Ask Damian Erskine - Page 43

Q: How do you discern whether you’re playing “appropriately” or over-playing? A: This is completely subjective and depends on: style of music you’re playing bandleaders interpretation of appropriate taste other things too, but that’s a good start! For the purposes of this article, I’ll assume we’re not talking fusion or jazz here. One simple thing to keep in mind is...

Q: How do you go about promoting your CD? A: I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately as I’m preparing to release my 2nd release (coming out mid-late January 2010!). With my first CD, I definitely went about it from the ground up. I: Contacted the editors of bass magazines and asked to whom I could send one...

Q: My question is about how to stay healthy. I find when I practice too much or play a particular song that has a lot of notes, my hands and wrists get sore. I know that singers warm up their voice, I usually run through some scales when I am tuning and setting up just to limber my fingers. I...

Q: My question is pretty simple but complex at the same. What is the best or most efficient way to practice reading rhythms? A: Great question! As with many aspects of the learning process, there is no one way (or quick way) but having the proper perspective can make a world of difference. As when you read words in your...

Q: I was wondering how you work on improving your ‘feel’ as a bassist? I really want to improve my groove and try and keep my approach as part of the rhythm section as fresh as possible. I’m finding it really difficult to come up with a concise way of practicing this and would really appreciate any insight you can...

Q: What advice can you give to a middle-aged dad with a wife and two young kids and a non-music-related day job who plays music as a hobby but always dreamed about being a jazz musician when he grew up and wants to figure out how to transition to a music career while continuing to support his family and continue...

Q: I often feel like I’m not sure what I should be working on (although I know there’s plenty). Should I just grab a lesson with someone or is there a way to motivate one’s self? A: Everyone hits this wall. (At least I hit this wall constantly!) Grabbing a lesson with someone is never a bad idea, although it...

Q: Do you set up your instruments? If so, What do you strive for? A: (This article will also appear in a future issue of Bass Guitar Magazine UK in the midst of many more on the topic from other players) The overall playability of my instrument is everything to me. If I have to fight the feel of my...

Q: I seem to see two camps out there. “Learn/understand everything in all 12 keys” and “the symmetry of the neck can not be denied, so embrace the patterns and do not worry about learning it in all 12 keys”. Although I am not against a strong theory base or patterns, is there a middle road or another way of...

Q: I was listening to one of your YouTube videos and thought I heard similar lines that I’ve heard Jaco play (like a run in “Havona”). Regardless, I would like to tackle some of these parts. Do you just have a great ear or did you start out with charts to learn such fast lines? A: Thanks man! It’s interesting...

Q: Are there any real shortcuts to learning how to play? A: NO!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I’ll go on… I have been frustrated by many a student who is disappointed when, at the end of a lesson, their not magically better but, rather, have a years worth of studying and homework to tackle. Not just kids, but adults, too. People seem to...

Q: How can I work on getting more comfortable playing in odd time signatures? A: Great question! The first thing I’d say is, there really are NO odd time signatures. Who made 4/4 the king of all time signatures? A time signature is only “odd” because you aren’t used to hearing it. More accurately, you aren’t used to FEELING it....