• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#292,422
GonePlaid said:
I don't think the bass line to "Memphis", for example, is gonna impress anyone.
(Key of A, 1 verse[it starts on the 5 chord])E-B-E-B-E-B-E-B-E-B-E-B-E-B-E-B-A-E-A-E-A-E-A-E-E-B-E-B-E-B-A.
We actually play it in E, but typing B-F#-etc. was too much PITA.
Click to expand...
If you add a half diminished in there, will it be Jazz?
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth, Miles_ONeal, JJR58 and 2 others
#292,426
Chucky Stiletti said:
I love whole notes….for me it's about how fat and luscious I can make them sound…..
Click to expand...

Me too. This old box makes whole notes very special. Still thrilled to have this baby back.;)
1.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth, Miles_ONeal, Engle and 2 others
#292,428
I started on my sister's friend's bass (don't tell either of them) in late '88 when I was thirteen and got my own bass in Feb '89. Played along albums all the time and started with Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Hendrix, Cream and 'progressed' on to Rush, Yes, Free, The Who, Pat Travers, King Crimson, Weather Report, The Police, Cheap Trick, Brand X and whatever I was into or whose albums I had bought (I bought a lot). I still play with the records if I can and usually learn the tunes by ear if there's no notes provided (for gigs that is, and depends on a gig).
I never got any lessons but I wish I did, especially with the theory stuff since it would have saved me so much of my own time when I started to play in theatre. Making notes to the notes so I'd understand what's going on etc.
I have became better at it but I wouldn't call myself a reader. There's still time to learn 'though.
Thankfully I have good ears and I like to think I have a pretty good ability to copy a certain kind of style or sound if needed. I also like to think I have a certain sound and style of my own and while I have a decent technique it's a bit unorthodox since I haven't had any lessons. For a last two months I have played a lot at home while rehearsing for a difficult gig (played a duo concert with a church organist with material from Jan Garbarek, Carla Bley, Pekka Pohjola to mention a few) and also noodled along while watching TV and I found that some things were much more easy to play compared to the start of the year when I only fiddled with my synth. So it's nice to notice a progress once in a while.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Butcherboy, Mvf, Gaolee and 7 others
#292,432
GonePlaid said:
Seeing as how I have 1(one) Thunderbird and y'all have seen it numerous times; and seeing as how I have an outdoor gig Friday where the temperature and humidity will both be in the 90s, I'm posting a pic of the TBird's 'relief pitcher', my Epiphone Embassy. Saturday night's indoor gig will be "Back to the THUNDERBIRD"-coming soon to an Elks Club near...me!


View attachment 5457276<Embassy View attachment 5457281<Thunderbird View attachment 5457284<Bofum
Click to expand...
Well. Due to a booking f---* up, I'll not be playing the TBird tomorrow night. Gig got moved to next Saturday night. Whatever.

*oul
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, GBassNorth, Miles_ONeal and 4 others
#292,436
PhR75 said:
I started on my sister's friend's bass (don't tell either of them) in late '88 when I was thirteen and got my own bass in Feb '89. Played along albums all the time and started with Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Hendrix, Cream and 'progressed' on to Rush, Yes, Free, The Who, Pat Travers, King Crimson, Weather Report, The Police, Cheap Trick, Brand X and whatever I was into or whose albums I had bought (I bought a lot). I still play with the records if I can and usually learn the tunes by ear if there's no notes provided (for gigs that is, and depends on a gig).
I never got any lessons but I wish I did, especially with the theory stuff since it would have saved me so much of my own time when I started to play in theatre. Making notes to the notes so I'd understand what's going on etc.
I have became better at it but I wouldn't call myself a reader. There's still time to learn 'though.
Thankfully I have good ears and I like to think I have a pretty good ability to copy a certain kind of style or sound if needed. I also like to think I have a certain sound and style of my own and while I have a decent technique it's a bit unorthodox since I haven't had any lessons. For a last two months I have played a lot at home while rehearsing for a difficult gig (played a duo concert with a church organist with material from Jan Garbarek, Carla Bley, Pekka Pohjola to mention a few) and also noodled along while watching TV and I found that some things were much more easy to play compared to the start of the year when I only fiddled with my synth. So it's nice to notice a progress once in a while.
Click to expand...
My advantage was taking piano starting at age 7, then playing woodwinds in junior and senior high school so the 'theory' was ingrained. Once I started playing bass in 67, it was mostly a matter of applying that knowledge to a very different instrument. No lessons on bass, just helpful hints along the way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, JJR58, GBassNorth and 5 others
#292,437
GonePlaid said:
My advantage was taking piano starting at age 7, then playing woodwinds in junior and senior high school so the 'theory' was ingrained. Once I started playing bass in 67, it was mostly a matter of applying that knowledge to a very different instrument. No lessons on bass, just helpful hints along the way.
Click to expand...
my HS teacher majored in music (woodwinds) and was a VERY accomplished bassist, guitarist and keyboardist….
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickplaysbass, TBird1958, Engle and 5 others
#292,439
Ringhammer said:
As far as how one considers their own playing…. I don't consider myself any more than adequate to moderately good. I play very well with songs I have learned/helped to write, and rehearsed and practiced. And, I occasionally come up with good ideas for new songs and when playing with the right people that can see what one of my unique basslines can be, it is very satisfying to see it turn into a good song. A perfect example of this is my band Red Sun Ruins' song "Live Fast, Die!" I wrote each part of that song and was sitting on all four parts for years. I introduced it to my band mates in Bad Lemon, and it was shot down. "Too many notes", "that parts too odd" etc. I knew I had potential and when I started Red Sun Ruins, I played it for them and immediately they heard something good. A slight re-arrangement of the parts and it turned into one of our best ones.

I learn cover songs usually by relying on the "Songsterr" app, and I really enjoy this, but I have never been in a cover band, so this is only when my band thinks of doing a cover every so often, and I try to do exactly what the original bass played is doing on the studio recordings.

BUT, stick me in a room with people to just "jam", and I will come off as if I have no idea what I'm doing. This has been a constant in all the years I have been playing. I have always considered this weakness as being due to never having had taken music lessons to any real degree. Until I can remedy this weakness I will really honestly only be able to consider myself as merely adequate, and strongly mediocre.
Click to expand...
If I may suggest:
Start learning to play vocal melodies on the bass and/or melody lines usually done by other instruments. You don't have to get every nuance, but it will make you play phrases that are out of your usual patterns. Then when you improvise, you'll find more places to go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, Ringhammer, Nocturnal and 6 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back