Thursday, July 24 It's all timing and harmony

Post 1240, Day 205 of 2014
- 1,301 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I listen to music like a musician. I am analytical, sometimes critical when I hear something that sounds off to me - but not judgmental, because often, when it sounds off it is because I am not hearing it right.

However, when I'm playing, it's all good until something goes wrong in the ensemble - a timing or melodic mistake. The flow is interrupted, I am jolted out of my no-think-just-play mindspace.

At that point, all energy goes to restoring the groove.

Tonight, I played with a drummer with a timing problem. He is a nice guy, very enthusiastic, and it was his gig, so I kept my thoughts (right away, you know there's a problem when I'm playing and thinking) to myself.

I did, however, invite him to return on Friday to hear the drummer (Jim Gass, if you care) in Bradshaw Blues. Jim and I lock, and it is the singer/guitarist in this trio who sometimes forgets where he is and what he is doing. Jim and I laugh - there is no situation we can't compensate for.

I had an interesting conversation about the situation with another bass player, whose sole playing involvement is in a reggae band. He said he 'hates' it when the drummer can't keep time. He wants the drummer to keep that together and let him float over it.

I just shook my head, and said, that makes your job easier, for sure, but to me, it's better when the responsibilities for the groove are approached by everybody. I'm well known for having a 'deep' pocket in my playing, but I am never happier than when everybody in the rhythm section feels it the same way. 

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 Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:          212.4 lbs

Previous Weight:         209.4 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:       + 3.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm unhappy about this big weight gain. Due in part by the high-sodium lunch, the after-lunch cheat, the late evening 4th meal. I need to get serious now. I want to get that weight off. My playing schedule has been and continues to hamper my effort.

Food Log 

Breakfast

A cocoa-hemp-kale protein shake (almond-coconut milk, kale, large organic egg, whey powder (24g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, chia gel, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
Roasted turkey on Spring Mix greens, baby kale, cole slaw mix and creamy balsamic dressing. 

Dinner

At White Water Pub: 

Mixed salad with steak.

Snack

Pepperoni.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28+ oz.   Water: 80+ oz.  and 2 shots of Jameson's.

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