TJ @ Jim Stinnett's NEW HAMPSHIRE BASS FEST JUNE 25-28

Todd Johnson · #1 01-09-2008, 10:46 PM

This is going to be one of my highlights of 2008....maybe of my life!! I get to hang for 4 days with Jim Stinnett, Rufus Reid, Steve Bailey, Michael Manring, Bruce Gertz, Dave Buda, Rob Gourlay....I've also heard that Rufus and I will be playing in some duo and trio situations!!! WOW!!

You don't want to miss this one if you can help it!!!
Here's an overview I "borrowed" from the NHBassfest website.

The New Hampshire Bass Fest is a four-day celebration of the bottom end. Associate with and learn from World Class performers and teachers. Daily activities will include;Lecture/Demonstration, Lab Style Playing Classes, Master Classes, and Performances. Many luthiers, vendors, and manufactures will be on hand.

Participants are invited to attend all events.

NHBF is a unique combination of both Festival and School. Students at all levels of ability will have the opportunity to participate in playing classes. These Labs will focus on traditional and contemporary techniques in a variety of styles. Come to New Hampshire to recharge, refocus, and recommit to your
musical goals.

The New Hampshire Bass Fest will be held June 25 - 28, 2008
New Hampshire Bass Fest
Stinnett Music
145 North Rd.
Candia, NH 03034
603-483-8440
www.nhbassfest.com
jhstinnett@comcast.net

Go to www.nhbassfest.com for all the details....or email Jim Stinnett at jhstinnett@comcast.net

I hope to see you there!!!!!!!!

whoapower · #2 01-10-2008, 12:46 PM

This looks like a cool event. Estimating travel, registration and food costs, it might be doable. Contemplating on it.

Todd Johnson · #3 01-10-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoapower

This looks like a cool event. Estimating travel, registration and food costs, it might be doable. Contemplating on it.

Cool....we'd love to see you there!!!

Todd Johnson · #4 05-09-2008, 03:11 PM

Hi Guys,

Hey, it's getting close to time for the New Hampshire Bass Fest.

I would encourage all of you to attend who are serious about improving your bass playing....about getting your practicing together...who would like to be inspired by some AMAZING instructors AND students.

Jim Stinnett has THE best group of students I've ever worked with. It's inspiring to me as a teacher to see so many hard working, dedicated and disciplined players in one area. Truly inspiring stuff!!

So if you're serious.....and you'd like to PLAY and LEARN from the best....then we'd love to have you at the New Hampshire Bass Fest.

Go to http://www.nhbassfest.com/index.html to register.

I hope to see you there this summer. Please drop me a note and let me know if you can attend.

Bass Boy · #5 05-09-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Johnson

I get to hang for 4 days with Jim Stinnett, Rufus Reid, Steve Bailey, Michael Manring, Bruce Gertz, Dave Buda, Rob Gourlay....I've also heard that Rufus and I will be playing in some duo and trio situations!!! WOW!!

!!!!!

Very cool Todd! I wish I didn't have gigs in Toronto that week. I'd love to drive down to NH to see that. Rufus is my hero. I had a T-shirt made of the "inverted seat placement" photo from the Evolving Bassist and had him sign it about nine years ago. I'd love a chance to wear that shirt again! It really cracked him and Akira (Tana) up!

Todd Johnson · #6 05-09-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Boy

Very cool Todd! I wish I didn't have gigs in Toronto that week. I'd love to drive down to NH to see that. Rufus is my hero. I had a T-shirt made of the "inverted seat placement" photo from the Evolving Bassist and had him sign it about nine years ago. I'd love a chance to wear that shirt again! It really cracked him and Akira (Tana) up!

Yeah, I hear you.

I actually get to play in a trio and quartet with Rufus as my bass player. WOW!!! Who's luckier than me??

Needless to say, I'm practicing like a madman to get ready for all the top shelf cats!!

**Freddels** · #7 05-09-2008, 06:16 PM

I'm going to try to attend. I'd better start practicing.

