Mrbigstuff

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1401827499' post='2467361'] I think it must depend on the college, but also maybe the course ? I auditioned for and was offered a place on the degree at BIMM in Bristol. That was a BA in contemporary music performance. I wanted a BMus because I planned to teach at further education level. I auditioned where I'm studying now and had to do the HND first to get aspects of my playing to a high enough level. [/quote] I'm going to reply to this in two stages. 1. If you're planning to teach at a contemporary Music college/ university, most choose their tutors based on experience in the industry. So its important to have had a career as a performer first. They do this so they can entice potential students. My mum is a director of arts at a college, and she says that to get a teaching job at her college usually requires the candidate to have completed a masters. 2. Not many people will have the skills they need after doing a 1 year HnD (Not saying you don't). It takes a lot of time (some say 10,000 hours) of practice to get good. Most of the people I studied with at HnD, who did not follow onto the degree, don't have a career in music or the skills to do so. Its important to realise I am not aiming at just you Ambient, but generalising so people have a clearer picture of what it means to go to music college. Something I wish I had before choosing where to study.

Not going to read all of the replies but just going to offer my view. It depends on the college. I know that Berklee has an extremely high standard as does the Royal Academy in London. However, as a music college graduate I agree with most of what bilbo has said. In the 2 years since I graduated I have gained the skills to be proficient in playing to a high level, through studying books and with a tutor. When I left the degree (Which I got a 2:1 in), I was nowhere near the standard I should have been. Yet because of the students and tutors feedback we all thought we were pretty good. I think it was because; A) they let anyone of any standard in, even after rigorous auditions. The tutors just taught enough to pass a certain basic level. The guys who were on the course and have a career in music, were already at the high level before they attended. For example Ed Sheeran attended for all of 2 terms before getting snapped up. So, the degree is more of a security blanket incase music doesn't work out. However, no-one outside of music wants to employ someone with a music degree! Therefore if the idea of doing a music course is to network, why would you study anywhere outside of London, LA or NY, where the industry is.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1400701990' post='2456311'] Thanks, Oliver, for trying. However, and I'm not sure about this, I think you answered the question "How do I work on MY intonation" whilst I meant to ask "How to start working on the best placement of the individual saddles", seeing as that Gaf had worked on the bass's intonation and got it to be spot on. Language, eh? [/quote] Haha, whoops. Should have paid more attention! Very nice bass Gaf, and played nicely to.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1400687830' post='2456125'] BTW, what is the smart/quick way of starting to work on the intonation of a fretless? Simply measuring up 17" from the nut and remember/mark that point, or? [/quote] You can do that, or if you really want to develop your hearing in the process the alternative would be playing along to music. If the recording/ players are in tune, you will hear when you are out. Then by correcting what you hear your muscle memory kicks in and remembers where the correct spot is. It is much easier on a familiar style of neck, such as a Fender compared to say a Warwick. Unless you don't play Fenders and play Warwicks. Then you stop thinking you're Stuart Zender!

I've written a similar reply on here a few times but these are just my thoughts. I've played quite a few vintage Fenders, from a 60 to late 70's, and despite the playability and condition differences there was a part of the tone each of them shared that I love. The way I describe it is as a dark, earthy, wet kind of sound. Something closer to the DB tone than modern basses achieve. Now I've discussed with a few people why modern basses don't share this sound. Lots of people say it comes as the wood ages but I think the most likely reason was that there were less restrictions on what woods could be used in those days and as a result some of the trees cut down to make the guitars were old trees and had experienced different conditions to those coming from india and china, or those that are grown specifically to make newer guitars. I've tried hundreds of Fender replica's; Tokai, AV's, AC's, Nash, Fender Re-issues and none possessed the tone that I hear from an original vintage Fender. The closest I've come is Thomastic flats and Lindy Fralin P/U's on a standard P. So for me, an old fender is definitely with the money as I can't find anything like it.

Re Skype lessons, It depends on both your connection and the teachers connection. I've found when having meetings on Skype that the connection usually reduces in quality around the 45 minute mark. Also as a beginner your main concern will be getting the right technique. This will be hard to address over Skype for a teacher as they will not be able to get the full picture of how and where you're positioning your hands, and strap. I get lessons over email, which suits my needs but these are purely just on exercises to improve my improvisation and theory, so it works for that. There are many great bass players in East London, I'm sure I've seen some in the "tutor" section here on bass chat before. Regarding playing through your PC. You need a recording software such as Garageband (not sure if you can get this on PC) or equivalent and a USB audio interface. An interface should cost just over £100, and will allow you to practice through headphones.

