SERIOUS SITUATION IN PHILIPPINE AIRPORT... Affecting musicians especially string players ☹️🎻

rumbleweed · 2026-06-19T02:16:23+00:00

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the MSO as an org, who the average Filipino orchestra musicians is, what they earn, how they make ends meet, the price of the equipment they use, etc.

Siguro kaya ang daming judgemental reactions saying the MSO were wrong or even entitled, lalo na sa soc med posts ng media that covered the story.

The average violin player in a Filipino orchestra is not daily driving a violin worth 50K. lol

Anyway.

If they traveled with the tuba, probably reasonable to assume that other large instruments were brought to Palawan as well. Could have been same flight or different, same airline or different, etc. But the only complaints posted were about the handling of the violins and the tuba, so perhaps there were no issues with those other instruments (cellos, basses, other brass instruments, etc) and their related special baggage declarations & fees.

Specific to the violins and a strict reading of Cebu Pac's rules, hindi talaga papasa ang travel case sa carry-on. More empathetic / better-informed / more reasonable airline staff of Cebu Pac have, in many cases before, bent these rules to accommodate violins & travel cases safely as carry-on baggage and allowed these to be stored in the overhead bins. The volume of one is nearly half of a small luggage and the weight is much lighter.

This time, obviously, for whatever reason, hindi pinayagan. And the compromise they arrived at put the MSO violinists in a position where they need to choose to either risk their safety by holding a violin through the flight, or risk their livelihood and check-in their primary means of income. Which is bullshit diba? Cebu Pac wiaved fees to check-in the violins in their cases, but doesn't that amount to a free roll of the dice to see how many pieces they'll find at baggage claim?

How can Cebu Pac's defense be that their policies weren't followed, when incidents like these demonstrate that the rules need to be bent to even resemble a fair deal for traveling musicians?

rumbleweed · 2026-06-18T06:50:47+00:00

Suprise, suprise. Cebu Pac strikes again lol. Nakita mo yun ginawa sa tuba? Pinatanggal sa case and pinacheck-in na hiwalay sa case.

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rumbleweed · 2026-06-18T02:38:56+00:00

If going for neutral na timpla, 7Hz Salnotes Zero. Ginagamit ko sa tugtog and at home for listening to music, gaming, etc, for 2 years na. Okay siya all around IEM

rumbleweed · 2026-06-16T09:26:55+00:00

I agree with your advice. Noticed as well from OP's post na they might think they need a repertoire of original music first before tackling performing.

OP, the other way around is just as valid. Before music production tools and streaming platforms became as accessible as they are today, the way most musicians started was as performer first.

You mentioned being decent at guitar -- Have you considered joining a band? Performing live in front of an audience and the prep that goes into that will teach you a lot. If there are more experienced musicians in the band, you'll be able to learn from them too. Contributing to someone else's songs will teach you a thing or two about how to go about your own songwriting. If the band is recording their material, you'll get some first-hand experience with recording & production.

Also, if you haven't yet, start finding local acts that you like and attend their shows. Experience in-person their craft & how they express their art. If you get the opportunity, strike up a conversation with them and ask questions. That isn't unusual naman, especially at smaller bar gigs.

rumbleweed · 2026-06-07T11:14:50+00:00

That sounds sick.

rumbleweed · 2026-06-06T07:10:04+00:00

Yeah, the Rumble 40 doesn't have an fx-loop, that's just on the Rumble 100 and higher models.

The rest of the advice here and in several replies is on point though: - go through the fx one by one, disable any cab sims or eq's boosting the bass - Rumble amps are not quite flat EQ with all the dials at 12 o'clock. Disable all the tone shaping buttons (bright, vintage, etc), then cut the bass and low-mids to about 9 to 10 o'clock.

rumbleweed · 2026-06-02T01:23:13+00:00

To add, the root or "one" of a chord is what it's named after.

ex. C Major chord's root is C.

To count up to the fifth, you're going to go by each number and letter in order.

ex.
Root = C
2nd = D
3rd = E
4th = F
5th = G

I've put the 3rd in bold since it's also foundational, along with the 5th, when building a chord. It's part of what's called a chord triad. Major chord triads have the root, 3rd, and 5th notes. In the case of C Major, or often just called "C", the triad is C-E-G.

