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 Hello from Connecticut, USA! 
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Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:02 am
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Location: Connecticut, USA
Post Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Hi everyone!

I ordered my first Stick earlier in the week off eBay. I got the 10 string Polycarbonate model. It should be coming in the mail today right before I get home from work, and I really can't wait to start playing it for the first time! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it!

I'm coming from playing a 6 string bass mainly, some guitar and a little bit of keyboard playing too. I'm really excited to start a new instrument, I've watched probably every video on YouTube about it that exists.

I know to approach it more like a new instrument as opposed to a larger bass. Any other tips or advice anyone could give to a first time Stick player?

~Sam


Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:34 am
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Hey Sam,
get ready for a spicy "Quesadilla". At first it will be really strange and different
and strange because the right hand does not need to pluck or slap or strum (but you
can do that too, to an extent.) My advice? Get a looper of any kind and use that to play
back and forth to help develop independence skills...

Welcome to the forum 8-). PS I have a Polly and those are great instruments with a unique
sound though it might need a set-up :geek:.


jRj
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Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:53 am
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Don't forget to get some sleep...

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Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:03 am
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Hey, welcome! What part of CT are you in? You might be near Brett Bottomley, and might be in a part of the state that my band comes through every now and again.

I'd say for tips, be ready to re-examine how your left hand touches the frets. It's common for new Stick players coming primarily from guitar or bass to depress the string to the fret as though they were expecting the right hand to pluck it, rather than strike it down to the fret with the tip of your finger like a ball pine hammer. Your old habits will become much more useful and applicable once you've got the proper basic technique down.

Please keep us updated on your progress!

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Thu Mar 30, 2017 12:35 pm
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Congratulations on the new Stick! From the sunny wilds of Michigan (it's been raining for a few days now but it could turn to snow if I stare at it wrong so I'll shut up and be thankful for rain.)

Richard_Quesadilla wrote:
I know to approach it more like a new instrument as opposed to a larger bass. Any other tips or advice anyone could give to a first time Stick player?

~Sam
So Sam, I suddenly got the joke ("Rick Cheese," or some other nickname of Richard. And cheese.) And that was funny. :)

But I'll call you "Sam." :D

You're right--it's not just a larger bass. You will probably find your bass chops both a help and a hindrance, but the hindrance should hopefully only be short term. Meaning, you've got your chops for life and they will (someday, eventually, probably, kind of) transfer over to Stick. Although 30 years of piano went mostly out the door for me, except for the theory and of course the finger strength and dexterity. I'm approaching year two on the Stick(s) and I'm sure I'm further along because of whatever I brought to the Stick Table. But it frustrates almost everyone when you can fly around your "other" instrument and only crawl and stumble on Stick.

But saying that, there's several really cool, easy things to do on a Stick and there's 5 or 6 excellent teachers around here that would love to show you some easy tricks via Skype, like the linear/dot inlay patterns and how to orient yourself on the fretboard. And especially how to truss adjust. (I don't know if your older polycarb has the double truss or not. But it should--it's awesome for adjusting both neck and body). I won't list any of the teachers for fear of leaving anyone out, but I've had Skype sessions and/or seen copious videos with/of all of the teachers and they all have lots of offer.

Coming from 6-string bass, you're probably a 4ths lover, and you could possibly consider a mirrored fourths solution. But the bass-in-fifths is a truly awesome thing but a wee bit of learning curve if you're used to 4ths. But once you get inverse fifths, going to mirrored 4ths isn't that big a deal. I don't want to throw too much at you, either.

Also, don't be afraid to take what you like (like this advice here!) and leave what doesn't fit you. You're raising a child, who is you, on your new Stick. Opinions will always differ on child raising and proper Sticking. 3 fingers or 4; The One True Tuning(s), playing sitting or standing, performance videos or no videos, pants or no pants (okay, maybe not that last one for most Stickists... gotta hook the belt hook on SOMETHING!)

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step: joining Stickist. I mean, getting your Stick. I got my first from Ebay too (the rosewood).

Best of luck and cheers!

By the way, what style of music are you into? (We're into both kinds around here, Country AND Western! [Blue Brothers reference for the kiddies])

Steve Sink

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Thu Mar 30, 2017 1:13 pm
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Welcome I'm in CT as well North Haven, where are you located? I'd be happy to get together if you'd like.

Brett


Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:12 pm
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Thanks for all the replies!

Quote:
At first it will be really strange and different
and strange because the right hand does not need to pluck or slap or strum (but you
can do that too, to an extent.) My advice? Get a looper of any kind and use that to play
back and forth to help develop independence skills...


I will have to look into getting a looper, I don't own one but that definitely would be helpful. Perhaps I'll stop by the guitar center this weekend, I could use some odds and ends there anyways. Independence skills are most definitely lacking but it's something I'll work on as I get used to the instrument.

Quote:
Don't forget to get some sleep...


Sleep went out the window the minute I saw the listing for the Stick!

Quote:
What part of CT are you in? You might be near Brett Bottomley, and might be in a part of the state that my band comes through every now and again.


