YOU!!!

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we conclude (for now) our discussion on improvisation.  Today "YOU". A million years ago, I was in a music store and a guy came in with an entourage, sat down, picked up a fretless and proceeded to play every Jaco lick perfectly and at breakneck speed..all to the delight of his posse. While he had amazing technique, not one note "was his". It made me realize, I was trying to do the same thing. It was a turning point for me. The key to improvisation...all music...is to find your voice. Not parrot someone else. Yes, gain inspiration and guidance from others, but ultimately be YOU! This is no easy task..it took a lot of work for me to reset my playing, along with help from some incredible instructors.  Understand, when you improvise, you are telling a story, YOUR story to the listener. By playing licks or coping someone else, you are telling theirs. @victorwooten has a quote, "...you can use my wood and my nails, but don't build my house and live in it". U dig? Ok, how...first of all,  Understand the "godz" you admire places to start your journey...they are not a goal. Take what you like and assimilate it into your playing. Record yourself improvising...listen for what is original and what is not. It is a long and arduous process, but it is worth it in the end as this mindset creeps into all your playing. Realize that when you improvise, what you say and what you play becomes more important then the tune you are playing...you become the voice...the focus and why not let "YOU" come out! As always, I invite your insights.  #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #basslessons #remotelessons