Friday, March 31st
Had the day off, thanks Senior Chavez!
Spent the day practicing, I think I did 6's this time and some work out of the new book, Reading Rhythms.
Making good progress on both, kept the metronome on the slow side, 50 - 60bpm as it's a challenge to cram in 6 beats between clicks. In the Bass Marathons, we do the same but with 7 and 8 beats! It requires total relaxation and a very slow metronome. The folks who study Indian music, tend to use this method as it promotes and trains the player to explore freedom inside the beat. The music tells it all, listen to Zakir Hussain or Ali Akbar Kahn for better examples. I do not claim to be their progeny but it has helped my time greatly and it's a great challenge to keep good time when there is such a slow click.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
SICK AS A DOG. It started a few hours after eating a pizza dinner Friday night. I knew there was something wrong with me by 2am when I started vomiting profusely. It did not stop until mid morning. By that time there was nothing left in me and I felt like hell. Sweats, chills, body aches, cramps, dehydration and TOTAL exhaustion as I could not sleep from the unbearable abdominal cramps. Needless to say playing the bass was not available to me at that time, I could hardly sit up or walk without feeling like shitty, let alone play music. Sad but true. Basically all I could to was sip Pedialyte and water and try to nap or watch movies. Saturday and Sunday were a wash. Monday I was feeling better but still tired, and a bit woozy. Today is a bit better for me.
I plan on practicing with BCP tonight. We need to go over a few songs that we want on the demo. Jog in Jeans, Kissing the Boo Boo, 5B4Funk, Loser, Fearless, If I Could, Fast Enough for You, and the new song are all possibilities. Gonna try and put in a hour of practice before I go, this always helps me warm up and get in the groove.