Todd Johnson · #8 05-09-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

I'm going to try to attend. I'd better start practicing.

Freddels!!

It would be TREMENDOUS to have you there!!! It's going to be a GREAT hang. I look forward to meeting and hanging with you!!

Cool.......

brusinow · #9 05-10-2008, 11:59 AM

Hey All,

Having attended last year's Bass Fest (and attending the fest this summer), I can assure any curious talkbassers that Mr. Johnson speaks the truth...

Not only will this be a great opportunity to see some amazing players do their thing, but what really makes this festival special is how well it incorporates instruction throughout the program. Last year, there were a number of people who had been to other bass programs in the past, but they all agreed that this was their favorite overall because they left the NHBF feeling like they knew what they had to work on.

It really is an incredibly inspiring (and fun!) experience and I encourage anyone interested to come join us.

Brent

jwbassman · #10 05-11-2008, 06:32 AM

Hey guys I'll be there. Especially since it's at my almamada NHCTC. Graduated from there back in 2001.

Looking foward to meeting you guys and jamming. Brent great job on your Rendition of Havona last year! I couldn't make it last year due to gigs (fell during Bike Week), but I'm all signed up and registered for all 4 days this year!

Peace,
Jarrod

plaebase · #11 06-30-2008, 09:57 AM

Hey Jarrod,

This is Mike. Did we have an incredible week or what?! It was a pleasure to meet you and play with you at the fest. You inspired a lot of us with your positive attitude and I can tell you that I know for a fact I wasn't the only one feeding off of your energy - we loved it. I sincerely hope to see you again. Man, what a special thing we all experienced this last week... thanks for being a part of it.

Mike

robwren · #12 06-30-2008, 11:39 AM

Hey, my Band of Bass Brothers,

What an incredible time we had last week! Todd's been telling me all year how great the NHBF is, but I didn't even imagine it'd be *that* incredible! The super teaching from some of the worlds greatest players, the inspiring performances of students and teachers alike, the great *hang* with new friends...the list really goes on and on.

I could probably fill up TB servers going on about how great this week was for me personally, but I just don't have that kind of time (gotta go practice!). But, a couple of general observations really stand out to me:

1) Everyone of the artists (See Todd's original e-mail) are not only great artists in their own right, but are truly engaged instructors as well. I think it would be easy to get a bunch a big "stars" together and have them do "master classes" where they show you a bunch of stuff they can do that you can't. This wasn't like that all. In every class with every instructor, the focus was on getting the most out of the students. In the classes that I attended, more often than not the whole class would finish the hour exponentially better at whatever the focus of the class was. This created an incredible energy that permeated the whole event.

2) There are comments here about practicing to get ready to go bass fest. DO NOT let this be your mindset! There were students of all levels there, from absolute beginners, to guys experienced on other instruments picking up the bass, to Berklee grads already out there tearing it up. Every single one that I saw not only improved dramatically over the week, but left with everything they need to continue the improvement for months to come. No matter what level you're at, if you're serious about becoming a better bass player, you have to come to Bass Fest! (Of course, I'm not saying to stop practicing!)

3) I honestly don't know what Jim's plans are for next year, but the price to attend this thing has absolutely got to be the *best* "bang for the buck" in bass education going right now. I know that one of Jim's main goal is to keep this thing accessible to as many as possible. Even when you factor in travel expense from just about anywhere, I can virtually guarantee you that you will come away from Bass Fest feeling like you got incredible deal, and one that will continue to pay dividends for months and years to come.

Sorry to sound like a salesman, but I'm just so excited about this event! I could go on and on about all the stuff that I learned, all the new friends I made, all of the incredibly inspiring concerts, all of the stuff I came away with to work on, etc. But, I really want to go practice now!!!

Hope to see you all there next year!

