TorturedSaints

When I messaged you about NS Wav basses at the beginning of 2023, I said you had better budget for a DB in about a year. I was only 9 months out! 😀 I second hubrad’s suggestion to try bowing again - it’s much more rewarding on a DB than on a EUB. Good luck with your search! R.

If my original Bass Block ever fails, I’ll be looking for one of these.

I’m using my NS Wav about 3 times a week at the moment for different concert bands. Just a tip, because this happened to me last week, the nuts inside the base of the stand work loose and the stand then collapses. The easy remedy is to replace them with M6 nyloc locking nuts from a hardware store.

Well, I wasn’t technically opted in to the 2024 competition, but seeing as I was GAS free for the last 2 years, it was a fair bet. However, in order to play sfz fp crescendo dynamics on the bass guitar with the concert band, I needed a volume pedal (I wasn’t quick enough to do it with the volume knob😮). So now I have a passive EHX volume pedal for that, and I’m out of the running for 2024.

Still looking.

Thanks for explaining it better than I ever could!

Ok it’s a me thing. Although it doesn’t happen on my EUB. Thanks everyone.

Here’s a strange question. I’m convinced that my DB prefers playing in flat keys rather than sharp. My bass just seems to respond and resonate better in flat keys. It’s not a big difference, it just feels to me as though the sharp notes are a bit ‘choked’. I know that as a string player, notes such as F#/Gb are not strictly enharmonic when played in tune (which I try to do!) in a flat key or a sharp key, so I don’t know if that has a bearing on it. Is it just a ‘me’ thing, meaning I need to practice more in sharp keys or do other DBs have idiosyncrasies like this?

Thanks kind people, I’ve ordered a Tourte from a reputable supplier! As for the next ‘Play Day’, it’s not happening for me this time as the music is too difficult in important places (and I’ve had to agree to go to work that day too🙁).

Still a newbie DB player here, although I did successfully manage a ‘Playday’ with Falkirk Tryst Orchestra recently, playing Tchaikovsky’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Overture. Are all ‘Tourte’ style DB mutes much of a muchness or are there any particular mutes that you would recommend for ‘con sordini’ ? (Andreas Zeller 3/4 DB) (just considering another Playday where the music requires mutes🤣)

Still looking bump.

I’m looking for my replacement. I don’t want to leave the band in the lurch, but new job says otherwise. As per the title, Glasgow Community Concert Band (wind instruments plus string bass plus percussion) will need a new DB (or EUB) or electric bass player later on this year, but now would be a good time to start, as concert is in June. Rehearsing every Tuesday night in Tollcross, Glasgow. Subscription £10/month payable with concessions available I believe once you’ve joined - tryouts free, and no auditions ! Friendly bunch of players, playing a wide (eclectic) range of concert band music from classical to film to big band to show tunes to basically anything, normally 2 big concerts per year. Reasonable bass clef reading skills required (no chord charts, just notated music), could be played on electric bass but this season’s music seems to favour a mix of arco and pizz on EUB (bring your own amp/cab/combo - I’m using probably 80-100W, as there are 60 band members). Because of the weekly rehearsal, sight reading not really required as long as you can work on the pieces on your own during the week - you always know what pieces are planned to be rehearsed the following week. Some interesting stuff in the pipeline for this year (can’t say too much but a world premiere, recording session etc). You don’t have to be the best/most technical player, we are all there for fun. Although my reading is excellent (former clarinettist 🤣), my bowing ability is probably only about Grade IV or so. It would be useful if you have played following a conductor before, but if you haven’t it would be a good place to start. No audition required, it’s a Community band (charity) and is a varied ability, varied age group that tries to play as well as they can. Check out FB/youtube etc. Message me if you need any more info (such as current pieces etc), or for a chat. Thanks R.

Can I suggest “Tales from a Dark Christmas” from IQ? My go-to prog Christmas music! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw2jZjQhft0&list=PLknWpd5vdlORGrdlDVpQBWfUZqwuF3-5t

Sorry guys, there is a whole subset of amateur bass players that don’t get paid. In fact, you could say I’m paying to play as the Concert Band (a charity) has an annual subscription. I think you will find that a lot of orchestras and concert bands are like this.

Time expired

Another vote for “sounds not the right tutor for you”. You mentioned “a fair bit of cash “ - before you part with too much cash for a series of lessons, it’s best to have a trial lesson with any tutor, to see whether you get on with each other and their teaching style. I know you mentioned that you are coming from a guitar background but I would be a little wary of any tutor who was a guitar specialist and thinks they can teach bass because of that. It’s a different instrument. Good luck with your search.

I did have Scottish banknotes refused by a bank in France when I was trying to exchange them for Francs (guess that dates the story somewhat 🤣).

I saw Dave Beatson’s Big Band at Kilwinning Abbey Church, North Ayrshire on Friday (6th October). Outstanding big band, great soloists. I would have paid a lot more money to see this band if they had been professionals, I can’t believe they aren’t professional as the standard of musicianship was so high. From Glen Miller to Weather Report, with a guest vocalist for some Sinatra and more. Big shout out to the bass player Martin (Henderson?), solid as a rock all night and he just made me realise how far I have to go on my bass-playing journey. Great evening.

I bought a selection of DB music from Lawrie. All as advertised, good communication, and a lovely chap to deal with. Thanks!