Hey BassThumpa,
I just remembered a sick part of the clinic, when he was discussing progressions, and went into all the different genres... using the same progression... I was bug eyed. He played (Gospel, Fusion, Tejano, Polka, Country, techno....)
It was so eye opening! I've been doing some of that stuff on my own just becuase I knew it sounded right, but know that I understand the basis of it, but now I see that there's so much more to it that gives me many more options in my playing. And to see that bridge across different genres just shows how important it is to have that foundation (that's always a universal concept).
I wanted to go home right away and practice! I'm definitely gonna work on implementing more substitutions... that adds so much variety and can change an otherwise dull vamp into a serious groove.
And when he did let himself open it up a bit and cut loose... MAN. All you saw was heads noddin', faces just draw up and lips curl cuz of that nastiness he pumped thru that Smith. And he said he wasn't even warmed up good, LOL!
My brother told me immediately, after service today, you must of really got poured into at the clinic, cause I can already hear you doing different things.
You too?? When I got to Eddy they already had a dude on the bass so I was content to chill and let him roll, but he was like go ahead man. So I plugged up and layed it down a bit. Thing is, I was trying to keep it kinda basic and just add some things here and there.
Next thing I know cats are looking at me like "YEAH BRUH!"... most of them never heard me play before because not long ago I was in my little shy mode not wanting to play out in services. Afterwards the other musicians were showing all kinds of love. Even got more of that today, and both times I didn't think I was doing all that much, just locked into a zone and held the groove.
One thing that Sean said during the clinic really came to light for me Saturday evening (even though I already knew it, it really reinforced it)... and that's how we as bassists are really the glue for the whole mix. At one point we had my MoM on the organ, Chris on the drums, as well as a lead guitar and keyboard. The lead guitar started wailing, and the keys switched over to a guitar patch and started dueling with him... Lord have mercy. From where I sat it sounded messy with those two going at it, so I dropped back to the root, bounced there for a while, and let those two have their fun.
But when all was said and done and it was time to wind things down, I looked at Chris on the drums and changed up the groove. He locked in with me immeidately, and everyone else fell in line. It kinda tripped me out that I could change the course of the music just like that... but what's really importiant is that just as we can change up a groove, we're also laying the musical atmosphere for worship. That's why it is so important that we are prayerful and being led by the spirit in our playing, and not just doing our own thing.
Anyway, God gets all of the glory cuz I'd sound like trash without His anointing. I have so much to learn and so much practicing to do, but in this clinic through Sean, God really showed me the potential that I have to do so much more with this talent for His glory.
