I am evolving!

[Connie Z]

Since the demise of my band last week, I have been busy making all of my little plans as to what new musical projects I shall embrace. One has come to fruition. It's no money, but good experience for a novice like myself.

 

There is a very nice guy who is in the local songwriters association with me. He plays acoustic guitar (pretty fingerpicking style) and sings. He wants a demo of some of his songs. He was extremely generous and GAVE me a 4 track recorder a couple of months ago, so I wanted to return the favor, and I offered to put on bass tracks and record him a 5 song demo CD.

 

He was very grateful and so today was our first session, where I am starting to learn his original songs.

 

It was very pleasant. He likes extremly simple bass lines, and so I played mainly roots, root/fifths and some simple walks. But, I really like his style and his lyrics and it was easy to add a lot of feeling to the music. He is in heaven.

 

I figure we'll get to the recording process in the next week.

 

I feel very enthused that I have taken this step. I would have been too chicken last year to add my playing to someone's original music.

 

So thanks to everyone for your help and encouragement.

 

... connie z

[Jode]

Sounds like you have Rule Number One licked: Serve the song. My first paying band, at age nineteen, told me I was the best bassist they'd ever had. I was only playing it close to the vest because I didn't know what I was doing and I was scared as hell, and I ended up doing it right by accident. Apparently, they had more problems getting bassists to NOT play than to play. Do what you know, and watch what you know grow! Keep up the good work, honey. (I'm assuming that since you're from New Orleans you won't feel patronized if I call you that?)

[Connie Z]

Originally posted by Jode:

Keep up the good work, honey. (I'm assuming that since you're from New Orleans you won't feel patronized if I call you that?)

Hon, Honey, Dawlin, Sugah... all totally appropriate by me! Dat's good Ninth Ward English! (Ninth Ward neighborhoods harboring one of the most distinctive accents in this fair city!)

 

Thanks for the support on the "less is more" playing. I was a little nervous when we first started, but then I immediately became comfortable when I saw his reaction.

 

Being a songwriter, I know how lovely it is, to hear your song come to life! You play it on your own 1000 times, but add one other instrument, played by another musician, and it's awesome.

 

So, where is the "redneck riviera?"

 

... connie z

[Basshappi]

Way to go Connie! You are truly an inspiration!

[Cup]

Honey, dawlin, sugah! That must be the name of a Rolling Stones song. If not, I'm nicking it.

 

Congrats Connie...see a good player ain't outta work for long.

 

Brilliant

 

Cup

[Tom Capasso]

Connie -

 

Sounds like you are doing great!! Sounds like the writer is happy with your work, and that's a key.

 

Once you have the tracks done, use them as an experimental tool. Play the vocal and guitar back, and try lots of alternative bass parts. Even stuff that you know won't fit - just for the fun of it. You may hit upon some new ideas that will help fuel future fantabulous fun fests!!

 

Tom

[Jode]

Originally posted by Connie Z:

 

So, where is the "redneck riviera?"

 

... connie z

Close enough by that I know that the proper pronunciation is not New Orleens, and certainly not the cliche Nawlins. It's N'Wahlins, people. I'm close enough, even, to pick up Andre Trevigne on WWL in the mornings. I'm in Orange Beach, AL. In other words, you live where we go on vacation, and I live where y'all go on vacation.

 

I just had to check on the 'honey' thing. One never knows these days, do one? I once tried to light a girl- ahem, wommon's cigarette at a party, and she called me a miscreant. Not a chauvinist, or a patriarch, or even a pig, but a miscreant. As highly evolved as I consider myself to be, I still couldn't help myself when the first thing that popped into my mind was to accuse her of acting like she was on her period. I nearly bit my tongue so hard that I was the one bleeding. I wonder if certain feminists are aware that they're not only inviting that sort of behavior with their habits of meanness, but also inspiring it in guys who wouldn't otherwise react that way. She also had to imply that she was more man than me because I had a Bic and she carried a Zippo. Fine. You've got a Zippo. I can pee standing up. What's your point?

 

Oh well. I'm glad you live on earth, Connie darlin'.