| Author | Message | ||
| groovelines
Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 62 Registered: 4-2003 |
Two months ago I surprised myself. No, I wasn’t rapidly switching the bathroom light on and off while making funny faces in the mirror (although if you have kids, it’s great entertainment). I found myself contemplating taking lessons. After zeroing in on ‘my sound’, (can you have just one?), the music I was used to playing wasn’t living up to the sound I was getting from my new Alembic. To do the sound justice I needed to expand my repertoire, ergo my skill level. Okay, junior high clarinet was a long time past. And I could be going about it backwards, then again, maybe not. Tab was boring and not always correct and playing with CD’s wasn’t doing the job either. I was in a musical rut and had some time. So, I signed up. In a nutshell, it’s freaking great. Suddenly the things I’ve been doing because they sounded good have names and theory behind it. Now those bits are sounding better and there’s a reason for it. You also discover some of those nifty little riffs you’ve been writing have been done before, maybe even a century or so ago by someone who knows a helluva lot more than you ever will. Don’t know how this will all play out, but I feel if you’re not getting better at what you like, why bother doing it at all. Mike | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 152 Registered: 7-2002 |
Mike, Taking lessons from someone who knows how to teach (and not just how to play) is always great. I take lessons regularly on guitar, but since I'm studying composition with my teacher as well, we also end up talking about the role of the bass in the songs I learn, and I also found out, as you implied, that learning why things sound good ( the theory behind them) in any given song, is fun and helps your confidence enormously when you play them. All those things you learn become more assets at your disposal in your musical palette. Valentino (Now back in the USA) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 489 Registered: 9-2002 |
Huurah ..we have a moder again!!! Well we were allmost feeling as orphans. LOL! Welcome back Valentino! Hope you spend a good time at this side of the pond and you're in good health again thanks to "la cuccina italiana originale"? I agree with you and Mike. I went studying music theory and upright when I was about 39 and I did it for about 5 years. I'm 48 now and I'd love to go back for more "electric bass" and harmonic backgrounds. Alas ..time is missing to do so. Although I always try to learn each time I meet a musician in general and a bass-player more specific. As bass-players we ARE the most gentle, helpful and music-understanding people in the world. No? Paul the bad one (Message edited by palembic on July 03, 2003) |
