Recent content by fdeck

"I think I'm beginning to see some improvement" -- Pablo Casals I enjoy playing, practicing, and performing. I'm trying to keep improving my chops and musicianship, and the quality of my performances.

I was lucky to start on cello, so I was a good reader before I learned to play bass. And I was lucky that the bass player in the school jazz band graduated and they gave me a chance. I suggest not worrying too much about the distinction between reading and sight-reading. One has to start before...

Two thoughts: 1. Being able to hire subs / sidemen will bridge the gap between being too successful to bring your existing band along, but not successful enough to expect total loyalty from a band of pro's. And every town has a cadre of players willing to fill those gigs and do a professional...

Reminiscing... it's too bad that luggage has wheels now because it has decimated the market for dirt cheap crappy luggage carts.

Thanks for the hot tip. (Sorry, had to). Also, can those little adapters handle bass signal levels?

These stories remind me of a rule: Treat every gig and rehearsal as an audition.

I just got back from jazz band rehearsal. There are people who will sub for the rehearsals even if they're not playing the gig. In fact I got into the band myself by agreeing to be a rehearsal sub. The best way to keep your chops alive for playing advanced big-band music is to play it. And you...

Ah, welcome to pickup hell. Next comes string hell, bow hell, rosin hell... ;) Piezo pickups can't be all that bad, though some maybe better than others. Most amplified double bass that you hear in live bands is through a piezo. People use mics if the conditions are right, i.e., not too much...

I like to put some tubing around the grip of my bow, to open my hand up a bit. Latex tubing turns to goo over time. I've had good luck with this "EPDM foam tubing" from McMaster-Carr, and it's not exorbitant. I've never had this stuff turn sticky or leave marks on the bow or my hands. I put a...

This is probably off the mark, but every time I've encountered radio pickup, it has been from a dodgy ground at the input jack, probably causing a "detector" as mentioned. But it was always from an AM station.

I've played about 1000 gigs, most of them un-rehearsed. Sure, playing un-rehearsed gigs is kind of a bragging right, and an adventure in its own way. And you can play more gigs if you're not also busy rehearsing. When my kids were infants, it was the only way for me to get out and play. But it...

I suggested the mods move this to the upright bass side.

Over the years I've met a number of ex-military musicians. One thing I can say without exception is that they all had killer chops and knowledge, just from playing so much, but have also been among the nicest people on the planet.

All the better reason to bring my Fender to tomorrow's gig. ;)

One singer told me flat out that she always wanted to hear that root. She explained that the other instruments are often playing all over the place, but she can hear the bass and it helps her keep track of the form. This was one of the top singers in my locale.