Rob

jwbassman · #13 06-30-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaebase

Hey Jarrod,

This is Mike. Did we have an incredible week or what?! It was a pleasure to meet you and play with you at the fest. You inspired a lot of us with your positive attitude and I can tell you that I know for a fact I wasn't the only one feeding off of your energy - we loved it. I sincerely hope to see you again. Man, what a special thing we all experienced this last week... thanks for being a part of it.

Mike

Yo Mike, thanks so much! I had a blast. It was great meeting you. I'm sending you a pm. I gotta grab your contact info so we can hang and jam sometime. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other around. I'm definately planning on attending next year, and I gotta get in touch with Jim about getting in on one of the bass workouts.

Also let me say to everyone else that Todd Johnson is a great musician and a great guy. That goes for everyone that attended the festival. All of the instructors and students. I found that everyone that I talked with and hung out with were very cool. There was no "Ego", that I saw. All of the instructors were easy to approach, friendly and eager to help answer any questions that students had. All I can say is that if you have the opportunity to attend next year, you definately should.

For me personally, the Bass Fest was both inspiring and humbling. I'm sure that this is probably the feeling that most everyone that attended was walking away with. It's good to get outside the box every once in a while. That is what happened for me at the bass fest. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone, and in the process, forced me to learn some new stuff, and come to some very important self realizations. Can't wait for next year!

Peace,
Jarrod

HKrebs · #14 07-02-2008, 08:17 AM

Todd,

Thanks for everything at the BassFest. Am practicing the sliding thumb along with the first two exercises on your "Technique Builders" DVD. GOOD STUFF!

For anyone who thinks that your not good enough for the BassFest, your wrong! I have been playing for only year and came away with so much in basic technique. All the Artists and staff helped. It's really a good feeling to know that I'm learning to play with the knowledge and techniques that the professionals have developed over their carreers and with their help, to incorporate it into my playing.

Must Practice!!!

Howard

ryano · #15 07-02-2008, 08:33 AM

Yo Todd,

Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for attending the BassFest. I really enjoyed your playing as well as your company. I also have quite a few things to work on thanks to your classes.

Big thanks for getting our cafeteria concert together. We sounded gooooooood... I think AJ may have got a phone number :-).

What a great four days. I was a little bummed when I woke up on Sunday and realized it was over. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Thanks again for taking the time and coming out to the Fest. Your participation was greatly appreciated.

Take care.
--ryano

Todd Johnson · #16 07-02-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKrebs

Todd,

Thanks for everything at the BassFest. Am practicing the sliding thumb along with the first two exercises on your "Technique Builders" DVD. GOOD STUFF!

For anyone who thinks that your not good enough for the BassFest, your wrong! I have been playing for only year and came away with so much in basic technique. All the Artists and staff helped. It's really a good feeling to know that I'm learning to play with the knowledge and techniques that the professionals have developed over their carreers and with their help, to incorporate it into my playing.

Must Practice!!!

Howard

Hi Howard!!

Man, what an AMAZING week!!!! It was a thrill and an honor to be a part of this event.

As a teacher, it was amazing to see people improving EVERY HOUR!! Plus, most everyone at one point or another came up to me and explained the "epiphany" they had just experienced. That's exciting stuff to be a part of.....and to witness first hand. That's what teachers live for.

As a performer.....well.....I'm speechless!!! Playing with Rufus Reid, Jim Stinnett, Steve Bailey, MIchael Manring, Bruce Gertz....Dave Buda, Rob Gourlay, Brent Rusinow, Shane Allessio, Grant Stinnett.....the list goes on and on....WOW!! What an inspiration and an honor to play with so many AMAZING players!! Plus Joe Hunt, Tom Arey, Dino and Everett Pendleton really tie it all together.......just amazing.

Again, words just can't describe the experience I just had.....

I would really encourage people to check out the videos as they are uploaded at the NH Bass Fest page on YouTube.com

So go to http://www.youtube.com/user/nhbassfest and check it out.....

Thanks again Howard. You're a class act and a rapidly improving player. I can't wait to see your progress in January!!

