Bass Weekend

[Shadrak]

Without going into too much detail I would like to extend an early invite to anybody interested in a three-day intensive bass weekend. I am working on an event of this sort for the end of Summer. I am currently securing a cottage style resort and will only be accepting 15 people for this event. I have a few enthusiasts onboard already but before I start advertising anywhere else I thought I'd offer the people here a chance. Drop me an e-mail if this is of interest to you or somebody you know.

Cheers

[skewbs]

hey ken i know ash would like to she'll probably send you an email soon

[lighthouse_keeper]

I would be sooooooo into that, but I don't know when I'm gonna be able to fit buying a bass into the budget.

I'm giving serious thought to buying one and getting back to playing again. The number of years since I've played scares me a bit, but I think it would be fun, and a nice mind diversion.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I might be interested.
What kind of stuff would be covered and what would the general location be?

[Corey]

I'm with Smallmouth, this sounds like it'd be amazing but what will be gone over?

[Shadrak]

In the interest of covering a lot of ground with a small group of players all at different levels I would treat the weekend with a sort of motivate and inspire angle. The weekend consists of a thursday afternoon check in and stay until Sunday morning. There will be stuff to do around the camp when you have free time but for the most part I intend on having bass related stuff to do all weekend. There would be a collection of probably 9 formal sit down meets as well as many informal chat sessions/campfires and idea exchanges.
Some of the topics I would like to cover would include:
the role of the bass
technical playing - picking, slapping, bowing, thumbing etc
scales/modes
theory and musical language
soloing techniques and concepts
equipment and maintainance
types of basses - 4,5,6 frettless, upright, piccolo etc
getting gigs/nettworking
the business - working with agents, managers and labels
recording
touring
I would like to approach this as a somewhat informal exchange of information. I will have scheduled times for demonstration and Q&A but there will be no hard and fast rules. Players of all levels will be welcome.

I am still working on location, finding a place with lodging, conference rooms and meals is not easy. It will definitely be in Ontario for this first camp - there have been talks about doing this in other places but I need to get it up and running first. Cost is still an issue but I am working on finding the best place for a reasonable cost.
I have already gotten interest from enough people to get this happening. Fifteen people is the max that I would like to have out for this - any more than that and the intimacy dies.

Any other questions?

ken

[Ashlee]

*raises hand*

Umm... Mr. Worm, I actually have a comment. This trip sounds freakin' fantastic and I can't wait.

Bass boot camp.... woohoo

[PennyRobinson]

Would it be insane for a person to fly in from Texas for this?

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Will it be all bass or will there be any band workshops with other instruments?

Seeing as it may be an outdoors "lodge" type of thing; any chance there would be some bass fishing too? I love bass fishing! (All bass, all the time!) Just kidding, I would want to get the most out of my bass experts, of course.

[Shadrak]

For now it will ba an all bass weekend. I have had interest from guitarists and drummers and in the future it could branch out a bit but not right away. I want to have my full attention on the bass stuff.

cheers

[Smallmouth_Bass]

When I mentioned band workshops I was more thinking along the lines of having a house band (minus the bass player); people we'd play with to demonstrate various grooves and playing situations.

[Shadrak]

ah got it. That is one thing I am considering. However for the onset of something like this I hav e to factor in all the costs. Finding a place to house and feed fifteen musicians who's intention is to play bass guitar all weekend is hard enough. If I have to include house bands and full on loud PA systems it gets even stranger and the costs are going to go up. I am looking at the August 18-20 weekend. I have a place in North Ontario that say they can do this and provide us with accoms, meals, conference rooms and such. I will probably get a drumer involved seeing as how they are so important to what we do. As well I was planning a Saturday night stage evening. This could be an opportunity for everybody to get on "stage" and play a little something. It is more a lesson in breaking down 'stage fright.' For the beginners this can be cool as they may have never even played in front of people before and for the more advanced it is a chance to show off the old chops a bit. This is one of many things I am planning. There is a lot more work involved in this than I at first imagined. But still, it will rock.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Great. It all sounds good.

I am interested, but it will likely depend on the cost, location and dates (go figure!). Another thing to consider is that I am not looking to become a professional musician. I would be thinking of it as more as a fun opportunity to hang with some bass players and pick up some new ideas and different approaches to bass playing so I wouldn't want to be taking the spot from someone who was really using it as a springboard for their career. Then again, as a somewhat schooled musician, I may be able to offer a few words of wisdom.

I'll send you an e-mail and you can keep me up to date as details unfold.

[Shadrak]

sounds great smallmouth

cheers

[PintoMusic]

Shadrak said:

I am looking at the August 18-20 weekend.

I'm actually going to be in Toronto that week for a wedding.