The pursuit of goals realised

[mammoth]

hey dudes and dudettes

I had such an amazing weekend i just had to share my thoughts and emotions on my ongoing pursuit of self improvement.

I posted last week (i think it was) about being partially stunted with my growth and wanted to look into alternative ways of learning and amalgamating knowledge and prowess on my Bongo. I played and played and played but just couldn't click the grooves on.

Anyways, Friday night rehearsal - nothing special, a few groove trinkets but i just knew i was sooo close to making a big leap. I found out my girlfreind was finally being let out of intensive care that night (she's over in Northern Ireland - i would be there if i could!) so i was playing with almost psychological exhaustion but couldn't let myself "give in". I had a chat with my band and mentioned i would love to rehearse saturday too.. i need to settle it once and for all.

Saturday night... Jesus christ. I amazed myself. I have hairs standing up on end thinking about how i played. I never allow myself to praise anything I ever do but it had happened, i'd moved on to a whole new plethora of playing.

And thats when it becomes clear, sometimes you can practice 4 hours a day everyday and never hit the peaks. Sometimes you've just got to clear your head, make the emotional rollercoaster that is life the fuel for your fingers.

This is what capped it though, i finished rehearsing, and in walked one of the bass players from another band. I've always envied his skills but had great repect for his fretless mothergrooves he laid down in the next room.

He walks in, recognises me and says "hey, are you the funk guy? sh*t yes you are!!! awesome!" and then spends 30 minutes worshipping my skills (and of course the bongo sound) and how if he ever died, i could be the only player to replace him in his band.

It made me so happy having the repect of one of my peers, all the hard work, all the daily grinding stuff just washed away.... i'd made it. i'm a bass player.

so maddog and anyone suffering with that awful empty lull of ideas and direction, keep at it my esteemed freinds, we can always do it, we can do anything, we're bass players!!! allright!

thanks to MM for making it pssible for me to get that happy

PS. My missus is making a great recovery

thanks for reading too peeps, apologies for the emotional leakage

 

[Hutton]

Nice post! It's always good to hear people's thoughts and stories. Glad to hear your missus is making a good recovery. Give her our best wishes!

 

[tkarter]

A get well soon to your missus.

A keep playing and enjoying to you.

tk

 

[mammoth]

thanks guys! It always puts things in perspective when you encounter real problems in life, if I could go through life only stressing on what pickup config I want on my next bass i'd be a happy man

 

[EBMM7181]

Great story. Keep playing, my friend. Music is a wonderful gift, and we are blessed to be able to play instruments. Do you know how much some people would give to be musicaly inclined, and be able to play an instrument... keep on keepin' on

 

[Narcosynthesis]

I hope your girlfriend is doing well.

There are days where nothign goes right, you can't get the tone in your head from your amp and you playing just dosen't seem to want to work.

Then there are the days everything just clicks, you play well, sound well and everything goes perfectly.

I love the moment when you retry something you attempted before and couldn't manage, and it works for you, just the realisation that you have actually moved on with the instrument and aren't just retreading the same old stuff all the time. Fantastic

David

 

[mammoth]

big up fella's

i think it's alot to do with hunger as well, sometimes the persistance and desire and determination go a long way, sometimes you flook it

more bad news at the mammoth ranch, my gran is looking like she only has a few days left, just being there for my parents and family is all i can do now. i have a feeling a few solemn moments with my bongo will be the only break for a while

when it rains, it pours.

 

[ekb16b]

great to hear about ur story and best wishes to ur missus

 

[koogie2k]

Hope your girlfriend is better. That is always the important part.

I find myself in ruts sometimes and my only way out is to play something (or attempt) that is completely out of my comfort zone. I play in a hardcore/metal band so I am constantly playing/practicing in my band. But, sometimes, I feel like I can't get past that so I pull out something "off the wall" for me. I will play and listen to some Mo-town to get a groove and to expand my playing. My playing grows and my knowledge is built up and I feel better. I am hard on myself about everything including bass. I am no way a "gifted" musician...I have to work very hard at it. Put it pays off...I have received compliments at many of my shows which is nice....but the bongo usually gets more than me! LOL.

It is cool to have a person who you consider a great player compliment you. That has happened to me and it really built up my confidence. Cool stuff.