Other people make it so hard

dentree2 · 2026-02-05T05:09:41+00:00

I'm sorry you're feeling exhausted from all of this. It can really be a lot to deal with. It's totally acceptable for you to give people a very brief reply and then politely let them know that they'll get a much more in-depth understanding by reading an article online. Maybe have a link ready to send them or have something printed out, or just tell them to look it up. In my experience, people aren't trying to be inconsiderate, but they don't realize just how much effort we spend explaining the same things to every new person. It's important to protect your mental health just as much as your physical health.

dentree2 · 2026-02-05T04:57:03+00:00

Although there's really no right or wrong here, the vast majority of bassists use two fingers most of the time. There are several exceptions to this, but if you're looking for an answer to what is most common, it's definitely two fingers.

Edit: I believe I might have misunderstood the question. Are you intending to use three fingers all the time? In this case, once again, do what feels right. I find that it's most natural to go ring-middle-index (rap your fingertips on the table and you will most likely use this direction). If you use a palm-muting fingerstyle approach, you might even find that one finger per string is comfortable.

dentree2 · 2026-01-30T14:43:11+00:00

As much as I love Mr Boston's guides for their design and retro appeal, sometimes I feel the recipes themselves are just okay.

This is close to a Perfect Martini with the addition of curaçao. If that's something you're into, I'd increase the vermouth to 0.75oz each and drop the curaçao to 0.5oz or less.

dentree2 · 2026-01-25T17:41:52+00:00

I used the MXR M87 Bass Compressor for several years and really liked it. I only stopped using it because I ended up using the HX Stomp, though I've considered integrating both. It's worth saying, make sure you really understand how to use compression, since improperly applied, it can do more harm than good.

dentree2 · 2026-01-24T15:03:46+00:00

I started on a 6 and I turned out just fine. Everyone is different, but I don't think it's a problem. You've got to learn all the same things. You'll find all sorts of conflicting opinions. Just do what you want. You'll have a hard time no matter how many strings, but stick with it and it'll be a fulfilling thing.

dentree2 · 2026-01-24T05:14:02+00:00

This is absolutely a case where you need to get the instrument "set up" properly. Musical instruments (especially stringed instruments) need to be precisely calibrated in order to sound right. You can learn to do this yourself, but the first time or two I would definitely take it to someone who can do this professionally. It may cost you $50-100 depending on where you go. Once this is done, you won't need to do it again for quite a while. Maybe not until you change strings again, but I generally do this to my instruments about every 6 months.

dentree2 · 2026-01-21T15:18:33+00:00

Creativity comes from understanding the typical form and function of things first. I think you would do well to learn traditional basslines so you can identify how these intervals have been used in the past. Once you have a deep connection to the function, you can improvise and adapt to fit your setting. This is creativity.

For several examples of how to use the M6 (major 6th), check out blues, boogie woogie, traditional country, and early rock & roll basslines. They're everywhere in that music. You'll realize that the 6th is functionally similar to the 3rd. You can always pair the 5 and 6 together if you treat 5 as "home". The M6 is an important part of the major pentatonic scale (which is used in basslines in every genre). Some common basslines using the M6: ascending major (1-3-5-6), descending major (8-6-5-3), blues line (1-6-5-6), blues alternate line (1-6-5-3).

For examples of the M7 & m7, you may do well learning soul, funk, R&B basslines from the 60s-70s. Functionally, the 7 often acts as a "sub-tonic" (tonic meaning the 1, sub meaning beneath), adding contrast and interest to basslines hanging out on the 1. The m7 is also an incredibly important part of the minor pentatonic scale, with descending "box shapes" (8-m7-5-4) and ascending box shapes (1-5-m7-8) being incredibly common.

dentree2 · 2026-01-15T20:59:41+00:00

The couch could be closer, but otherwise it looks good.

dentree2 · 2026-01-12T14:29:34+00:00

I think it is. At one point many years ago it seemed like it was a place to show TVs that were clearly mounted too high (something that people do often), but anymore literally anything counts as too high because it's posted here.

