I don't want you to think I forgot about you! Trusty and I have been working on a demo, and the experience has made us very much aware of our human frailties -- we make the same mistake over and over, even if we've practiced the corrections over and over; I get the intonation wrong on a passage...over and over; we fail to use all the variations or ornaments we'd planned on because that microphone staring us in the face is more terrifying than we'd counted on. Sure, you waltz in the first night thinking "How hard can this possibly be? We'll sit down, get tuned up, and blast through all 15 tracks in one night."
Yeh. Right.
So, it's been a slow go, but a great learning experience. If anything, I've left each session feeling more confident, and having a stronger sense of musicial direction. In fact, it's been easier to practice lately. I don't feel so daunted by the enormous amount of tunes there are to learn or to listen to. I've spent a few afternoons recently in front of the computer just letting my iTunes play while I play along. I have lots of CDs loaded on my computer, and I alphabetize the tracks, and just go. There's this great randomness to it.
It's been a challenge to keep up with the likes of Jimmy Noonan and the Kane sisters. It's been fun playing those groovy swoopy tracks from Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill's recording. And playing the old style with Breda or Claire Keville or Pat O'Connor or Kitty Hayes. So cool.
I bought Trusty a nifty little mp3 player for Christmas, and we've been downloading the podcasts for all the Trad shows from Clare FM (http://www.clarefm.ie/) and listening to them as we tool around town. I highly recommend this for a couple of reasons: 1. it's random (my theme o' the day), 2. you're unlikely to have every single recording on their play list (unless you're Gary Martin or Bob Gaesser), and 3. it brings tunes to mind that you didn't know you wanted to learn. One broadcast can send you off in a completely different direction than you thought you were going. And it gives you all kinds of ideas for linking sets of tunes together. Very good for getting ready for slow session!
Don't forget, slow session is two weeks from tomorrow. I think Karen will be with us, and George will be back from some sunny clime (he missed January because he was in the Caribbean), but I don't know that Colleen will be joining us as she's been under the weather, but everyone send good wishes in her direction that she'll be healing quickly and feeling better soon. We miss you, Colleen!
I'm hoping to see Sean and Jeff back, and Jennifer and Fritz!, and I know Pete will be there, if I can just remember to send him the darn lists I promised to mail out. I'm hoping that a couple of Nickelharpe players will join us (Peter and Debbie), and they're mad for Irish waltzes (JEFF, ARE YOU LISTENING?)....also, looking forward to having Leanne and Jim back, as well as Caroline (so nice to see you earlier this month!) and Elaine (grand, as always!). We had a new gent visit in January, but I feel so terrible, I don't remember his name. If you're reading this, please pipe up and remind me!
Well, all, I hope you're enjoying the cold weather, and the opportunity to practice! Don't be afraid of it. Just pick something you really like to play and play it! Get that instrument in your hands as often as possible. Hey, they've figured out that exercising for even as little as five minutes at a time can benefit you. Why can't you treat practicing that way? Just pick it up, play two tunes, put it away and go cook some dinner. Don't stress on it! You love this stuff!!!! Remember?
Catch you soon, and I hope I catch you playing...
The Trad
1.29.2008
1.13.2008
What Time Is It?
Yesterday Trusty Companion and I played a contra dance. It was more of a trainwreck than a dance, but it was fun anyway! The best part? When we anticipated a change in the dance, and switched tunes at the perfect time! I've always been impressed by the great players, like Fennig's All-Stars, where their tune choices are superb and their timing is impeccable. Yesterday, we had a little taste of how that works.
It was so cool!
We hope you're having a great weekend, and that you've given some thought to my previous diatribe on community. If there's someone at the session you want to get together with and play some tunes to practice, ask them! Get their phone number or e-mail and make a date. That's how the rest of us started out. If we couldn't find a session, we'd make one at our house! You CAN do that. You share tunes you're working on, learn some that they've got, play together, and generally have fun. Our session usually involved chili and beer, but that part is up to you...
Don't forget, the list of sets for next time is up already (look to your right!). I will have copies of the big giant practice tune list for folks at February's session. Remember, it's Wednesday, February 13, right before The Dance Flurry in Saratoga Springs, NY (Feb. 15-17, 2008 at the City Center).
