Getting back into the groove...

(So, I'm listening to the new Seth Horan CD, Clang & Chime (as part of his team of producers, I got four copies...if you're nice, I may share!) Kickin' tunes, excellent vocals and bass chops!

Still hoping to do Berklee Online at some point in the next 18 months...may have to fix my daughter's teeth first though...in the meantime, the pursuit of musical excellence continues!

Getting back into the groove, students are back, and this year they're all doing really well for the most part. So the question is, how do I keep MYSELF excited and into the groove? Without a steady gig/creative outlet, what to do?

Well teaching guitar and bass in itself helps. As a mostly self taught musician, going through the theory and practical aspects, disciplining myself to teach proper techniques is good in and of itself. Plus, gotta keep ahead of them! So I'm throwing myself into Norm Stockton's Grooving for Heaven Video series, it's great material...learning not only theoretical and practical techniques, but also healthier, ergonomic ways to play.

Also, going back to the other instruments I've learned, and looking at picking up new ones! I pulled out the acoustic and played and sang before a student arrived earlier this week, and something just clicked. Later that night, I pulled the keyboard out (I'd put it away after the reno thinking it takes up a bit of space and I don't use it that much, so I'd just pull it out and use it as needed) and set that back up, played some gospel tunes on that...love the slash chords and shots...and yeh, that's going to improve my skills not only as a bass player, but as a musician, composer, arranger, and producer as well...

...anddddd....we're back! Had to run my daughter to the E.R., bruised bone in her foot, no fracture thank goodness...so I'm picking up my train of thought roughly 4 hours after I started this...


...and so yeh, feeling a little more inspired! Listening to lots of stuff...jamming with lotsa folks when the opportunity for rise (again, no steady gig right now, so I'm available for hire yo!)...just soaking up as much as I can musically and having as much fun in life as better...all about getting into the groove...and getting to the point where I'm the best musician I can be! Word!



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Now playing: Seth Horan - So Sorry
via FoxyTunes

Has it really been that long???

Wow, it has been a minute, eh? No posts at all in September...what's been happening?

Well, the Groovin' for Heaven Bass Clinic at L&M was a success, despite the storm and tornado warnings that evening. Next night I got to see Norm play with Lincoln Brewster at a concert in Barrie, great show, plus I learned a lot just hanging out with the band and watching the show. They're all a great bunch of guys, look forward to hanging with them again sometime in the future (ambitious project, but on my list of things to work on next year is bringing Linc, Norm, and the boys to the SWO area for a worship conference/clinic...may take a couple of years to make it actually happen, but I'm going to get started!)

Did an old school private engagement with Matisse and the Playground last month as well. Great to play some of that old school classic funk, R&B, and dance tunes, it's been a while. Great also to hang out with my boys Maurice and Tune, hadn't seen them since June...and hadn't seen 88 Keys and Shezelle since the Valentine's Day gig! But it was like old times, we had the joint hopping like we do, and heard we may have a few more before the year's end, looking forward to that!

Also had the privilege of playing for my "baby" cousin Erica's wedding to Orville Smith two weekends ago (note: like my mother, Erica is also a Richardson who married a Smith)...it has been a LONG while since I played straight gospel chops, but again, like coming home. Interesting in that there was very little rehearsal (the rehearsal I showed up at I actually played keys for the two main vocalists to work on their parts and not bass!) but it came off great! The MC they hired for the reception was off the hook, I have his card somewhere and will post his information, but he was just hilarious: the letter from "Cousin Blacka Smith" was worthy of being on Comedy Central's Comedy Special, no doubt!

And, played in Barrie this past weekend with the Collective at the Barrie Connexus, and will be heading to Orillia this Sunday again. Those are always learning experiences, both from a playing perspective (no rehearsal, learn the tune cold on your own and just do it with the band) and also from a fellowship perspective. We (the band) have some pretty cool conversations, some serious, some not, some spiritual ("Jesus was not thinking about you when He was on the Cross"...seriously, think about it...)...yeh, just realised how much I missed doing the Connexus services with the guys, looking forward to doing more of those...

Picked up 3 new students (actually, 1 of them is a returning student after a 3 year break) so I now have 5 students total, with room for one or two more (call me!) Did a "barter" deal (exchange of lessons for services) and ended up with a.) a beautiful new floor to replace the carpet I threw down in the studio and b.) a heating duct run out to the studio; no more electric heater and astronomical Hydro Bill to go along with it. I'm checking into this concept of barter replacing cash...I can dig it...just gotta make sure all parties are aware of what is actually being bartered (a small hiccup that's in the process of being resolved...lesson learned!)

Gear stuff: Still alternating between the Traynor DB300T and the Gallien Krueger NEO1001/212 combo...both are Yorkville distributed, though Traynor is made by Yorkville...the DB300T is perfect for smaller gigs, and for gigs where I need a stage monitor and have limited cargo space (i.e. Connexus gigs) and it's great as a head in a situation where there's a cab in house (i.e. 24/7 Church)...however, I really love the sound/idea of 2x12 cabs, and the weight, preamp, and built in wheels and handles (read: easy to transport) make it ideal for club/corporate shows. So I'm just enjoying the best of both worlds (BTW, YSL stuff is available for interest free financing this month, so if you're looking for an amp...)

Still rocking (and loving) my MTD Kingston Z5 and ZX basses. Saddened that we're not currently carrying them in stock, but hoping that will change soon...want to get a fretless and a 6 string fretted at some point!

Okay, that's enough of an update...I'll try to holler at y'all again before not too long. Blessings and groove be with you, shalom!



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Now playing: J Moss - Operator
via FoxyTunes