Favorite Parts Of The Non-Favorites

Not all the songs you’ve put out are your favorite.

But for each song you put out, you have a favorite part.

Playing live is a chance to highlight that part in a new way, to make it pop more powerfully.

You can make your favorite part be the main part…the main point of the playing the song.

That’s the gift of live music for an artist.

The chance to do it a (slightly or drastically) different way.

And if you’re highlighting your favorite parts of your non-favorite songs, they just might turn into your favorite songs too.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Jeans And Costumes

There are two main reasons your favorite jeans are your favorite jeans.

1. You found that diamond in the rough, perfect cut that are just right for your definition of style and comfort.

2. The happiness you get when you know you’re putting on your favorite jeans. The happiness changes you for the better. When you put on your favorite jeans something else happens than just a shift in your style.


So as you might guess, it’s that second one that’s really interesting. (Although I go to great lengths for the first one)


I hadn’t always been a big advocate of costumes for performing because I thought it meant Lady Gaga meat dresses or KISS makeup. But now I think of costumes more like a favorite pair of jeans. Something that you put on that does something extra to you.

So a now costume can be a jacket, hat, ring, button, boots, bracelets. You name it. Anything you want.

It’s not about the level of flair, but about changing your mind.

It’s just a pair of jeans. But we all know your favorite pair of jeans is much more than that.

Give yourself the gift of performing in a costume (our new definition of costume), and I think it will have the same effect.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Repeating Again

Here’s why we don’t repeat the message…

We don’t think it’s important (see yesterdays’ post)

We think what we said wasn’t good enough to repeat.

We think we always have to be new.

We’ll look unoriginal if we repeat.

We think the people already get it.

We think they’re tired of hearing it.

We’re tired of saying it.

We’re not organized and focused enough to know what we want to repeat.

We’re not organized and focused enough to know what they want repeated.


None of these reasons are enough to not dig in.

You must dig in…uncover and choose your message and then drive it home. Over and over.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Repeating

People like hearing the same thing over again.

So in order to give your people something they like you’ll have to repeat yourself.

When you repeat yourself you’re much more likely become known for what it is you repeat.

The people who already know what you’re going to say feel smart for knowing what you’re about to say. They’re on the inside now.

Don’t think that just because you said it once that it doesn’t bare repeating again.

Got it?

Don’t make me repeat myself.

***I’ve watched every March Madness championship game since I was in second grade. And tonight is no exception. This post inspired by years of Bill Raftery’s THE KISS!!

Also, past musings on the tournament are here.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

The Moment Just Before

The anxious, scary, stressful moment just before you…

walk on stage

say the big important thing

send the email

make the call

write the new song


…that’s a thrill!

How many times have we all heard “I was nervous but once I got on stage I was fine”…and that’s great, I’ve been there too and I’m really glad we can settle into whatever it is we’re doing.

But don’t disregard that tension right before you settle into the groove. That moment where your senses are heightened, fully alert and alive, your mind is racing, you haven’t risked yet but you know you’re about to.

What a gift. That moment is your mind body and soul understanding that what you’re about to do is important.

Keep going.

(Thanks for the reminder, Seth)

***If it’s been a while since you’ve experienced this beautiful moment before the big thing, you might consider pushing harder, going bigger, risking more.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

The Microphone Changes Things

There’s saying it. And then there’s saying it into a microphone.

The microphone changes things.

The microphone means that more than just the people right in front of you are going to hear you (both metaphorically and literally). Other people are going to listen in who don’t have the same context as the people right in front of you…ie. the people you can see and vibe off of.

So when there’s a microphone we have the actual conversation (the back and forth) happening and then there’s this other thing happening where we’re adjusting the actual conversation with the people right in front of us on behalf of the people who aren’t right in front of us.

And that’s ok.

The more we become familiar with how the microphone changes things (and changes us personally) the more we can use it to the benefit of ourselves and everyone.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com