Testimonials
The ninja speaks...
Before I go into the statutory testimonial side of things, I'd like to say a huge thank you to Jason and Prakash for one of the most amazing musical learning experiences I've had since I picked up the instrument.
I've been playing the bass guitar on and off for about 5 years now, and for the past 2 years I had been stuck at an ABSOLUTE musical plateau - my theory had stagnated, my ear for music wasn't getting any better and my 'practice' sessions were restricted to a few finger exercises and some bass licks. Worst of all, I could feel my pasion for the instrument dying.
When I heard of NSM and the 10 week program, it was an opportunity not to be passed off. I signed up, thinking I'd atleast play my instrument a bit more by the end of the course.
This is where Prakash came in - in my very first session, fundamental mistakes were corrected. By the end of the course, I had learnt more theory than I had in 5 years! Be it scales, chord formations, arppegios, tapping, slapping, soloing, ghost notes and some fabulous right hand techniques to name a few. In just ten weeks, I felt an improvement in my playing that I hadnt been able to achieve over years. I am now more confident as a bass player and musician, and very importantly as a bassist, feel sure I can hold down a groove fairly well!
As if it wasnt enough for me to feel the change myself, other musicians have been complimenting on my playing and say they've noticed a radical improvement in all aspects of my playing - whether speed, sense of rhythm and groove, ability to play to different genres, locking in with a drummer and general musical awareness. For those of you who still arent convinced, I've been asked to play with a couple of bands and have been put in touch with many musicians to jam and get something going!
I'd recommend NSM hands down to a beginner on any instrument as well as to someone who has playing experience but wants to push themselves to a different level.
Cheers and thanks to Jason Zacharaiah and Prakash KN.
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The jam days at the shed...
A few words about my experience at NSM :)) i know am a lot late but finally got around to writing it:)
"When I think of my days at NSM and how I got to be there in the nick of time to join the July batch, I would say I was just plain lucky and thankfully so! Learning drums was a childhood cherished dream. Around the time the July batch was scheduled to start, I was looking around for places where I could learn drums. I had even visited a music school in Indiranagar itself but was not really that much satisfied. I googled and came across NSM in the results. One look at their website and I was sure this is where I am going to learn drums. The website was clear, precise, well organised and had good details about the faculty members. I remember thinking to myself "Very professional indeed and the faculty members and the people who put up the website know awfully much about what they are talking about". Impressed, I called up Jason and he told me that the batch was starting the next morning and I needed to confirm by the same evening. I was a little concerned about the high fees, but i had this gut instinct that I would be learning from professionals and the class duration suited my needs perfectly. Needless to say I was really curious and bemused about the NSM's claim that as a batch the students will perform in a live show. I really really needed to be a part of process that can change a person like me who had never touched a drum kit into a person who can perform in front of an audience. I was a little sceptical, or frankly a lot sceptical, but as I got my training from Chebin and Ryan, I could feel the initial scepticism fizzle out and I started to play with a little more confidence. Although I sure wish I had practised regularly as Chebin and later Ryan had repeatedly urged us to do. The jam days at the shed were one of the best days of my life till now. Made a lot of new friends, clicked a lot of pictures, played a lot, and got on Jason's nerves more times than I care to countJ . One more thing before I conclude my long monologue, Jason works as hard as any student to make the final show a success. I was really impressed and touched when Jason allowed me to come either at the Indiranager centre or the shed for practising the drums, as I didn't have a kit at home and it was only 10 days before the final performance that I actually sat on the real drum kit for the first time. It's like if you want to play, Jason and NSM would provide you a place and all the time possible, which is commendable as usually other schools are very tight handed about their territory. Kudos to Jason, Lillian ma'am and the school that is NSM. I am definitely going to join the advanced classes for Drummers whenever I relocate back to Bangalore. Thank you NSM, Thank you all for letting and helping me play at least once in front of an audience. The experience was exhilarating and I will make sure I live it again. And again!!"
It was delightful experience at NSM and later at the shed!! Miss you all:))
cheers,
Anubha
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I took the plunge!
I hope I do some justice to what I want to convey here. I'd write a very short abstract kind of testi and hope it suits the bill.
