Looking Forward; Christmas Greetings!

Well, it's been a minute or two since I last wrote. Unfortunately, the day after my last post, my dad passed away.

He was a good man, lived a full life, and while we mourn our own personal loss, we CELEBRATE his life!

He was an author, and I have his unfinished work to edit and complete. In addition, we'd talked about putting some of his poetry to my music; we'll hopefully have some stuff on both those fronts to share in 2012.

In the meantime, working on the new project (see Dec. 3rd 2012 post) and updating some stuff on my Numubu profile. Every working musician should consider one...if you need or want an invite, holler at me!

As usual, looking for opportunities to gig, teach, etc. so hit me up...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Bishop Rev. AJ Groove

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Now playing: Sarah Story - The Advent Song
via FoxyTunes

Finally, RevGroove has come BACK to Blogspot!

What's up fam? Been a minute...like more than 9 months, eh? Well, it's my b-day on Monday, and I've decided not to wait until Dec. 31st...my New Year's starts NOW!

So I'm going to blog more often, but in smaller posts...quick, in and out, done (no "that's what she said" or "sounds like my first time" jokes please!)

Just working on my Numubu profile http://www.numubu.com/profile.php?id=96333


Looking for new gigs, new opportunities...still working on some current projects (in one way or another), but it's time to stir the pot! 

Also, I'm putting together an outfit for corporate events to back any/all of the various artists I work/have worked with, if you're interested in rates and availability for your event, contact me! It's all about musicianship yo!

Need a bass player? Look no further...call me. Text me. Tweet me  . Facebook me...MySpace me...nah, it's played out, I've stopped using it, to be honest...but the deal is, I'm ready, willing, and able to back up artists and/or fill in on a sub basis (R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Gospel, Motown, Top 40)


Looking forward to this new year...it's only going to get better!


BE BLESSED!


Rev AJ Groove
];o)

10 Apps Every Gigging Urban Musician should have! PT.2

Whew! Been awhile! Hope everyone had great Holidays, Happy New Year, and alla dat!

Okay, time to finish off the 10 'Apps...I'm probably going to go more bass centric here, but bear with me as I'm sure there's equivalents for other instruments.

Okay, so in PT. 1, we discussed getting the gig, getting the gig organised, getting to the gig, and communicating.

So, once you get to the gig, you set up and you need to tune. I use a Petersen StrobFlip Tuner on my pedal board, but for the smaller gigs where I don't bring it, I'll bring along my iRig interface and plug into my iPhone to access iStrobosoft:

Super accurate, quick, gets it right every time, just as good as one of the hardware options IME! Definitely a must have. I'd also recommend T.C. Electronics' PolyTune App; you can strum all the bass strings at once and it will tell you which one(s) needs to be adjusted...okay, here's a screen shot:

I try to warm up my hands a bit with some exercises before gigs (not as often as I should, granted); I have a few metronomes on my iPhone to help with that (I'm from the school where timing is an important part of practicing...unless it's free jazz, natch! Discussion for another blog...) So again, using the iRig and some in-ear head phones, I'll do some scales and warm ups using "Metronome Reloaded":

I have two others that I won't name that I'm going to delete because I don't use them...if you have any other suggestions, throw them my way please!

If you're on a gig and you get thrown an odd ball song you maybe have to figure out chords on the fly...someone might say "after the head hit a Db Min...open tuning..." and the guitarist may say "huh?" Whip out Planet Waves' Chordmaster LE App and you can show them how it's done!

(Note: this is just an example, not a knock on guitar players or an alleged lack of theoretical knowledge on their part...again, perhaps a blog for another time? To be fair, there's a keyboard version as well, Chord Board:

Before the gig, during breaks, I usually chill with the band, if I'm the MD I may be checking with the client or the manager of the venue...otherwise, I may want to play a game or something to pass the time if it's an especially long break...so I mess around with something productive to keep my mind in the game so to speak. Sight Reading Trainer Bass App helps me improve on my reading skills (which is admittedly the weakest area of my skill set, but improving greatly!)

Great way to pass the time and sharpen up, killing two birds with one stone!

