Τhe "Coffee & Books" coffee shop

    Today morning I came across an advertisement posted on a tree at the Esplanade advertising an event which will took place at a new place simply called "Coffee & Books". As the name suggest, this is a place in which someone can read a book enjoying a cup of coffee in a peaceful environment. Establishments of this kind are popular abroad. Here in Corfu, "Coffee & Books" is the first coffee shop which has a selection of greek and foreign books. 

  According to the shop's website, books can be bought. There is also the possibility of second hand book exchange, so if you have some used books you don't really need, you can bring them there and get some other second hand books in return.
  I would like to congratulate the owners who had this bright idea of establishing a coffee shop different from the others, trying to incentivate people read more and appreciate reading as a free time activity.

  - Visit their site at: http://www.coffeeandbooks.gr (on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-and-Books/188896444506037 ) or get to know the place yourself at 6 Kapodistriou street, Corfu Town (opposite the Esplanade).

My top-5 favourite bass players of all time!

Well, I think it's time to reveal my five most favourite bass players:

1) Bernard Edwards of Chic:

What can we say for the man who together with Nigel Rodgers created the base for dance music, influencing hundreds and hundreds of musicians and bands... He is the most prominent funk bass player - without him the funky Duran Duran basslines would not have existed and house music would be different from what it could have become since now.

2) John Taylor of Duran Duran:

Influenced by the funkmaster Edwards as well as Joe Strummer of Clash and Paul McCartney, John Taylor switched from guitar to bass in Duran Duran's early years. His basslines are dinstictive in most of the band songs and they have been imitated by many other bassists.


3) Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers:

For many people, Flea is the best bassist ever, I won't disagree, he is higly skilled, he plays fast and with such a virtuosite...

4) Steve Harris of Iron Maiden:

The leader of Maiden and in my opinion the best metal bass player ever, plays the bass like a guitar with great speed and techique. It is hard to imitate his style - especially his "gallop" playing - fellow bassists you know what I mean...

5) Toni Kanal of No Doubt:

Well, not a virtuoso, but I really like his ska bass style (the bass in "Don't Speak" is killer).

My new bass guitar and amp!

After playing the guitar for 7 years or so, I decided to learn playing some bass. Influenced by funk and disco music, I started looking for some affordable basses in the net and at the music shops in my area. After looking for some weeks, I ended up in buying a worth for its money, Ibanez GRS200 with a tiny Behringer BT108 bass amp for 360 euros.



I have started practicing already, playing scales and some popular basslines. I have already learned playing the extremely popular "Good Times / Rapper's delight" bassline (probably the most famous bassline ever). I find it hard through to do all that funky slaps, too characteristic if you're playing some funk or disco...I have to find a bass teacher to show me some techniques and suggest me some bass methods to practice with.

If you are a bassist yourself, feel free to provide me with your advice.