TorturedSaints

Hi there, My GP recently told me that the thickening in the palm of my (fretting) hand between ring and little finger was the start of Dupuytren's Contracture. As my hand is still able to sit flat on a table, there's no treatment advised at this stage. There's lots of stuff on it on the internet, but little on how it impacts playing the bass. I don't have any problem fretting one finger per fret at the moment (apart from the fact that my hands are relatively small), so would a change to short scale basses help in the long term, or would it be better to start learning to play without the use of my little finger? If anybody suffers from it and would like to give any insight on how long I am likely to be able to continue to play bass for, or whether the operation to 'cure' it affects bass playing (if/when it gets to that stage), that would be appreciated. PMs are welcome if you would prefer privacy. (Background info: average amateur bass player, 50s). regards Ralph

Another enjoyable listen. Thanks to all for your songs.

Very nice! Enjoy.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1488387388' post='3248534'] We could call it the Composting Challenge. Maybe? [i]Okay, I'll just get my coat...[/i] [/quote] Or the Decomposing Challenge?

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1488332751' post='3248047'] A darned shame; it's as worthy as (very...) many entries for this Challenge. We all have, I suppose, differing criteria when listening to/rating these pieces; for my part, the 'quality' of the production is not at the top of my list. To me, composition implies a unique, personal use of harmony, rhythm, structure which can take many forms, but contains a 'statement', an exposure, a taking of risks, albeit on a modest scale. I'm not overwhelmed by a re-hash of a 12-bar blues (although one can be occasionally surprised...), nor a constant, monolithic form (although there can be merit in that, too...). Lyrics, when used, have to be intelligible (or used sparingly purely for effect...). Orchestration can be sparse or complex, but should be (in my view...) coherent and compatible with the style or genre presented. It's not an 'Abbey Road' polish that grabs me most; in fact, over-production can hinder the appreciation (I'm as guilty as others in this respect; when to stop adding stuff or tweaking..?). I hope to have the opportunity of hearing further entries, so get started earlier, or subject your best effort before the closing date, whatever its state. It's all good..! [/quote] Thanks Douglas and Nige! My day job is just too much sometimes. I really wish there was a Composition Challenge the month after the Composition challenge competition! Just like the Two Ronnies 'Mastermind' sketch . . . .

Hi Hugh, Looking forward to seeing your future episodes. It is of interest to me as I love musical theatre, but realistically, I'm never going to play in a pro pit band for many reasons. All the best with the gig! Ralph

I'm way too late to enter this month. For reasons various I didn't start work on the song until last night. It's missing decent vocals, decent production, a verse-worth of lyrics for the second verse and a proper guitar solo, rather than me noodling through Reaper's ReaPitch shifter into an amp sim! Anyway, should anybody be bored and short of listening material, here it is: [url="https://soundcloud.com/torturedsaints/turn-me-inside-out-demo"]http://soundcloud.com/torturedsaints/turn-me-inside-out-demo[/url] The usual suspects: EZ Drummer, Alchemy, vocals into Nectar Elements, DI bass into EZMix amp sim, EZMix mastering preset, all in Reaper using ReaPitch and ReaEQ.

Lots of nice music, not all to my taste, but no less enjoyable for that. It's hard to separate them - I say this every time I vote, but it's true. As a measure of the depth of quality here, I think everyone represented here has had one of my votes over the last few months. Keep up the good work people!

If you want a 'savage' review (from the professionals!) try posting your mix on the Sound On Sound Forums. Been there, done that and won't be doing that again! Nothing evil or deliberately savage, but it was a very chastening experience for me, although I did get some good tips. I did also have an extended private discussion with a pro mixer and I know where I'll be going for some one-to-one mix tutorials in the future if I ever end up recording a band again.

Voted. Thanks everyone for the time taken to make the music. Always a great listen.

Welcome from a North Ayrshire resident (although I will be moving to Northumberland this year). Glasgow/Ayrshire seems to have a very vibrant music scene compared to other places. BassChat is a great place to hang out as well as feeding GAS - I wouldn't have ended up with the basses I have nor the other stuff I have if I hadn't been on here!

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1481029297' post='3189082'] Studiospares m1000 [url="https://www.studiospares.com/Headphones-and-Speakers/Headphones-Studio/Studiospares-M1000-Studio-Headphones_448760.htm"]https://www.studiosp...ones_448760.htm[/url] Great cans, exceptional for the money. [/quote] +1 from me - the M2000 are similar but open-backed, I have both and use the M1000 a lot more than I do my Adam F5 monitors (for various reasons). It's worth watching Studiospares for special offers on these headphones, they seem to be on offer quite regularly.

Voted. A great selection of quality music from all.

Ryan bought a set of rack ears for an Eden amp from me. Quick payment, top guy. 100% recommended.

For the OP, the owner at Ayr Guitar owns an early Wal (Geddy Lee era) and has it on the wall - it's not for sale though as I think it would be in the many thousands of pounds price range. He let me have a play when I took my ACG in for a setup. It was nice, but not that nice. As Largo says, it was very heavy. I also got the impression that it was a bit of an unforgiving bass to play - I'm sure it sounds great for a great bass player, but as it was me it just highlighted my technical deficiencies and it didn't really sound or feel great for me compared to my ACGs. Perhaps a trip to Ayr to chat with the owner might cure the GAS? Although actually they have a nice selection of basses (not Fenders) as you would expect from a bass-playing owner. P.S. despite sharing the same first name as the bass player mentioned in the original post, that wasn't me!

Thanks for highlighting this! I hadn't listened to Frost* nor Milliontown before, and I'm liking them a lot. I'm not surprised I like this as both Andy Edwards and John Jowitt (cracking bass player, very musical and under-rated outside the 'prog' world) both spent some time playing with IQ (one of my long-term faves).

As ever, I'm late to the party - no time to write nor vote in August - no disrespect meant to all the hours of hard work you have all put in. Just listening now.

I am enjoying your story greatly, Mark. (I was going to call it a 'journey' but that's been made into a trite phrase by overuse on 'Britain's got X Factor Voice Talent'). I just hope you are getting enough time 'in the shed'! All the best and keep up the good work. Here's hoping for a happy ending like Harry Potter - I haven't read Moby Dick but I'm sure your blog is a lot more enjoyable. Ralph

An enjoyable listen as ever.

Having re-read the OP again, here's an answer to the question you asked, rather than the question I thought you asked. I do it with DarkSky. You can check out some of the results on the soundcloud via my sig. We are (or were, currently looking for a vocalist), guitar, bass, drums and vocals. The keys add quite a lot to the sound and make it possible for the guitarist not to chug away on chords all the time (although he does like doing that as well) and allow me to play a more complicated and less chordal-supporting part on the bass. Any questions, please PM me - my rig is detailed on the 2014 post in this forum where you were originally asking for advice. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/222721-foot-keyboards-or-something/"]http://basschat.co.u...s-or-something/[/url] It does take a bit of 'stamina' in balancing on one foot for the whole song, and you can't wear Doc Martens - something small and grippy like the Converse Geddy Lee wears is useful. Unless you've got a really big stage, it doesn't add too much to the stage 'act'. cheers Ralph

Wow. Another great selection of tracks and once again difficult to make a choice. Well done all. My abortive entry didn't make it past a few scribbled notes this month :-(