I was a bass instructor for 5 women. Their ages ranged from twenty-one to fifty-something. Only one had any experience playing, the rest were complete beginners. I worked with one other instructor and we got them comfortable holding the instrument, introduced them to basic bass anatomy, string names and notes, and they learned a song.
Not too shabby in an hour and a half.
After lunch I was a band coach to one of the 5 bands that were put together.
The band consisted of two guitar players, bassist, keys, drummer, and vocalist, with their ages ranging from mid-twenties to fifty/sixty something. Most of the band were beginners and had no experience playing with other people. In 2 hours they had created a song and performed it (FIRST) at the open mic.
It was amazing to watch the band communicate with each other and play together.
The music reminded me of mid-1980s Pere Ubu, and the lyrics (written on the spot by the vocalist) reflected their feelings about participating in WRC.
My favorite lyric was " I feel gorgeous!" When the vocalist asked if they liked what she was singing they all nodded their heads with beaming approval.
I felt like a proud parent when they performed and it was really cool to watch the reactions of their friends and family. There was a woman in another band whose two kids were super amped to watch their mama rock out on the guitar.
As a musician, it was the least I could do.
As a woman musician, I feel gorgeous.
