Western Canada Stick Experience 2004

Another truly fabulous experience! How is it possible that these seminars keep getting better?!



Scott Schurr and I drove up from Portland, Oregon. We arrived Wednesday evening in Vancouver in time for Jim Lampi's performance at the Cellar - a great jazz club - where superior Vancouver drummer, Kyle Radomsky, was available to accompany him. Jim Meyer, who hosted the seminar, also played between Jim Lampi's sets. I hadn't heard Jim Meyer in quite awhile and was really impressed by his performance. Despite having flown in from London, the severe jet lag didn't seem to affect Jim Lampi's performance. Perhaps it even suited some of his songs, like "Vanishing Point" that evoke that sultry "leaving Vegas at 6am" feeling.

The seminar began on Thursday and effortlessly rolled through Sunday morning. Our floating schedule allowed us to break when we felt like it for meals, a stroll on Granville Is., or to go to a movie in the evening. Jim Meyer helped us keep just the right level of focus by periodically reviewing our suggested topics list, checking off items, or adding new ones. What an instructor!

Jim L. covered topics ranging from how to develop or polish a new song, bass lines, comping, learning intervals and 'systematic chord construction' (I'm sold! This is a great approach to learning to play, but I won't attempt to explain it here. I will definitely be ordering Jim's book when he's ready to publish it.)

If you've heard him play, ("Greazy" is a must-have) you know what a great musician Jim is. What astounded us was his ability to express practically any musical idea, rhythm or orchestral idiom -on the fly. You know that look you give fellow students when the performance blow's your mind? Your eyes just kind of roll up as you shake your head in amazement.

Each of us got to perform a couple of songs and receive detailed critique and about the expression of our musical ideas. Scott happens to be a great singer and was able to show how very important proper phrasing is for your Stick playing. Jim L. sings too, so we got great lessons on letting your song breathe, the importance of posture, relaxation, and more. This was truly a precious (and challenging) experience. It was ground-breaking for me, since it was my first real attempt to perform in front of other Stick players - yikes, was I nervous!! Everyone was very supportive, but they didn't cut me too much slack either

As I gradually become a better player, I feel my capacity to apply what I learn at the seminars continues to grow. This seminar provided a very special and rare opportunity to absorb the instruction and suggestions beyond what I've experienced in previous seminars.

Many thanks to Jim Meyer and his wife Karen for being such wonderful hosts. Jim Lampi - what can I say - wow! You were a huge inspiration to me. I really saw how any musical idea can be successfully expressed on the Stick (I believed this before, but now I know its true!).

We had a blast!
Qua Veda

Group Photos (click to enlarge)