Your friend and fan,

Todd Johnson · #17 07-02-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryano

Yo Todd,

Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for attending the BassFest. I really enjoyed your playing as well as your company. I also have quite a few things to work on thanks to your classes.

Big thanks for getting our cafeteria concert together. We sounded gooooooood... I think AJ may have got a phone number :-).

What a great four days. I was a little bummed when I woke up on Sunday and realized it was over. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Thanks again for taking the time and coming out to the Fest. Your participation was greatly appreciated.

Take care.
--ryano

Hey Ryan!!!!

WOW....like I said to Howard.....I'm not sure what happened....I just know this was one of the best weeks of my life!!

I'm so honored to have been a part of this event....and I can't wait until next year!!

Hey, the lunch concert was AWESOME....EVERYONE in the group jumped up about 3 levels and played great. YOU played the best solo of your life....so did BOB.....Paul and Kurt played perfect time and held us together.....and AJ....well.....I think he did get a few phone numbers!! HA!!

Please be sure to stay in touch.....I hope to see you in January if not before....

Now it's time to do some A - B Delegate.....er, uh....I mean A - B GO!!!!!! Ha!!! Thanks for busting my balls on that one!!!

I'm still enjoying the abuse.

Thanks again my friend. Don't hesitate to call on me if I can be of service!!

Your friend and fan,

Kirby71 · #18 07-04-2008, 11:35 PM

Hi Todd,

Great time out east to say the least. It was a real pleasure to meet you and have the opportunity to learn from you in such a creative environment.

For those of you who were not there, check this out for next year! I have been both years and I am not sure how it could get any better than this year. Just an awesome group of instructors and a very positive environment to learn from.

Thanks again Todd, I look forward to seeing you at a bass workout soon.

Kurt

P-FunkNorris · #19 07-06-2008, 08:21 AM

Todd, Your my hero !!!

It was such a blast hanging with all of you guys and the Rufus, Manring, Steve Bailey, and the other instructors. I learned more in the four days, to improve my playing, than in a year at college, and it was cheaper. The bassfest is definitely for those who are serious about wanting to improve their playing. You don't have to practice 12 hours a day to "get ready" for it, just come with an open mind and a willingness to learn and have fun. Not much more I could say that hasn't been. Check out the Youtube ( nhbassfest ) coverage of the classes and performances. Well, I should get back to the cycle, I have along way to go before I can cycle like Mike.

Take care guys and keep up the low end,
Paul

brusinow · #20 07-10-2008, 01:27 AM

Well, what do you know... a bass hang! I thought I'd join in.

First off, It makes me so freaking happy to see how much you all enjoyed the fest. It's such a special event, but it's also so hard these days to tell somebody "well, it really is different from all the other bass camps out there across the country." It seems pretty clear that all of you see how special this little "fest that Jim built" has become. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how Jim's methods are fundamentally very basic, but at the same time it is one of the most unique teaching methods I have ever seen. For some reason (a variety of them, actually), it has become unpopular/unfashionable to tell people what they need to improve upon. Many of us really can't separate our egos from how well/poorly we play this silly piece of wood/metal (or carbon fiber

) in front of us.

With a lot of successful players, the ego thing can be a pretty serious topic. A lot of pros don't want any of their "fans" to see them doing anything that they don't do extremely well. This is a totally natural human trait-to hide your faults.

On one of the first days of the fest, I was talking to Todd between classes. We chatted a little about the usual stuff; basketball, Shane's scary big band arrangements, and the slap/tap class Todd was teaching a couple days later. It took me a minute for it to sink in... Todd Johnson... tapping?!?!

At that point, I had an "AHA" moment. Regardless of how incredible guys like Todd, Rufus, and Michael are at what they do, these top notch musicians have chosen to be lifelong students, and are therefore at their core just like us. It should be a reminder to everyone-we're all people first, musicians second. It's crazy how good Jim is at bringing top notch people (in every respect) together.

Keep in touch, everybody-it gets lonely in my practice shed!

Brent