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Posts Tagged ‘Music’

It was a fantastic experience.

A Great Bunch of Chapman Stick Players

Some take aways from the event:

• Have the courage to make mistakes
• Not everyone has the same technique
• Listen to everyone to gain wisdom and insights
• Think, play and listen

Thanks to everyone who participated. Especially Steve Adelson, Greg Howard and the organizer/host Brett Bottomsley.

It’s always a plus to get some playing instructions from a pro. This weekend I am fortunate to be getting Chapman Stick tips and techniques from a few “Stick” masters.

Steve Adelson and Greg Howard are sharing some of their methods to a group of us at the Outer Space in Hamden, CT.

The Chapman Stick is a unique instrument.

I have been learning to play this instrument on my own for 6 months and this going to be a really exciting, and I am confident enlightening, experience.

Have you ever attended a group training on an instrument? Did you find it was beneficial?Any thoughts you’d like to share?

It’s a new year and it’s time to apply a new approach

When I first started playing in the 60’s and 70’s, I practiced about 2 to 4 hours a day, on my own.

And with a band, I practiced 3 to 4 times a week.

So this year it’s going to be once a day… every day!

How about you?

On October 5 my Chapman stick arrived. I have to admit that although I have played Bass for over 30 years, I am a bit nervous at how easily I will be able to pick this up.

My musical journey on this instrument is exciting and mysterious. How will this instrument in my hands respond to my ideas?

When I took it out of its case I knew exactly how to put it on because I had been studying the stick online seriously for over 4 months.

Now because I know and understand music (I can read music and have composed music for television and for myself over the years) I am not starting from zero. Also having played bass and guitar for so many years, I am comfortable with fingers touching strings.

When I got acquainted with the instrument over the first few hours there were 2 challenges:

1)      The different tuning. The bass especially because it is tuned in 5ths and the strings ascend in reverse.

2)      The newness of hand taping with the right hand

I did manage to work out the bass riff for “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder and “I’m a Man”, Steve Winwood. It does sound cool. However, it starts to sound interesting when I put the chords over it.

Now off to play….