beaver felton

[Major Havoc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r893naFpi6k

this guy can slap,tap and the other crap. amazing

[vegas532]

I've known Beaver for years, and I'm proud to call him friend! He's a super down-to-earth guy (albeit busy) and is one of the few players that makes me want to give it all up every time I hear him play.

[Jazzdogg]

Hmmm...

...he certainly has an amazing capacity to play the bass, but despite his chops, I found neither the music nor his tone particularly appealing. To each his own.

[Simon Langley]

Wheelchair?

[lefty007]

Ah... the '80s.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Simon Langley

Wheelchair?

He's paraplegic as the result an auto accident. I think that is why he concentrated on instructional tapes.

[Simon Langley]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

He's paraplegic as the result an auto accident. I think that is why he concentrated on instructional tapes.

*They say that when someone loses one of their senses, like sight, the others become more sensitive and able. Maybe the same can be said about the loss of use in a limb. Maybe that is why he has such fierce chops?

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

He's paraplegic as the result an auto accident. I think that is why he concentrated on instructional tapes.

+1

He said that he wouldn't want people to pay money to see a guy sit in a chair and call it a gig. Making music like that, I'd be happy to pay! An absolutely phenomenal player, and massively overlooked. He's also a very nice guy, from what I hear and have seen of his posts here.

This is great too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy9c5zz8qsI

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

+1

He said that he wouldn't want people to pay money to see a guy sit in a chair and call it a gig. Making music like that, I'd be happy to pay! An absolutely phenomenal player, and massively overlooked. He's also a very nice guy, from what I hear and have seen of his posts here.

This is great too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy9c5zz8qsI

He is super nice! I met him at BassCentral. I had a Peavey Foundation like used to play on those tapes, and he showed me some monster licks in the space of thirty seconds or so.

[nikki_k]

Hi!
Diggin this one up cause it hits home..

I am a paraplegic as well, a T6 Complete. Motorcycle accident (Yamaha R1) while hittin the twisties in North Carolina on the way to Deal's Gap. Brake lever broke as I went into a hard right turn at about 75mph. Hit the side of a mountain, coma for 3 1/2 days. The one thing that "saved me" was waking up in the hospital, being told I was a paraplegic, but that I had no head injuries (cracked my helmet almost in half), and that I would almost surely retain all arm/hand use. Knowing that I would still be able to play (guitar, bass and keys) kept me going.

Once I got home, it hit me. And about a month later, I remembered that Beaver was just a few hours north of where I lived. I was having trouble playing. Simply could not find a way to hold the instruments wel enough to have full access, and bass was especially rough due to neck length and the weight. I called Bass Central, and spoke to Beaver. He was VERY cool, and took time to speak to me several times, and gave ideas and such. I watched his vids, and tried to figure out how to attain that same level of comfort. Nowhere near as good a player as he is, but at least it gave me hope.

Great guy, and I feel the same: I would feel kinda weird being in a wheelchair and playing in a band people were paying good money to see. That may sound self defeatist, and maybe it is. But, I am just glad I can even play still.I am not comfy yet (my boobs get in the way, for lack of a better way to explain-lol...), still looking for that magic position that allows me to play like I used to be able to when sitting. Someday!

Sorry to hijack, but IMO Beaver is not only a great player, but a true sweetheart. HUGE thanks to him for helping me.

[Hamrhed]

Originally Posted by Simon Langley

*They say that when someone loses one of their senses, like sight, the others become more sensitive and able. Maybe the same can be said about the loss of use in a limb. Maybe that is why he has such fierce chops?

That could be- but I witnessed Beaver (pre-accident I believe) in a music store many years ago in Florida playing a Rickenbacker... he was great then as well

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by nikki_k

Hi!
Diggin this one up cause it hits home..

I am a paraplegic as well, a T6 Complete. Motorcycle accident (Yamaha R1) while hittin the twisties in North Carolina on the way to Deal's Gap. Brake lever broke as I went into a hard right turn at about 75mph. Hit the side of a mountain, coma for 3 1/2 days. The one thing that "saved me" was waking up in the hospital, being told I was a paraplegic, but that I had no head injuries (cracked my helmet almost in half), and that I would almost surely retain all arm/hand use. Knowing that I would still be able to play (guitar, bass and keys) kept me going.

