You seriously need acoustic if you wanna play some snooker. And, if it's pool you're playing, better make sure it's unplugged - all that water will create an imminent shock hazard. If you're playing billiards, I can't help you.
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Hi,
To me, this means "acoustic".
For some reason "acoustic" or "unplugged" usually means 'no drums' even though drums are "acoustic" instruments. We have gone totally acoustic for a few gigs, except for the electronic piano.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
To me, this means "acoustic".
For some reason "acoustic" or "unplugged" usually means 'no drums' even though drums are "acoustic" instruments. We have gone totally acoustic for a few gigs, except for the electronic piano.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Remember, all words are made up; they weren't in the dictionary first.What @bholder said.
I'll add that I think your drummer is nuts. HE considers that acoustic. I don't know anyone else who would.
It's getting creepy how everyone is starting to make up their own definition of words. It's getting even creepier that others are accepting those definitions.
Yeah, I think so too. Now it often means something very vague like "not as loud as rock bands usually are, and not overtly electronic". But there do seem to be three special rules which apply across the board.
Electronic keyboards need to stick to piano, electric organ, electric piano and string section sounds. Horns or pads is pushing the envelope.
A solidbody electric bass can be used, as long as the bassist is sitting down. ABGs, DBs, EUBs don't have to be played seated. The rules with regards to hollowbody electric basses are kind of a grey area, but the bigger and more arched and more hollow the body is, the more likely you can get away with standing.
A solidbody electric guitar can be used, as long as you have an acoustic guitar on a stand next to you.
See:
I mean, you have keys making an obviously vintage electric keyboard style sound, and heavily distorted electric guitar.
Another funny side effect of this is: I wanted to suggest to the singer that sometime we should play a gig with me on DB and no electronics, especially if we happen to book a gig somewhere that has a decent piano. I couldn't just say "acoustic" because in her mind that means electric guitar is allowed, heh. I think I ended up saying "really acoustic, like with me on the big bass, and no computer". Took about ten words instead of one.
To me Unplugged and acoustic are pretty loose terms. I think doing an acoustic version of a song it really depends on your normal electric instrumentation by comparison.
Nirvana used a distortion pedal during their MTV unplugged show
Pearl Jam's bass player used electric fretless and 12 string basses on several songs during theres.
When sevendust did their acoustic tour they had a keyboard player. I think keys is even fine if it's being used or acoustic instrument sounds like piano, cello violin, viola and so on.
My band does some acoustic shows. And the main things that changes are the guitars and the drum dynamics.
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
To me, too. Can be either "unplugged" or plugged into that SVT - which may not be "unplugged" but surely awesome!
Acoustic is one of the most misused words on the planet.
Even the singer in my own band introduced us as being an acoustic act a few times when we are most definitely not. I told him that he was doing was silly and he stopped.
Even the singer in my own band introduced us as being an acoustic act a few times when we are most definitely not. I told him that he was doing was silly and he stopped.
I agree with Basscliff. Acoustic means no amps, and the drummer stands, playing a snare and cymbal with brushes like the Stray Cats and Violent Femmes did. This is a direction we plan to go and I am on my way in to order an acoustic bass this morning. My BL is anxious to try this. 
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
I wonder; what difference does it make whether the drummer sits or stands, and uses brushes or sticks?
Sure, it sounds different, yet, why wouldn't either playing styles be acoustic? What makes them non-acoustic, and what would these styles be called?
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Which probably explains why the a rock drummer would use the word to mean "I'm not hitting the drums as hard as I'd like", while that meaning seems like nonsense to bassists.
That's really weird...
