New Adventures In Bass

As we're working on writing, arranging and recording new material for the next album, we're listening to each part and thinking about how best to pull it off or how best to serve the song. There's a new song with an ascending bass line somewhere in the middle of the song that just begs to be bowed. So there you go. I'm playing upright for the first time.

Some may say it's no big deal. It's just another bass. And, while it's true that I feel that I fully grasp the concept of "bass", these dog houses are very different animals indeed! Anyway, I've rented one for a few months so I can get myself up to speed. So far so good. I'm planning on a fairly simple part as it's a fairly simple and mellow tune. Nevertheless, it involves different technique and works my muscles in different ways that I have to get used to. It's also pretty hard on the fingers. Upright guys, you have my utmost respect.

Maybe I'll post some pictures of me playing it here shortly after I start looking like I sort of know what I'm doing. It's definitely an adventure and it's important to break out of one's comfort zone. It's also fun.

Here's someone I'd like to model my upright playing after:

Viktor Krauss - Live on PCTV


Keep learning!

Mobile Blogging

This is a test of mobile blogging. Should QN ever hit the road, you can rest assured that all the antics will be reported in near real-time. Of course, no one is reading this Blog yet so...

Musings On La Cucaracha

My wife and I just got back from Mexico, Cabo San Lucas to be exact. What? I went on vacation in the middle of writing and recording a new QN album? Well, this thing had been planned for well over a year and we just got around to starting a new recording project. The time away did give me an opportunity to reflect on some things related to music. It was also a fantastically relaxing time for the both of us and I really enjoyed the company of a special someone who is extremely supportive of my musical endeavors. No, not the maid.

Anyway, I observed quite a few things in Mexico:

• There is a salsa version of Coldplay's "Clocks" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWyO4QJ_75E
• Not tipping a mariachi after you agree to let them play you a song is NOT cool.
• People listen to dance music, laying on the beach, not dancing. Hey, to each his own but seriously, the repetition of a slamming house beat is not at all relaxing to me.
• Five different mariachi groups can work the same stretch of a half dozen marina restaurants and not come to blows over who gets to play Guantanamera for the tourists. This was possibly the greatest display of musical comradery I've ever seen. It was like they were all brothers under a common cause. Oh wait, they are!
• Most CDs at the Cabo San Lucas Wal-Mart are only $5 US. Pick up a few for your drive up to Todo Santos. Might I suggest some yacht rock like Christopher Cross's debut album?
• Sammy Hagar is not likely to be playing at Cabo Wabo when you're there, even after four visits over a 13-year period! Please plan around this.
  
• Waiters in Mexico seem happy to be given your band's CD and when you see them later in the week, they thank you for the music.

It's nice to be back to my girls, my basses and my band but I sure miss the wonderful weather and atmosphere in Mexico. Fortunately, I didn't hear La Cucaracha once while I was there.