Actually, a good "all in one" trainer is the Gibson L&M (Learn and Master) Guitar App. It has a tuner, a metronome, chord trainer, and links to guitar lesson videos...supper cool!

With the exception of the tuners, all of these apps are for the low low price of...FREE! So check em out, see what you think and make a comment! Any suggestions for useful apps for the gigging musician, please share!

As I come closer to the completion of my bass pedal effects board (just waiting on the MXR Bass Compressor to hit the production line) I'll begin a series of blogs giving my take on each of the individual pedals, ending with my take on the whole ensemble. Sound cool?

Until next time...keep it low and phat, eh? Peace!

The RevGroove

P.S. I need to upgrade my iPhone 3G...love it, but too slow, especially compared to 3GS and 4G models...and then 5G is rumoured to be coming out this summer? So the thought is to pick up a used 3GS (or an NOS one that I can sell) and then upgrade when the new model comes out...if you have any ideas where I can pick one of these up at a decent (read: inexpensive) price, please comment and let me know, peace!

10 Apps Every Gigging Urban Musician should have! PT.1

So, having an iPhone, and grabbing apps, I've found a few useful ones that I want to pass along...

I'm all about networking, I'm really excited about "Just Gig It":

Everyone who's a musician and wants to get gigs or needs to hire players should have this app! For example, I need a keyboard player to cover a gig in a couple of weeks, I load the deets into Just Gig It (venue, artist, pay rate, date and time) I click send, and all the keyboard players in my address book get a text message asking if they're available to take the gig, I'll get some text messages back, and the gig is booked! Works for one spot, or to hire an entire band for a show!

Next up is Trapster:

You're late for the gig, you want to avoid those speed traps, red light cameras, etc...this is the app for you. It works best when there are others in the area using it and feeding info to the system.

You can also use it to get directions to your gig, and it will also show you how busy traffic is (red is heavy traffic, green traffic is moving well...)

This is NOT an encouragement to drive like an idiot...this is an app to be used wisely, not to speed excessively and avoid getting caught breaking the law. Use with care!

Another "community" based app like it is Zero Fine:

Living in Burlington ON, my experience with Parking By-Law enforcement has been less than positive (that's a whole other blog post) Zero Fine lets you keep track of Parking Enforcement, so you can move before your time is up, run out and put more cash in the meter, and take other actions to avoid running out of time and getting a fine, or worse having your car towed and being stranded at the gig!

HeyTell is like the "Mike" network, only for iPhone:

Texting while driving is illegal where I live (Ontario, Canada), and I must say rightly so...using your cell is illegal at all unless it's a totally handsfree operation, so use this at your own risk while driving...but IMO/IME, a quick way to get in touch once you familiarize yourself with the app...

...I include this on my list because instead of texting, I can push and hold one "button" and send a voice message to band members rather than texting or dialling numbers...and getting stopped for a ticket...again, making me late for the gig!

We'll round off part one with TimmyMe:

Several times, I've gone to the venue and loaded in, set up, sound check, and then have an hour or two to kill before people arrive and/or we start the first set...always good to know where the local Tim's is to grab a quick coffee or snack...if I'm not familiar with the neighbourhood, I can always ask...but I value my independence, and we (KeysNKrates) did almost drive off the end of an unfinished road due to local directions in Quebec (see previous blog post from 2009), so this is an app I use hard when I'm jonesing for a coffee before go time!

Stay tuned for Part II, where I'll concentrate on Apps (and an iPhone accessory or two that you can use either preparing for a gig, or actually you could USE on a gig!

Until next time, peace!

Rev. Groove

Support YFC/Youth Unlimited in Waterdown

Hey guys, from time to time I'm going to devote this space to a good cause. This time out it's YFC/Youth Unlimited, an organisation that works with students in the local high school (in this case Waterdown District High School and the Waterodown community). I've known Marcel for almost ten years; he's a great friend, and a wicked drummer (and everyone knows I'm super picky about drummers!)

A big part of of his outreach is the music studio run out of the basement at his home which also doubles as the Ministry Centre for YFC...until the Waterdown Youth Centre is built. This grant would go a long way to helping establish this centre.

