Blog Mike's musings

[MikeMorrell]

I'm still busy with (temporarily) 2 full voluntary days (and evenings)/week and 3 rehearsals to prepare and practice for. And also do some housework in between 😉.

At the moment, my time is spread too thinly between 3 rehearsals/week. I'm just managing to keep all plates juggling/

This very amateur 'plate juggling' experience makes me in awe of professional musicians who flit from one gig to the next and seamlessly play what they're asked to.

Thankfully, my relationship with what I previously referred to as 'the presumptive band leader' has enormously improved.

He is the true band leader.

 

[MikeMorrell]

It's been a while since I last posted her. But all good news so far.

Playing my PPT again!I
I use just 2 mpc's:

• a (german) ESM 'jazz' mpc with a tip opening 7* (105 mm). This is my 'lazy' mpc that I can play for hours with an (adjusted) Java Red reed strength 3
• a PPT onyx mpc 8* with a tip opening of 117mm, which I prefer to play, but which requires (for me) more regular practice and (currently) a Java Red 2,5 reed strength​

Being a lazy practicer, I haven't played my PPT in a Big Band for a couple of years preferring the easier to play ESM mpc. But I recently tried out my PPT in my Saturday (rock) band and it was a joy to play! I played my PPT in the following Big Band rehearsal without any problems 🙂.

Becoming an accepted band member
For a couple of months, I felt like a 'candidate' add-on to a guitar/keyboard oriented rock band. Initially, I had a list of 5 songs that the band wanted me to play on (with the intention that 5 more would follow). The 'additional 5' never appeared but I'm now an 'accepted' full band member🙂. In the sense that I have full freedom to try things out and (collectively) decide whether my sax adds anything or not. I'm almost always the person who decides 'not'. In most cases, the rest of the band were enthusiastic to 'keep the sax'! We have an upcoming concert in early January and I'm playing sax on fully half the setlist🙂.

Sax mic and amplifier
My initial (cafe informed) decision was to buy an acoustic mic (shure SM57/58). But I eventually went for a clip-on bluetooth mic. Mainly because my band wanted me to be able to move around (both guitarists have mobile bluetooth connections).

I already have 2 bass guitar amps: a small (5W) practice amp and a larger (150W) rehearsal/performance amp (with EQ). I've read that a sax mic is best routed through a keyboard amp. But I live in a small apartment with limited space so if I can avoid buying a 3rd (keyboard) amp, so much the better. So I'm going to try out my sax mic with my 150W bass guitar amp at our next (Saturday) rehearsal. Maybe (with EQ) it'll sound OK. Maybe it'll be awful. In which case, I'll buy a 3rd (keyboard) amp.

Exciting News!
A trumpet player that I know (from my 'jazz improvisation workshops) has decided to join our Saturday 'rock' band in January. He's already practicing and I'm really looking forward to playing together with him in a trumpet/sax combo! For me, this means less 'playing on the fly' for fills and agreeing beforehand what and how we're going to play. My very first experience in playing in a 'horn section'!

 

[rhysonsax]

It sounds as though things are progressing in good directions. Horn section, especially with a trumpet, should be great fun.

Rhys

PS You might want to look at the tip openings of those two mouthpieces - a missing decimal point (or comma in Europe) might explain things.

 

[Pete Thomas]

It's been a while since I last posted her

I hope she enjoyed it.

Playing my PPT again!I

Yay!

a PPT onyx mpc 8* with a tip opening of 117mm

PS You might want to look at the tip openings

Maybe 117 thou?

 

[MikeMorrell]

It sounds as though things are progressing in good directions. Horn section, especially with a trumpet, should be great fun.

Rhys

PS You might want to look at the tip openings of those two mouthpieces - a missing decimal point (or comma in Europe) might explain things.

Hi Rhys, yes I screwed up on the tip openings but I'm looking forward to the Trumpet/Sax 'Horn Section'

 

[MikeMorrell]

Once again, a busy musical week!

- Monday (on bass guitar) the 'final rehearsal' for our 'jazz improvisation workshop' performance
- Wednesday (on tenor sax) a wonderful live performance by my Big Band at a 'Christmas Special' dance evening (Lindy Hop, Jive, etc.)
- Friday (on bass guitar) our 'jazz improvisation workshop' group performance
- Saturday (today) a rehearsal with my 'c

It's been a lot but the 'jazz improvisation workshops' have now wound down for a couple of months. My Big Band starts rehearsing again on 8 january. In the meantime my 'Rock/Pop' band has just one rehearsal left before our gig (my first!) on 4 january.

Our drummer (Jeroen) invited me to listen to and maybe join the 'rock/pop' band, I had no hesitation and after a couple of months, I'd become 'full' band member, In january, a trumpet player will hopefully join the band. Together, we'll form a 'horn section'. But we still need to work out how we'll play together 😉.

 

[MikeMorrell]

When, many years ago, I used to work as a 'service quality manager' (and consultant), one of the tools we used was to identify (and improve the customer experience in) the 'moments of truth'. I.e. the customer experience in her/his 'interaction' with the organisation. Not only during day-to-day operations but especially if something unexpected happened.

On January 4, I - and my new band - have a new 'moment of truth' coming up in our first gig for some time. With a relatively new bass guitar player and me for the 1st time on tenor sax. And with our female lead singer (thankfully!) still caring for a recently born baby.

