Achievement
Confidence Boost
My student:
A Journey of a bassist under my Tuition (Part 3)
A nondescript overcast morning in the dull old West Midlands....was completely transformed by a new interpretation of "To be over" by Yes (Relayer 1974) on the bass guitar. Whilst, in part, elevated once more by the Roger Dean artwork on the CD cover (with a scene of ancient Oriental riders trekking through the harsh, wind-eroded landscape), I was challenged by Gavin to work through the more demanding C and A scales first so that I would recapitulate on existing skills which Steve Howe, the songs principal composer, would have used when constructing the overriding theme. Gavin doesn't just give it away: through worked understanding and practice, the reasoning comes to the fore, prior to the metamorphosis and the release. The metamorphosis comes in the form of seeing and hearing the shape of the theme trying to emerge from the aforementioned scales from the guitar and the fledgling guitarist; certain recognisable notes which, in time, pitch and volume, are just beginning, like planetary fragments, to coalesce into gradually recognisable melodic repeats and refrains. The release occurs when the apprentice finally traces over the notes with accurate timing and pronunciation (given the guidance and motivation from the composer, the band recording and imparted experience of the craftsman), finally enabling the enunciation of the theme in unison with the recording and the mentor...and he, the novice, gasps in momentary gleeful achievement. From the stone egg, lying dormant on the grey earth of the Relayer cover, has emerged the performance, replete with the kaleidoscope of atmospheres, gleaned on the first hearings some 42 years ago, now re expressed in person and a once forgotten song rises again on the warm wings of remembering.
For part 2 click here
Listen Carefully
Learning4Life
Source: Learning4Life
From Practice to Performance
The Journey of a bassist under my tuition (Part 2)
Teaching Bass
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Learning Bass (Part 1)
AS approached me for bass lessons and has recently tried the electric guitar. Recently he has passed his grade and felt ready to share his playing.
I have intended to learn the bass guitar since I was a teenager but never
had the patience nor self-discipline to begin in any realistic sense. In
July 2014 I walked into an independent retail outlet and bought an amp,
lead and a crimson & black bass guitar, making a commitment to myself to
then finding a guitar teacher.
Learning the Guitar
Steve Qualifies in Electric Guitar skills
In January I sat down with Steve after his lesson with me to find out more about his background.
Here are some words from the interview:
What is your favourite style of Music?
Blues, I’ve always listened to Blues since ’68, John Mayall, Alexis Korner, too many to name.
What got you into the Guitar in the first place?
I’ve always wanted to play Guitar like Peter Green, Martin Barre (Tull), Rory Gallagher, but never got around to it until last year.
What is next for you now?
The next grade and hopefully pass a good grade
What do you get out of playing the Guitar?
Satisfaction and pleasure it keeps you thinking and listening to Music in a different way.
Do you see yourself performing to an audience one day?
Don’t know, not for a while.
Many thanks to Steve for his hard work and time.
Sunday, 7 August 2011