Thursday, May 07, 2009

I See That


So today I was at a band rehearsal and this time it was at the University
in a really big, old building where they store the marching band equipment
and hold rehearsals among other things.

Well all during the practice, these men in suits kept walking through the big room
where we played. They looked like they were sort of touring the place, pointing up
at the ceiling, opening doors, talking with each other. I hoped we weren't bothering
them because we were pretty loud, but other than that I didn't really think much about it.

Later, one of the men came up to me and said, "Hey, nice bass." I said thanks,
and he asked what kind it was.

Now normally when people come up to me and ask me about my bass, it's because they're curious. My bass is really nice - it's a custom bass made of beautiful wood
and I'm really lucky to own it. Usually, people notice it and come up to ask but sometimes they ask sort of funny questions - it's not their fault, they just don't know anything about basses and want to look at it.

So I adopt an attitude of helpfulness, and I usually try to point out something about the bass that they might not know about. For instance I have a six string bass, and sometimes I'll say, "This bass has six strings instead of the four that you probably usually see."

This time, the man smiled and looked really interested, so I was happy to show him my bass. I held it up for him and said, "It's made by Ken Smith," and he nodded appreciatively. Just to be helpful, I pointed out that it was a fretless bass. He again nodded and this time said, "I see that. It's a very nice instrument." I said, "Well I'm lucky, so I try to take really good care of it," as I wiped it down and again he said, "I see that." Then he went on his way.

I put away my bass and went over to the other band members who had been watching this exchange. One of them said to me, "Do you know who that was?" I shook my head no, and he laughed and said it was Rodney Whitaker. The percussionist said, "I thought you must be really nervous to have one of the best bass players in the world watching you."

No, not nervous. Just mortified that I had kindly pointed out to THE Rodney Whitaker, that, in case he hadn't noticed, this is a fretless bass. Duh.
I'm sure he was really impressed with that bit of info. I wish I could go back and have a do over. I'd say, "Mr. Whitaker! I'm a schmuck!" and he would probably nod kindly and say,

"I see that."

*

6 comments:

mrc-w said...

Awww, Kulio! Jon told me about this and I felt for you!! How were you to know who it was, right?! It reminds me of a time when Jesse and I were on the phone and he said his friend's uncle liked percussion and wanted to talk to me. So after chatting for a few minutes (in which I said some of the same kind of stuff you told Rodney Whitaker), the guy was like, "well actually I'm a percussionist too, my name's Michael Colgrass" (he's a big name in percussion and he's written a lot of pieces for percussion, including one of my audition pieces to CMU, haha!). So I totally know how you feel! But it's a great story! :)

Kulio said...

haha! Oh, that makes me feel better! But now I think I will always just say a little less words than I think of to say :-)

Michelle said...

DUDE! I feel for you. Maybe though, he was just so pleased to have someone talk to him and not blow smoke about his talent.

I don't know Mr. Whitaker - so I YouTube'd and found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec7d22OKJQ8

Holy Kuddiddle. Thanks for sharing your story and brining the music - what a great way to start a Friday.

Heidi Lee said...

Cryderman hook-up gene strikes again!

GREAT and VERY FUNNY story!!

Beth said...

Actually, he probably enjoyed that you DIDN'T know who he was. I would think that he would feel proud to know others loved the bass as much as he does.

It is kind of a funny "D'oh" moment though.

patresa hartman said...

ah! what a story! (and what an embarrassment!)

(and cool cool cool that you play the bass!)