More on Wintergrass...
After our first workshop, we all headed to lunch with the Forresters to the Varsity Grill. We like going to the Varsity Grill because kids 12 and under eat free. Now, we didn't have our girls with us on Saturday because we left them with friends for the day. But we still had our four boys with us and two of which are 12 and under. The problem is that Cam looks about 16 years old. AND he has the appetite of three 12 year olds. So, the only free meal was Caleb this year. And he thoroughly enjoyed his child portion of ribs and ice cream.
The other reason the boys like to eat at the Varsity Grill is because there is a deal there where if you can eat a 72 oz. steak with all the trimmings in an hour, then you get it for free. But if you don't finish in time, or you have some sort of digestive rebellion, then you pay $50. My boys love to dream about whether they could perform this amazing feat, or if they would...choke...(sorry--I couldn't resist) and end up paying the $50. So far, none of them has dared to risk it, but maybe someday...
After a satisfying lunch, Ben and I headed off to a bass workshop and the rest of the crew went to jam.
The bass workshop was led by Blue Highway's bass player,Wayne Taylor. I really enjoyed the workshop. I remember the three points he talked about: timing, tone and taste. I also enjoyed learning more about his bass--an Azola. I have an acoustic upright bass, and I couldn't help but notice all the different kinds of upright electric basses that the performers were using at Wintergrass. I know they are nicer to travel with and probably easier to play, but...I just love the look of the acoustic upright.
It was interesting to hear about how his bass was dropped down a stairway and survived the fall. I think instrument injury stories are so interesting. It's kind of like how my kids sit around with their friends and compare bodily injuries... "I got this scar on my forehead from when my brother was hurling a hammer at a tree to see if he could get it stuck and I was in the tree." Friends' response, "Coooool!"
Anyway, I am new to bass playing. I have only played for about a year and half. And I have only had two formal lessons. Clayton has taught me most of what I know. So, getting to hear about bass playing from a pro like Wayne was a real treat. There are some real idiosyncrasies about playing bass for a bluegrass band that I thought were unique to my experience. But after attending this workshop, I have learned that I am not alone. And I am comforted and encouraged.
One last thing about the workshop is the discussion on what part of the finger to play the bass with. I gathered from the workshop that if you play on the side of your index finger, then you will not struggle with blisters. When I started playing bass, I used one finger and tried to stick to using only the side like Wayne suggested. But later, I was encouraged by a friend to use two fingers so that I could play faster (a necessity when playing with teenage boys). When I switched to two fingers, I began playing more on my fingertips. And consequently, I have trouble with blisters. I don't mind so much because it means more to me to keep up with my guys than to be comfortable. Kind of like wearing high heels...if it makes me look better, I can put up with the pain--suffer to be beautiful. And with bass blisters--suffer to play fast.
It might help if I had a higher quality bass, but there are others in our family ahead of me in line for a better instrument. But I always wonder what is the best way to play bass and whether there even is a "best way". Is it a matter of preference? The few bass players I know all say something different.
Okay, that is all I have time for today. Next time is Part 4!
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