As for commercial "street music" in public places and aside from festivals, here in Germany, it differs from city to city; many forbid the use of amps. There may also be restrictions on using percussions, trumpets/trombones, and similar instruments; like 15 minutes playing a trombone is fine; acoustic (and unplugged) guitar may be played for 45 minutes; starting every full hour, provided no one played the hour, before; you need a license, make a plan when and where and with whom you play, and this and that and... many rules, but it's not impossible ^^
Yet, if it's just for fun, and outside commercial areas (outside city centers), you can play in public where you want, what you want, using anything unless it's unreasonably loud and disturbs others too much - including, of course, animals in a park or forest or this or that or... no rules, but almost impossible
In the USA, it also varies by location. But here we also have very broad and somewhat vague laws covering things like: "disturbing the peace," "disorderly conduct," "blocking traffic," " impeding commerce," and "failure to obey." Which basically means it's the police's call whether or not you are.
What that all boils down to is you can play many public places here without a permit - as long as nobody complains about it - or a passing police officer isn't having a particularly bad day or feeling overly zealous.
Here in Shrewsbury (UK) there is an an annual street music event called the Big Busk. We've done it a couple of times as an acoustic trio (guitar, bass, cahon) and its the acoustic bass guitar that just doesn't cut through over the acoustic 6 string without a bit of amplification. I've got a bit of a thing about amplified busking (too loud, man) but frankly if you are playing in a busy street you need a bit of a boost. But ts very easy to escalate the volume. We call ourselves an acoustic trio because they are acoustic instruments, but we use a small pa and bass amp in most venues. So there's my definition - acoustic instruments, minimal watts). Oh - and at least one venue in town can't have bands with drums. Too noisy for the hotel opposite.
My German friends would love this. We'll be in Berlin next month - might do a survey.That's really weird...
As for commercial "street music" in public places and aside from festivals, here in Germany, it differs from city to city; many forbid the use of amps. There may also be restrictions on using percussions, trumpets/trombones, and similar instruments; like 15 minutes playing a trombone is fine; acoustic (and unplugged) guitar may be played for 45 minutes; starting every full hour, provided no one played the hour, before; you need a license, make a plan when and where and with whom you play, and this and that and... many rules, but it's not impossible ^^
Yet, if it's just for fun, and outside commercial areas (outside city centers), you can play in public where you want, what you want, using anything unless it's unreasonably loud and disturbs others too much - including, of course, animals in a park or forest or this or that or... no rules, but almost impossible
That "bassist is sitting down" line is a classic. I'm going to have to store that one in the back of my mind for appropriate future use!
Despite what acoustic literally means, I feel like most shows with moderate volume, and no added distortion qualify around these parts. Yes, I've played electric bass on sets billed as "acoustic", but they usually also involve acoustic guitars.
Despite what acoustic literally means, I feel like most shows with moderate volume, and no added distortion qualify around these parts. Yes, I've played electric bass on sets billed as "acoustic", but they usually also involve acoustic guitars.
Even the word "literally" is NOW defined in dictionaries as "used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true."
Merriam Webster himself finally threw his arms in the air (like he just didn't care) and said "Fine! Have it your way idiots!" and revised the entry.
From my understanding it's ok to say that happened in a literal sense now instead of figuratively.
And don't even get me started on using the word itself in the definition of the word...
So, I don't know what anything means anymore. I just smile and nod and hope the supply of booze doesn't run out.
Merriam Webster himself finally threw his arms in the air (like he just didn't care) and said "Fine! Have it your way idiots!" and revised the entry.
From my understanding it's ok to say that happened in a literal sense now instead of figuratively.
And don't even get me started on using the word itself in the definition of the word...
So, I don't know what anything means anymore. I just smile and nod and hope the supply of booze doesn't run out.
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I'm impressed at how many people seem willing to re-define the word to suit themselves.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
Call me a literalist if you will, but I believe terming a group "acoustic" ought to mean without benefit of electrons on stage. Yes, it would still be an acoustic group if there were microphones and a PA (But I am not totally happy with this part of my definition.)
If the "acoustic bass guitar" isn't loud enough (it probably won't be), then use a double bass. If the double bass isn't loud enough, use a bass saxophone or tuba.
If the "acoustic bass guitar" isn't loud enough (it probably won't be), then use a double bass. If the double bass isn't loud enough, use a bass saxophone or tuba.
