I took a needed break from the all the screen time, Skype lessons, and the news. I fired up my soldering gun and wrapped up work on the Steampunk headless. I’ve got some tweaking to do, but it’s up and running. And I opted for the chicken head knobs. However, the other knob set found Read More …
Month: March 2020
NoTreble’s new community resource to help bassists during COVID-19….
Many thanks to Corey Brown for putting this website together…stop by and check it out. In his own words “We quietly launched something this morning. (The big promotion is coming this week). Until then, buy an album and/or book, and sign up for lessons (and submit your own). Support the bass playing community and please Read More …
Rig Rundown COVID – 19 style – online lessons using a BOSS RC-300
Typing this out in case it helps someone out. I’ll probably be posting more tips and tricks as things progress. The Boss RC-300 can be dropped into audio mode under System settings and used as an audio interface. The intention was probably initially “just” for recording, but that means it can be used as an Read More …
Stay Home!
Question about music apps for a new iPad user…
I got this question from a student; I’m going to reply to it here for folks looking for apps for their phones/software for laptops to augment distance learning experiences. I’ll also include apps that are not solely iOS apps. “I have now gone full Apple – iPad and iPhone. What apps beyond Onsong do you Read More …
Positive Energy Drink
Working on getting a possible “stand up desk” style Skype setup going today. I found this can while cleaning. When I first saw this at AC Moore, it made me laugh on a particularly rough first day of the RVA Folk Fest. I was nervous, running later than I would have liked, and feeling like Read More …
3/22/2020- COVID-19 Journal
I’ve missed more than a few days of entries here. My schedule…and my whole pacing for my week…and really my whole system of how I do lessons…has gone off the rails for a bit there. I’m getting students (and even some other teachers) migrated over to the online format. Hours and hours of screen time Read More …
New Video with the Folk Metal Band Teshaleh!
Like many musicians, my Ginger Bass Mafia brother Chris Welborn is involved in a range of musical projects…as well as he should be. He’s been a stage hand at many major venues around DC, MD and VA, working with major touring acts from all over the world. He’s been on tour with the melodic progressive Read More …
COVID-19 journal – Teacher Exhaustion
Consider this an entry into my COVID -19 journal for the last two days. This is the fucking truth right here. Pulled an 18 hour day a few days ago helping parents and students get online AND other local teachers who never had never done Skype lessons before. I end every day exhausted anymore. And Read More …
Ben Titus Performing at the GHS Booth at Winter NAMM
I’m increasing the output of content on my YouTube right now. So this is a great time to swing by for videos from myself or other artists I enjoy. Recent content includes John Ferrara, Soften The Glare, Daniel Champagne, and myself. Today’s video – Ben Titus performing at the GHS Booth at Winter NAMM. Thanks Read More …
3/18/2020 – COVID -19 Journal
3/18/2020 – Day 2 – COVID 19 journal I texted a friend this morning, “Kicking off the apocalypse today with sleeping in (only made it to 7:30 am and then woke up…gonna have to work on that…the alarm was for 9 am) blogging, and then some pancakes for breakfast. Judging on traffic, I’m wishing I Read More …
COVID-19 Journal – Day 1 – 3/17/2020
Leslie Ann Castro-Woodhouse posted this on her FB page yesterday. This quote will be helpful for context. “As some of you know, I’m a trained historian (PhD, UC Berkeley, 2009). One element I’m especially passionate about is trying to imagine what it was like to live through various moments in time: what was it like Read More …
The win – win for brick and mortar music stores to allow teachers to migrate to online lessons during COVID-19
A thought for the brick and mortar stores considering if online lessons are a wise choice right now. I know brick-and-mortar locations are deathly afraid of the whole online lesson paradigm. Managers are often quick to point fingers at “online lessons” for “ruining their business”. But yesterday, one store I stopped by had already lost Read More …
New video – Soften the Glare at Orion Studios, Sept 2019
It’s always a treat when STG comes through our area. I was in the house with my iPad Pro 11, shooting both video footage and still pics at the show. Bonus treat; Jefferson Ogata (the gentleman who shot the videos of the Ginger Bass Mafia at Orion)… …well, Jefferson also shot Soften the Glare performing Read More …
John Ferrara at Orbital Music Park
John Ferrara, bass player virtuoso from NYC, made a visit to Richmond on Feb 8th 2020 for a masterclass and solo bass performance. Here’s an excerpt from that extraordinary evening of music.
More Highlights from Winter NAMM 2020…
I’m back with another installment of Winter NAMM 2020 highlights. This time the focus is on the NS Design booth with pics of the new Radius 6 string prototype, the Phil Jones Booth, the Spector Booth, the Ibanez booth, and the GHS Booth. Quick performance cameos from Chance W. Onody, Michael Albronda, I give one Read More …