A New Band In The Making

[BigBallz]

Well, as my old band has been put on the back burner, (co founder is going through illness), the two musicians that we brought in have asked me to join their project. They are a brother team, drums and keys and are very talented. They write their own songs and have a 24 track digital studio/rehearsal close by.

HOWEVER, they play Jazz. So, the question is, do I want to play Jazz? I would say their style leans towards progressive, which is a plus, but I have always been a rocker dude.

They have played Tahoe in a lot of the clubs and have played Harrahs and the larger rooms. I feel honored in being asked, and they want to incorporate some of my music into their set....so waddaya think? I know challenge is good, but is my heart really into it?

Fellings, questions...answers...slaps accross the face? You input it welcomed.

 

[TSanders]

James.

My regards to your long time music partner who is ill.

So youve been a rocker for a long time, maybe your whole life? The Jazz will give you a great chance to strecth yourself. Sometimes the music I least wanted to play, taught me the most, and earned my highest respect.

Always remember too, youre never too old, or have played enough music to learn something new.

Conrats, now go play some music.

 

[BigBallz]

James.

My regards to your long time music partner who is ill.

So youve been a rocker for a long time, maybe your whole life? The Jazz will give you a great chance to strecth yourself. Sometimes the music I least wanted to play, taught me the most, and earned my highest respect.

Always remember too, youre never too old, or have played enough music to learn something new.

Conrats, now go play some music.

You have turned out to be one hell of a guy......thanks for the encouragment..and I'm VERY glad you still post here.

 

[maddog]

+1

But...

How 'bout sitting in on some rehearsals w/o making a commitment? See how it goes. I'm guessing the chemistry is there since you worked with them in your band. So it comes down to being happy playing their style o' tunes. Hmmm, a rock bassist in a jazz band. Sounds like some interesting possibilities.

 

[Freddy-G.]

Sounds like a great opportunity to me. In a way though, fitting a rocker into a jazz band is like trying to get a MM sound out of a fend@r. But who knows, this could turn out to be your best gig ever. Let us know how it works out.

 

[AnthonyD]

I too feel most at home with classic & pop rock, but I have always been of the mind that "music is music" - I really do enjoy playing anything so long as it's tight.

And to the extent I can make music with the people I enjoy being around, all the better.

As mentioned, you've already worked with these guys and there must be a good chemistry. Give it a go and see where it takes you!

 

[Randracula]

I say go for it. Sounds like a good opportunity and if your even slightly considering it then it's worth a shot.The worst that could happen is that when your friend gets better you will have two projects! Won't that make the wife happy

 

[Mobay45]

I too feel most at home with classic & pop rock, but I have always been of the mind that "music is music" - I really do enjoy playing anything so long as it's tight.

And to the extent I can make music with the people I enjoy being around, all the better.

As mentioned, you've already worked with these guys and there must be a good chemistry. Give it a go and see where it takes you!

Me too, Anthony.

I've played rock, country,blues, jazz, pop and other forms of music that may not even have a genre. If I'm playing, I'm happy. It really doesn't matter what kind of music it is. Playing music that I'm not necessarily into or something that I wouldn't consider my forte is just that much more fun for me because it challenges my abilities and makes me a better overall player.

I say go for it Bigballz! You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

[mdc]

Hey BB, sounds like the perfect excuse to buy a fretless 5, no?

 

[BigBallz]

Hey BB, sounds like the perfect excuse to buy a fretless 5, no?

Four stringer for life...besides, no way to explain ANOTHER bass to wife....when my natural is delivered, I will have purchased 3 basses in just about as many months!! I have never owned 3 basses at once.

I am seeking permission to post one of this pending new projects songs so you guys can hear the different style.

 

[mdc]

I will have purchased 3 basses in just about as many months!!

Er, I know that feeling... !!

 

[BigStrings]

You know, it's been said that there are no wrong notes in jazz. As a rock and roll / blues bass player (of which I am one) there is not a lot of freedom to be found. The cool part is laying down a smoking repetitious groove with a kickin drummer, and feeling that whole thing moving behind you, nothing like it.
However, one of my very best experiences playing bass was playing with a jazz trio with a female vocalist, playing songs I never heard before. It was piano, bass and drums, no place to hide there, you had to bring it as they say. The keyboard player was an older bigtime player, who in his past, had played a live nation wide radio program called "Name that Tune" as a regular and backed up Gloria DeHaven, famous vocalist at the time. I had to woodshed quite a bit to come up to speed but in the end it was really rewarding and certainly broadened my knowledge and understanding of bass playing.
I would say give it a shot, the challenge could be exciting and breathe some new life into your bass playing, it certainly did that for me.

 

[Randracula]

Four stringer for life...besides, no way to explain ANOTHER bass to wife....when my natural is delivered, I will have purchased 3 basses in just about as many months!! I have never owned 3 basses at once.

I am seeking permission to post one of this pending new projects songs so you guys can hear the different style.

Let's hear it(or at least PM me the link)!

 

[BigBallz]

You know, it's been said that there are no wrong notes in jazz. As a rock and roll / blues bass player (of which I am one) there is not a lot of freedom to be found. The cool part is laying down a smoking repetitious groove with a kickin drummer, and feeling that whole thing moving behind you, nothing like it.
However, one of my very best experiences playing bass was playing with a jazz trio with a female vocalist, playing songs I never heard before. It was piano, bass and drums, no place to hide there, you had to bring it as they say. The keyboard player was an older bigtime player, who in his past, had played a live nation wide radio program called "Name that Tune" as a regular and backed up Gloria DeHaven, famous vocalist at the time. I had to woodshed quite a bit to come up to speed but in the end it was really rewarding and certainly broadened my knowledge and understanding of bass playing.
I would say give it a shot, the challenge could be exciting and breathe some new life into your bass playing, it certainly did that for me.

I REMEMBER that show!!!

 

[TheAntMan]

I say go for it!!!!

Hendrix was into blues, rock and rumored to have been looking into jazz. Jaco played on rock stuff, blues, jazz and anything he could get into. Flea has played some cool lines on other peoples albums (Alanis M. comes to mind).

You never know where things will lead. The surest way to fail is not to try.

Go fot it!!!

--Ant

 

[tkarter]

Give it a try. You will know soon enough how it works for you. If you have fun doing it then keep smiling and keep playing.

tk

 

[Lazybite]

My rule with joining new bands is that if they are talented then go for it. There are three outcomes in my view Best - their talent takes you somewhere and opens up some exciting opportunities, 2nd Best - you learn some new things and become a better player for it 3rd Best - You try it and leave and you see them making ****loads of money on the circuit, this sticks with you for the rest of your life because you feel miserable that you didn't stick with it.... (feel free to ignore after the words You try it and leave - hehe)

 

[SteveB]

As my boss always says... "grow or go".

 

[tkarter]

Generally we are all harder on ourselves as far as our musical ability goes. That is why we tend to grow better. It just doesn't happen but it does.

IMHO
tk

 

[Mr Light]

All That Jazz

Well,

As a jazz player, although not a good one, I must say that it can be the most frustrating type of music to play (especially if you're like me and do not like to solo). However, the frustration is the good thing, because that's where the musical growth happens. You have to ask yourself why you play bass. Do you like to play bass because you like to play rock, or do you play bass because you like to play bass? I like to play bass, so I've learned to not place relevance on music type.

Don't stunt your musical growth. Who knows? Jazz may even grow on you. It was an aqcuired taste for me, coming from a funk/R&B/disco (dance music) background.