Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[steubig]

Wow, now there's a reference I didn't expect to hear...

I forget how or why, but some years ago I heard something from Forma Tadre's Automate album, which led to me tracking down a good copy of it on CD.

Later I found out that the album was a one-off oddball; an electronic side project by the band leader, I think. The band was actually a more darkwave-ish thing from the 80s. I then found out they have a youtube channel and are still sort of active on Bandcamp. I bought one of their records when they re-released it a couple of years ago.

But Automate is still my favorite. This stuff is so good. Even the album cover is awesome, looks like an empty city under an artificial sky, cold and machine-like and beautiful.

didn't sound like much on phone, but sounds amazing on headphones.

 

[monsterthompson]

Posting before I forget:



One of my earliest ambient pieces, before I knew what ambient was!

Recorded at least 15 years ago - 2003 or 04? My Rickenbacker 4003S/8 8-string, plus my first experience with (even then) classic delays! Roland Space Echo, ARP synth, some kind of early digital delay - wish I had more accessible info! Might have to release this one on Bandcamp at some point...

Nicely done!

 

[hieronymous]

Nicely done!

Thanks! I remembered, it was some kind of Prime Time delay (Lexicon?). I think I put some of my Big Briar (Moog) MF-104 analog delay on there too.

 

[Funky40]

The main gripe about it is basically they rushed it out. I was an early adopter and a lot of the promised features weren't implemented, they're slowly coming out now.

ahh, thanks.
I couldn`t make friendship with the EHX9500 whenever i tryed.
should have sold it long ago. But now that i play Bass again.........
Your post made me look now for FW updates.
I might give it another go,......./ thanks

 

[monsterthompson]

Two weeks into owning the Miezo and my back pain issues have flared up again. There are some other potential causes, but I’m another step closer to thinking I need to quit bass for health reasons. This is miserable.

 

[steubig]

Two weeks into owning the Miezo and my back pain issues have flared up again. There are some other potential causes, but I’m another step closer to thinking I need to quit bass for health reasons. This is miserable.

ugh. so sorry.

have you looked into alexander technique, feldenkrais and the like? i know people who have had some very serious issues who mitigated them somewhat through those.

 

[monsterthompson]

25616271[/URL], member: 17475"]ugh. so sorry.

have you looked into alexander technique, feldenkrais and the like? i know people who have had some very serious issues who mitigated them somewhat through those.

I’m aware of feldenkrais and should probably try it. I need to get a massage on a regular basis. Stretching only goes so far my issues.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I need to get a massage on a regular basis.

+1
My wife is a licensed massage therapist, and she's often bemoaning how so many people have been conditioned to believe that massage is just some luxury that makes you "feel good" ...whereas there's vast evidence that it is genuinely therapeutic in helping to stave off injury, improve general health, and provide relief from chronic maladies.
Good luck with your back, hope you can find a way to get relief and continue playing bass.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Two weeks into owning the Miezo and my back pain issues have flared up again. There are some other potential causes, but I’m another step closer to thinking I need to quit bass for health reasons. This is miserable.

Sux that it's come to this.
Hang in there bud.
Are any physical therapists available in the US Healthcare system??
Maybe transfer to playing keyboard bass?

Side note:
Not nearly the same, but I've been pondering the same with skateboarding.
I'm literally falling appart, so many injuries.
It freakin hurts inside that I might have to just cruise around and give up tricks and everything else cool.

 

[emjazz]

I’m aware of feldenkrais and should probably try it. I need to get a massage on a regular basis. Stretching only goes so far my issues.

I have having some major back issues from an old injury, and it just kept getting worse and worse. Last I was on a tour of the West Coast three years ago it was a misery. I didn't enjoy a moment of that. Constant pain. i started with a physical trainer in February of this year, and I have basically no pain any longer. It's been really, really slow going, with having to go backwards in the training a few times, but now my back may get a bit sore from the training, it never triggers an all out episode any longer. I would suggest regular massage and finding a physical trainer who understands that you're working with an injury. Strengthening my core as changed everything for me. Good luck, man.

