Disqus - Latest Comments for Webkarnage

Re: How Should Older Students Approach Learning the Double Bass?

Webkarnage — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:12:01 -0000

Hi Geoff and Lauren,
Thanks for yet another good video! As some one who has taught guitar for a couple of decades, with many mature students, I get exactly where you are coming from! I'm for ever telling them to 'just keep on the journey' and not try to perfect things before they move on, but understand all these things will keep getting better as you practice.
I'm experienced on the electric bass side, but double bass I've only really been playing for a couple of years, and two of the busiest years of my life to boot. Another issue that some 'medium-mature' students can often have, is time pressure. Trying to practice smart when you do practice is key to making the most of that time. Finding the right blend of technical practice and practicing material is a tricky thing I find. Sometimes the bands I play with dictate it's more on the material side!
Is there a sensible ratio you have come across for technique vs material, or is it quite student dependent? I am playing different material on the double bass from most of that I played on electric bass, making getting this balance a real issue.

All the best,
Karn.

Re: Double Bass String Height + String Adjusters – Ask Geoff & Lauren #24

Webkarnage — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 09:41:03 -0000

I have been looking into string height just recently - currently my E is roughly 9mm at the octave, G about 8mm. It seems the right height I think to get the acoustic power I sometimes need. There are some sessions I do once every month that I have to play acoustically, and match multiple other guitars, mandolins (mostly being strummed), whistles and a keyboard playing piano. I wouldn't want to lose volume, but it can be hard work when I go up towards the body if we do some solos.
It would be an investment to go to an adjustable bridge, and I've just got to decide if I really want to be moving the setup around or not I guess! I don't play with a bow, I play folk and jazz, so no orchestral work to consider.
Thanks for your thoughts Geoff and Lauren!
Karn.

Re: Google Maps vs Waze vs Apple Maps - Who wins?

Webkarnage — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 02:57:03 -0000

I'm not that shocked you took a wrong turn using Google Maps, it's sometimes over-elaboration on road/turning names causes more headache than help here in the UK. The instructions from Apple Maps are better/easier to follow. No comment from any of you on that part which I found odd, although none of you used more than one I guess.

Neither app is great at choosing the quickest route if you have local knowledge though. Tried Waze a long time ago and it wouldn't behave at all. Might try again.

Re: EUB vs Double Bass for Beginners – Ask Geoff & Lauren #8

Webkarnage — Thu, 12 May 2016 02:40:22 -0000

I spent time on an EUB before having an acoustic bass, partly due to financial reasons - the quality of acoustic double bass I could get would have been very poor. I was very fortunate after 18 months or so on an EUB to get a bargain on a second hand double bass and I do prefer it. The biggest reason oddly is the position I found I had to take with the UEB was with the bass more upright than I ideally wanted when standing. I couldn't lean it back towards me in the same way you do with an acoustic. I didn't have an issue scale length wise, the two instruments I have are almost identical in that respect.

So, I do think EUBs can help get a quality fingerboard at a lower price, allow you to amplify to a higher volume without issues, and can certainly allow you to get more gear with your bass in a smaller car, but nothing really matches playing the acoustic double bass in the end. if you can afford to get the acoustic one and transport it around OK, then buy it!

Re: Protect your MacBook charging cord from fraying

Webkarnage — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:13:43 -0000

Been using Mac laptops since the iBook, never had a single frayed chord. What the heck is everyone doing to these things?

Re: Carol Kaye Lesson

Webkarnage — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 03:34:51 -0000

Once you've watched this video, in the Youtube selection that pops up, look for the whole thing (whole interview). Lasts an hour and 10 but is really worth it!

Re: My Number One Phrasing Exercise…Ever (L#111)

Webkarnage — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:31:43 -0000

Thanks for looking into it! Really impressed with your teaching style, it's not at all easy to get things across in video lessons as effectively as you manage it. Take it easy man!

Re: My Number One Phrasing Exercise…Ever (L#111)

Webkarnage — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 03:12:51 -0000

Looks like I'm missing the backing track for this one, it's not up yet or it's already in the library somewhere and I've not grasped that!! Definitely something I want to work through, even if I don't anticipate focusing on the jazz approach too much.

Re: Locking In With The Band (L#106)

Webkarnage — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:52:25 -0000

So interesting! My instinct is to take 'hints' from the keys while pushing the kick, something in the mid-point of the extremes I guess.

Love your video teaching style, you come across superbly well. As a fellow teacher, I'm well impressed by that as well as the playing!

Re: 5 Apps to enhance RapidWeaver

Webkarnage — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 05:16:10 -0000

Nice read!

I use Espresso, Pixelmator and YummyFTP myself. I'm with you on Espresso vs Coda, I prefer Espresso (own both, but use Espresso out of choice). It's a personal preference thing on the UI I guess. Same with Pixelmator. Preferred the UI myself, and even though it was more expensive back when I got it, it was still work it.

Re: Apple launches new 128 GB iPad, in stores Feb. 5

Webkarnage — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:23:16 -0000

We mustn't forget the number of people who will buy one just to be sure they have the most expensive version, even if they don't have a need for 32GB.

