Praise Band notes from a ham-fisted bass player

Well, I just got back from my praise band practice tonight. I'm such a ham and egger. Give me the bassline to "Satisfaction" or "Ramble On" and I'm in my zone, but try to get me to play "Come and See" (a praise tune) and forget about it!

Tonight was our third rehearsal as a band, and it was the first night for our new guitarist Steve. This guitarist is an excellent musician and plays totally by ear. He came in and really spiced things up, and keeping up with him was all this ham-fist (me) could do.

Bottom line is I am not in my comfort zone musically with the Praise Band. I had the same reservation in With Intent too, but I worked through my issues (playing a total support role as a bassist in a two-man outfit) by non-stop practice. Ed and I set an intense schedule, stuck to it, and we have made great progress. I learned how to lay back, help keep the time, while helping to create a groove - and of course it's still a work in progress. It's going to be the same with the Praise Band too. In the Praise Band I am playing with seasoned musicians - Elisabeth on keyboards, Russ on the drums and Steve on the guitar. Right now I am bringing up the rear musically, and I need to pick it up. But I am confident I will find my footing and excel in my own way - I always have and I always will. The upside of this whole thing is that I am going to get better just by playing with these superior musicians.

Tomorrow - off to a With Intent rehearsal. More on that tomorrow. Good night now.