Good afternoon from London and the RCM!

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Katie Long

Funnily enough I haven't done the grades really, been far too busy! I've seen too many people plough through the grading system with a total lack of regard for technical development, etc. I think I took grade 5 but that was a loooong time ago. I'd be happy to explain the grading system to you all, but I'll have to come back and do it later. I have some serious sonata-memorising to do.

Finally, a pretty face to look at! Hi, Katie and welcome to the Forum!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Finally, a pretty face to look at! Hi, Katie and welcome to the Forum!

hey.. no flirting..

Besides, I saw her first..

Wait.. never mind.. I'm married..

Katie, until you get some other Bass ladies over here, I'm afraid you might have a bit on your hands with all these musicians.. There's never a Cop around when you need one..lol

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

hey.. no flirting..

Besides, I saw her first..

Wait.. never mind.. I'm married..

Katie, until you get some other Bass ladies over here, I'm afraid you might have a bit on your hands with all these musicians.. There's never a Cop around when you need one..lol

Hey, leave her alone... I knew her when she was "Little Katie".

Oh wait.... I'm married too.

[Steve_M]

[Mike Pecanic]

Welcome! My daughter's name is Katie so you must be a very nice person...btw, I love London, hope to go back soon.

[Steve_M]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Finally, a pretty face to look at!

Oh I'm so jealous.

[Katie Long]

If anyone's interested in seeing some photos of the RCM double bass weekend we held recently, you can see my photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...f&id=504531785
and here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...d&id=504531785

Should give you an idea of how fab it was, especially if you're a Rabbath or a Paul Ellison fan.

Regarding grades in the UK you can follow this link to see the syllabi for d. bass: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/allDBass0506.pdf.
I have to say that past a certain point they are a bit pointless in my opinion unless you want to either do the ABRSM diplomas or have it in writing. I haven't done my grade 8 (yet) because I figure that I am proof enough of my own ability and don't need to have a piece of paper to prove it...

Any of you fellow londoners doing the amateur orchestra circuit at the mo?

[Steve_M]

Unfortunately Katie I don't play double bass. I came this >< close to buying an NS CR5 electric upright bass last year from the Bass Centre when they were doing a ridiculously low deal on them and then baulked after trying it.

Even with the EUB I found I needed to attack the instrument to get any satisfaction out of it and at the end of the day I didn't really like the prospect of fighting the instrument in order to express myself. Maybe thats more of a sign that I didn't understand how to approach the instrument but I went back to bass guitar anyway.

Instead of being in an orchestra, I'm in a soul band with 6 female singers which has been through a fair amount of upheaval since the musical director walked out on us. So we're in the process of putting ourselves back together again and hopefully will be gigging by the summer.