I might not do that, but I know some who do….

Re: iShowU HD Pro ... Mac App Store Says What?

Webkarnage — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:44:32 -0000

Hmm, looks like the Apple guys really looked at this nice and carefully…. quite amazing.

Re: A new test | addenda | infinity test

Webkarnage — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:16:20 -0000

This is me replying again after reloading twice. The reply buttons are always active here

Re: A new test | addenda | infinity test

Webkarnage — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:15:20 -0000

I'm not sure why it should cause trouble, but there are console messages all attached to Disqus for sure.
Karn.

Re: http://rogerbannister.tumblr.com/post/14209625828

Webkarnage — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:29:09 -0000

Not while the last government and this one use competitive tendering to give these contract to supported German industry we can't!

We spend British money keeping the German economy strong. Frightening.

Re: ShopEkomiko.com: Prices Slashed

Webkarnage — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:53:10 -0000

Prices slashed, how about models slashed! Right in two!

After reading the caption, I can't help seeing the lack of body and laughing!

Re: Under Construction!

Webkarnage — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:24:32 -0000

It would appear that only when it's clear that someone is making something positive from using Lotus in F1 do the greedy proton people want to get in on it. The reason it's having such success in the public eye is the way Tony Fernandes, Mike Gascoigne and their team have conducted themselves, something Proton clearly don't get at all, or they wouldn't behave like they do.

The separation of Group Lotus and Team Lotus is well documented and proven in the courts of the country where it was all set up. Sure, another country's government who owns one side thinks they can change those facts, as they are used to deciding what happens in their country with little effective opposition, and expect somehow to carry that attitude around the world. They are trying to back up all the false use of Team Lotus achievements in their advertising, as they realise this is being obviously shown up as irrelevant to their achievements. It will massively damage what little reputation Proton might have got themselves. How foolish.

Re: SkyFire Web Browser For iPhone Now Available

Webkarnage — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:09:11 -0000

I'm running Android 2.1 so no, you can't install Flash, and even if I could, it seems to remove much 'heavy lifting' on many sites. I'm running a Zenithink ZT-180 10.2" tablet.

Re: SkyFire Web Browser For iPhone Now Available

Webkarnage — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:10:29 -0000

On Android it's my fave browser by a mile, so if it's like that it'll be popular. Even if you don't want the videos, it renders certain Flash content on sites like the BBC which improves the appearance for sure.

It will be good to see how it goes. Good luck to the SkyFire peeps.

Re: Giving Away the Perfect Pro Suite of Plugins by onOne Software

Webkarnage — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:56:09 -0000

I need a new screen with better colours, this one's starting to suffer badly!

Re: MacStories Giveaway: 5 iUseMac Bundles Up For Grabs

Webkarnage — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:11:21 -0000

Another great giveaway from you guys at MacStories. Brilliant work from IUseMac too!

Re: Android Chief First Tweet Sums Up Google’s Problems

Webkarnage — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:44:15 -0000

Android is based on Linux, so who the heck is surprised if it's directed towards 'tinkerers'? It's a fun and cheap OS that has it's uses, but it does take some sorting out and setting up at times. I have a 10.2 inch tablet running it that cost less than 1/3 of an iPad. It's no equivalent, but it's not the waste of time Steve Jobs likes to pretend either, as not all Android tablets run 7" screens Steve. It runs many of the apps in the Android Market, but it will never be an equivalent of an iPad. Better for the mobile FTP I wanted it for than an iPad though as it does allow me to use external keyboards, mice and storage without big expense. £150 including all of it!

The iPad is the real quality item. The cheap Android tablet means you're risking far less money when carting it around and not able to have your eyes on it every second (I have a MacBook Pro if I want to take the risk), and giving yourself access to far more storage options. Horses for courses. The iPad will always be the better buy for more people IMO. Not for me in this instance though. I don't have iPad money to throw around.

Re: 5 Important Reasons Why you should Download Angry Birds for Android

Webkarnage — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:25:10 -0000

The understanding of humour in this game is what's really awesome for me. Yes, it's as beautifully playable as Tetris, but is so much more amusing! It's also great to dip in and out of, ideal for the mobile market.

Genius programming, both in terms of gameplay and efficiency.

Re: On Rules and Android Openness

Webkarnage — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:14:01 -0000

There are plenty of Android devices that are seemingly 'excluded' from the Android Market, severely restricting the available apps for those devices. Yeah, really open, well, Google open anyway.

with best regards,
Karn.

Re: My Must-Have 25 Mac Apps

Webkarnage — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:18:14 -0000

Interesting list. I don't like the way Chrome eats my battery charge more than Safari does. It's simply not as efficient. Good browser for those not on a laptop though.

I use DropBox, 1Password, Spotify (very occasionally), Skype and iStat Menus (haven't updated to paid version) from that list.

Path Finder, Socialite, Typinator, Radium and Neo Office get my votes (without going into Music or web development apps).

Total finder might well be what I'd use if I didn't already have Path Finder.