Author Topic: Finally stopped playing with (by) myself! (Read 170 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** December 15, 2005, 09:35:24 PM »

For the first time since high school (and that's going a long way back), I finally found a couple of guys to jam with. One of my equipment reps plays drums, another guitar and they have a friend who plays bass. We got together last weekend and it was the most incredible experience I've had since I can remember when! It's one thing to play along with CD after CD, but to be in a room where every sound heard is being made by someone at that very moment was mind-blowing. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time. We're planning on making it a regular event.

So to all of you guys out there who get to do this sort of thing all the time, either for recreation or occupation, I hope you understand how truly fortunate you are. I didn't realize what a unique and special privelege it was to be able to create music from nothing until I was given the opportunity. And to all of you who get to bring this to the general public...my hats off to you.

Regards,

Jonathan

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2005, 10:08:03 PM »

Doc Levine

Do yourself a favor and GO SIT IN with bands that are playing the type of music you know.

After having played on and off stage for years, I can DEFINITELY tell you that I learned a LOT more gigging than I EVER learned practicing (although if I could ever get that bedroom tone on stage . . .). Don't let yourself get spooked. Find some bands that are willing to let you put your toes in the deep end and JUMP !

There's nothing like the buzz of developing your radar as to where the tune's going, bouncing off the other players and grooving with the drummer. Just ain't gonna happen over headphones.

I never got stage fright, because I thought if they (the audience) were any good at it, they'd be up here instead of me !

J o e y

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2005, 11:03:25 PM »

Jonathan:

Cool! I second Joey. I've always said that one hour of playing with other people is equivalent to ten hours of playing by yourself. And one hour of playing out is equal to ten in the studio. You've got some great instruments. They play well with others. Enjoy!

Bill, tgo

foth · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:56:24 AM »

The only time I feel like I'm breathing is when I'm playing with others...the heightened awareness of musical conversation. And when things are going well and time stretches, that's the best. Go for the time stretch, Jonathan!

palembic · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:13:03 AM »

I'm with Joey and Jonathan!
Being on stage is my natural biotope!
More important: exchanges musical experience with other musicians in a band set-up is what life is all about. I played rockbands, bluesbands, bigbands, brassbands, folkbands ...it's a true experinece every time! Of course I have my favourites but nevertheless ...

Paul TBO

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:42:10 AM »

I say Plan it as often as possible,you only live Once!.....

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2005, 05:30:55 AM »

Jonathan,
Isn't that magic beautiful and strange! I've loved that ensemble consciousness/ group mind feeling since the very first time I experienced it. The experience truely is mind altering ... and legal!

There's still fun in the world.
Mike

studiorecluse · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2005, 06:33:49 AM »

Jonathan, I'm there with you buddy. After years and years of solitude I started getting together with some friends my age and play every once in a while. We call ourselves Phossyl (LOL) and advertise our combined age as over 200.
Here's a joke- what word starts with the letter M and means playing with yourself?
MIDI!
Enjoy the moments, music is a gift.
Cary

dannobasso · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2005, 10:42:32 PM »

Though I'm busy with DOOMTREE and working material for the 2nd CD, I'm going to be playing and writing with guys I played with back in 83! The guitarist studied with Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists. Time to break out the synth pedals again! Never stop playing and creating! Odd meters again.......odd meters again.........
Keep up your sessions by all and every means!Danno

richbass939 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2005, 04:50:47 AM »

Dr. J., hooray, good for you.
I've found that playing with CDs can be fun and definitely beats not playing at all. It's good for learning new songs, keeping your fingers in shape, and learning and perfenctin new licks. But the creativity that comes out of your brain and heart happens so much better live.
As Joey said there's nothing like feeling where the song is going, following or leading it there, locking in with a drummer. I love playing with a drummer who can play many different styles. When we can pick up on each other's cues, let the feel change from one style to another to another, and let our playing styles emerge rather than playing someone else's notes, in my way of thinking, that's as much fun as playing bass can be.
Rich

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2005, 03:44:10 AM »

I actually saw The League of Crafty Guitarists once - must have been like 15 years ago. Before going onstage, Robert Fripp led the procession of about 20 students from the stage to the far end of the hall, and back - each guitarist with an Ovation tucked under the arm.

It was nice to see him performing with total amateurs - and it amounted to more than just showing it could be done. 20 guitarists strumming odd meters in synch ... I seem to remember they split duties - some doing upstrokes, some downstrokes, and Fripp playing lead, that sort of thing.

(Message edited by adriaan on December 19, 2005)