 

[Spectrum]

didn't sound like much on phone, but sounds amazing on headphones.

Of all the threads on all the internet, I'd never expect to see someone admit to listening to stuff through a phone speaker here lol.

Yeah, it's definitely headphone or good speaker music.

 

[steubig]

Of all the threads on all the internet, I'd never expect to see someone admit to listening to stuff through a phone speaker here lol.

Yeah, it's definitely headphone or good speaker music.

well, early mornings are spent on the couch checking email and practicing, etc. phone is the easiest way to see if there's something in there that i feel warrants more of my attention.

 

[dukeorock]

Two weeks into owning the Miezo and my back pain issues have flared up again. There are some other potential causes, but I’m another step closer to thinking I need to quit bass for health reasons. This is miserable.

So sorry to hear this. Hope you find good solutions!

 

[theunknowndude]

I get a neck pain from a 20 year old injury but also gets worse if my back is worse etc… I agree stretching only goes so far. I should get back into regular yoga or the like but find my massage therapist that deals with proper sports injuries etc can set me good every few months that I couldn’t do on my own..
ahhh the joys of office jobs sitting down for 40 hours a week

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, visionary master of reggae, dies aged 85

One of the GOAT died. Probably old news to you all.

RIP to a freakin LEGEND.
Now he can collab with King Tubby in the afterlife.

 

[lordradish]

Two weeks into owning the Miezo and my back pain issues have flared up again. There are some other potential causes, but I’m another step closer to thinking I need to quit bass for health reasons. This is miserable.

That sucks, bro. Kind of how I'm feeling with my ear probs right now. I have a ton of stuff to mix and it all sounds like mud, makes me wanna give up. But at least it doesn't physically hurt.

How much are you playing? Several hours day? A few times a week?

 

[steubig]

@monsterthompson

not that i know anything, but it just occurred to me that the meizo could have a lot of string tension with those gauges.

so bear with me: more tension in strings, more stress on hands/arms, goes up stream to neck, creates more tension in back. (file under body is an ecosystem.)

it’s early, i’m riffing and i might be full of sh*t… or i might be on to something

 

[monsterthompson]

@monsterthompson

not that i know anything, but it just occurred to me that the meizo could have a lot of string tension with those gauges.

so bear with me: more tension in strings, more stress on hands/arms, goes up stream to neck, creates more tension in back. (file under body is an ecosystem.)

it’s early, i’m riffing and i might be full of sh*t… or i might be on to something

the initial setup tuned to E is higher than normal tension. i did drop that down a bit by tuning to C.

i see where you are heading with the tension idea, and agree it could be contributing. the bulk of the issue comes from the left hip and low back area. there's something about the seated posture holding a bass that aggravates my muscles. part of the issue is weakness in my left shoulder and arm, making it hard to get into a good playing position. i twist my torso and over compensate with my abdominal muscles, which is another problem.

i think the real answer is - i need some PT, including some gym time and massage work.

i appreciate the support and encouragement from the crew here

 

[steubig]

@monsterthompson

contributing was definitely what i had in mind. tough thing to suss out.

hope you can find solution to make things more bearable.

 

[lordradish]

the initial setup tuned to E is higher than normal tension. i did drop that down a bit by tuning to C.

i see where you are heading with the tension idea, and agree it could be contributing. the bulk of the issue comes from the left hip and low back area. there's something about the seated posture holding a bass that aggravates my muscles. part of the issue is weakness in my left shoulder and arm, making it hard to get into a good playing position. i twist my torso and over compensate with my abdominal muscles, which is another problem.

i think the real answer is - i need some PT, including some gym time and massage work.

i appreciate the support and encouragement from the crew here

Curious, what leg are you balancing it on? I find it makes a big difference in terms of body ergonomics.