What is your warmest and most beloved moment in music?

mjolnir · #1 12-11-2007, 12:35 PM

Title speaks for itself, I think. I was just thinking about the time I was suckered into playing guitar for my ex girlfriend's (she was my girlfriend at the time) vacation bible school thing, and I ended up playing praise music and singing for a bunch of little kids, like early elementary school kids. It was pretty awesome watching all those kids sing along and sway to the music, and the best part was when my girlfriend (she was a singer) asked for requests and this little girl, couldn't have been older than six, stood up and in the tiniest voice asked if we could play her twinkle twinkle little star. My girlfriend smiled and said, "I think we can work something up." and turned to me and the piano player. Piano guy leaned over to me, whispered a key, and we were off.

I didn't want to fill in that day, but watching that little girl's face light up when we started twinkle twinkle little star made it more than worth it.

Phalex · #2 12-11-2007, 12:41 PM

On the first date I ever had with my then future wife, she wanted me to play her a song on the guitar. She'd seen me play with a band several times, and knew I was a musical type of guy. The only song I could recall on such short notice??? "Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw"! 2 years later she married me, so I guess it wasn't the deal breaker it sounds like it could have been. When people ask us what "our" song is they get totally different answers from the two of us. (She claims it's "You Can't Always Get What You Want" which was her favorite song that I sang back in the olden days.)

casualmadness · #3 12-11-2007, 12:54 PM

Lots of memorable moments...but in the same vein, I would have to say it would be the Panoply of the Arts Festival in Huntsville, Alabama. I was in a classical music group that played there back around '94 or so. We did all the usual stuff (Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, Verde...etc.) But we also did a lot of traditional stuff like "Sicilian Tarentella" and "Greensleeves," and others like that. Well, we did three shows as it was a three day festival. The first day was on a Friday and it was only open to local schools. So they bussed hundreds of local school kids out for afield day to see the acts and get thier faces painted and enjoy themselves before the weekenders arrived.
Anyway, several hundred people; mostly kids, filled in to watch us perform. For the first few pieces, the kids were obviously bored. (who knew that Moonlight Sonata wouldn't excite kids?!

)
Well, after a few pieces we decided to liven things up with "Sicilian Tarentella." Now if you aren't familiar with this particular song, it is the quineticential Italian song. Very upbeat, very lively, and it is impossible to listen without clapping your hands along with the beat.
So within seconds of the start of the song, the kids were wide awake and clapping along. By the end, they were fanatical. Screaming thier little heads off for more. We finished out the show with a few more upbeat pieces and then we were done.
We took all of our music stands and instruments and everything down and made our way to the backstage area. We spent quite a bit of time putting outr instruments away and folding our music stands. Once I got my bass cased up and got my music stand put away, I was the first to exit the rear area. When I opened the door there were literally about 150 kids standing there. As soon as I opened the door, I was met with loud cheers and screams. It was kinda scary to be honest. I didn't know what they wanted from me. Well, a few other musicians came out to see what was going on and they screamed even louder.
They began asking for autographs and pictures and it was all the usual rock star treatment. So we began signing autographs for them. We signed autographs for a long time. We psoed for some pictures. Gave lots of hugs. Had lots of fun. Then one little girl, who had been in the back I suppose (or maybe had just wandered up late) caem to me and asked if I would give her an autograph. I said "of course I will!" I had a sharpie that I had been using for the others. I asked if she had paper or a ticket stub or something. She replied by offeringher forearm. I said, "sweetie you don't want me to write on your arm." Let me find some paper for you. She said, "no I want you to sign my arm." I was very reluctant. Well then an older lady approached was turned out to be the mother. I told her that her daughter wanted an autograph but she wanted it on her arm and I didn't know if that was s good idea with a sharpie. So mom, clearly not wanting me to use a sharpie to draw on her daughter, dug around in her purse and produced a marker with non permaenet ink. She said, "she uses this one to draw on herself all the time. It washes right out." So I took the new marker and signed her forearm.
She had the biggest smile on her face after that. Then she hugged me and thanked me and that was that.
I don't think I will ever forget that.

