I rep Quartet!

"Why do you play Quartet? " That was the question I was asked a week ago. My reply was simple, "Why not quartet!" This person then went on to tell me, they've always believed the stereotype that musicans that play quartet don't have skill; and I actually do. I didn't take offense to the comment because I knew I'd just killed this persons preconcieved notions about my genre of music. But that was nothing compared to an experience I had a couple of months ago... A drummer I went to school with decided to straight bash Quartet on his Facebook page; stating how much he hates it, and how awful it was. I refrained from commenting; after all he is entitled to his opinion on his personal page. So what if quartet isn't his cup of tea, I can dig that. I just feel that it is ignorant for any musician to say they "hate" any genre of music. His statement showed his immaturity and a lack of knowledge about his culture. Any mature working musician will tell you to learn all styles of music if you plan to work on a regular basis, and have no respect of genre. A few weeks after his initial rant, he was at it again but this time he had supporters in his "I hate Quartet" campaign. It was at that very moment  I decided to become an ambassador for Quartet. I know my opinion was not asked, but I sure did post it, with love of course! I decided to approach him on his level, so I informed him that the tangible things he aspires to obtain, is already a notch on a "quartet drummers" belt (ex. endorsements.) Little does he know, the first requirement to becoming an endorsed musician is to be touring and or making tv appearances; a requirement a quartet musician has no problem standing up to. And last I checked, playing at church every Sunday morning didn't satisfy that requirement, and being video taped during service doesn't count. My second argument was that a church gig may pay a musician lets say $100 for 3 services, when the tithes of a some Pro Quartet musicians is $100 a week (if math isn't your thing, $100 is 10% of 1,000.) My third argument was that many Quartet artist I know, own their masters, are CEO's of record labels, are doing 50/50 ventures with major distribution companies (ie. Badboy/Arista,) and are millionaires; all off (yes that's right) QUARTET!!!  In Chirper Land we call it "sing what you know"or  in loc terms, know what you're talking about before you open your mouth. Quartet is frowned upon by its contemporary counter parts. Why you ask? Well, that's more complicated, so I'll take the time to explain it in part two. They call me BAMPS and I rep Quartet...Check my style!

What is a Bamps?

I dropped everything to do a couple of fill in dates on bass, (for one of my
mentors) and the time came for me to go back home but I had no gig lined up. A couple of fill in dates turned into a couple of months on the road, and the experience was priceless! There could only be one bass player; but there was an open spot for auxiliary keyboards (strings & horns.) As long as I wasn't at the record table, this was better than going home.
I was down, I never really cared for keys but I loved key bass and I knew my way around a keyboard. I was given a thirty minute crash course on horn and string lines, with a couple of cords. I make it sound simple, but at that time it was one of the hardest things I set out to do. I didn't remember half of what I learned but I knew how it was supposed to sound.
At the next gig I'm on keys, and my job is to make it through the set playing my parts. I ended up pulling through and securing a gig; not on bass, but I wasn't going home. A bonus was that I got to travel alongside my mentors and gain on the job experience. Once I was confident with my parts, it made the overall sound of the band full. DMD refers to horns as Bamps... and that was the position I was playing, so I was named.

Lesson: I could have turned down playing keys, simply because I didn't like it or because it was a challenge to learn in such a short time. Or I could have been a loc with illusions of grandeur, thinking it was beneath me to play anything other than my bass. This is what that experience taught me… Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to! I was diligent in bamping until I was able to do what I wanted, which was playing bass. Now I’m a better man for it, and one of a few who can alternate between the two

Welcome

Welcome to my world... In chirper land they call me "Bamps," but family and friends simply know me as Terance. A quiet laid back dude that loves music, and being around family and friends "Bamps"...he's my alter ego. He's a pro, (see glossary on side) those of you who don't know how the nickname came about, I'll explain it on a later date. Before Bamps there was what I called "Trouble T," because there was usually controversy associated with me; but I plead the fifth! "Bamps" is more outspoken, gives attitude, and tells it like it is. My alter ego and I aren't polar opposites, and have many things in common. This blog will focus on me finding a happy medium, without letting "Bamps" takeover. Enjoy the ride... IamBamps, check my style!