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Michael Manring clinic!

Discussion in 'Bassists [BG]' started by Dave Siff, Oct 30, 2001.

  1. Oct 30, 2001 #1
    Dave Siff

    Dave Siff

    Apr 10, 2000
    Avondale Estates, GA, USA
    I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Manring do a clinic at Guitar Center here last night. It was simply amazing! Thought I'd give y'all a recap.
    Michael started out with "Monkey Businessman" off his "Thonk" CD, and then talked a bit about altered tunings. He tuned his bass to C-G-D-A, which he said was a good one to start out with for people who want to experiment with different tuning. He said one of the reasons he likes C-G-D-A is that it's an octave below cello tuning; he then put a capo on the bass at the 12th fret and played the Prelude to Bach cello suite #1. He also performed "No Wontons for Elvis" from his CD "The Book of Flame".. that tune is in C-G-D-A as well.
    To demonstrate a really altered tuning, Michael played "La Sagrada Familia," which is in F#-G-C#-B tuning (I may be wrong about the C#.) He said his bass wound up tuned this way after a long plane trip, so he decided he had to try to write a piece in that tuning. (He had the bass capoed at the 7th fret position for most of the song.)
    He then played some stuff in standard tuning, for the benefit of us mortals! It included a really cool medley of Beatles tunes. Michael ended the clinic by playing "The Enormous Room," which was a real treat.
    He took questions throughout; the topics included his musical influences (many) and his time studying with Jaco.
    I thought the most inspiring thing about the clinic, besides watching him do his otherworldly thing, was hearing him talk about the motivation and meaning of music and playing music for him. He used words like "passion" and "life" and "beautiful" a lot. You can tell that music just pervades every aspect of everything for him. It's really amazing to see him play, and I guess it goes without saying that if you get the opportunity to see him, DO IT!
    Side note: Joe Zon was there as well, and the Guitar Center had a bunch of Zon basses, including a couple with satin finishes on the back of the neck. WOW! Anyone who doesn't like the stickiness or plastic-y feel of graphite necks, this will change your mind. G.A.S.!!
     
  2. Oct 30, 2001 #2
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    Micheal was amazing last night. Especially when he played Coltrane's solo from "Giant Steps". It was also cool talking to Joe Zon.
     
  3. Oct 30, 2001 #3
    Dave Siff

    Dave Siff

    Apr 10, 2000
    Avondale Estates, GA, USA
    Yes! I forgot about that part.. that was incredible, too!
     
  4. Oct 30, 2001 #4
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    Hey Dave, did you like my question for him?
    "Are there many like you on your planet?":D
     
  5. Oct 30, 2001 #5
    Dave Siff

    Dave Siff

    Apr 10, 2000
    Avondale Estates, GA, USA
    HA! That was you? I knew you had to be in the crowd somewhere! Yeah, that was a good one.. I think everyone got a good laugh.
     
  6. Oct 30, 2001 #6
    bassmonkeee

    bassmonkeee

    Sep 13, 2000
    Decatur, GA
    Last night was a damn good time.The only person closer to the stage than me was Michael himself. So, I got a good view of everything.

    A very nice guy--no pretensions whatsoever, and he truly seems like he feels most alive when he is playing.

    Giant Steps was just ridiculous. Manring has left the region of "great bass player" and entered the Silly Zone. I can't think of anyone else I've seen where the audience giggles because they can't believe what they are watching.

    And, the Enormous Room just gets more amazing every time I see it.

    My personal highlight was watching him play Michael Hedges' "Woman of the World" while singing. I really miss Michael Hedges, and to see Manring keeping his stuff alive--and in such an amazing way--really made me happy.

    I told him I'd have my girlfriend make her famous meatballs for him when he comes back to Atlanta, and he told me to email him. So, I'm gonna send him the names and phone numbers of good places for him to play in Atlanta. He was a little disappointed with Eddie's Attic.
     
  7. Oct 30, 2001 #7
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    He is one of the few people that I've seen used an Ebow tastfully. Enormous Room killed me. It looks like a lot of work to play!:) Joe Zon and I talked about the feasibility(sp?) of a white Zon Studio model. That bass slays me!
     
  8. Oct 30, 2001 #8
    bassmonkeee

    bassmonkeee

    Sep 13, 2000
    Decatur, GA
    And, it was free, too....


    Oh, and did I mention the free tshirt, string cutter, and strings? :D
     
  9. Oct 30, 2001 #9
    Diezel420

    Diezel420 Guest

    Jan 21, 2001
    Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not a bad town if you ask
    I saw him about 8 months ago, and God he was incredible. He is the most amazing man in the world.
     
  10. Oct 30, 2001 #10
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    Those Hyper Basses sounded a lot better than I thought they would. He has amazing tone, and a great finger plucking technique.
     
  11. Oct 30, 2001 #11
    Christopher

    Christopher

    Apr 28, 2000
    New York, NY
    Back when I had more than one bass, I used to keep one of them in CGDA tuning. A good way to get out of a rut, IMO.
     
  12. Oct 30, 2001 #12
    Zonplayer

    Zonplayer Guest

    Nov 24, 2000
    Madison / Milwaukee
    Manring is definately the best composer who plays bass. He is my favorite performer, bassist, soloist, writer, improviser, and all around cool guy. I wish he would come around here again.:)
    His music is from another galaxy!
     
  13. Oct 30, 2001 #13
    Jeff in TX

    Jeff in TX

    Nov 1, 2000
    Lone Star State
    Wow, am I ever jealous! Sounds like a great night. Hope he comes to Dallas.

    I think his music is incredible. I just picked up a new Cullin/Manring CD. Beautiful fretless tone and amazing music.

    Jeff
     
  14. Oct 30, 2001 #14
    maxvalentino

    maxvalentino Endorsing Artist Godin Guitars/ Thomastik-Infeld

    Feb 19, 2001
    Southern California, USA
    wow...glad to hear so many of you got to see and enjoy Michael's amazing playing!
    I had the extreme pleasure of doing a tour with him ths summer (along with our very own Steve Lawson), and was stunned, amazed, floored, inspired and enlightened each night I witnessed the amazing skill and passion he displays with his bass. Not only is Michael an amazing bass player, but as you mentioned, one of the truely original voices on our instrument, a very gifted and inspired composer....and simply one of the kindest and truely caring and friendly souls on the planet.
    His music has had an enormous effect on me. His passion, dedication and integrity is a major influence.
    Tell your friends, be they bass players or not, to check out his music, buy his CDs, see his shows and clinics whenever you get the chance. Michael transcends mere music....he is an artist in the the truest sense of the word.
    Max