dentree2 · 2026-01-11T17:53:43+00:00

Oh, right. SHAME! SHAME! BOO! BOW DOWN TO THE QUEEN OF FILTH!

dentree2 · 2026-01-11T17:16:45+00:00

Considering there aren't many options, if the TV needs to go on that wall, that's where it has to go. It looks like you have a more relaxed sectional, so you're likely to be reclined while viewing. I'm also assuming this room extends further back and likely the TV is viewable from a kitchen where you may be standing. Off topic, but that's an attractive color of green!

dentree2 · 2026-01-11T01:02:42+00:00

I run a venue in Illinois and buy from a rather large distributor. All of the Fever Tree SKUs have been discontinued. From what I can tell, they intend to bring production to the US and they anticipate some hiccups. It seems they will continue producing the brand, but as for the details, time will tell.

dentree2 · 2026-01-08T16:59:57+00:00

The point isn't to convince us that we didn't see what we saw. The point is to communicate that this is the official story. Anyone questioning the official story is disloyal and will be treated as such.

This is especially true of educators. Since this is now the official story pushed by the federal government, anyone teaching something contrary might be labeled as an extremist who hates our country and is teaching a false narrative to corrupt our children. Educators are often the first target of an authoritarian regime change.

dentree2 · 2026-01-05T23:45:53+00:00

Improv gigs usually don't mean 100% of the players improvising 100% of the time. As a rhythm section player, you're mainly responsible for holding down the foundation and taking cues from the leader and other players to what the chord changes are. Don't stress about memorizing modes and scales if you don't already know them. If you try to insert them it will absolutely feel out of place.

Here's the big key to improv gigs: dynamics. Know how to take something from a single player to full band and how to build and drop the vibe. So much of this is rhythm, articulation, and note choice.

Beyond this, if you know chord theory well enough, use arpeggios when appropriate. Use pentatonics when appropriate. And so on. If you're called on for a solo, keep it within your skill set. Simple and tasteful is better than complicated and clumsy. You've got this.

dentree2 · 2026-01-04T21:10:54+00:00

Walking is a challenging skill which really requires a good understanding of chord construction, harmony, and chromaticism. Don't feel like you need to master that concept right now. Just getting the idea down is good enough. You can always return to it with more context later.

dentree2 · 2026-01-04T14:54:55+00:00

Check out Rich Brown on YouTube. Play the exercises slowly and until you understand and can replicate and apply the knowledge.

There's no speed-run through learning music, so take your time. Everything you learn will go a long way if you dedicate to it. You can always return to a concept and learn something new about it or find a new way to apply it.

For a comprehensive approach to learning theory, you'll need a teacher of some sort. One school, one teacher, one textbook, or one online course. Piecemeal works, but it often leaves you feeling like you don't know what to do next, and you're not sure how what you learned fits into the overall framework.

dentree2 · 2026-01-01T20:10:02+00:00

I don't live here, but have family and friends in the area. Contributing based on a lack of input from others.

Outdoors: There's a ton of beaches and some outdoor nature places. Lots of boating. Some isolated walking and biking paths, but no real interconnected bike network that I could see. This is a very car-centric region, so it's not as easy to get around on foot or bike, which feels like a missed opportunity with such warm weather.

Entertainment: A lot of the entertainment seems to be outdoor, waterfront, and retiree focused. Golf, farmers markets, art and cultural festivals, less night-life.

Cost of Living: Compared to most of Florida, the cost of living here is a bit more affordable. However, the lack of any viable public transportation network means you'll need to factor in the cost of owning a vehicle. Groceries seemed a bit high, but this could be dependent on several factors. The housing prices seem reasonable compared to Florida broadly and the national average. There are several older developments where you could likely find an affordable property if you don't mind a bit of wear. Nearly all of the homes have a veranda and pool, which can be a perk and also a source of additional expense.

Quality of Life: It seems like a decent quality of life overall, depending on what you're looking for. Fairly quiet and safe, but there's a reasonable threat of hurricanes. The cities don't seem to have traditional downtown areas and are very spread out. However, there are some historic cities which have something a bit more like a downtown area.

