Maxville Open Bass Contest

[neilly]

Ok, first I'll say that I was goaded into posting this topic.The Open Bass contest last year I noticed that the bass drummer from the duty band leaving the circle to join the line of contestants.My question is, how can the field then be even? Here is someone who not only knows the breaks,, but must have the entire scores memorized by the time Maxville rolls around.Having an advantage like that surely is unfair??? Thoughts. Neil

[Burton the Rover]

your just affaid to lose Neilly.....lets go head to head...lol....

Its just a set anyway Neil, watch the PM's foot for the break, buddy, you have won it before...I don't mind being 2nd to you.....

[Brian Fry]

I hear what you are saying Neilly, but the bass-drummer likely had been competing all year in contest and likely did not know his band was being called up for duty-band until shortly before contest. I do agree that in some cases it would be a definite advantage to know the set because last season a couple of the duty bands played sets with unusual breaks and the PMs foot was not always as visual as it could be. I guess it makes it challenging:)

[The Axeman]

Just be grateful I don't play bass/

:lol:

[neilly]

Oh we're so happy you don't.Seriously though don't you think this advantage is a little much? It's not really about the breaks. Of course the guy is gonna win the contest, he's been playing the scores all season. The guy will know ALL the dynamics , all the chips, I just think it strange.

[Brian Morgan]

Neilly,

I had no way of knowing that my band would be duty band. My band even said they wouldn't do it and the PPBSO said they had to. I wasn't about to not compete at the biggest contest of the year because of circumstances out of my control.

If it make you feel any better, I have won it 2 years in a row. The first year 78th was the duty band.

[neilly]

It's not really about you there big guy,, the same would apply if it were ANYBODY. The fact is it is in my opinion completely unfair to all other contestants entered. Do you not agree? The first year I won it Glengarry was the duty band, what difference does that make? All i'm trying to do is find out if people agree that it is an unfair advantage and all I get is complete crap and suck it up statements. No wonder I stopped posting here.

[Brian Morgan]

Well, I wasn't giving you crap. Just explaining the circumstances. I do agree that it is a bit unfair. However, I told everyone standing there the tunes we played, as well as, the way we did our breaks. (which is pretty standard) SO I felt I did what i could to help every one else on the line that day.

If it was your band that was pulled, would you have not played? The problem is that just about every bass and tenor drummer out there plays in a good band. The chances are that someone on the feild that day, be it bass or tenor, will have their band playing. It may be just one person. I guess the only solution is to send your bands name in with the entry. Have the PPBSO look it over and figure out a duty band that no one plays with. It could be tough though.

[The Axeman]

Neil, here is the way I see it. I have watched Bass contests over the past season or two and I have picked who I thought was the winners on many occasions and got it all wrong, and I would like to think I know what I am looking for.

Yes it is a little unfair where Brian was concerned, but lets take nothing away from him he is a great bass player. Are all the players not in position to watch the PM's foot? or was the band facing the other way? How did the other players position compared to the band? Even then what was the verdict of the judge, do they give out sheets with constructive coments?? or just watch and mark as they see fit. I watch Duncan judge and I like it when he goes around listining for the tone and pitch of the drum.

It is a very hard contest to jusdge. I think open Bass should be like Open tenor and side drumming contests. The bass player the Piper and a Side Drummer, so the judges can get a real good listen.

[Burton the Rover]

The open tenor contest is only like that for the rythmn contest, the swinging is the same as the bass, in a line, for the PPBSO that is...

[The Axeman]

Rytham & swinging Tenor is what they should keep and ditch the swinging tenor.

The Axeman

[Brian Morgan]

Thanks for the kind comments Sandy.

At PPBSO games you don't get any score sheets, and they don't even tell you who wins, or the placings. You pretty much find out if you win or lose when they call the names out at the end at massed bands.

Depending on where the PM is standing in the circle you could be pretty far away to see his foot. They usually do a semi circle type line. A lot of it is a guessing game, plus making up the scores as you go.

I am all for getting away from the line contest. If they truly wanted to level the playing field I think this would be the best way. No guessing games, just your stuff, played how you like it.

Cheers,

Brian

[The Axeman]

Agree 100%

[Bull Henderson]

AAAHHHEEEEMMMMMM.....

I must say that when I competed in the Bass Drumming competition at Maxville in 2001, the only reason why I lost to Craig was because my Bass was a bit out of tune. We all know that the Super Ears of the Judges caught it, thus I have no complaints.

Cheers,
Bull
BassFace for the Kevin Band

PS. Hi BROOOOOWWWWWWW.