Gig + Footage = Uh-oh

Kevin Hsieh · #1 10-16-2007, 06:51 PM

ever since i moved i haven't really gotten much footage or recordings up... this was kind of cool... though incomplete.

let me know what you think.
it's kind of an informal band comprised of entirely freshman from columbia except our drummer who's a freshman from MSM just 6 blocks up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JnlSXXRRwDs

fingers · #2 10-17-2007, 09:52 AM

Sounds good man. I wish I sounded like that when I was a freshman. Nice.

This is a taste thing so take it for what it's worth. My main suggestion/critique is to find a groove and stick with it more. For me the bass is all about groove. I could actually care less if I ever solo. I find joy in finding that pocket and making it mine. Your grooves are nice but you don't stick with any idea for very long and embellish a bit more than is my taste. Settle in a make the tune feel great.

Again though, very nice work!!!

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 10-17-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

Sounds good man. I wish I sounded like that when I was a freshman. Nice.

Amen. I didn't even sound anywhere near that good on piano as a freshman. Keep it up, and you're going to be a monster.

Quote:

This is a taste thing so take it for what it's worth. My main suggestion/critique is to find a groove and stick with it more. For me the bass is all about groove. I could actually care less if I ever solo. I find joy in finding that pocket and making it mine. Your grooves are nice but you don't stick with any idea for very long and embellish a bit more than is my taste. Settle in a make the tune feel great.

Agreed with all of the above. What you're playing works well in providing momentum and energy, but be careful not to equate energy with "busy-ness" or "virtuoso comping". Sometimes just digging in and using some more subtle rhythmic displacements in you line can produce the same amount of energy, especially when the drummer/piano player are digging in as well. That said, I'd have been thrilled to be playing as well as you when I was your age...

Kevin Hsieh · #4 10-17-2007, 12:30 PM

Thanks guys. Yea, that was a big thing I just realized too. Just got to calm down and just control that energy!

fingers · #5 10-17-2007, 12:43 PM

I look at it like a conversation. Sometimes we use too many words to say something that would have been more effectively stated with a few.

I used to (an sometimes still do) have the same habit. I just have to actively think about the most concise and most effective musical statement for the given moment. I think it also has to do with learning to hear yourself as part of the whole. Listening to recordings of gigs are a great tool in this.

Kevin Hsieh · #6 10-17-2007, 12:57 PM

exactly. i just bought a recorder. and everything i do is now on my ipod for immediate review. i'm using it to make sure i'm not constantly on the top of the beat (bad habit), or too busy (another bad habit), or forgetting the changes (constant problem). i've been talking with some cats, and they've said that as we get older we start realizing that we don't need that many notes to say something and we really start maturing. i'm only a year in on the jazz and upright thing, so i sometimes feel like i need every bar to prove myself... iono.

marc and chris. i've been checking out your stuff for some time. if any of you guys are ever in town, let me know and we should catch a show.

milomo · #7 10-17-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh

i've been talking with some cats, and they've said that as we get older we start realizing that we don't need that many notes to say something and we really start maturing.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with this statement. I think musical maturity means knowing what kind of response is appropriate to the music that's happening at any particular moment, and sometimes that does mean playing a lot of notes. The more you play and develop into the kind of player you want to be, the more you'll hone those instincts, and if you have ideas, the technique and reflexes required to execute them, and the patience to not force the music, you'll be good. And, FWIW, I agree with Mark and Chris, you are off to a good start.

adbass · #8 10-17-2007, 05:43 PM

nice kevin. let me turn this immediately into geartalk and ask: whadya use to record it?

Kevin Hsieh · #9 10-17-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

nice kevin. let me turn this immediately into geartalk and ask: whadya use to record it?

my dad had a videocamera. just some cheap digital sony. as you can see we had vocal mikes on the steps and they picked up the keyboard and bass amp and sent it to the pa. which was really funny. my gk's in the back if you look closely. we didn't use anything special. just the mike that was built into the video camera and that's it.

sound's not terrible huh?! the ride's kind of tinny... but it's nice for review. it's no dvd performance release

adbass · #10 10-17-2007, 06:36 PM

fo sho. thx.

got a major yet? : )

Kevin Hsieh · #11 10-17-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

fo sho. thx.

got a major yet? : )

i'm considering a major in polisci or english. but my real passion is jazz. so i'll end up getting a degree from columbia and trying to play as much as i can in the city while studying.

