The Bass Geek

Before anything else, I can’t believe I just witnessed the Steelers win 3-0 on a field goal late in the 4th.  Against Miami.  A win’s a win, but I screamed.  A lot.  Please make it easier on me next time.

So anyway, I was talking with somebody at work today whose young son was taking bass lessons.  He asked a few questions about the instrument that I thought might help other newcomers.  First, he mentioned that he had a good teacher, and that’s always a good thing.  I benefitted from a couple of great teachers, but I spent some other years without one, and I think that might have been a bigger benefit if one was around.  As it was, I had to spend a lot more time digging in books and recordings (which is also beneficial), but a guide is always helpful. Just in case you’re wondering, I didn’t mention that he should take lessons from me, but I did drop the book’s name more than a few times.

Second, he mentioned that he didn’t think bass was a solo instrument.  I quickly referred him to Seth Horan as a starting point to jump off from there.

Third, he mentioned that his son was taking cello and wanted to know if he should take keyboard. I answered “Absolutely.” Any kind of musical knowledge will help, and especially keyboard - harmony concepts are easily laid out on the keyboard, so it’s a valuable tool. There’s a reason students are forced to take it.

He asked what bassists I recommended, so I gave him the usual list.

Finally, he mentioned the teacher was doing a good job of teaching and keeping it fun. That’s a great job there - it can be a hard thing to balance, and any teacher that manages it is a great educator.

Buying my book still wouldn’t be a bad idea, though.

I’ve been without a bass guitar for approximately four days now, and while I managed to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, it still wasn’t pleasant.  I found myself contemplating whether my new string orders had come in and if I should try a new preamp with my Jazz bass.  I pondered slapping a graphite neck on my Stingray, and how it would affect the sound.  I contemplated what I should take to a practice on Sunday - the P-bass, obviously, but would I need anything else?  My eyes drifted towards guitar stores, music stores, even pawn shops.  I could distract myself with the iPod and “Spook Country,” but it was a temporary solution.  After pulling in to home, making sure everything was intact, and taking everything in, the bass was in my hands and I was trying to pick out some of the lines I’d heard on the trip back.I may just have to get a Steinberger for the road. 

The podcasting book is on the presses and should be out quite soon (they may even have my name up on Amazon soon), and IMN just put up a new podcast episode as well. Finally, I’m loading up the iPod with a bunch of new episodes for the Thanksgiving traveling season. It’s fun audio time all around. It’s kind of hard to get into the flow of “This American Life” unless you’re in the car for a good long time, so this might work out well.

I also just bought William Gibson’s “Spook Country” - tried waiting for the paperback, but I just couldn’t make it. Couldn’t wait for the Kindle, either. The addition of WiFi and the stature of Amazon to back this new device are intriguing developments, but I’m not sure the consumer adoption of the iPod has opened the door wide enough for a better, faster eReader. Hell, I was trying to dodge $10 for a hardcover. The $400 price tag is a bit much to justify, especially when I deal with folks every day who print off e-mail and PowerPoint presentation because they’d rather read them on paper.

This is another device that may take a generation to integrate, as folks get more used to reading off of a screen. And dealing with it when your book’s battery dies.

It’d be easy to accuse Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings of finding a comfortable niche in nostalgia, except that their music goes beyond its historic soul roots.  The performance Jones and her band puts on transcends a frozen place in history because of the sheer power and energy they put forth.  They owned the stage from the time they first set on it, through the three-song band intro and the set drawn from their new album “100 Days, 100 Nights” and their previous two efforts, right up until they closed the show with a three-song encore/tribute to James Brown that may have featured his songs but put their talent in the spotlight.  Jones was a tornado with perfect voice and timing - she’s learned how to carry a show in her 51 years, although her performance would have been exhausting for a performer half her age.  And the band (led by bassist Bosco Mann, always a good thing) managed the tight-enough-to-be-relaxed performance expertly.  This may be the first time Jones and the Dap-Kings visited the city, but they’re guaranteed a warm welcome from now on.

I’m trying to pack in some posts before the Thanksgiving holiday comes upon us and I enter into the traditional yearly coma. Tonic Ball went quite well last night, with highlights including:

• The sly wordplay of Stacia Demos in “La Isla Bonita”
• The always-solid playing of the Benders
• Susan and the Desperate Seekers’ harmonies on “Rain” and “True Love”
• Spot-on Clash covers by Jeff Byrd and the Wingmen (”Train in Vain”) and The Common (”London Calling”)

The crowd seemed much more attracted to the Clash side of things - there were plenty of folks in both venues, but there always seemed to be a line in front of Radio Radio.

Speaking of Radio Radio, proprietor Tufty is looking to open a new all-ages venue just a few blocks from his current venue. Contact him for more info or if you’re interested in helping. Tack on the re-opening of Sam’s Saloon at the corner of Prospect and State, and you’ve got quite a few options for venues that regularly host music. Cognizant Coffee Company is also hosting a new open mic night every second Friday of the month. Not that I’ll be skipping out on the other Indy venues, but it’s fantastic to have so much available within a short walking distance.