Part 2. Reacting!

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we conclude our 2 part discussion of "Listening and Reacting". We will cover the same areas from last week with ways to use what u "hear".  First, urself. The key here is to use what u "are" at any given moment as impetus for creativity.  Happy? Tired? Angry? Hungry? All of these things affect ur playing to some extent. Learn to use them POSITIVELY (even the "negative"ones). Make them part of ur "sound" and see that, since ur different at any moment, so is ur playing..even slightly...and that's a good thing. Bandmates...learn to feed off their energy..even "negative" energy. Use it, along with "urself" to build a musical environment. Something that is contributed to and shared among all involved in real time. The next level is the audience. Beyond "applause" (though that's amazing..right?), there is their sharing of the musical environment u have created. Their reaction to it adds to ur reactions and builds the sound and feel of the performance. It makes them feel part of the process and they become more engaged, which gives u even MORE to react to. Lastly, the venue, room, space where ur performing. Yes, there is an interaction there. Is it inside? Outside? Are the acoustics true? Loud? Dead? All these things affect u, the band and audience.  I did a gig last week where the room was deceptively true. Every note was clear and full...playing was effortless..it totally affected me. The audience was into the music and TRULY engaged..it was magic. All these levels interact with each other making the performance come to life and breathe. This goes WAY beyond what notes ur playing...it is "how" ur playing those notes and how they fit in the greater environment. Sounds too (as I said last week) "crystal-ly"? Maybe, but try thinking this way, even superficially. You will be amazed how it changes ur playing, the playing of bandmates and the reaction of the audience. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com