Guitar
I had an interesting revelation last night: I played better (more dynamically and sensitively) when I had had no idea what was going on than when I did.
As regular readers know, I host a jam/open mic every Tuesday. This session has been my music school for over six years now. Prior to doing this particular gig I was a blues specialist. It seems now, though, that escaping my now well-worn blues concept for flying blind is the way to go.
The high point of my night was playing with a country singer (bluegrass specialist) from Colorado. Patrick has an amazing voice, and the confidence and experience to bring it. Even though I had no idea what to expect from the gentleman, his easy delivery and solid performance issued a welcome mat that few players can lay out. Later I played with the excellent Rachel Davis and was usurped by my own sense of "knowing" where the tune was headed; close, but no cigar. My memory simply isn't that good, so I'm better off picking up the subtleties fresh. I also had the opportunity to perform with Noreen Braun, a bluesy folk-singer in the Tracy Chapman mode, and went off on another path, tonally and musically. These are my happy times. Baffle me into submission.
Earlier in the night I played with Sandybone, our host, and didn't play nearly as hot; too much supposition on my part, and not enough listening...too much reliance on history and concept. As the evening wore on, I was able to connect with my ears, play in multiple genres in a convincing manner, and have a bit of fun with it.
To me, this is music: not a series of exercises, but a stone cold, life-or-death situation, needing our deepest care and attention so we can do it right. Anything less would just suck donkey-bits.
- A Little Heads-up For Jammers
You guys play nice or you're going to separate rooms... Whilst visiting a jam session as the special guest of a friend of mine last night, I noticed a couple of the greener jammers causing some common faux-pas. As a long time jam host...
- Solo (you Can't Hear It)
One is the loneliest number... I just landed a steady solo gig, the first in about two years since I had a serious falling out with the proprietor of the last joint (where I had cooked for eight years and performed for three-and-half). This...
- Counterparts
Those of you who follow this blog will know that I co-host a jam every Tuesday with my buddy Sandybone. Those of you who have attended will know what a unique and challenging night it usually is for me, backing up all and any who attend,...
- Very Normal Activity (ie. Not Normal At All)
Hello my dear readers. I apologize for the lack of any recent content, but the gap in posts happened for the best possible reason. You see, I blog because I don't necessarily get to play as much music as I would like...
- Last Minute Gigs-or The Ballad Of Dwight Frye As Told By Rachel Davis
Oh lord, I love getting last minute calls for gigs- one second you're contemplating what you might watch on the telly that evening, the next you're off to a gig. Even better, many last minute calls are due to sickness, border trouble,...
Guitar
Comfortably Numb
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| Into the great wide-open, a rebel without a clue... |
As regular readers know, I host a jam/open mic every Tuesday. This session has been my music school for over six years now. Prior to doing this particular gig I was a blues specialist. It seems now, though, that escaping my now well-worn blues concept for flying blind is the way to go.
The high point of my night was playing with a country singer (bluegrass specialist) from Colorado. Patrick has an amazing voice, and the confidence and experience to bring it. Even though I had no idea what to expect from the gentleman, his easy delivery and solid performance issued a welcome mat that few players can lay out. Later I played with the excellent Rachel Davis and was usurped by my own sense of "knowing" where the tune was headed; close, but no cigar. My memory simply isn't that good, so I'm better off picking up the subtleties fresh. I also had the opportunity to perform with Noreen Braun, a bluesy folk-singer in the Tracy Chapman mode, and went off on another path, tonally and musically. These are my happy times. Baffle me into submission.
Earlier in the night I played with Sandybone, our host, and didn't play nearly as hot; too much supposition on my part, and not enough listening...too much reliance on history and concept. As the evening wore on, I was able to connect with my ears, play in multiple genres in a convincing manner, and have a bit of fun with it.
To me, this is music: not a series of exercises, but a stone cold, life-or-death situation, needing our deepest care and attention so we can do it right. Anything less would just suck donkey-bits.
- A Little Heads-up For Jammers
You guys play nice or you're going to separate rooms... Whilst visiting a jam session as the special guest of a friend of mine last night, I noticed a couple of the greener jammers causing some common faux-pas. As a long time jam host...
- Solo (you Can't Hear It)
One is the loneliest number... I just landed a steady solo gig, the first in about two years since I had a serious falling out with the proprietor of the last joint (where I had cooked for eight years and performed for three-and-half). This...
- Counterparts
Those of you who follow this blog will know that I co-host a jam every Tuesday with my buddy Sandybone. Those of you who have attended will know what a unique and challenging night it usually is for me, backing up all and any who attend,...
- Very Normal Activity (ie. Not Normal At All)
Hello my dear readers. I apologize for the lack of any recent content, but the gap in posts happened for the best possible reason. You see, I blog because I don't necessarily get to play as much music as I would like...
- Last Minute Gigs-or The Ballad Of Dwight Frye As Told By Rachel Davis
Oh lord, I love getting last minute calls for gigs- one second you're contemplating what you might watch on the telly that evening, the next you're off to a gig. Even better, many last minute calls are due to sickness, border trouble,...