Last year I started teaching at an amazing music store in Southwest Missouri, and it’s been a blast! Teaching was outside my comfort zone, but I’ve gained confidence along the way. While my skills aren’t perfect, I’d like to share some takeaways from my first year as a private bass guitar instructor. Level Up Your …
Whether you’re a bass player, a writer, a photographer, or any other type of artist, chances are you’ve probably had writer’s block at some point in your creative career. Ideas seem unoriginal and you’ve been staring at a blank document for what seems like hours… nothing seems to flow! When you feel like it’s time …
Consider the most influential bass player in your life: the one you listen to the most or the one who inspired you to pick up the instrument in the first place. I’m sure you’ve thought to yourself, “I wish I could play like that!” at some point. That thinking, no doubt, had something to do …
Musicians have mixed feelings about music theory, but despite the fact that it may be confusing there is still a desire to grasp understanding of it. Why? Because deep down most know that there is value in learning it, and it all starts with one simple concept: notes. What are notes? How many …
The great Michelangelo once said “I am still learning.” Without context this may seem like just another inspirational quote, but the fact that he said this at 87 years old gives me goosebumps! It’s been a while since I’ve posted a fresh piece of content on the blog because, honestly, I’ve been practicing a lot …
From leaving law school and pursuing his band to creating a solo act through the pandemic, Mike Hall is an inspiration to bass players desiring to create their own unique career path. He’s a professional bassist of over 10 years and has toured throughout the East Coast with the band Running Late, sharing the stage …
Whether it’s playing music, listening to music, or talking about gear, I love spending time with other musicians. There’s so much wisdom to gain and share when you participate in musical camaraderie. I’ve spent a great deal of time at concerts, music stores, and on social media throughout my years of playing music, and there …
“Sight reading.” Those two words have given me anxiety more times than I can count. It’s times like these when I have to decide if I’m going to sight read a piece of sheet music like a boss or curl up under my music stand in the fetal position. Whether you’re a session bass guitar …
From the psalms of David to Gregorian chant. From the religious musical compositions of Bach to Elevation Worship. Praise & worship music has evolved tremendously over the years, and so has the role of the bass. Think about it… the technology we use, the style of music we perform, even the instruments we play in …
Edit (1/23/2021): Sire has released the 2nd generation of the P7 model since this post was originally published. I will do my best to note any differences throughout this post where necessary. Ah, #NBD. Whether you’re waiting for the FedEx guy to arrive or driving to your local music store, New Bass Day is an …
