By Mark Attanasio
Pellissippi music student, Blake Sensenbach, “speaks” to the beat of a different drum.
“Music is a language. It can be understood by anyone,” said Sensenbach.
Sensenbach, a music major in his third year at Pellissippi, has indulged his passion for music throughout his life. It has become a tool and an outlet for him.
“Music is definitely a form of interpretation, but it’s also a form of communication,” said Sensenbach.
Sensenbach has honed his music skills by learning as much as he can at Pellissippi. He says that learning music theory has allowed him to discover new things about his instrument, the bass guitar.
“I am more able to play music closer to what I want it to sound like. That is really the hardest part about playing an instrument or improvising,” said Sensenbach.
Sensenbach has taken all sorts of theory classes, ear training and music basics for several genres, but his favorite part of the Pellissippi Music Department is jazz band. He enjoys how much this class allows for improvisation and feels that it uses the most of one’s ability.
“You don’t have to play everything note for note,” said Sensenbach. “You have to stick with the chords of the song, but everyone just takes turns improvising.”
In addition to playing music for school, Sensenbach also plays with several different people and music groups, exploring many different genres. These include an experimental metal band called “Amidst The Mannequins” and two bluegrass bands called “The Holloway Sisters” and “Outta The Blue.”
Sensenbach is excited about his future in music. Touring the world is on the list, but Sensenbach holds his gazing to a minimum to focus on preparation at the moment.
“Right now I am just trying to prepare myself,” said Sensenbach. “I want to travel with a band, then ultimately work in a studio as a musician, then maybe even run my own.”
Sensenbach enjoys talking to people who are thinking of becoming music majors and praises Pellissippi’s program.
“It’s a good thing to get in an eclectic group of people,” Sensenbach said. “The music majors here at Pellissippi are that kind of tight knit group, brought together by a common interest, which is music.”