essexbasscat

Hi all, I guess this one is aimed more at the Double Bass players amongst us, but others may have something to contribute. Allow me to explain. Like some others around here, I like to practice instruments that may not necessarily be the bass guitar i.e. Double Bass, acoustic guitar, saxophone, trumpet, cello etc if possible. However, I live in a flat surrounded by neighbors on all sides. In order to avoid starting local wars, I don't play my acoustic instruments at home. I can imagine that drummers have the same problem (which may have something to do with some of the issues raised around here about drummers ) Is it really a case of only being able to practice an acoustic instrument if you live in a detached house or a house with an isolated room ? I've approached my local council several times, but met with comments such as 'you'll have to ask around and see if anyone is willing to let you use a space'. So, to all those that practice acoustic instruments, how do you do it without upsetting all the locals ? I'd really like some ideas here if at all possible, as I'd like to practice my instruments soon. Too much time has passed already and none of us are getting any younger ! Thanks everyone

My strap arrived from Ed well packaged, which seems to be a common theme here. It's this kind of touch that demonstrates Ed's thoughtful and positive approach to deals on BC, reflected by the other comments in his feedback Thanks for a lovely strap Ed cheers Tom

Hard case for every instrument that's out of the house, if at all possible. Every knock / scrape /dent in my Hiscox case justifies the choice for me.

Thanks Nick, that strap is in great condition at a nice price. One of the quickest deals I've known ! All the best Tom

+1 to the quality of KA pickups. They make a wide range of pickups for basses and guitars to many different specs. I visited thier workshop a while ago and was made very welcome. Besides the pickups, they have a wide range of bits and pieces for guitar builders in general, from bare wood guitar bodies and necks to machine head screws, scratchplates, fret prolfiling tools etc Never heard a bad word said about them so far

Bought a strap from Nick, which arrived very quickly and in great condition. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to other BC'ers Cheers Nick Tom

I helped out on that stand too. There were a few queues to try out some of those Foderas, no question. Yes, they are expensive, but once people started playing them, they generally kept on for a good while. Wouldn't mind trying out the amp as well, wonder how they would match with my GS 112's ?

I have noticed over time that there are musicians that appear to have a sense of tempo that can be descibed as an 'inner true North', with little effort required to maintain a pretty constant and even pace. In their hands, tempo is a tool that can be controlled and used at will, slowed down, speeded up, messed about and then returned to the original without much effort. Then there are others that seem to cling to a tempo like a mountain climber clinging to an ice - covered rockface, terrified to slip at all. Once even tempo is lost, they flay about, like the mountaineer searching for a new toehold. Others still seem to vary tempo if concentration wanders. Perhaps they're more skilled practioners of our musical mountaineers.

Seems to be a popular topic this one, comes around every once in a while like the flu. It got to a point with me that I refused to slow down / speed up with the drummer whatsoever (unless it's deliberate and appropriate i.e. Wind Cries Mary JH). After a while it became apparent to one and all that the drummer was the culprit and he was the one exposed. It's up to the individual drummer how they react to that and up to me to respond to his reaction in a helpful or constructive way, if at all possible. The topic of tempo drift was never an issue during years of playing with bands with conductors, as every band member was expected to follow the conductor's lead. Indeed, entry to the band was only granted on the condition that a musician could follow the conductor's lead and play as a unit with the other band members. It does tend to set a personal benchmark.

Seems this problem has two parts. As said above, the wider strap will spread the load better. However, that won't help your shoulder / upper trunk / neck if a problem does develop. Once discomfort does set in, try the following (unless you are aware of reasons why you shouldn't do these movements, such as medical problems etc); 1. lower your shoulders is if reaching into really deep pockets and hold them there for a few minutes. Don't hold them down 'hard' as if going for the max, just try and let them drop over 10 - 20 seconds and let them sit there. Repeat this throughout the day when you think about it, it's amazing how the shoulders just creep up to join the ears all by themselves while you're not looking. This is also part of a larger issue involving posture. A physio can help with this, as could a session with someone from BAPAM. Also, Alexander Technique practitioners look closely at posture and can help with this too. 2. There is also the do it yourself method of using a massage machine to loosen things up if the muscles go tight and your own massage with the hand of the opposite side doesn't help. If it's a recurrent problem, it may well be worth having someone professional look at it. Hope that helps J T

Tap water only for every gig but one for the last 15 years. Had one half pint on only one occasion, which just made the whole night's work harder. Convinced me that the original decision was correct and never looked back.

In a previous disscusion about this (it used to puzzle me too) I heard the wise words "ask a violinist if the keys of C# and Db are the same", then batten down your hatches.

Research into post - stroke rehab suggests that a movement needs to be repeated about 1600 times before it becomes habitual, or the 'muscle memory' is deveoped, if you prefer that term. That is just one movement however, not a pattern or combination of movements. Add to that comprehension of context, the ability to busk, interpreting audio feedback from your own playing and signals from others etc and it's easy to see where the work starts to creep in.

[attachment=80765:alladin_sane_4.jpg] This took about 0.5 sec. David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust + everything else up to 1976.

[quote name='algmusic' post='1241310' date='May 23 2011, 10:52 AM']Good news, I had the results, I have no cuff tear, just a bit of Bursitis, which some phsyio should sort out but no actual tear or damaged shoulder.. You have a very relived musician and hockey player here :-). What is great is I can use a bit of ibuprofen if needed and I know, I'm not making it worse.. Must admit.. I like the idea of the stool even after full recovery.. I sit down when I play drums anyway [/quote] Congrats on the (comparitively) good news. However, it would be in your best interests to seek your physio's advice on how to deal with bursitis. The instinctive responses to it may not be the best ones. Hope it works out well