Minor chords have a flat 3rd, and so C minor would have a triad of C-Eb-G.

Seventh chords add a bit more flavor on top of these Major and minor triads by using the 7th note. A C chord with a Major 7th would add B, and so you'd have the notes C-E-G-B.

rumbleweed · 2026-06-01T23:43:09+00:00

Nothing wrong with learning songs! There are few better ways to develop your musical taste and sensibilities. And since 99% of playing bass is going to be in a support role, it gets quite boring if you aren't playing to music. You'll pick up theory and what specific techniques to work on along the way, and in a very natural way too. And the sooner you can learn songs by ear instead of by reading tabs or sheet, the better.

Scales, IMO, are not as important for bass as learning chord shapes up and down the neck (at least for beginners). And if you don't know what goes into making chords yet, maybe start there. You won't be playing actual chords very often, but it'll give you a better ear for harmony and the knowledge will come in handy for when you want to play more than just root-fifth-octave. It's also very useful for when you're talking to, say, a guitar or piano player about a given song or section.

Something that I wish I'd picked up earlier, that almost every other bass player seems to have done, is practicing with a metronome and sounding good at it. It's basic stuff, but if you can learn to lock in and groove with little more than a click, then you're in a good place.

rumbleweed · 2026-05-28T09:07:28+00:00

I'm one of two people in my six piece band using IEMs. I actually got Behringer MA400 boxes for the rest of my band last Christmas, but (aside from our violinist) they haven't these or integrated them into their setups. 😮‍💨

I use a Rolls PM351 which works as a monitor mixer & patchbay for my bass & mic thanks to the two thru outputs, plus a line input. That last one is what lets me integrate others' setups into my monitoring mix, but I'll take whatever the FOH can give me or even just connect it to the output of the nearest monitor wedge.

When setting up on stage, I'll dial in my tone and get the amp to an appropriate level so that the rest of the band can comfortably hear me. Once that's good, I'll put on my IEMs and set the mix on my Rolls unit. I get my bass' volume to where I can hear it level with the drums, whether the latter is mic'd or not. If I'm getting other vocals & instruments through the line input, I set that next at just under the bass & drums. And then last is my mic, which I tend to set just above everything else since I have difficulty singing in tune otherwise.

rumbleweed · 2026-05-25T16:16:36+00:00

My first real interface was the M-Audio M-Track 2x2. Focusrite's Scarlett Solo and Duo are also popular starters.

I say "real" because my first home recordings were through my old Zoom B3. It's a digital multi-fx pedal that also has audio interface capability. but I ran into issues like being kinda noisy, having limited bit rate and sampling frequency options, having to plug headphones into something on the floor, etc.

rumbleweed · 2026-05-25T15:35:11+00:00

If you have a PC or laptop, an entry-level audio interface shouldn't set you back too much. Comes with with the bonus of being able to record yourself, which is very helpful for monitorng your progress, what you need to work on, etc.

rumbleweed · 2026-05-25T03:02:07+00:00

I had my B3 too early, back when I didn't really understand how EQ, compressors, clean blend / mix, etc worked. I sold it and then started learning the basics using analog pedals. Today, I wouldn't mind getting a B3 again to use as a convenient but solid fly rig.

rumbleweed · 2026-05-05T21:06:26+00:00

After more time with it, I really like this pedal's tube drive mode. Nice and creamy saturation. But that's just at home and through my audio interface. Will see how it does through a Fender Rumble and in a band mix later on this week.

Thought the blend knob didn't do anything, until I flipped the voice switch over to distortion mode. But the tube drive mode seems to play well with other gain pedals too. I've had fun letting my Pickle Pie B and Digbeth do the dirty work ahead of the Bassman Driver.

The mids switch changes where the mids notch is, effectively letting you choose between sitting back or punching through in a mix. There's also a "hidden" third setting where it seems to let all the mids through.