Once I got home, it hit me. And about a month later, I remembered that Beaver was just a few hours north of where I lived. I was having trouble playing. Simply could not find a way to hold the instruments wel enough to have full access, and bass was especially rough due to neck length and the weight. I called Bass Central, and spoke to Beaver. He was VERY cool, and took time to speak to me several times, and gave ideas and such. I watched his vids, and tried to figure out how to attain that same level of comfort. Nowhere near as good a player as he is, but at least it gave me hope.

Great guy, and I feel the same: I would feel kinda weird being in a wheelchair and playing in a band people were paying good money to see. That may sound self defeatist, and maybe it is. But, I am just glad I can even play still.I am not comfy yet (my boobs get in the way, for lack of a better way to explain-lol...), still looking for that magic position that allows me to play like I used to be able to when sitting. Someday!

Sorry to hijack, but IMO Beaver is not only a great player, but a true sweetheart. HUGE thanks to him for helping me.

Although I understand your feelings (as much as I can empathize without being in a similar situation) I think it's nuts that you and Beaver both allow yourself to be limited by the thought that you would be short changing the audience in any way on a gig by playing from a wheelchair. If it affected your chops to the point you felt you couldn't deliver musically to your satisfaction, I would understand, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I hope I'm not being intrusive or too forward with this comment but it's real easy to limit ourselves based on what we think others will feel. For the most part people respond to self-confidence in others over anything else, so if you feel you won't cut it on stage then of course you won't, and vice-versa.

There's a guy here who dances with his wheelchair when he gets tipsy, and no one gives a crap because it's obvious he's enjoying himself, plain and simple.

[knarleybass]

The guy is an amazing player, dare I say, Billy Sheehan on steroids?

[nikki_k]

One Drop:
No worries, not intrusive or anything. Maybe if enough people got in my face about it, I would maybe snap one day and say f' it, and give it a go. I have come VERY close. Unlike Beaver, I have days I am unable to spend more than an hour in my chair. So, in addition to the "wheelchair on stage" thing, I also have this HUGE problem within myself of getting into a band, and then being a source of disappointment when I cannot make gigs or practices and stuff. Yeah, it is alot of self pity in some ways. The psychological side is pretty wild, and something I am trying to come to terms with. I do not know if it is simply "a chick thing" or whatever, but I always have (and likely always will) this thread running through me that wants to avoid getting in others' way, or being a "boat anchor" of sorts. Like I said- psychological fun!

OTOH, if I could find the time and energy to actually do it, I have really wanted to find a way to play in a cover band and simply get out there and play again; guitar, bass and keys. The biggest problem is being sure I can even get on the stage! Alot of clubs simply lack the ability for the wheelchair bound to get up there. After 20+ years of playing in bands and touring around the US, I thought i was ready to accept being at home. The itch NEVER goes away

Thank you for the encouraging words..they are appreciated

[elpelotero]

I've seen vids on youtube or elsewhere of beaver playing in his wheelchair. I think it would be pretty impressive to show up to a gig and see a dude shred a bass while sitting comfortably in his chair.

[knarleybass]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

I've seen vids on youtube or elsewhere of beaver playing in his wheelchair. I think it would be pretty impressive to show up to a gig and see a dude shred a bass while sitting comfortably in his chair.

You mean like Anthony Jackson?

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by knarleybass

You mean like Anthony Jackson?

I think Anthony has earned that chair!

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

+1

He said that he wouldn't want people to pay money to see a guy sit in a chair and call it a gig. Making music like that, I'd be happy to pay! An absolutely phenomenal player, and massively overlooked. He's also a very nice guy, from what I hear and have seen of his posts here.

This is great too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy9c5zz8qsI

Absolutely, Chris...I have no problem with someone being seated while playing. If they're good, they could stand on their head for all I care..One of my favorite guitarists hasn't stood up on a gig since 1969...Robert Fripp..

Beaver is a phenomenal player who is highly underrated. I met him at NAMM many, many years ago, and he's one of the coolest cats you'll ever meet. I highly recommend Bass Central as well. First class operation right there.

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by knarleybass

You mean like Anthony Jackson?

How about Robert Fripp?

[knarleybass]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

I think Anthony has earned that chair!

Could you imagine asking Anthony Jackson to stand up for a gig? What do you think would happen?