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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Mark Fogarty reads his poem at its conclusion.
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Ways to Play the Bass
For speed and power, use the pick.
One side of the mountain,
Then jump to the other side.
Open mike nights I learned in real time,
Rehearsal studios we never wanted to leave, still young.
But time left, and everyone left me.
For emotion, use two fingers.
Alternate them while looking
To make the sound your voice.
Love, languor, anticipation.
Jump off the note to find the nerve.
I signed on to leave the eighth notes behind.
For control, use only the thumb.
Let it lift free from the board,
Gravity is taking a ten minute break.
Use the knuckle to jump the rope.
Use the head to find the notes along the dotted lines, in the middle.
To sound like a violin, use the bow.
It’s like playing a Camaro. a long ride.
Or tuck a cork under your thumb
So the angle comes up strong.
I still want to do this, if I can bear the weight.
You only get to hear so much time.
When you get old, play a walking line,
Hitching in and out of it as if you were carrying a cane.
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Listen to Mark Fogarty read his poem
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Mark Fogarty is a poet, musician and journalist. He curates The Jaco Pastorius Gig List on Facebook
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Listen to the 2016 recording of bassist Marc Johnson performing “Yin and Yang” [Universal Music Group]
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Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Click here to read “A Collection of Jazz Poetry – Spring/Summer, 2024 Edition”
Click here to read “Not From Around Here,” Jeff Dingler’s winning story in the 66th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
Click here for information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
Click here to subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
Click here to help support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced (and AI-free) since 1999
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