BigSwami · #4 12-11-2007, 01:15 PM

I used to play with a jazz band in high school that was filled with total long-haired miscreants and criminals. I got a great deal of joy out of playing for some library opening or historical society fundraiser, and breaking out a Brecker Bros. track or something of that sort. We would shock half the audience, make the other half get up and dance, and then steal something valuable on the way out. You could easily find half the band after a performance, piled into a hatchback with plumes of smoke and a street sign or two coming out of it. Our band director was torn between laughing and tearing his hair out. It was a good time to be alive.

wingnut · #5 12-11-2007, 01:57 PM

Back when I was 13 years old. We went to my uncles house. It was a typical November in Saginaw, snow up to your butt, already dark at 4pm, I was bored stiff. This was the first time I had ever met my uncle and I had no idea that he played music. He took me to his basement and there was a piano and a drumset and some guitars and some basses. He turned everything on and told me to have fun. He left and went back upstairs. I dinked around on all the stuff as I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Then I picked up the bass. It was a fender P-bass. For some unknown reason it spoke to me. I actually was able to play some lines that I'd heard over and over while growing up. I even used my fingers! A few hours later my dad and uncle came down to tell me it was time to go, I begged to stay longer so I could keep playing the bass. But my dad had to be to work in the morning early so we had to leave. Then it happened, My uncle put the bass in it's case, unplugged the amp and said "Here you go, I have enough basses, I can part with this one." Turns out what he gave me was a 1966 P-Bass and a bassman amp! If it were not for his generosity, I would probably never have become a bass player...I owe him a great debt.

casualmadness · #6 12-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut

Back when I was 13 years old. We went to my uncles house. It was a typical November in Saginaw, snow up to your butt, already dark at 4pm, I was bored stiff. This was the first time I had ever met my uncle and I had no idea that he played music. He took me to his basement and there was a piano and a drumset and some guitars and some basses. He turned everything on and told me to have fun. He left and went back upstairs. I dinked around on all the stuff as I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Then I picked up the bass. It was a fender P-bass. For some unknown reason it spoke to me. I actually was able to play some lines that I'd heard over and over while growing up. I even used my fingers! A few hours later my dad and uncle came down to tell me it was time to go, I begged to stay longer so I could keep playing the bass. But my dad had to be to work in the morning early so we had to leave. Then it happened, My uncle put the bass in it's case, unplugged the amp and said "Here you go, I have enough basses, I can part with this one." Turns out what he gave me was a 1966 P-Bass and a bassman amp! If it were not for his generosity, I would probably never have become a bass player...I owe him a great debt.

Now that's the stuff that dreams are made of!

wingnut · #7 12-11-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casualmadness

Now that's the stuff that dreams are made of!

I wish he was still alive so he could see how I turned out and what an influence he was, however he died just a year later.

IAmTheDood · #8 12-11-2007, 02:20 PM

mine i think was my junior year of high school. I played baritone in the wind ensemble. We did a rendition of Oh Danny Boy. The melody was played by the lead chairs of trumpet, baritone, and trombone .. while most everybody else sat and did nothing.
I think that was the only time I had a solo, or played the melody. (trombone, baritone, and tuba were my instruments I played back then.)

When I picked up the bass guitar last year and started playing, after a month or two I remembered that, and started to play the song on bass. Only missed a few notes on it, lol .. I remembered the rest of them even though I played it on a different instrument.

I also enjoyed playing jazz band in high school, played bass trombone there.

Dave R · #9 12-11-2007, 10:15 PM

Wish mine could be kids or girlfriends. But its just musical.

It was an important gig for us. Lots of the movers and shakers in the town attended it. We play outdoors, 7-9pm.

At noon, the (guy) lead singer’s wife went into early labor. We’re freaking about finding a replacement.

Within 20 minutes, our keys guy, who is very well connected in town, had us a replacement. A woman. Does a lot of studio/jingle work in town. A real pro.

We meet her for the first time one hour before show time. We go through the set list, and sort into:

1. No problem.
2. No way.
3. With a little work…

We go through all of the “with a little work” numbers during sound check. And we find quick replacements for the “no way” numbers.

Then we go onstage…

First number rocked the town.

Second number was a “no problem.” It was “Moondance.” Except it was the WRONG KEY for her.

She sang it anyway, moving effortlessly between octaves, and improvising transitions between octaves. The song had never sounded that way before, and no one will ever sing it that way again. But it was beautiful. We were all entranced, knowing we were seeing a one-of-a-kind performance.

The rest of the night went wonderful. We got signed for next year, and picked up a couple weddings and a corporate event or two. Magic night.

SundanceChile · #10 12-11-2007, 10:22 PM

Enter Musicianship 2.

The class is practicing the Bach Chorals. I can't remember the specific piece we were working on at the time, but one of the head chair ladies had walked into our class to take pictures of us practicing. So we start going through the Choral. Keep in mind most all of the Bach Chorals take less then a minute and half to preform. Midway through, the lady leaves the room in a flustered rush. Most take notice, but we all keep preforming through. Upon finishing, we start to question amongst ourselves why she left so suddenly. One of the Sopranos speak out,

"She left. She left crying. She was crying because the music was so beautiful."

Sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like had I chose to Musical Performance(Tenor) as opposed to Musical Composition. I can only hope that one day my works can move a person as to the extent of that day.

chaosMK · #11 12-12-2007, 08:22 AM

BillMason · #12 12-12-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut

Back when I was 13 years old. We went to my uncles house. It was a typical November in Saginaw, snow up to your butt, already dark at 4pm, I was bored stiff. This was the first time I had ever met my uncle and I had no idea that he played music. He took me to his basement and there was a piano and a drumset and some guitars and some basses. He turned everything on and told me to have fun. He left and went back upstairs. I dinked around on all the stuff as I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Then I picked up the bass. It was a fender P-bass. For some unknown reason it spoke to me. I actually was able to play some lines that I'd heard over and over while growing up. I even used my fingers! A few hours later my dad and uncle came down to tell me it was time to go, I begged to stay longer so I could keep playing the bass. But my dad had to be to work in the morning early so we had to leave. Then it happened, My uncle put the bass in it's case, unplugged the amp and said "Here you go, I have enough basses, I can part with this one." Turns out what he gave me was a 1966 P-Bass and a bassman amp! If it were not for his generosity, I would probably never have become a bass player...I owe him a great debt.

Holy crap!!! Why can't I be you...

Doc Labyrinth · #13 12-12-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSwami

I used to play with a jazz band in high school that was filled with total long-haired miscreants and criminals. I got a great deal of joy out of playing for some library opening or historical society fundraiser, and breaking out a Brecker Bros. track or something of that sort. We would shock half the audience, make the other half get up and dance, and then steal something valuable on the way out. You could easily find half the band after a performance, piled into a hatchback with plumes of smoke and a street sign or two coming out of it. Our band director was torn between laughing and tearing his hair out. It was a good time to be alive.

You just described, to a T, my high school jazz band experience.

Techmonkey · #14 12-14-2007, 08:00 AM

the singer of our band does a lot of solo work around the local cafes and stuff on the afternoons. she's got an incredible voice, really really soulful.

she did a cover of Eva Cassidy's "somewhere over the rainbow" a couple of sundays back when I was running the PA for her. that song has always been pretty personal to me, and very personal to her... I looked over and she had a tear in her eye singing it, and when I saw that I couldn't stop myself from crying either. it was a surreal couple of minutes... but I've never known music to be so beautiful before, and I don't think I ever will.

Seigi · #15 12-14-2007, 10:51 AM

My favorite musical moment?

The first time I heard Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old-Girl by Broken Social Scene.

Baird6869 · #16 12-14-2007, 11:06 AM

Last year I had a party for the hockey team (fifteen 10 year olds) I coach at my house and one of my players saw that I had guitars in the basement and asked if he could try out my Les Paul. I reluctantly let him and man could this 10 year old play. No Yngwie, but VERY advanced for his age. I pulled out a bass and we jammed AC/DC, Iron Maiden and a few other bands for an hour or so in front of most of the kids and 20 or so parents.

It was very cool considering I didn't know the kid played and nobody knew I had played bass all my life.

Valerus · #17 12-14-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techmonkey

the singer of our band does a lot of solo work around the local cafes and stuff on the afternoons. she's got an incredible voice, really really soulful.

she did a cover of Eva Cassidy's "somewhere over the rainbow" a couple of sundays back when I was running the PA for her. that song has always been pretty personal to me, and very personal to her... I looked over and she had a tear in her eye singing it, and when I saw that I couldn't stop myself from crying either. it was a surreal couple of minutes... but I've never known music to be so beautiful before, and I don't think I ever will.

Must have been a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I want one of those.

**T. B. Player** · #18 12-14-2007, 11:38 AM

Warmest moment were hearing my kids - my youngest playing Rimsky-Korsakov's "Procession of the Nobles"'s flute part...effortlessly. She's 14. Hearing my son (now 18) play anything of vibes/marimba with the band and percussion ensemble....when we don't have a keyboard in the house. When I asked how he learned his tunes the first time I heard him, he pulled out the dinky kiddie keyboard that a relative bought when they were really young. The best is walking down the hall to my eldest daughter's room (now 20) an hearing her sing Nora Jones tunes like there's nobody listening (but don't ask her to sing anything in public).

The warmest memory for me was in high school during the drama club's spring musical. The other musicians would leave at intermission, but the director asked the keyboard player, the drummer, and me to stay and play some jazz trio stuff. It was more fun than playing the shows! The drummer became a staff artist/art director for Rolling Stone magazine, and the keyboard player is now a Tony-award winning composer. I just write stuff here on Talkbass

iScott · #19 12-14-2007, 11:40 AM

Meeting Metallica then seeing them live for the first time. Greatest day of my life thus far.

Just J · #20 12-14-2007, 03:13 PM

When my mom showed me this for the first time about a year ago when I was visiting:

I was about 3 in the picture. I remember my mom's boy friend at the time taught me a little guitar. Have a good memory of the first time he strapped one of his electrics on me and showed me some chords.