"I trust my observation not to deceive me at the wishing well!" Starting with such an ambiguous statement without any context, I would relate my observation to NSM being a platform that took me where I wanted to be, an opportunity which is very important for people to catch sometimes in order to move ahead. A platform which not only gave that extra edge to the folks who joined, but also increased their confidence to "sky-level" because it is not everyday that you can get an opportunity to showcase what you want to, i.e. to perform 'LIVE'. Life at NSM was fun, funny and funnier, albeit with all the seriousness about music and the instrument which one was associated with, or rather wanted to get associated with. Right from guys who had played before but wanted to polish themselves a li'l bit more to the ones who were holding the instrument for the first time but had the passion to carry their muse forward, NSM was full of a bunch of energy-balls, full of zeal and excitement and above all, their love for music. Under the able guidance of Jason, Tony, Joey and many more, every single day was like a new chapter being written in the music school. I had a nice time interacting with various guys with varied interests but still binded together with a single aim, aim to excel and learn music. NSM was always like a 2nd home for me because i'd be the ONLY guy who would wake up at 6 in the morning and wait to give the music school keys to Jason :-p. Jokes apart, it was wonderful experience being a part of NSM and i'd sincerely like to thank Tony, Jason and Joey for helping me out the way I wanted it to be. As the prophets say, "It's the small things in life that bring happiness and value." My observation about NSM was correct when I decided to take a plunge and rightly so, it did not deceive me at the wishing well, where I wished to move ahead with my lady, my instrument. And NSM was instrumental in developing this relationship. Kudos to NSM!! ROCK ON!!!
Love and Luck
Nevermind
Najeeb
// more on the Guitar Course
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I was instantly mesmerized
I might sound like the person who "sold" me NSM. Well first about me - I have been fooling around with keys since school, a li'l more serious in college, couldn't attend Delhi School of Music due to 1000 excuses, been in 2 rock and 2 fusion bands, released an independent album as a composer, lost what next, caught in musician's block, in short lack of actual knowledge and guidance. I was practising with my band's drummer and he came running to me - "Nooo dude, thats not how you play that part" What the heck, he is a drummer after all. Anyway I am ready to learn anyday. And lo! He played like he was born with the piano sustain and not the drum pedal. OK!! I was ashamed I admit today. I asked him where did he learn all that. "NSM dude... this place is like..." oh well I cannot tell how long he went on and on with that. At a point I thought he surely got commission from them. But I saw him play and so thought to give NSM a try. I met Jason in "the shed" and instantly was mesmerized by how he showed me some styles and techniques (he was rather asking me if I KNEW all that already). That was the day and I never looked back and I never regreted coming home at 12 at night with a backache and still travelling 30 odd km to and fro at 7 in the morning for the classes. I entered smiling, left crying, feeling like a fool, seeing Jason play... and how "much" was there to learn from him. It was just not keys, it was music, it was passion, it was the universal language in which whole NSM faculty is an expert.
CRAZY! MUST ATTEND PLACE FOR ANY MUSICIAN who thinks and wants to move forward.. at any level.. I can go on and on, in fact I just got started, but you can take my mail ID from Jason and I can "career counsel" you. Or just forget everything and go to NSM. It would be the time of your life best spent. THANKS FROM THE TOP,SIDES AND BOTTOM of my heart to Jason and Lilian for NSM. Its priceless!
Shine on!
manu
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A whole new worldview on music
Well, here's my testimonial.
I've had a guitar lying in my house for the past 5 years or something! I've always wanted to learn the guitar but for some reason I never went forward with my ambition. I kewpt saying, every year, that this was the year I'm gonna learn! But it never happened. But then, this year, I heard about NSM! When I first came, I didn't know anything about playing the guitar! But, thanks to Jason and NSM, I not only learned that, but I got a whole new worldview on music, i never thought there was so much to learn!! So much to do, so much to hear, so much to play and so much to enjoy! As Manu said, music is something which isn't just a language, it's universal. And seeing Jason, with his zeal and his passion for the art of music, it was just mindblowingly awesome.. :D And I also made a whole bunch of friends in the process! And no other place i know, here or anywhere, takes people of every age, every level, and turn them into musicians!! From novices to rockstars, you people do the impossible..
THANK YOU NSM, it was a surreal experience being part of it, and I will never forget it! Thanks Jason for creating such a masterpiece!! :D :))
Thanks,
Karan :)
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A high like an RD350/Bullet
My first payment receipt to NSM was 11-Nov -2009...the day i came to meet Britto and instantly Joined.
