Day 9 - Band Things Pt.2

Finding a good band is like looking for "the one"; quite frustrating and almost impossible to find. I have been in my new band for about a month now, and so far so good. Actually, it's great. It's like that relationship I have always wanted (or maybe it's just the honeymoon phase). Before we started rehearsals, we chatted for some time and therefore have created a good bond, which I believe is essential when playing together. Playing music is like communicating your intimate feelings. This is not effective if you do not trust the person you are communicating with enough to be yourself. We even got arrested together for staying in Uhuru Park after 6 p.m. (yes, apparently it's illegal) and the City Council officer quoted for us Matthew 5:25,

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison." (NIV). 

Luckily we were released without issues. The band is therefore known as Band 525 (pronounced five-two-five). Last week we had our first show together, and I have to say, it was quite successful. Everything went well, we did not have major mishaps and best of all, the audience response was overwhelmingly great. I am usually quite critical of my performances, but for me to feel amazing after one, it must have gone really well. This took me back to my first major performance back in primary school, a 4-night musical, when I knew I wanted to be a performer. 

Despite this great start, I have had some personal challenges as the bassist for Band 525. My former band was an all-instrumental band, where we chose the song lists ourselves, bearing in mind the musicality, arrangement and key instrument in a particular song, focusing on Afro-jazz. However, in this new band, the vocalists pick the cover songs.The major challenge I've had is the genre of music. Our vocalists are pop, rock and R&B artistes. Although I started off as a rock guitarist, I find that these three genres are probably the least challenging instruments-wise, and therefore the most uninteresting of genres. This was a challenge because I did not have the motivation to practice because I was bored stiff.  However, out of bad things come good things. I remembered my favorite Kenyan lead guitarist, Jack of Sarabi Band, who shredded (hard-rock technique) while they were performing a Benga tune (traditional Luo music). I also recalled one of my favorite local bassists, Sam, (one unfaithful instrumentalist) who, like myself, enjoys playing funk. Sam can take a boring pop song and funk it up, giving it a whole new and improved sound. Playing these songs, I believe, is helping me grow because it has forced me to be creative with my basslines as well as develop my individuality, since it is either I play below par because of boredom, or explore the potential to express myself and enjoy it.