough already, it's not going to be entertaining to anyone.

I want to learn Graham Central Station's [i]Hair[/i] because I want to play it live, but that's a bass groove and a vocal part. There's nothing wrong with learning these things if you're going to use them live - and if people aren't going to be bored sh*tless watching/listening. EDIT: Some of the things you've mentioned are the fun ear candy that make the bass seem cool. No harm in having a bit of fun. I don't think most players waste nearly as much time on these things as some of the people on youtube seem to.

[quote name='AM1' post='467133' date='Apr 20 2009, 12:34 AM']I know this thread is old, but can you tell me what the gating does to the phrasing of the basslines?[/quote] Don't pursue this line of questioning. Phil Collins was known as a kick-arse prog rock drummer before he started delving into the world of noise gates.

No experience micing up double basses but will say that a condensor is usually a very bad choice live. Feedback!

Don't bend your wrists. For fear of being accused of being a technique nazi, it's bass suicide. Do whatever you have to in order to play with your wrists as straight as possible. My standard recommendation is use your elbows as opposed to your wrists as the hinge. Bent wrists + tense forearms = inflamed tendons.

[quote name='Huggy and the Bears' post='464835' date='Apr 17 2009, 11:28 AM']Just thought I'd float this and see what you think... I practice with the band at my house periodically. Sometimes once a week for a couple of weeks (if we are not gigging) but usually once every 2 or three weeks. [...] Always have windows and doors closed and only use one monitor for vocals so not flat out at all. Usually pitch up at 6 o'clock on a Thursday and jam till no later than 9. We stop for a beer or brew and so it is not constant. [...] what are reasonable noise levels and times for making the noise so that I could negotiate via the council a way forward rather than just stopping playing at home.[/quote] Don't stop. That all seems reasonable to me. You should keep your own diary of practice times, dates, hours etc. The council isn't going to tell you who the guy is and he's clearly not got the character to deal with you directly. If it was a direct claim against you in nuisance, I wouldn't be worried. With the council involved, I believe they have powers to confiscate equipment, which is worrying. I'm sure they'd warn you first but it's good that you're keeping in contact with them, being straight and up front about everything.

Did you write this with them in mind and leave enough room for them to play a role? I like it and it sounds good but I don't see where they're supposed to fit in.

I find it difficult but I've set myself the goal of singing/playing [i]Hair[/i] live. It's just a matter of practice, same as right hand/left hand independence on piano. I can do simple tunes like [i]Sunshine Of Your Love[/i] or [i]Love Spreads[/i].

[quote name='fingers' post='465763' date='Apr 18 2009, 12:43 AM'] [/quote] Come on, dude. Steve Bailey's the man! And I meant playing indoors, onstage at night with sunglasses on.

[quote name='blamelouis' post='465570' date='Apr 17 2009, 09:49 PM']Any tips from you fretless swordsmen ?[/quote] Take your sunglasses off. Poor intonation is not cool. I had to learn that hard way.

[quote name='escholl' post='465166' date='Apr 17 2009, 03:57 PM']big +1 to both of those -- my issues were brought about by the computer usage, and as i mentioned -- stretching/massaging helps![/quote] I had that with an old desk and old computer. I don't get it anymore.

[quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']Yeah...we're playing more gigs in London soon, I'll give you the details, come along, no mooning or crowd surfing though!![/quote] That's not my style. I'll be the person standing in the middle who looks like he's encased in frozen carbonite but is actually just listening very intently. [quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']I think it's pure overdoing bass playing that's caused a bit of strain....[/quote] Been strumming your guitar, have you?

Good sh*t!

Phhfft. Told you your technique was all wrong. Seriously though, what kind of pain and when? When are you gigging next btw? I've found my old metronome, which you can have if your band's good. If you're bad, I'll throw it at your drummer's head.

[quote name='The Funk' post='463040' date='Apr 15 2009, 02:50 PM']Or the bass line from [i]My Girl[/i] for the reverse, ie. Major 6th-Root.[/quote] [quote name='XB26354' post='463340' date='Apr 15 2009, 07:43 PM']Unless I'm going mad the bass line to [i]My Girl[/i] starts perfect 5th-root in C major [/quote] [quote name='lowdown' post='463664' date='Apr 16 2009, 09:24 AM']No you aint going mad...Unless JJ played it wrong... [/quote] This shows two things, which are not mutually exclusive: 1. how rubbish my ear is 2. how long it is since I've listened to or played [i]My Girl[/i]. Homework for tonight: listen to and play [i]My Girl[/i].

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='464220' date='Apr 16 2009, 05:54 PM']When I hear some of the things listed as 'missing' in popular music it sounds like you are harking back to some long lost 'dead' period. We could revitalise the aesthetic but it would be a hollow and empty shell with no soul.[/quote] That's what people are complaining about. Endless covers of samples of samples of covers of songs that were ok or good. Once all the good ones have been sampled, people start sampling and covering the sh*t songs.

If you're looking for a guitarist, go to a Robben Ford gig and take your pick!

[quote name='AM1' post='463379' date='Apr 15 2009, 08:46 PM']Yeah - as the question goes, is the music scene at an all time low??[/quote] Yes. There's no money to be made from music now, which should be liberating artistically, except everyone's desperate to be as big as Elvis and The Beatles. Those days are gone. Just write a good tune FFS and consider it a bonus if just one person who's not shagging you or related to you likes your music. And get a real job. Music is not an excuse to waste your life doing f*** all.

Good luck with the search. Most of the bassists on this forum are from the UK. Toronto's a bit far for a 16-year old to travel on a regular basis.

[quote name='SteveK' post='462983' date='Apr 15 2009, 01:48 PM']You may have difficulty in finding one for Major 6th...My Way (the song made famous by Ol Blue Eyes) should do it.[/quote] Or the bass line from [i]My Girl[/i] for the reverse, ie. Major 6th-Root.

I should correct myself. I don't mute the lower strings with my rand hand palm while slapping. When I get home I'll have a look at what it is I do. I'm trying to figure out why the strings below the ones you're playing are rattling. Is it that they don't stop ringing after you've played them and lifted your fretting fingers off?