Well, the first rehearsal with the band I mentioned in my last post went okay. However, I would be lying if I said it was great. It is a start-up group, and the members are not definite yet. The two vocalists are pretty solid. The bass player seems to be pretty good, but the drummer … Continue reading A New Band
So, I got a call earlier today and was invited to be a part of a new band forming up. They will be playing R&B, funk, classic hits of rock and roll and more. On Saturday I will go to a rehearsal to see what I can add to the group. It should be fun … Continue reading Gonna Play With Other People!
I have not been able to balance my time between work and practice. I really needed to work. I was drowning in debt. So, a job was necessary. And it has helped a great deal. I have nearly paid off one major credit card debt and have been able to squash other small debts. The … Continue reading Work Vs. Practice
A new experience while practicing Sometimes when I'm practicing, my hand & ear coordination is so good that it seems like my mind moves from where I usually perceive it being (which is in my head) to my hands. It is as if I have become my hands, and I can navigate through whatever I'm … Continue reading Becoming One
It has been nearly two weeks since my carpal tunnel surgery. Up until today, I have not had that much pain. But boy is it turned on now! My hand hurts like hell! I am hoping it will be better when the doctor removes the stitches on Wednesday. In fact, I hope that I can … Continue reading My Hand Hurts Like Hell!
No complaints from the doctor about removing the bandage from my hand. And no complaints from me about my hand. I haven't had much pain at all. They gave me some exercises to do in order to help the healing process. My hand is still a little swollen, but not terribly. I am already able … Continue reading Healing
The Thrill Is Gone is a famous song by the late B.B. King. It was probably his biggest hit. It has been done and redone by several artists. And it was also done by the Navy Band with me singing lead. It was about the only thing I could sing well at the time. I … Continue reading The Thrill Is Gone
I'd like to think I am anyway. It is probably the fact that my horns are new. I have been practicing more and more. And using the SISU Mouthguard seems to have increased my ability to play longer. And playing longer allows me to accomplish more. I am, of course, working on scales with a … Continue reading Becoming Addicted to Practicing
I recently read an article on JazzAdvice.com, called Why You Shouldn't Be A Real Book Player. Basically, the article talks about the difference it makes when you learn a tune by ear from a record vs. having a book with written music and chord changes in front of you. The author makes the case that … Continue reading About Using Real Book
Still getting more familiar with Stella By Starlight. I have the chord progression memorized but, as you can hear in this recording, I am still unsure, or at least I feel unsure about what I'm doing. You will hear some places where I stumble. And if you are jazz player you will hear some place … Continue reading Learning Stella
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