The freedom that comes from cutting ties

About a week or so ago, I stopped using a Blackberry and went back to a more, shall we say "modest" phone. The various specific reasons for the change aside, I can honestly say, I wish I had made the transition back sooner.

Certainly there are some obvious economic advantages, but those seem rather trivial on the whole, certainly when compared to the real advantage of not having the "smart" phone (I am beginning to seriously question the use of that term in this context). For all the months I had the Blackberry I grew increasingly tied to it. Somewhat unwittingly - Michele does correctly point out that she repeatedly tried to call my attention to this - I became rather obsessive with it. Any message from anyone had to be read and returned immediately. There is a compelling argument that my personality simply doesn't allow for moderation of usage of such things; but true or not, I am certainly glad to be rid of the thing. I'm glad I had the opportunity to make use of the Blackberry for a while, but I am so much satisfied without it.

Case in point: Friday evening Michele and I attended a concert of a band a friend of ours plays in. Great group called The Union Band (formed in '67 and still going strong) you should check them out. Anyway, it was very funny to watch some of the people there and their way of taking in the show. Glued to iPhones and Blackberries, messaging away, seemingly unable to actually enjoy the music and the people around them - unable to just be there. It was actually really sad in a way - to be all alone yet in a crowd of supposed friends - how unfulfilling that would be. Like I said, sad. Watching this, I realized just how much happier I was to be able to simply dance and hold my wife's hand, kiss her and just enjoy the night - I felt very lucky to be there with her and our friends - together, in the moment for real. I think there is a lyric for a new song emerging out of this (mybe even will make it in the new CD, who knows) Something like:

"Your PDA is your best friend,
Mine - the world sees me kiss my wife
These are very different messages we send
Mine is by far the better life"

Needs some work, but I like the concept. I guess this all kinda relates to my post about "The perfect piece of gear," and I am curious to see how this will inform my writing and producing. Life is always a journey - what a fun ride.

A music education experience circle completed

Teach enough students for long enough and eventually you start to experience some of your own lessons. For a while now I have been "ranting" both here and in my classes about the need to always look for a new perspective whenever a musical experience starts to feel overdone.  A few days ago I found myself with that exact need and the end result proved very inspiring.

I was sitting in on drums for a friend's band - something I have been doing more of lately and have been enjoying so much that I now, somewhat secretly I suppose, am hopeful to do more of it more often.  Anyway, four hours of "classic" cover songs is usually not exactly my idea of musical euphoria these days.  Yes, I see the hypocrisy of my attitude - I should only be so lucky as to have a band, any band, cover one of my own songs, but I digress...

Anyway, in an effort to make things a bit more interesting for me, I decided to see what would happen if I played the kit for the entire night "left hand lead." (see Simon Phillips for pretty much the absolute master in this technique.)  Turned out the 4 hours flew by for me.  What a blast!

Sure a simple lesson in the end, and one that I should have known would produce results, but while in the midst of it I was really captivated.  Looks like there will be at least a breif addendum to my Monday lectures...

Greetings from the road

Ok, so I don’t tour very much these days, but I am sitting in with a friend’s band tonight for a pre-Halloween party, and am writing this while on a short break in the set. (posting likely after the gig.)

I don’t play out nearly as much as I used to for any number of reasons, and in so many ways I miss it. On the other hand, the club scene is such a hassle, and I am sure I it is a sign of my age that I have far less patience for it than I used to. Plus I seem to grow weary of playing cover songs after a while - am forever more interested in creating something new of my own. Obviously audience opinions vary on this, but I digress.

On the other hand there is something truly joyful about playing with a group of people just for the sake of playing, for an audience that is just there to enjoy the moment with you. And that makes me think of a lesson I wish I was able to impart on my students easier: Joy and fun are not he same thing and joy is so much more satisfying in the long run.

Music is a show of joy to me. No matter the style or sound, even in the darkest of context, there is still an intrinsic element of joy. I know I need to fully explain this, but for now it’s back to the show. Anyone seen a roadie or two to carry my gear to my car later?....