tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160449076139291698.post2125635558293092107..comments2015-11-12T19:19:30.777-08:00Comments on Adventitious Cerebration: How jazz has ruined my lifebassislifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10702963863862810468noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160449076139291698.post-88211960250180933162011-05-27T08:32:08.924-07:002011-05-27T08:32:08.924-07:00Thanks for the comment Barry. Of course, I know y...Thanks for the comment Barry. Of course, I know you're right, and have reminded myself of that many times...that I have to like what I play and play what I like. I need to commit to that decision and stick with it.<br /><br />I'm going to copy that quote from W H Murray and put it on my wall.<br /><br />I look forward to your post about practicing.bassislifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10702963863862810468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160449076139291698.post-6364895506759019852011-05-27T07:47:16.000-07:002011-05-27T07:47:16.000-07:00Hi Tom
What a great story! It's always inspir...Hi Tom<br /><br />What a great story! It's always inspiring to read about people who just love the music (jazz) so much that nothing else really cuts it - to the point where they go and do something as insane as buy an upright bass!<br /><br />I had to laugh at your four step musical merry-go-round as it's one that I've been on myself many times in the past, although I think I'm finally over it.<br /><br />If you don't mind me offering a piece of advice, I'd point out that there's absolutely no point in pursuing music that doesn't make your soul sing.<br /><br />Sure, you could play blues, or fusion or even go back to hair rock, but even if you got a gig with a name band, you'd still be coming home and putting on Ray Brown and thinking '<i>that's</i> what I want to do'.<br /><br />Jazz is hard, and it often seems like you'll never get there, but the rewards will come if you persevere.<br /><br />Why not make point no. 1 an even stronger decision by deciding, today, that you're not going to settle for anything less than jazz, not going to settle for anything less than the music which makes you come alive.<br /><br />Decide, today, for good, that you're not going to be a blues player, you're not going to play fusion and you're definitely not pulling on stone-washed denim any more. <br /><br />I've learned there is a huge power in that kind of decision making, even if nobody knows about it but you. After all as W H Murray said (although Goethe normally gets the credit):<br /><br /><i>Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.</i><br /><br />If you do this, when you get to the stage of doubt and despair that follows the initial determination of point 1., there's nowhere else to go!<br /><br /><i>I'm 46 years old and can barely play a scale after 6 years of trying, so... <br /><br />...I've going to be a jazz bassist, I'm going to work to tackle this damn instrument if it kills me...</i> <br /><br />It may sound a little flippant, but honestly, making that decision once and for all is hugely empowering and it really helped me get off my own little hamster wheel of musically flitting from one thing to another.<br /><br />Good luck with it all. I'm percolating a post on an approach to practising at the moment which will hopefully help you. Keep an eye out for it when I've finished off ranting about pub-rock bands over at the blog and make sure you bug me about it if it hasn't appeared in the next few weeks!<br /><br />Best Wishes<br /><br />Barry<br />http://playjazzblog.co.ukMinimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10230156995057661438noreply@blogger.com