“Bass Church”
I started “Bass Church” in September to help engage students w/things that I really wanted them to learn, but we never had enough time to do during a private lesson. The rate at… Continue reading
Category Archive: Jazz
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Memorizing standards, failures, and developing a deeper love for jazz (and double bass)
I had spent roughly ten years beating my head against the wall trying to memorize standards to grow as a jazz bassist, but I was at the mercy of what worked for others.… Continue reading
Insecurities? What insecurities?
I have been convicted of a crime: being insecure. Yes, I know. You might ask, “how could this be?” I will just shake my head and answer back, “I know…I know…it’s a shame.”… Continue reading
Inspiration’s corner: Matt Smiley
I was laying in bed after a long day and feeling the pressures of social media knocking at my cerebral door–It was Matt Smiley’s birthday and I hadn’t sent him an oh-s0-very-important birthday… Continue reading
Video: Spending time in the Charlie Parker Omni Book for bass.
A couple of years ago when I started really studying the bass, I bought a bass clef version of the Omni Book of Charlie Parker’s tunes. I wasn’t really good enough to play… Continue reading
How to prepare for your junior recital…
This is a big moment for me, and this blog for that matter. I have been preparing for my junior recital, and that means a lot more than just practicing my material. In… Continue reading
Bass video lesson #1: G major scale and groove application using open strings.
This is my first lesson video showing one of the first scale you might learn on the bass with open strings involved; here is why you should learn it and some spontaneous applications… Continue reading
Video Blog: Stretching to avoid injury!
I have seen quite a few people suffer from the effects of not stretching–I was one of those people. When I started getting serious about playing upright bass (as well as playing a… Continue reading
Video archive: How to refinish a hard wood floor, put on flashing, and a live performance with Tyler Burnett.
I had a band a long time ago that was really popular locally and we were starting to branch out towards the west coast market. Our touring days only lasted a little over… Continue reading
America The Beautiful; featuring Jaco Pastorius.
Every time I watch this video it moves me beyond any other music video. Three years before his untimely death Jaco was in apparent rough shape. His pants are dirty and he does… Continue reading
Chris Thomas from BB Fellowship Band plays one of the best solos I have heard.
I follow Brian Blade on Facebook and a month ago he shared this video from a performance of the tune “King’s Highway” at the Chicago Music Exchange. I pulled it up and put… Continue reading
Tuff bag is tough…tuff?..tough!
I have been using my Tuff Bag about three to four days a week since I bought it from Steve at String Emporium in October. This is the new model with extra padding… Continue reading
Jeff Hamilton and the most nervous/excited I have ever been. (Reflections one year later.)
Almost a year ago I was presented with one of the most frightening proposals I have ever been persuaded to consider. The famous, and around these parts infamous, Jeff Hamilton was coming to… Continue reading
My Magic City Music Award and a smack down to my cynicism.
I recently won a local music award for best bassist. Even though the award just says bass, it insinuates that it means “Billings’ best bass player” (right?). Anywho, I wasn’t there to accept… Continue reading
Deleting Facebook
The title sounds harsher than it seems once you catch my drift: I deleted the facebook app (oh my!) from my phone last week. I have to say, embarrassingly enough, that it was… Continue reading
Bass playing with wife and baby. (Pictures are Included.)
There is a misconception out there about wives and children ruining the careers of passionate musicians and artists. I grew up thinking it was true. I had seen my dad dash his dreams… Continue reading
Top Three shreds!
I have watched a few of these “shreds” videos over the last two years and I have to say that I found my favorite one. These are some of the best musicians of… Continue reading
6 months of the Thursday jazz jam at the Garage – My recapitulation.
An interview with our local paper, click to see. Although I don’t remember being interviewed for this I would like to add my own thoughts on why I think this is a great… Continue reading
Do you have the look?
I was recently made fun of from a dear friend, his ammo for the ribbing was over a quote he had read from a magazine. A local band was making their way to… Continue reading
Practice makes you feel better…hopefully…you’ll at least be away from facebook for a while…
The best thing that I have learned since January of last year is how to practice. I was meeting with my friend Will Honaker, over xmas break, who is attending McNally Smith in… Continue reading
“Christian” or “Non-Christian”: Biblical evidence God wants people to play well.
This could be a seemingly heavy post and I know that some cats shut off at the mention of God, but hear me out for a minute-this could be good. I was on… Continue reading
For any upright bass player or acoustic guitar player, it has got to be (( HEADWAY )) EDB – 1
I recently purchased a “Headway” EDB-1 For my upright bass. This is the pre-amp that I have been waiting for! I love it! With my SWR “Natural Blonde” and Fishman full circle bridge… Continue reading
Outdoors to make the music better
I recently played a two night Saloon(bar) gig at the Chico Hot Springs “Resort” in Pray, Montana. The greatest part about this gig isn’t the pay, it is the group of guys I… Continue reading
The Trifecta blister and not practicing enough
(Summer of 20/12) I have to admit something: since June, I have not been practicing much at home. There are a few days a week that I will do a little work, but… Continue reading
It’s in the hands
I have seen, over the years, people always searching, talking, and asking about gear. I am sure it’s the same in any profession but in mine it is particularly prevalent. “What amp is… Continue reading
SWR Natural Blonde
I apologize but this is a total gear post. I feel like I have to pay this SWR combo amp the credit it deserves. I have been playing the Natural Blonde for 4… Continue reading
Breaking the bonds of Pop status
The Problem: I believe that if we, as Americans and modern humans, understand that longevity is possible, and a key to generating culture and regrowth as a civilization, then we will put to… Continue reading
Fishman Full circle
The last pickup that I owned was a K&K bass master Pro. I really liked it but I was having trouble with playing at high volumes and getting the sound that I wanted… Continue reading
Jeff Troxel lessons
From the second week in January to the last week in April, I was a student of guitar with Jeff Troxel. I had been wanting to learn to play guitar this way since… Continue reading