Flashback:I learnt Accoustic on my Own in my first year engg. just by hearing the sound and taking help from the bassie of a Band called KCOR and thats also one of my reasons to get attracted to the thicker, lesser stringed and booming instrument.Its the sound which can turn you on.Well atleast it gives me a high the same way how a RD 350/Bullet on the road can give u goose bumps.My theory of 6 strings and Music sucked big time.You tell me a tune and i can listen and learn and play.But you ask me what it is, i cant tell.
Then one day i decided its time to pursue my dreams and the first thing i did is call my bassie friend and asked him to help me buy a bass and he said just go for the ESP ltd series.I went to bajaao.com and like in Harry potter movies "Its the Not the person who chooses the Bass, its the bass which chooses the person"..i found mine..ESP Ltd B 155.THe day it came i was so happy that i actually slept with it :) wont go in to details there :P :P :P
Then being the Hero i am ,i broke my right wrist in a freak Football accident at Office.(U guesss it right - i was the Goal keeper). The doctor said my movement of my right wrist may not come back and i may even have a nut fit in to my wrist.WelI l i recoverd and by sept 2009 ,almost an year since i had bought my bass and let it rot i had 70 % movement back in my wrist.
Present :I saw the AD in times of India on a saturday, took my bike reached NSM and met britto.Jason was in Delhi that time.I joined Immediately.From the First class and Continuing even now like i always say "I am just happy to be here around all these wonderful musicions".I Started learning From Prakash . MY first time i even held my bass properly :P :P. Sometimes Jason used to teach which he does even now and he says hes palnning to learn bass.Now learning from another Brilliant Bassie - Gaurav Vaz. My accoustic theory too improved .I got a better deal :)
My first band - The shameless nachos was formed right here at NSM .I have been through all kinds of batches from the one with too many instumenatlists to the one with too many Vocalists :)
The air in the place is different.It will inspire you,Guide you and take you to levels you knew you never had before.Both Jason and Lillian are there anytime and standing right next to them feels so honourable.Jason especially has encouraged me every time ,even the singing encouragement - which lead me compose the NSM theme song :P :P.
The schools not about the Music entirely,its more like the old Gurukula thing where we also learn from all the people around and take something back from the Environment.The force is really strong at that place.:)
I have not been paid anything to write this and infact i can go on and on .I have made new friends there and like i said once that "The spark that has been lit in me at NSM and has now turned in to a fire which will never Burn out"
Thank you Jason ,lillian and everybody at NSM.
Rock On
Stay Brutal
Ajith
PS: May be i should write a Book:) The NSM experience.
// more on the Bass Course
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"I want to learn guitar"
"I want to learn guitar" thats what i said to Jason last year,when they were starting the Music Method Batch 1. It didnt work out then because of class timings [read laziness :) ...sometimes i am too lazy to talk...hard to believe] and i dropped that idea. A few months passed by and i again had the desire to learn,I knew my ultimate passion is singing and decided to go for it,and this time i was able to overcome ' my unwillingness to get up early 'just to learn what i loved most. I was confused whether to go for western or Hindustani. And with Lilian taking the class( i was impressed by her during one of the workshops), learning is fun.
Her energy,confidence and passion for music rubs off on everyone and i was no exception. Her line " Run the race ,Finish the course " (some words missing,maybe)....gave us enough inspiration and now it was tue/thu/sat mornings i looked forward to.Everything was knew to me(i held the mike for the first time during the rehearsals ) from posture to even scales.After watching the DVD last night(yes yes it was yest'day, one month after the show),its a different case that i messed up-posture [ sorry mam :) ],with my hand in the pocket....very bad i know.Bad habits die hard :)
Anyways this is just the beginning of my journey ....a journey of learning and and i always remember you as my Guru,one who introduced me to the art of singing.One thing that i take from your sessions is "There is no substitute for practice" and constant effort to get that perfect smooth curve you talked about.Thank you Lillian!!!!!
I miss those moments,the practice sessions Jason giving tips sometimes even playing in sm1's absence ,i wish if we can repeat that again someday .Thanks Jason
Now to my friends,its sad yaar ,THE BATCH 4 is inactive, guys lets plan for another show ,somewhere....i dont know....lets come together and create that magic of 25th July once again.Jason & Lillian are always there to guide us Because lessons not put to practice will just remain lessons.
C U SOON
Tushar(That somebodys me)
