Metal

I got an email today in response to a bass ad post I have online. It's for a metal band that just needs a bass player. I'm vaguely familiar with some older metal acts, and know some names of current metal acts. I know enough about them to know that their musicianship is usually pretty good. Those guys tend to be shredders. It's just cranked up so loud you don't notice it at first.

I've been entertaining the idea of auditioning all day. I haven't been thinking along the lines of metal, more acoustic or standard rock. But this could be fun. After a good night's sleep I'm going to email him tomorrow with the response. If they weren't 30+ miles south of me I'd probably have already said yes.

Giggin'

I played bass at the church again this week. We went over 2 songs on Saturday, and at the end of practice the music director handed me a third song and asked if I'd be interested in playing with the praise band, too. The more I get to play, the better. And seeing as how I was already going to be sitting up there with my bass, it wasn't even any extra effort.

One of the songs I had a copy of the rhythm part. It's notated in treble clef and has the chord changes written above. I kept wanting to read the notes in bass clef, even though I was trying to just read the rhythms and the chords, and keep up with inversions and when to stay on the root. It's a great feeling to have something difficult Saturday, and by performance on Sunday just totally nail it. Well, almost nail it... whenever I have to turn a page there's about a measure and a half with conspicously absent bass.

It also helped that I was able to plug the amp into the PA system and face the amp itself towards me. Much easier to hear yourself that way. Their regular guitarist was tickled pink to be able to play this way, even if he did have to sit further away from the piano & drums than usual.

Now I have a few classic rock type songs to learn for an upcoming cover band audition. Yay!

Fun

I'm playing a gig at Highland this weekend. Not sure if it's tuba or bass, but that doesn't matter much. It's sure to be a lot of fun either way. Also looks like I'll probably be playing at their Easter service, too.

My Boston trip has officially been rescheduled for the first weekend in April.

Now if I could just find time to practice...

Musical Journey

I've been planning a trip to Boston for about a year. The majority of the visit will be spent creating and recording music with a friend. And of course I'll also visit some sites while I'm there. I've been really stoked about it, because I'll get to do some of my favorite things: make music and enjoy some traveling.

The original date I had to cancel. Then I was planning on going this March, but my friend just cancelled. The trip will still be sometime this spring, we just have to coordinate a new date. Hopefully we won't run into any more snags. It will be a great time if I can actually start the journey.