Know your role - musically
As I was beer-tending the other day, I had a conversation about music and comparing musicians to other musicians. The conversation lead me to publish my thoughts online for all to read - if I’m saying it in public at a brewery, I’ll say it public online!
Musicians vary with playing styles because of their 1) knowledge of their instrument [can they play and comprehend what they are playing] and 2) background knowledge of music as a whole.
Do musicians know the musical role of their instruments? Do musicians listen to other musicians while they are playing? Do musicians actually have a “role” with their instrument?
These are the thoughts from a bass player/tuba player (me)
The role of a bass/tuba can be a boring life. In ensembles we are the foundation. We play Whole notes, Half notes, “oom-pah” 1-5-1, sit through rests; there’s a list of musical bass lines that tubists and bassists can find un-appealing or not fun. We rarely get the melody when playing in an ensemble.
It’s only boring, if you’re musically immature.
If it’s easy, then play it perfectly. From attack to the release of each note in each measure. Balance or mix the “boring” part in so well that you can hear every person playing. Be perfectly in time/tempo with beautiful tone. TO THE VERY END OF EVERY SONG.
I find listening to the other instruments while playing to be fascinating. Playing “boom-chuck” between bass and fiddle for bluegrass while the banjo and guitar fill in the sixteenth notes that I was already feeling before. It’s called sub-division, folks and it’s satisfying to connect musically. While playing tuba, blending with the Bass Clarinet, listening to the 4 part harmony of the clarinet section to decrescendo and release so naturally. Goosebumps, man. I don’t find playing “easy parts” boring at all.
Now, I know that every instrument can play every part. Bass and Tuba can play a melody, and it does need a “bass-support” underneath. A tenor-sax walking a jazz bass-line sounds pretty damn good when a bass player solos melodically in a high register. When you can musically perform what music colleges test in the sophomore year (all major, minor scales and arpeggios, sight read and sing, etc.), it becomes much easier for each musician to “break barriers” of their instrument and expand the role of what they can play.
Music taps into the “hearing” sense for humans. If it sounds good, its good. If it sounds bad, its bad. It doesn’t matter what the musician’s background is, it doesn’t matter how the ensemble dresses - the sound needs to be good. It’s that basic. No matter what ensemble or instrument you play, fundamentals are the key to better playing. Non-musical ears might not hear it, but mine and others can. Every instrument has the same role - Precise Rhythm and Blended Harmony.
Go ahead and try a fancy technique to show off to the crowd - as long as its your turn. It better be in tempo and not stepping on anyone’s toes. The focus consumed for the “fun” or “cool” stuff better not distract from grooving. Who do you want to impress - non-musicians or musicians? You’re not trying to impress anyone? Why play something flashy if you’re not soloing or trying to impress anyone. Think carefully about what you play, but not too hard. Keep It Simple Stupid
I’m not a fan of comparing musicians to musicians or comparing art to art in general. It all needs to be celebrated, even in a competitive field or work. From Orchestras, Bands, Jazz Combos, Rock Bands, Musical Pit Orchestras, Military Bands, I’ve played with a lot of people. I feel pretty blessed to know that I have played with some top notch musicians - some “making it big” and others not. I have learned a ton and musically have grown because of the better musicians I was surrounded by. Judgement should come from within and stay within and used as a tool to broaden our individual intelligence.