I first picked up a bass way back in the era of big hair, acid-washed jeans, and a fledgling network called "MTV".
I took lessons at the local guitar shop; my mom had to drive me to those lessons.
I'd say that I'm an above-average player; but lately I've felt stagnant, and the recent Chicago TalkBass get together gave me a peek at how much more the upper-echelon players (@Tslicebass ) are doing with the instrument.
I'm in my hometown town this week, and looked up my OG bass teacher - he's retired from gigging, but he's still teaching!
So I signed up for a lesson yesterday afternoon - and after we caught up a bit, he showed me a couple exercises.
It quickly became obvious that the habits and muscle memory of 30+ years on this instrument have gotten waaaay too much control over what I play. It was confirmation that on some level, I've literally been "going through the motions".
Just working over the last 2 days on one of his exercises has made me more conscious and intentional in my playing.
I've signed up for another lesson tomorrow - and it's encouraged me to keep challenging myself.
The moral of the story?
I'm old, but I'm not done.
I'm good, but I could certainly be better.
Music is a journey, not a destination.
I took lessons at the local guitar shop; my mom had to drive me to those lessons.
I'd say that I'm an above-average player; but lately I've felt stagnant, and the recent Chicago TalkBass get together gave me a peek at how much more the upper-echelon players (@Tslicebass ) are doing with the instrument.
I'm in my hometown town this week, and looked up my OG bass teacher - he's retired from gigging, but he's still teaching!
So I signed up for a lesson yesterday afternoon - and after we caught up a bit, he showed me a couple exercises.
It quickly became obvious that the habits and muscle memory of 30+ years on this instrument have gotten waaaay too much control over what I play. It was confirmation that on some level, I've literally been "going through the motions".
Just working over the last 2 days on one of his exercises has made me more conscious and intentional in my playing.
I've signed up for another lesson tomorrow - and it's encouraged me to keep challenging myself.
The moral of the story?
I'm old, but I'm not done.
I'm good, but I could certainly be better.
Music is a journey, not a destination.
