Rochus Knobel Germany:	Interview: 1-2-2005 Which Stick do you play ? Rochus: 12 string rosewood Stick active 2 pickup, midified( another grand stick Maple with passive 4 in production right now) What tuning do you use? Rochus:standard tuning Which gauge strings? Rochus:medium gauge How long do you play Stick? Rochus: When the seminar starts it will be 2 years Which other instruments do you play and how long? Rochus: Started on organ and church organ from the age of 10 - 17, then changed to electric bass playing in unknown bands for 15 years If you would have to choose to 4 levels of playing in which 1=absolute beginner 2=beginner but knows some music theory,play a simple song 3=intermediate 4=advanced , which number would you give yourself? Rochus: I´d call myself level 2 with chances to get to 3... Please give me also a number(1,2,3 or 4) of the level of knowledge/skill of the next subject: -Reading Staff Notation -Reading Tablature -Can you play major/minor chords? In open and close harmony? -Do you know all 7 modes/scales/chords ? -Can you play chordprogressions? -Can you play a song? Rochus: I learned reading notes, just haven´t really done it in ages, as I use my ears to figure out the tunes, rather than reading them from a piece of paper and that´s same with tabulature, but prefer notes to tabulature anyway. Level there: 2 as well I think. I can play major and minor chords in both open and close harmonies, scales and the 7 modes still limited and not really firm. Chordprogressions weak. I can play a song, yes. Do you play in a band or solo? Rochus: I play solo right now, sometimes sessions with other musicians (violin, guitar and keyboards) Which specific subjects would you like the teachers to concentrate on? Rochus: As I mentioned in my first mail, improving my bass (left hand) techniques would be important to me. On Saturdaynight you can also play song at the pubconcerts, would you like to play as well? Rochus: I don´t want to miss the masters concerts, so I´d rather don´t play. If there´s a chance to play though without missing anything I´ll play a song. Which kind of music do you like? Rochus: I like allmost any kind of music from classical, through rock to jazz and even some of the more sophisticated electric things as progressive trance and drum and bass. I don´t like bavarian folk music or modern folk music with singing... How did you discover the Stick? Rochus:I first saw the stick played by Tony Levin at a King Crimson performance and then by a guy called Leviah playing in London on the street. What is your goal in music? Rochus: My goal in music is to make nice music. I actually don´t care too much if other people like it, but found out, the stuff I made always found enough people listening, so some of the talent, my parents had already developed, was passed on to me. I won´t become a professional (probably), but I like the feeling to be on stage and recieve applause. Money in that case is secondary, as I have a well paid job. Do you eat meat/fish or are you vegetarian ? (We?ve got to know this for our communal dinner) Rochus: You remember what I look like, Ron... I eat almost everything beside liver and brain... I´ll follow your choice there.
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