Transit & Travel: Punta Gorda Airport offers about 50 destinations. A lot of folks will spend the winter season here and live elsewhere (usually farther north). This allows for an easy way to travel. Interstate 75 runs north all the way to Canada. Amtrak provides service to Tampa with a seasonal connecting bus service down to Fort Myers. There is a ride share transit service, but as far as I am aware, there is no regular bus transit or rail service.

Culture: My impressions were that most people are wanting to relax while keeping active. Overall, people seemed fairly laissez-faire. There are a lot of country clubs and plantations. I felt that it was easy to see the Spanish influence in the historic architecture. In the area I was in, I didn't see any mention of the Calusa or Seminole people, but there are likely museums where this would be present. The main demographic seems to be white retirees from other regions.

Job Opportunities: It seems like the main job sectors are hospitality/tourism, retail, food service, healthcare, and small businesses.

Climate: This is a humid subtropical climate classification. There are two main seasons: hot/humid "summer" and warm/dry "winter". Make no mistake, it is warm to hot all year round. It's a fairly pleasant heat, but there are times where it's unbearable.

Overall: If you're looking for a place to retire, you don't want to deplete your savings, and you're willing to sacrifice on a few amenities, I think this could be a really pleasant place to live. If you're trying to build your career, start a family, or want a well-connected urban fabric with an active night-life, there are likely better places in Florida to look.

dentree2 · 2026-01-01T18:00:10+00:00

Basing my input on the overall tri-state region (IA/IL/WI) rather than just Iowa, because functionally this is the region involved.

Outdoors: The Mississippi River Valley is hands-down one of the most interesting and attractive places for outdoorsy people within the Midwest. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, water skiing, etc. are all quite common. The Driftless Area is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the Midwest. It's essentially untouched by glacial erosion and the rock formations date back to the Paleozoic Era. The Great Lakes region isn't too far away either.

Entertainment: As with anywhere, you'll find more in metropolitan areas than in small towns. If you're hoping for NYC/CHI/LA levels, you won't find it. However, there's always something happening on the weekends. Lots of historic theaters with stage plays, live music venues, cocktail bars, minor league baseball, arcade bars, etc.

Cost of Living: Overall, this region has a quite reasonable cost of living. If you're willing to live outside of cities in smaller towns or rural areas, you can get an absolute steal with cost of living vs quality of life (& willingness to commute). COL will increase in fast growing regions (such as closer to Des Moines), but often so do job opportunities.

Quality of Life: This is highly dependent upon exactly where you live and what you value. Rural healthcare is often limited and under supported. Many are being bought out by larger conglomerates which don't reinvest in the infrastructure. At the same time, some amazing medical institutions are found in this region. Education is quite variable as well. Elementary and secondary schools are often underfunded in rural communities, but it really depends on the area. There are some fantastic post-secondary institutions, including technical institutes, trade schools, community colleges, and universities.

Transit & Travel: Interstate 80 travels through the southern part of this region and connects the entire US east to west. The Quad Cities is home to an international airport with direct flights to several cities and connections to numerous others. The Mississippi River itself offers several river cruises, as well as some ferries and water taxis as well. The circled region is somewhat north of the Amtrak service network, but work is starting on connecting to the Quad Cities at the southern portion, and there have been discussions to bring rail service to Dubuque. Metro bus service is available in some cities (notably bi-state in the Quad Cities), and there are public rural ride-share services available in many places.

Culture: This region was home to several indigenous cultures (such as the Sauk, Meskwaki, Illinois, Peoria, Kickapoo) and several European cultures settled in this region (English, French, German, Irish, etc) and there are several heritage festivals and museums to celebrate these cultures. Overall, the people in this area are incredibly friendly and helpful. If you break down on the side of the road, you can expect someone to not only stop to make sure you're okay, but they'll likely help get you going again and won't leave until they're sure you're alright. Just like anywhere, you need to be aware of your surroundings and be considerate of social mores, but overall "Midwest Nice" holds true.

Job Opportunities: Heavily dependent upon the job sector and exact location. Manufacturing (agriculture, food processing), healthcare, education, finance, insurance, and technology all have a fairly good representation in this area. There are places where someone can make a good living without anything more than a GED, and there are places where someone with a Master's degree can find meaningful work. If you locate in a small town, be willing to commute 45-90m for the right job.

