"-isms"

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we talk "-isms". WTF are they!?!?! They are the things that we go to time after time when playing. Sometimes, they are patterns we like, or riffs from those that inspire us...Tom-isms, Mary-isms, Jaco-isms, Marcus-isms, Cliff-isms...u dig? The problem with these "-isms" is they can make us stale as end we end up playing the same "bag of tricks" over and over without thinking. This disconnects us from the rest of the band and unaware of the collective "groove". Ok, how can we fix this. First, let's start with our "-isms". Take stock in them. Determine why we like them. Analyze them. What are the notes/scales involved? What chord(s) do they work over? What rhythms are interesting? What techniques do they employ? Can u alter them, either slighrly or completely, and still keep the feel? This approach can allow you to interact with band members "on the fly" and make the band sound more "together". Even when playing covers, you breathe new life into them...just as the original artists do. The goal is to start to look at everything you play AS NOTES and what those notes you choose work with the harmony and what the rest of the band is doing. By knowing the WHAT and WHY of everything you play u can, IMO, become truly purposeful and creative...not just "the riff player". As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons #remotelessons