Please register, and vote once a day...and otherwise, please consider donating to the cause, thanks!

Hello all,

Waterdown YFC Youth Unlimited has just submitted an application to the Aviva Community Fund, a competition that makes funds available of up to $1,000,000 to create positive change in communities across Canada. If our application receives enough votes, it could share in that prize as much as $100,000 which we could use toward the ministry Youth Centre. We would really appreciate your vote.

1. Each person is allowed 10 votes per round

2. You can only vote once per day per idea submitted (please start today).

3. you will need to register your name and email address the first time only.

4. please click on the link below and vote each day to show your support of upto $100,000 being given to the Waterdown YFC Youth Centre.

5. Please pass this to all your friends and have them vote for us, the most votes wins.

Please vote for my idea at http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf6501?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4caca7e018496e4b,0

Share this email with your friends or anyone else you know who might want to help bring my idea to life.

Thanks in advance,

Arlene Reemeyer-Nagy

Waterdown YFC/Youth Unlimited

Satellite Director

www.yfcwaterdown.com

Marcel Knot

Campus Life Director

YFC/Youth Unlimited - Waterdown

Phone:289-439-3411

www.yfcwaterdown.com

we see the hope and potential in every young person

"We see the hope and potential in every young person"

Peace.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. —John 14:27 NLT

Brooke Nicholls and da Boyz at the Rivoli this Saturday night!

Hey, check it out:

We're probably going to be going on about 8:30ish, and there's some other cool bands on the bill...look forward to seeing you there!

What's new...

Man, I need to start blogging more than once a month! @jomarbassman is cranking them out once almost every other day it seems, and it's all ways fresh! Follow his Twitter and check his blog, it's good stuff!

On the music front: Brooke Nicholls' Set at The Opera House August 7th was off the hook...so much that they asked us to come back Sept. 3rd (all ages, $15 in advance, $20 at the door)) and Sept. 4th at the Rivoli (+19, no advance sales, $10 at the door) We're working on an arrangement where you may be able to purchase one ticket for both shows, more on that later!

Really having a fun time with this band BTW...great bunch of guys (and gal!), and we're having a great time putting together the live show and playing off each other's strengths...that aforementioned Aug. 7 show won us some free recording at Chalet Studio (a division of Chalet Communications); looking forward to spending some time there banging out Brooke's next hit tune!

Checked in with my old pal Matisse this past week (on Facebook, natch); he's a busy guy, not only working on new solo material but simultaneously working on a new mixtape with Keys N Krates; hoping to get a chance to work with either or both acts sometime again, those were good days that I hope will come around again!

Still no luck on locating my missing ZX, or the other three instruments and the pedals that went with it...I've taken up the Electric Upright Bass (EUB) to "comfort" myself in my time of loss...did I say comfort? Let's correct that with CHALLENGE myself! It's a different mindset and a totally different set of finger muscles that are used. I've messed around with EUBs and 3/4 acoustic uprights at the store, but not over any length of time, like now. So glad I started using the SIMANDL method of fingering (1-2-4) over OFPF (one finger per fret) on electric bass awhile back, it's made the transition a LOT easier than what I hear it would have been...however, it's a great stretch (no pun intended, though the term is quite accurate), and I'm looking forward to adding that skill-set to my palette...gotta get a bow and start working on that too!

Capstone Recording Studios is up and running (please note that while it housed in the same building, it is a separate entity of Capstone Lesson Studios, so no worries/concerns about conflict with my day gig, okay?) Contact me at 905-320-3593 or by e-mail for rates and availability, I think you'll be happy with what we can accomplish there!

Continuing to work on stuff for the fall with 24/7...the summer rock series is going really well, come out this Sunday Aug. 22nd, the cover tune is "My Generation" by The Who; immediately after the service, we're going to have a coffee house in the Upper Room Cafe with Bianca Bernardi of Burlington, ON bring us an acoustic set! Don't miss it, this young lady is awesome and you want to say twenty years from now that you were there!

More stuff coming this fall, including a project that I'll give more details on next time around...really excited!!!...until next time, hopefully it won't be too long this time!!!