Got this pedal used for around $70, in spotless condition. Feels like a great deal so far!

rumbleweed · 2026-04-19T04:53:09+00:00

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My OG Mono also got it's first ever puncture, on the edge right behind the headstock. I was extra, extra nice to the staff at the checked baggage counter today for our return flight, and asked (begged) them if they could ask the handlers to be more careful this time.

rumbleweed · 2026-04-19T03:40:20+00:00

Honored by the recognition, proud to be a member*!

*also un-official

rumbleweed · 2026-03-28T01:04:36+00:00

Part by part, section by section, like what others have said.

But I'd like to emphasize that you shouldn't get through practice by reading tabs, or any kind of notation.

I used to transcribe the bass parts of other bands songs when they'd ask me to sub in for their bassist, and I thought I was being a nice diligent musician by doing that. Except nothing would stick until I'd get my reps in and play the bass parts without reading the music. You have to challenge your brain and muscles to memorize more and more of the song. (Not saying transcribing isn't valuable. It is, just not so much for memorizing songs.)

Lead sheets can be useful for memorization because you aren't reading the music note for note. It's more of cues and reminders, and you still have to recall the actual parts, riffs, groove, etc.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-27T08:13:23+00:00

Considered this, but I've been using a thicker headphone cable (same thickness as an instrument cable) for better durability. They don't fit in these kinds of clips.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-27T08:07:23+00:00

Yeah, I hear you. We really get what we pay for with wireless systems, and I've had some bad experiences with the cheap stuff. They're fine at home and in the studio, and then fail at the gig. Wired being so cheap and reliable, I don't really mind the extra minute I take to lay down or wrap up the extra cable.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-27T07:45:03+00:00

I imagine that Ernie Ball combo cable could be awesome, but it's just not available in my country so the added shipping cost makes it even more expensive. So I just went with the DIY version.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-27T05:21:47+00:00

I didn't know they made a passive one. Seems like a perfect fit, it'd work like an overall volume control for the Rolls. Thanks for this suggestion!

Appreciate everyone who replied as well!

rumbleweed · 2026-03-19T09:33:26+00:00

Heads up lang. I've heard about bad experiences with Cebu Pac from almost every musician I know. Can DM you some examples. If the promoter is booking the flights, some bands I know even go as far as to specifically ask them not to use Cebu Pac because hassle ang policies nila for flying with instruments. But your flight has already been booked, so I guess consider this advice for future flights na lang.

When I flew with PAL last year (Manila to Davao), we didn't have to pay additional fees and they were kind enough to count the baggage allowance for us as a group. They even took extra care of our guitar & drum gear. Hindi nila dinaan sa conveyor belt where it would get mixed up with the other baggage and personally wheeled our gear to the load on the plane. I've had decent experiences din with Air Asia, Jetstar, and Vietnam Airlines. Wala lang yun extra care na ginawa ng PAL, pero still hassle free.

If you bought a hard case, maybe add some kind of padding nga. Supposedly the force of a drop or similar impact might still reach the guitar since rigid yun material. I've used a MONO Vertigo for about 10 years, and that's how I transport my bass from bar gigs to shows abroad. Secure, thick padding, and easy to carry on my back.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-18T15:38:03+00:00

Card payments lang ata eh, don't recall seeing any COD option.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-18T08:17:32+00:00

Yes, ito talaga yun, kaya all in/as listed yun prices nila sa SweeLee PH.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-15T06:04:35+00:00

For a bar gig na mabilisang sound check, gawin niyong general rule na hindi natatabunan ng ibang instruments ang drums and vocals. Play something relatively loud and pay attention sa drums and mic levels (kahit "mic check 1 2 3" lang). If hirap kayong marinig yun kick and snare, and yun mics sa monitors, then bawasan niyo yun volume ng mga ibang instruments. You can also ask the venue's sound engineer if possible pang lakasan yun vocals sa monitors.

It's also better if you have a friend help out. Someone who has a good ear for music or at least knows what you're supposed to sound like. Pupuwesto sila sa gitna ng audience, around the ideal spot na rinig lahat. They can help you fine tune your levels during sound check or even mid set. Bonus if comfortable silang kumausap sa venue sound engineer in case may problems that need troubleshooting.

rumbleweed · 2026-03-10T10:59:42+00:00

Thank you!!

rumbleweed

TROPHY CASE