Podcasts are Back
I think I forgot to mention on this blog that the Beautiful Bass Podcasts are back.
Subscribe with the link over there - or in iTunes - just search Jeff Schmidt in the podcast section.
GET EPISODE 3 DOWNLOAD HERE This one's about getting back into podcasting and chat on improvisation - and includes an 8 minute improv on Little Sunflower.
GET EPISODE 4 DOWNLOAD HERE This one is instructional based on an audio comment sent to me - it's all about MODES and diatonic harmony yo!
If you have an audio comment or question - drop it as an mp3 file in my e-mail and I'll address it in a future podcast.
Comments
RE: Episode 3...
Listening to Mr. Manring and yourself discuss this topic always gives me mixed feelings.
I agree that as performers you have the right (obviously) and, perhaps, duty to recompose pieces. Please bear this in mind as you perform: most of your audience is there to listen to you play (again, obviously). While there are many of us appreciate forays into the extemporaneous a lot of us enjoy your playing or a particular piece because of a recroded version.
Spontaneous composition is great, but I can't tell you the terrible feeling I had when one of my favorite pieces receives the recomposition treatment. I know these recordings inside and out and my emotions and senses are ready for a particular flow when listening.
Am I suggesting removal of improvised arrangement/spontaneous composition? No, really I'm not.
Just throw the audience a bone every once in a while: give us a version fairly true to the original so we have something to hold on to... instead of just being able to appreciate the performance/abilities of the performer.
Does that make any sense?
Posted by: Ian | December 11, 2006 08:22 AM
Yes Ian - that makes complete sense. And I agree with you.
From my own point of view I'm looking to ADD something more to my present performance. My present performance is mostly about playing the tunes the way they were written.
I am not at the place with my music right now where I want to remake every piece live. I seek a balance.
My approach is to have motifs that I use specifically for this spontaneous composition purpose. And then compositions which I perform more faithfully to the "original".
But as one who is still working on getting "the original" versions done - that seems kind of weird.
Fear not Ian - I'm not about to go off the deep end into public musical masterbation.
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | December 11, 2006 01:01 PM