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Happy Player… Sad Player… by Igor Saavedra
Considering that music is an Art form, and that “Art” is probably the most sublime way to express the very essentials of our existence, then it seems obvious that through playing music that we can learn very much about “The Art of Living…”
What I’ll write here is just my opinion…
There are trillions of questions in this world to be made, and I’m convinced that all of them have some kind of answer, with just one exception….
As a form of a psychological exercise…
- If you ask somebody why they would choose a particular house, you might get the answer, “Because it’s big!”
- If you then ask why they need a big home, they might respond, “Because it can fit the whole family!”
- If you ask again why this is important, the answer can be, “Because this is good for creating links between all the family individuals and supporting each other.”
- The next question will be, why is creating links and supporting each other is important? And the answer will be, “Because you will constantly feel that you are not alone in this world and that you are going to get help when you need it and also be able to provide it to the others.”
- Which leads you to ask, why do you like to feel supported and at the same time provide support to your family? And the answer will be, “Because it makes me happy!”
- The final question is obvious…. Why do you want to be happy? That question has no answer…
In my opinion, the purpose of this life is happiness itself, that purpose has no secondary purpose… it’s the final achievement, and you don’t need a ‘reason’ to be happy!
That being said, IF happiness is the most important thing in life (even further than Love itself because the question “Why to love” has an obvious answer, then in my opinion that means we can measure intelligence based on “The ability of any human being to live through happiness…” and not on the ability to know, solve or achieve any other thing in life.
That’s REAL intelligence for me!
What is happiness? Well in my opinion, it is something very simple… “Happiness is an attitude.”
Life is what it is, and highly overused phrases like “Looking for happiness”, “The search of happiness”, “Trying to find happiness”, etc., really misguide people, because happiness is not something you have to look for, instead happiness is something you have to LIVE right and here right now; every hour, minute and second of your life!
The key is very simple: “Developing the ability to always find and focus on the goodness ‘within’ the goodness and mostly, the goodness ‘within the badness”
Have you met a rich person that is never satisfied? For example… that 17-year-old daughter that receives a brand new red Ferrari for her birthday and when she sees it she starts screaming and crying because that was not the color she wanted. She begins to blame her father for not listening to her and explains to him that all of her friends have red Ferraris and that she wants to be the only one with a different color! This young lady didn’t invent this behavior; she has seen it many times throughout the years in her parents and friend’s attitudes.
“That’s the ability to see the badness within the goodness… the most perfect way to achieve unhappiness in your life”
At the same time, have you meet this very poor people that are really in trouble, seriously sick, have almost nothing, and yet for some unknown reason always have a smile on their faces and a handy joke on their mouths every five seconds?
“That’s the ability to find the goodness within the badness… the most perfect way to achieve happiness in your life”
But the real truth is that you are probably not ultra-rich or super-poor, instead you are probably a normal human being, a normal musician trying to live and be happy like most of us. And you find yourself asking, what has all this philosophical matter have to do with music?
Everything!
As I’ve learned throughout my life as a musician, music MUST be one of the maximum expressions of joy and happiness that a human being can feel and experience. While you play it, music has the power to reveal in just a second what kind of human being you are. In relation to this, we have mainly two types of musicians that I’m certain you’ll be able to immediately recognize within your friends, bass colleagues and music heroes.
“The Unhappy Musician” That bitter being who’s always complaining about everything, who never likes or is satisfied with what he hears from himself or from others (mostly from the others hahaha). The kind of guy that when it comes to play, immediately behaves like a selfish and bitter human being, scared about everything, worrying if the other players are making him look bad because they are really bad or too good… complaining about a thousand things and transforming the whole musical experience in something very similar to a military context.
“The Happy Musician” That positive being that is always happy to play and really doesn’t care if somebody is not making him look good and not doing the proper thing. Or if somebody plays better than him, he is the kind of guy who is not thinking as a teacher while he plays and evaluating and correcting everything he hears and prefers to share and live the experience from a radically different perspective, that being to see the others as brothers and not as bad behaved sons, students or subjects…. that means through love and happiness!
Take a look and see if any of your friends… and mostly yourself fit within either of these two descriptions. And mainly, think about the importance of happiness in life, “Be intelligent /be happy”, don’t be searching for happiness, “Just live it night now!”
See you guys on the next…
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
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www.derekfrank.com
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
