Classically trained, badly. I could read anything and play nothing. My teacher kept saying "make it breathe" and I kept thinking that was a personality trait I was missing.
Then a friend's older brother put on a 1995 Mike's Groove in a basement in Ann Arbor and I heard a bass player do the thing I had been told about. Not fast. Not busy. Just placed. Every note landing a hair behind where I expected and pulling the whole band with it.
I went home and stopped practicing scales for six months. I played along to Weekapaug until my right hand hurt. My teacher noticed within three weeks and asked what happened and I lied, because I was nineteen and embarrassed.
I've been playing professionally for eleven years. It came from a basement.
4 comments
- Cass Whitfield
Respectfully I think you're a full point too low on that version, but I love the spreadsheet.
- Ava Sencion
I have never seen anyone describe the lot economy accurately before now.
- Ruby Alvarez
Was not ready for that turn in the third paragraph.
- Hal Brennan
This is the best thing I've read on here. Thank you for writing it down.
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