I'm from New Milford. It's about an hour away from North Haven if I remember correctly. Where does your band come in CT? I'd love to meet up with you next time you're around, it would be awesome to meet someone who can actually play the Stick!
And in response to the rest of your reply, I've noticed myself not quite hitting the strings right, and certainly not consistently with each finger. Sometimes it sounds quiet and sometimes loud. I've also noticed myself hitting two strings at once or not the right string at times, but I guess I will have to work on that. Hopefully that'll get better over time, after all it is only my first day.

Quote:
So Sam, I suddenly got the joke ("Rick Cheese," or some other nickname of Richard. And cheese.) And that was funny


You're certainly right about it being a nickname for Richard, although its seen as pretty vulgar nowadays so I figured Richard was more..well, presentable to new people. The joke came from a friend of mine who called me by my middle name Richard (well, Dick, because he's not such a nice person) and he mispronounced my last name Pasquarella and gave up and said "Quesadilla" instead. It was so ridiculous it stuck haha. Although Rick Cheese does roll off the tongue nicely..

Quote:
You're right--it's not just a larger bass. You will probably find your bass chops both a help and a hindrance, but the hindrance should hopefully only be short term. Meaning, you've got your chops for life and they will (someday, eventually, probably, kind of) transfer over to Stick. Although 30 years of piano went mostly out the door for me, except for the theory and of course the finger strength and dexterity. I'm approaching year two on the Stick(s) and I'm sure I'm further along because of whatever I brought to the Stick Table. But it frustrates almost everyone when you can fly around your "other" instrument and only crawl and stumble on Stick.


So far what I've found to be most useful from playing bass was the fact that I could already tap a little bit (Namely a few parts from instrumental of Metropolis PT.1 by Dream Theater). I would imagine already having independence in your hands from playing piano helps when starting out the Stick. That was something I struggled with for some time on piano, and I can only really play simple songs involving two hands on it. But I intend on playing the Stick often so hopefully I will be able to improve my hand independence. It is definitely frustrating to only be able to play slowly but I pretty much expected that when I ordered it. In a way it feels good because I know eventually I will be able to look back and see measurable progress from the very first day. Looking back from where I started on bass to where I am now is a great feeling to me, it makes me feel like I've accomplished something. Hopefully one day I'll feel the same way about the Stick.

The Polycarb one does not have a truss rod in it. I've heard you can send it to Emmett to have one installed, but I think for now I'll stick with it the way it is as I don't have an issue with the way it sounds. If you could PM me the names of some of the teachers on Skype that would be awesome!

I am definitely more comfortable with 4ths, however I see the advantages to tuning in 5ths. I think I'm starting to get where things are on the bass strings compared to my regular bass, it'll just take a lot of time and playing to ingrain that into my muscle memory. I might try mirrored 4ths one day but I'll stick with this for now. I'd like to try some of the different tunings once I get more comfortable with the instrument itself.

As for musical preferences, my favorite band of all time is Dream Theater. Second favorite is Tool. I'm starting to get into King Crimson, one of my good friends showed me a few of their songs (and of course, I appreciate Tony Levin's choice in musical instruments!) Also, I apologize but I don't get the reference to the quote!

Sorry for the long winded mess of a reply haha

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Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:10 pm
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Richard_Quesadilla wrote:
As for musical preferences, my favorite band of all time is Dream Theater. Second favorite is Tool. I'm starting to get into King Crimson, one of my good friends showed me a few of their songs (and of course, I appreciate Tony Levin's choice in musical instruments!) Also, I apologize but I don't get the reference to the quote!

Sorry for the long winded mess of a reply haha

You'll find a lot of Dream Theater fans around here, me included. Rush is probably the most universal favorite I could name of several Stickists, next to maybe Yes. Again, me included. (Rush rules!) I'm a huge Tool fan--or rather, I'm a big fan of the band Tool.

The reference, Blues Brothers (SNL John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd & Carrie Fisher, various stars.)


And then, the bands plays on...(I won't make you listen to Rawhide. Here's Aretha instead.)

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Rosewood 10-string, #5989, M4s
Sapphire Railboard, #6763, MR
Wenge-on-Wenge NS/Stick, #170130, Bass 4ths
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Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:23 pm
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
New Milford! I used to work summers there at the National Guitar Workshop!

We're usually playing in New Haven or near the NY border on our way into New York itself.

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Sat Apr 01, 2017 8:43 am
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Post Re: Hello from Connecticut, USA!
Hello,

I'm in Milford (on the coast, between Bridgeport & New Haven). My band (Gear Junkies) plays regularly in So. CT, although I'm on guitar & vocals. I'm too chicken to play the Stick live. Plus, we're doing the Classic Rock thing. I'd love to sneak in Elephant Talk sometime, but I'm not that proficient yet! Actually, we just played in North Branford last weekend (at Bar 80), near New Haven. I've got an Older Ironwood 10 String (#1203), a 2006 NS Stick (Pics in another post in this topic). I also have a new Railboard on order. Should be done in the next month.
Post any upcoming gigs in the area!

www.gearjunkiesband.com

Brad


Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:40 am
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