Blocks O' Wood ?

Marc Decho · #1 08-24-2005, 03:56 PM

saw a cat today playing with two little pieces of what looked to be wood wedged above the bridge into the strings, any of you guys do this before ? looks to be some kind of sound muting thang going on....couldn't really hear the difference in sound as it was a pretty bad quality video..

**Adrian Cho** · #2 08-24-2005, 04:12 PM

That's a mute.

Jeff Schwartz · #3 08-24-2005, 04:19 PM

Was it Barry Guy, Ken Filiano, Tetsu Saitoh, or Matthew Sperry? Those are the cats I've heard (or heard about) doing that. And me, but I doubt that there's a video of that going around. There are a lot of cool "prepared bass" sounds, but a lot of them are too quiet to use in most groups and aren't picked up well by pickups. I'd get a mic if I was going to really get into this - sounds like the write-up in your Dresser post...

**Adrian Cho** · #4 08-24-2005, 04:21 PM

Mutes are used every now and then by orchestral players. They are sometimes made of wood or rubber or metal.

Jeff Schwartz · #5 08-24-2005, 04:43 PM

I use the round black rubber mute (http://www.contrabass.co.uk/tourtemute.htm), so I didn't think of blocks o' wood as being a mute, but yeah, that's much more probable than "preparation."

In my defense, I submit this horrifying video clip: http://homepage.mac.com/misha_david/...Theater93.html

Marcus Johnson · #6 08-24-2005, 05:57 PM

Catchy tune. I'll be hummin' that one all day.

Mike Goodbar · #7 08-24-2005, 06:39 PM

Anyone know where I could find a transcription (with tabs preferably)?

Savino · #8 08-25-2005, 12:01 AM

I definately would have use a mute for that piece. That poor bass

JimmyM · #9 08-25-2005, 12:03 AM

How come when I play with a bow I sound exactly like that, but I don't get gigs with it? If I paid money to see that, I would kick that guy in the balls.

Leco reis · #10 08-25-2005, 01:30 AM

i liked the video.

olivier · #11 08-25-2005, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Schwartz

I use the round black rubber mute (http://www.contrabass.co.uk/tourtemute.htm), so I didn't think of blocks o' wood as being a mute, but yeah, that's much more probable than "preparation."

In my defense, I submit this horrifying video clip: http://homepage.mac.com/misha_david/...Theater93.html

good link, thanks Jeff

Marc Decho · #12 08-25-2005, 11:20 AM

cool thought it was a mute....man that Barry Guy video is definately some scary bidness....not really sure what to think of all that mess....as for the video I believe it was Bert Turetzky

Ashley Long · #13 08-30-2005, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

How come when I play with a bow I sound exactly like that, but I don't get gigs with it? If I paid money to see that, I would kick that guy in the balls.

In all fairness I think its awesome. Barry Guy is also a virtuoso in all terms, baroque, free improvisation, and as a classical soloist. I prepare my bass in this way (and sometimes more extreme) and I have never had any problems. He also uses a Gand bass and has never had any problems with that so he tells me. Just because its outside playing it does not mean it is easy, quite the opposite.