This is related to something I experienced recently. In my 23 years of life I've had 9 basses, some of them really expensive, some of them not, 4 strings, 5 strings, fretless ect. But a lot of my favourite bassists tend to be famous with just 1 bass. So I decided my favourite was my Fender P. I stuck some TI flats on it, and just use the one bass. I've been amazed at how much better my playing has got, and how easily I can translate ideas onto a familiar fretboard. I can also get an incredible amount of different tones through fingers and the one tone knob. I do want a late 70's jazz though, as I really like Marcus Miller, but that can come when I can afford it. Everything else is just needless GAS . Being poor also helps though!

Saw a queen tribute band in Stoke who were performing at a 50th party last saturday. Got to say they were very good, very lively. I tried to talk to the band after (who were all very friendly) but I was quite drunk and could hardly say something without it being a slurry mess. Very much recommended though!

Managed to get a pedal from Pete. Got a very good deal very quick after he posted and the item arrived packed superbly! I couldn't believe it when I saw how much packaging there was. Anyway he was very helpful and I'm chuffed! Buy with confidence

Not sure on Ed Freidland's book as I've never used it, but Joe Hubbards walking e-book was great for me. Really turned me onto his teaching, and the methods of thinking can be translated into many different styles, not just walking and jazz. However, all examples are just over a jazz blues so you have to use some initiative to apply it to other songs.

When I was a beginner I only bought basses depending on what my idols at the time played. This lead me to buy an Epiphone Thunderbird, Warwick Rockbass Fortress and an old Jackson bass. However, the only bass I had tried in a shop was a Mex Fender Precision and I really liked it. I almost bought a Dean spikey thing, but instead I bought the Fender. Anyway after a ridiculous amount of basses, mostly Jazzes, a stingray and a Warwick (All high end and very expensive), I'm back to my £350 Mex Fender Precision as an only bass. Its the bass I would always recommend to beginners because a nice passive one is simple to use and you really learn how your technique adapts tone and feel, rather than electronics on an active bass or a jazz bass. The VM range you're looking at are ideal, I'm thinking of a 5 string version myself. And hand size doesn't make a difference, good technique should sort that out.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1390011712' post='2340605'] Bit of a thread revival anyone been yet? i'm around for both shows tomorrow night and i'll have a basschat lanyard on if anyones coming in [/quote] were you there thursday? Sound was excellent. Lettuce were phenomenal.

Terminal is wicked if you can afford it!

They used to and they re-introduced it in some of the early phases of this years. From what I've been told it's very well paid. Phil mulford does all the pre recorded bass parts.

[quote name='JamesFlashG' timestamp='1386513598' post='2300871'] Ok so i am really unsure what i want mainly because i have not had the option to play many only to read about them, I have around £1000 budget so i can get something pretty nice second hand for that price i think, i would prefer a 5 string bass i have been looking at: Fender jazz deluxe 4 & 5 Fender Precision deluxe (P/J config) Fender Marcus miller sig (v) Mayones Jabba 5 Sandberg TM5 Overwater classic Jazz (probably will struggle for one of these with my budget) G & L JB Lakland any other suggestions for me to check out? I'm basically going to make a list and contact somewhere in london that has a huge stock of basses ( the bass gallery is the only place I know of?) and just spend a day playing them and comparing because i really don't want to buy something without playing it first! so please give me your thoughts on the above basses and any others you can think of like i said mainly interested in jazz style basses but also quite interested in a P/J config as well! [/quote] If you're going to be London way I have an Overwater Jazz 5 for sale that you can try out.

Its not just 6 strings though. My Overwater which I am also selling has had a few owners, and its mostly been sold for one of two reasons: 1) They had money when they bought it but desperately needed it down the line or 2) They decided not to do the 5 string thing anymore. I'm selling it for the first reason, if I could keep it I would! Ps. Steve Lawson uses Modulus Quantum 6's and he can make them sound REALLY good.

Is this the USA one? Pre amp was crap and the B was a bit quiet but the rest felt pretty good for the money I paid, £560 off ebay. The new ones are leagues above though! As are Overwaters

Looks like poo on a stick. Probably plays and sounds that way to.