I have started work on my website:
http://ianwebsterbass.wordpress.com
I have also had a reply to my craigslist post - I have been invited to join Through Colour - a local pop-punk band who are hoping for a bass player who can contribute to their new sound which will have more focus on the bass.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Matt and Phreds - After the fact
Last night I participated in a funk-jam at Matt and Phreds in Manchester. At around half past ten I was asked onto the stage with 2 saxophonists, a drummer and a pianist. Since I was, for the moment, the only bass player, I was privileged to play 3 jams with 3 different drummers. These were completely improvised.
The first jam we were asked to get a groove going. I set the key with the pianist as A-mixolidian and started. The drummer fell into the groove and we were away. I did find that my excitement gave way to a degree of fear when playing and I think I had set the amp level too low.
After the second song, the sax player complimented my playing and after the third the drummer was very complimentary and we agreed to work together in future as a rhythm section.
I plan on playing every month and am encouraged to play the blues jam in the future.
The first jam we were asked to get a groove going. I set the key with the pianist as A-mixolidian and started. The drummer fell into the groove and we were away. I did find that my excitement gave way to a degree of fear when playing and I think I had set the amp level too low.
After the second song, the sax player complimented my playing and after the third the drummer was very complimentary and we agreed to work together in future as a rhythm section.
I plan on playing every month and am encouraged to play the blues jam in the future.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Matt and Phreds
In thinking about how to persue my project of becoming a session player, I have decided to start off with my first practical assignment. I have decided to play in a funk jam at Matt and Phreds on Oldham Street in Manchester.
My rationale for this is quite simple: throw myself in directly at the deep-end and perform with some insanely good musicians and try and hold down the bass end.
That will tell others in no uncertain terms where my skills are as a bass player far better than a rockschool bass grade 5, although I'm still planning to do that.
Clear my schedule for the week. I'm staying in with my bass.
My rationale for this is quite simple: throw myself in directly at the deep-end and perform with some insanely good musicians and try and hold down the bass end.
That will tell others in no uncertain terms where my skills are as a bass player far better than a rockschool bass grade 5, although I'm still planning to do that.
Clear my schedule for the week. I'm staying in with my bass.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Today I..
Signed up to Band-me-up.com; a website where musicians advertise their services. I have advertised myself as an experienced bass-player available for gigs in Manchester.
I have also signed-up to Craigslist and posted as available.
I have also signed-up to Craigslist and posted as available.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Grade 5 Book
Myrockschool book for grade 5 arrived today. There's some quite advanced technique within and I think this will really bring my playing upto a standard where I can really start to improve my consistency, timing and importantly, sight reading.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Grade books ordered
I have now ordered rockschool grade 3, 4 & 5 books. I hope to update this onto my timeline so that I can bring my skills to grade 5 by the end of February. I have also worked through music theory grade 2 on Mymusictheory.com.
I hope to provide a small text regarding the need to learn to read music, as I have learned an awful lot in the past few weeks and I am finding this knowledge of basic music theory profoundly enlightening.
I hope to provide a small text regarding the need to learn to read music, as I have learned an awful lot in the past few weeks and I am finding this knowledge of basic music theory profoundly enlightening.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Theory knowledge update
I have begun to practice music reading. Using mymusictheory.com I have managed to get to Grade 1 music theory. I am currently studying grade two and at the same time reading the music and playing to a metronome where possible.
This is certainly the most difficult challenge that I have come across since learning to play the instrument. The written notation feels like a straight-jacket, which is exactly what I need if I am to become a professional. I'm hoping that it won't take me long to make serious strides, especially if I am too learn a piece of music from manuscript to perform in an exam.
I am also using a book called "The Bass Player Book: Equipment, Technique, Styles, and Artists" (Karl Coryat, Freeman Miller Books, 1999), which has the beginner music theory basics. I have studied this book for a few years since I became serious about being a bass player, although I had completely skipped past any hint of musical theory in favour of jamming along with the recommended albums.
To my SWOT I would like to add to the 'Threats' section "Other instruments" because I have found myself distracted by my guitar (mostly in relation to my Songwriting module) and my drum sticks (as I am learning to play drums at the same time). As of this Xmas, I can add Banjo to this list of distractions, aswell as Morgan's spiced rum and late mornings.
I am, however, determined to prove my tutor wrong that this production project will become a simple research project as he does not believe it possible from my starting point.
By the end of the Xmas holidays, I want to get passed grade 2 on mymusic theory (I will include a screenshot of the 'certificate' screen). This will lead me to my target of attaining Bass Guitar Grade 5, which I still feel is within my capabilities with continued study.
This is certainly the most difficult challenge that I have come across since learning to play the instrument. The written notation feels like a straight-jacket, which is exactly what I need if I am to become a professional. I'm hoping that it won't take me long to make serious strides, especially if I am too learn a piece of music from manuscript to perform in an exam.
I am also using a book called "The Bass Player Book: Equipment, Technique, Styles, and Artists" (Karl Coryat, Freeman Miller Books, 1999), which has the beginner music theory basics. I have studied this book for a few years since I became serious about being a bass player, although I had completely skipped past any hint of musical theory in favour of jamming along with the recommended albums.
To my SWOT I would like to add to the 'Threats' section "Other instruments" because I have found myself distracted by my guitar (mostly in relation to my Songwriting module) and my drum sticks (as I am learning to play drums at the same time). As of this Xmas, I can add Banjo to this list of distractions, aswell as Morgan's spiced rum and late mornings.
I am, however, determined to prove my tutor wrong that this production project will become a simple research project as he does not believe it possible from my starting point.
By the end of the Xmas holidays, I want to get passed grade 2 on mymusic theory (I will include a screenshot of the 'certificate' screen). This will lead me to my target of attaining Bass Guitar Grade 5, which I still feel is within my capabilities with continued study.
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