So this my first setlist with the band. Ranging from ballads to up-tempo and from Blues to Santana to Pink Floyd🙂

r her

 

[Jeanette]

Happy birthday 🎂 🥳

 

[MikeMorrell]

My 1st gig with my 'new band' yesterday went really well! It was a small pub ( known for its great selection of special beers). We were on 2nd after the 1st band (20.30 - 21.30) who were really great! TBH, I enjoyed listening to them and their repertoire (lighter, more modern and more upbeat) than I did listening to ours! Their average age was at least half that of our band. With a keyboard player, drummer, acoustic guitarist and a singer, they played (in comparison with our band) relatively 'light'. Everyone in the pub could hear them - and applauded each number - but they could also talk above the 'volume level'.

To minimise the 'change-over time', we'd agreed beforehand with the 1st band that we would set up first (from 19,30) and that they would use any of our equipment (drumkit, amps, mixer, mics, speakers, etc) that they wanted to. This worked perfectly. The keyboard player (naturally) wanted his own keyboard with his own presets. But in addition, they only needed to plug in 1 extra mic to our mixer and adjust the mixer's sliders. So the 'change-over' was quick. Within 15-20 minutes we helped the 1st band to stow their stuff and we were ready to go.

With 2 guitarists (with 3-4 electric/acoustic guitars and vast array of effects pedals each), a drummer, bassist and and a sax player we were - even with our 'classic' (=older) cover repertoire - the 'heavy hitters 'of the evening. In terms of volume too 🙁. Even though my sax had a mic and I occasionally dialed up the volume on my amp (which I was standing in front of!), there were a few times when I couldn't hear which notes I was playing! Especially in the lower octave. Listening to various recordings & video's made at the gig, my sax sounded fine on the 'fills' (if slightly flat 🙁). On the solo's I was audible enough but a couple of people in the audience later said that - while they loved the sax - it could have been a bit louder at times (solo's). Something to think more about.

But - all in all - it was a wonderful 1st gig! The pub was truly jam-packed with an enthusiastic audience. And I truly appreciate the compliments I got from many members for my 'sax playing'. I got the impression that they'd seen and heard this - and similar - bands and that 'the sax' made a real addition to their enjoyment. I'm almost blushing.

 

[Jeanette]

Congratulations 🎉

Jx

 

[MikeMorrell]

On the solo's I was audible enough but a couple of people in the audience later said that - while they loved the sax - it could have been a bit louder at times (solo's). Something to think more about.

I've just discovered that there's wealth of information on this (and most things!) on the cafe. I'm going to read up in the coming days.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Today was the first time that our new (prospective) trumpet player - Rene - played along in a band rehearsal. Despite the fact that we'd had no previous 'Horn section' rehearsal (or even discussion), it went wonderfully well. Rene had done his homework (much more than I had!). So his 'fills' were close to perfect w.r.t original recordings whereas I - with the exception of a few 'iconic fills'- had up until now just tended to wing it 🙂. Anyway, we both played in tune and we managed to complement each other. There were a few songs for which Rene's trumpet (high, long, rounded, 'soft' tones) were a perfect addition. In contrast to my tenor sax.

This trumpet/tenor sax combi in a 'Horn section' sounded much 'fuller' than just me on tenor sax. I'm really excited to work out with Rene how we can play better together.

Both Rene and I were also encouraged by the band's intention to seek out new repertoire in which the 'Horn Section' would play a more prominent role.

All good news!

Mike

PS. I know Rene personally via our joint participation in 'jazz improvisation workshops'. When (in December 2024) he was first invited to join the band, his initial response was 'Hmm, I'm not so sure. It's a lot of travel time - especially with rehearsals starting at 08.30. He came and listened to one rehearsal, met the band members and decided to join the band after our gig on Jan. 4th.

 

[Jeanette]

That's great news Mike 🙂

 

[MikeMorrell]

I'm really looking forward next Saturday's rehearsal when the band's female vocalist returns to rehearsals! When I first started playing in the band almost 6 months ago, her pregnancy meant that she had to rest and 'take it easy'. She did did come along once and sang one song (the only song I've ever heard her sing). And again, (with baby) a couple of months after her baby was born.

When she sang that one song, I had goosebumps. She has such a pure, pitch-perfect and beautiful voice!

So, 6 months ago, I joined a 5-member band (2 guitarists - one of which is a vocalist too, a keyboard player, bass player and drummer). Now we have an 8-piece band (with an additional female vocalist and a 'horn section'- the new trumpet player and me). It'll be interesting to work out how best to arrange the 'harmonies' and 'fills'.

My gut feeling is still that the 'horn section' is there to support 'when and where appropriate'.

 

[thomsax]

It'll be interesting to work out how best to arrange the 'harmonies' and 'fills'.

Yes, it's fun and intersting. It was hard for us to think in the same direction. Three 60+ guys to agree about "what and how" to play. The trumpet player, just played trumpet. One woodwind player; flute, harmonica, soprano, alto, tenor and bari and me on tenor and bari. Endless discussions took the joy and time from us. So we decided to keep it simple. A guy in Rhode Island wrote arrangements for us. If we could buy from "his stock" it was easier and cheaper. We put in an extra rehearsal just for the horns. We worked hard to get a tight and "loud" sound. The horn arragements were easy. Sometimes it was pretty good and we had a good time.

I like to read your posts about you and the rock band. I'm a little bit envious. But I'm not complaining. I play old blues, rock, R&B .... ballads with backing tracks. The good thing with playing with backing tracks is that noone is rolling with thier eays when I want to play in the Rock keys!

 

[MikeMorrell]

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[MikeMorrell]

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[MikeMorrell]

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