Musing About Playing Music❓

I play bass guitar in a rock and roll band.

Last night a friend teased me by asking if he could join the band as a percussionist. I enjoyed a healthy belly-laugh when I read: I can play ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ on both the tambourine and the triangle!

Here is my reply:

Dear ______,

I like your wit/sense of humor!

At our last open mic in New London, a man--a musician in his own right (he later performed an impressive guitar backup and provided harmony for a female vocalist)--approached us, enquiring whether he could join us Mysfits on his drums to join Tom Werth and me in backing up Mychael [my band is ‘Mychael and The Mysfits’].

What to say?

I think we told him ‘we’d think about it’.

My personal opinion is why not?, but I can’t vote for the group.

Short reply?

Yes! It would be fun to have another Mysfit!

L o n g reply?

Percussionists and bass players can’t get no respect.

In 2026, if one is playing music to show off, a percussionist and a bass player can be easily replaced by some sophisticated drum & bass machines. I’ve seen such bands playing at local events. One can buy something called a ‘loop machine’ that allows you to lay down a track of guitar, bass, or vocal and then loop back to play along with yourself thereby adding layer-by-layer accompaniment to your performance.

I’m not playing music to show off.

My motivation/’Deck-Of-The-Titanic’ philosophy?

1. Our ‘world’ is at risk of going down.

2. We all need to remain calm and accept reality* on the deck of the ‘world’ during this ominous time.

3. Music (like humor) helps us each accept and make sense of the ‘world’.

4. The more of us who use humor and music to face the inevitable vicissitudes of life the better.

Nothing thrills me more that having people join the joyful (or sad, soulful) noise we in Mychael and The Mysfits make.

My desire is that you and I chill… that we serve as humble conduits for the music… that we let our guard down and dance to the music as if no one were watching…

Yours,

Pete

*

Reality❓

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February 7, 2025

As my 130-some subscribers know, I’m a scientist.