Phil Rowan · #12 10-17-2007, 07:13 PM

Sounds good Kevin. I actually played a gig inside that big old library sometime in the Spring.

If you want to get some stuff together with groove, feel, bounce, beat width, simpleness, etc etc etc... (Who doesn't?? And yes, there are many ways to do this, but..) may I recommend a few lessons with one of my main mans, Dennis Irwin? If you haven't seen him live yet, go check him out with the VJO a few times (just make sure he'll be playing the night you go, since I've heard he's been traveling quite a bit). The VJO plays every Monday night.

Kevin Hsieh · #13 10-17-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

Sounds good Kevin. I actually played a gig inside that big old library sometime in the Spring.

If you want to get some stuff together with groove, feel, bounce, beat width, simpleness, etc etc etc... (Who doesn't?? And yes, there are many ways to do this, but..) may I recommend a few lessons with one of my main mans, Dennis Irwin? If you haven't seen him live yet, go check him out with the VJO a few times (just make sure he'll be playing the night you go, since I've heard he's been traveling quite a bit). The VJO plays every Monday night.

I saw Dennis Irwin with the Matt Wilson Arts and Crafts back home at the Jazz Bakery. What a player! I listen to Wake Up to What's Happenin' in regular rotation. Thanks for reminding me that he needs to be put on my lesson list. I think I'll call him up after David Wong kicks my ass for a while. Heck, why not do it simultaneously. Phil do you have his number? How much does he normally charge? PM me.

Also going to call John Clayton for a lesson when I go back home... but probably in the summer. That's going to be fun.

Phil Rowan · #14 10-17-2007, 07:30 PM

I don't think I have his number, and I don't know how much he charges, since I studied with him for about 3 years at school. He's a super friendly guy, and he'd be glad to talk to you if you say "what's up" down at the Vanguard. Tell him I sent you... I haven't talked to him or seen him in so long, so I think I'll go see if I can find his number. Still, I suggest seeing the band and meeting him in person.

adbass · #15 10-17-2007, 07:33 PM

just to give you an idea: a few years back Dennis took 70 for an afternoon hang/lesson.

Kevin Hsieh · #16 10-17-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I don't think I have his number, and I don't know how much he charges, since I studied with him for about 3 years at school. He's a super friendly guy, and he'd be glad to talk to you if you say "what's up" down at the Vanguard. Tell him I sent you... I haven't talked to him or seen him in so long, so I think I'll go see if I can find his number. Still, I suggest seeing the band and meeting him in person.

Will do, Phil. Mondays are tough but I could probably make it a couple times. I'll go talk to him.

Phil Rowan · #17 10-17-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

just to give you an idea: a few years back Dennis took 70 for an afternoon hang/lesson.

Keyword: Hang. Dennis is a trip and a half (a deep cat), and you'll learn a lot more than just playing the bass.

Kevin Hsieh · #18 10-17-2007, 07:41 PM

Sweet. I'm getting excited.

haha. it's funny that all of the little money i make and more is just going into lessons with these cats.

FOR THE GREATER GOOD!

Wespe · #19 10-17-2007, 07:47 PM

Is Neil from Maine?

I swear I've played a show with him one time. If he is who I think he is, he played with a band called the Cheese Grater Experience Version 5 feat. Major Vader at South Portland High School. Ask him about it.

Kevin Hsieh · #20 10-17-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wespe

Is Neil from Maine?

I swear I've played a show with him one time. If he is who I think he is, he played with a band called the Cheese Grater Experience Version 5 feat. Major Vader at South Portland High School. Ask him about it.

Yea man. that's our neil!

he plays mandolin too