Recent content by bassoastratto

Carpel Tunnel? Tendonitis? I haven't been formally diagnosed but I think it may be along those lines. The numbness is usually in my thumb, index, and middle. It comes on TYPICALLY if I am doing a brunch gig...one time it got so bad that I lost all feeling in ALL fingertips on my left hand...

Yeah...what they said. Not much more I can think to add that hasn't been said but I will try. Listening to as many different types of music is really important. Figure that you'll need to listen to at least twice as much music as you'll EVER play. If your goal is to improvise outside of...

Same here. Any specific reason why you are looking for those changes? PS you could always write a song with those changes if you can't find one. ;)

Not sure what my biggest screwup was, but there was the time where my car was in the shop and I had to rent a car, buy new gear, and get to the gig. When I got there I remembered that my suit and tie were in MY car, an hour and a half away. I had to go out and buy new nice clothes to play in...

On a sidenote, I believe that certain orchestras have an overall preference. I think the Berlin Philharmonic only uses German bow players which would make sense. Can't remember where I read that...

I play French bow, because it's what I learned on. Occasionally I will hold the bow like a German bow to get a specific technical idea out, but that's just for fun : ). The few times I have played German bow I had a very hard time keeping it from bouncing on the strings, and it was very...

I first picked up the bass in 1990, and began with a pick. It was the only way I could play music I liked because my fingers just weren't up for it yet. Besides, I heard McCartney's bass line to Helter Skelter when I was 14-15 which to me is the standard for pick playing. Today I play...

I played a wedding reception one time where the requests were: Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw I Ain't Drunk Ring Of Fire Old Time Rock n Roll and.... Hava Negila! To add to the randomness, they couple were wed by a deacon because he was Catholic, she was Jewish, and neither a rabbi nor...

It was 2 years ago. I dreamt I was the only one in the band to show up at the gig, and I still had to play. I took my bow out and began a concerto and instantly I woke up. And then the dream actually came true. I was on my way to a "jazz trio w/ vocalist gig on a gazebo by the water"...

Originally from Deer Park. You?

Damn!!!!!

Welcome, Push! I'm new here as well. It's hard to suggest what "Top 10" songs someone should learn if you've never actually heard them play. But...I strongly suggest a list of a Top 10 songs you are working on list that you constantly add to as you cross off things you already know. Pick...

I remember years ago when I first picked up the upright bass, I was doing a gig and wore out three fingers and finished the night playing on the second knuckle of my index finger.

I agree, I don't ever pop ANY blisters anymore, and I still get them if I go out of town for a week and am not playing during that time. Here's my blister ritual...as gruesome as it may sound: I don't pop it. If I can afford to lay off the instrument for one night, I do so. I come back...

Tricotism is a great tune to play on bass. There's a great version out there of Ray Brown doing that one with a big band. A couple of my favorites to play the heads to on gigs are In Your Own Sweet Way, In A Sentimental Mood, Ask Me Now, Favela (really simple Jobim tune that's fun to play, if...