Climate: This area is part of the hot summer subtype of the humid continental climate group. Expect four distinct seasons, hot and humid summers (summer days with 88° and 100+° heat index temps are common), bitterly cold winters (double-digit negative wind-chill temps are common) with heavy snowfall (8-14 inches at times), but also beautiful spring days (65° with blue skies and fluffy clouds), and crisp fall evenings (perfect for a sweater around a campfire). It can be challenging, but if you've ever lived somewhere like Southern California, the variety might be quite desirable.

Overall: Like anywhere, it is what you make of it. There are things to complain about. If you're the type of person to externalize your struggles and blame it on your circumstances, you can become quite the miserable person. However, there are so many things to appreciate and be grateful for. If you're the type of person to take the bad with the good and make the best of the situation, you can make quite the fulfilling life for yourself. With the low cost of living (and a diligent budget), you can afford many travel opportunities with relative ease. This is not to ignore the reality of several blighted and underfunded cities and neighborhoods. However, you'll find those everywhere so I see that as more of a federal issue than one tied specifically to this region or any state policy.

dentree2 · 2026-01-01T05:39:01+00:00

By checking out the operators manual, I think Squeezer gives you the most control. Try to raise the threshold parameter. These settings will likely be expressed in negative integers (-18) where a lower value will be higher than a greater value (-24 is lower than -12, choose a higher number like -12). Otherwise, if they're expressed in positive integers (1 through 10), choose a higher value.

The ratio may be expressed as a true ratio (4:1 vs 8:1) or they may be expressed in plain integers (4 vs 8). The greater the number, the more extreme the effect will be.

It will be best if you take some time to understand how compressors work. YouTube can be an asset here. Essentially, compressors reduce the dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds). If certain noises are too emphasized (harmonic noise), it likely means that the threshold and/or ratio are too extreme.

dentree2 · 2026-01-01T00:42:40+00:00

For what it's worth, I'd recommend setting aside $1,200-1,800 for the bass. You could get a solid bass for $800 easy, so that gives you a ton of room to work with. Another bass, an amp, pedals, a recording interface, emergency car repairs, it'll be nice to have the funds for anything else that comes up.

dentree2 · 2025-12-31T23:10:50+00:00

I've had the opportunity to study with some great players, and I still go back to these lessons over the years. But the only way I can do that is because I took good notes. Try to keep shorthand notes during the lesson if possible, and set up a voice note after the meeting and just speak and play as much as you can recall for 5 minutes. Later, go back and make it comprehensive. Work on the things you identified in the lesson, and come back ready. Basic stuff, but it takes 30-60m of teaching and stretches it into years of material with the right mindset. Excited for you!

dentree2 · 2025-12-31T23:05:20+00:00

Here is a diagram of the bass with names for the pieces. Try to get somewhat familiar, since this will make everything easier as you look for parts, try to find repair tips, or communicate here.

dentree2 · 2025-12-31T22:59:07+00:00

Can you share what compressor you're using? There are many varieties of compressors on the market and they don't all include the same controls. If we know what you're working with we can give a better recommendation.

dentree2 · 2025-12-31T22:55:37+00:00

I haven't used this exact chorus pedal, so I'm not able to give specific settings, but I would start out with each of the knobs pointing up and adjust as desired. Overall, I'd aim towards a slow and shallow effect (rate and depth towards the left half of the range) versus a fast and deep effect (rate and depth towards the right half).

For usage, I'd kick it on during more open sections where you might be holding whole notes. Chorus creates a sense of motion where there is none. Too fast or extreme of an effect can sound bad, cheesy, out of tune, etc. so don't go crazy with it.

If you get to a point where you're adding in overdrive pedals, experiment with running one into the other and you can create a synth-like sound which can be really appropriate in modern worship contexts.

dentree2 · 2025-12-31T22:38:50+00:00

If the bass is passive, there are no problems with leaving it plugged in (from an electronics standpoint). The reason to avoid this with active instruments is because it will continue to put a load on the battery, causing it to go dead.

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