Recent content by Daftom

Excuse my persistance on this rather inconsequential question... :) ...but you mean that even if you wind the A string down all the way (and it sounds fine), it would still be preferable to have an even bigger break angle, if that were possible? I believed that as long as the open string sounds...

This is how I usually do it, but I noticed that the E string break angle is much bigger than for the A string. Hmm... maybe a little extra torque from a low tension E string is not a big problem?

How far above the tuning post on a Fender headstock do you usually cut the E string in order to get the break angle big enough to not cause buzzing, yet small enough to not cause too much tension in the first position?

I guess this song is outside the scope of functional harmony theory... yet it doesn't sound particularly "out there". Hm.

I'm trying to think of disadvantages of tuning a 5-string in D standard, because I'm not sure why it's not more common (it's like a 6 string without the 3 lowest and 2 highest notes). I suppose some songs that were written for E standard and that use a lot of open strings may become difficult...

I think all semi-handmade basses I looked at prior to creating this topic were more than that (new). I suppose I should look for a used high-end bass (I'm a bit reluctant because that's how I got my current axe and it's not a player; on the other hand it was very cheap). Which Fender models...

It would be nice if I could get away with $2000 but I don't know if that's realistic. In terms of other requirements I'd rather not limit my options, though I do like fast playing necks.

I'm looking for a simple but great playing instrument for a reasonable price -- the looks, features etc being less important. Something with more quality control/hands-on construction than the mass-produced Fenders/Ibanezes etc, yet cheaper and less "exclusive" than custom shop instruments...

Of course.

Well, that's usually the first thing you do. You try it, you realize you can't play it up to speed, so you slow it down. As opposed to actually practising (tiny fragments) at that high tempo. I think this way of learning might be more useful depending on the song. For example if you're...

It's against my common sense to play something at a much higher tempo than I think I can manage when practising.

This method goes against my common sense. Common sense to me (and a lot of others I think) is to learn difficult fragments by slowing them down and then gradually increasing the tempo. This of course is the standard method and that's how I've always practised before. With this song it seemed...

Even more effective than the Spider, imo, for developing finger independence, is the Hazard exercise. Don't overdo it at first or you might damage your hand. And try higher on the fretboard and maybe let go with the index finger etc.

Been trying to learn the second fast run of the intro to The Spirit of Radio by Rush. "Tabbed" (134 bpm 16th notes): G7 G7 G5 G4 D7 G4 D7 D5 D4 A7 D4 A7 A5 A4 A0 For a while I've been struggling to play this at 100 bpm. Today I tried something new. I set a metronome to 134 and started playing...

Make it hard for yourself until it's not hard anymore. Then make it hard again. 1) Make sure your bass is properly set up. 2) Make sure you have proper technique (that is effective and ergonomically sound). 3) Start up a metronome (www.metronomeonline.com) and play a song that you know at a...