Unhinged Bass Player wants to make Unhinged Music

Clearlake CA

Description

I have wondered if it isn't time to experiment with making enjoyable improvisational music with a couple of like-minded people. I am not a professional musician, though I have a good knowledge of many kinds of music, and have had numerous friends and relatives who were professionals. I have been playing bass for five years, practicing almost every day. I am uninterested in the traditional role of rock and roll bass players, taking up space between the drums and guitar, though I admire many of those who have successfully broken out of that mold. I have gotten to the point where I am quickly improving, my fingers sometimes doing shit that I have no idea where they got it. Knowing the fretboard has been an intuitive process. I understand musical theory and structure, but like some of my favorite musicians, I find I learn best by figuring out what the hell I'm doing on my own. I have no interest in showing off, but every interest in sounding good. There are fusion and jazz ensembles without number where the bass player is meant to be heard. Fundamentally a double bass, electric bass is an amazingly versatile instrument when played solo or used to improvise. My bass is disreputable looking, but sounds OK--I am thinking about getting a good quality five stringer. I use a modeling amp, and like to mess with the strings to get different sounds. I am heavily influenced by both Indian and Western classical music, as well as Memphis blues--my roots being in Memphis and Detroit, though I came to California sixty years ago. I have written numerous songs, destined to languish in obscurity. I also play keyboard, a bit strangely after playing harmonium for 40 years--my left hand wants to pump air. I can play trumpet but prefer not to (damn good way to end up on the floor). I sort of play the dulcimer (have a rude one and a nice one), and I intend to learn rudimentary violin but my bow needs new horse hair. --But bass, and to a certain extent keyboard, are where I am putting my energy. I hate boring music, I like beautiful music, music that is serene and the exciting kind as well. When I get into the groove, which may take the better part of an hour, I can get pretty worked up. I am not young. I look like Santa goes to the gym or some such. I don't drink, I am fine with cannabis, I show up. I have a sense of humor which can be wicked, but not cruel. Most of my friends are highly intelligent and unconventional, but I respect other forms of intelligence besides the academic. I do live with M.E., which now and then lays me low for a while, but that is familiar territory after 37 years, and I am in decent shape otherwise and quite lively for my age (as in getting up in trees with a chain saw). Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.