Phenomonal young fiddler Cedar Stanistreet and friends (probably John Cromie, a superb whistle player, among others) will be leading the Irish Jam on Sunday morning. So stay up all night and show up in the atrium of the hotel for that shindig. Should be fun! There's always a pile of fabulous players that come, including some kids from Boston who kick #$%!
In the meantime, enjoy the weather and the rest of your weekend, and don't forget to practice!
All the best,
The Trad
It was so cool!
We hope you're having a great weekend, and that you've given some thought to my previous diatribe on community. If there's someone at the session you want to get together with and play some tunes to practice, ask them! Get their phone number or e-mail and make a date. That's how the rest of us started out. If we couldn't find a session, we'd make one at our house! You CAN do that. You share tunes you're working on, learn some that they've got, play together, and generally have fun. Our session usually involved chili and beer, but that part is up to you...
Don't forget, the list of sets for next time is up already (look to your right!). I will have copies of the big giant practice tune list for folks at February's session. Remember, it's Wednesday, February 13, right before The Dance Flurry in Saratoga Springs, NY (Feb. 15-17, 2008 at the City Center).
Phenomonal young fiddler Cedar Stanistreet and friends (probably John Cromie, a superb whistle player, among others) will be leading the Irish Jam on Sunday morning. So stay up all night and show up in the atrium of the hotel for that shindig. Should be fun! There's always a pile of fabulous players that come, including some kids from Boston who kick #$%!
In the meantime, enjoy the weather and the rest of your weekend, and don't forget to practice!
All the best,
The Trad
1.10.2008
Living in a Virtual World
Well, this takes the cake: I just finished reading a virtual interview between two avatars in a virtual lounge in Second Life, a virtual metaverse. The woman conducting the interview is a non-profit professional, and the woman being interviewed is the first person to have an avatar that earned One Million Actual US Dollars selling "real estate" in a virtual reality setting. That is pretty incredible. Someone will pay actual real discretionary income to purchase a plot of megabytes on a "private" island next to a pix-alicious waterfall so they can build their virtual dream home.
Why would you want to change something that's completely made up? Isn't it just a pretend world? You can make it whatever you want, right? Well, No. There are other people creating their own experiences. It's not static. Things are constantly changing. Which would, perhaps, explain why there are activists and do-gooders in virtual worlds too. We aren't really changing the society completely, we're just moving it from one plane to another. Think about it: you go there and reinvent yourself. At the same time, zillions of other people are doing the exact same thing. Maybe you can change the way you look or what your life looks like or how you behave. And everyone else is doing that, too. Look, you can change yourself all you want, but you can't really change the fact that once you're there and someone else is there, it's sort of automatically a new society. A community. Whether you wanted it to be or not. So, now I get it. (Anthropology rules!) We go there to be someone we're not, have things we don't, create things we do. We want things to be better there, so we make an effort to make them better. And that includes charity in thought, word, and deed.
The person who made her Million-in-a-Metaverse has now become a metaphilanthropist. First she used some of her proceeds to sponsor a person who couldn't afford the fees to have access to Second Life. Seems like sort of a weird charity, but hey...she gave someone who couldn't afford it access to a global village. This guy, from an impoverished family in Southeast Asia or somewhere, could connect with people in Brazil, the U.S., South Africa, Iceland, or wherever the people he met were from. I'd say that's an incredibly cool opportunity, wouldn't you?
Next she saw an opportunity to foster real meaningful dialogue among Second Lifers on a larger scale. She had seen and heard avatars having thoughtful and informed conversations about real issues. So she donated the real estate to develop a Non-Profit Commons, a virtual suite of non-profit organizations to give them a place to promote themselves, connect with volunteers and people in need. Residents of the metaverse can visit, get involved, make a donation, or decide it's not for them and start stalking the hot chick who works at TechSoup.
Even in this virtual reality, you can volunteer your real time and energy, you can organize, you can create virtual events and hold them. There are people literally making a living by interfacing with this virtual metaverse. You can buy a private island to host your event. Big corporations are doing it. I think Google owns an island where their employees can "go" to attend company conferences or corporate training. Heck, the American Cancer Society held a virtual relay-for-life. In their first year, they raised $5,100. In their fourth year, they've raised over $100,000 without anybody strapping on sneakers. I know...it kind of defeats the purpose of a walk. But look, people clearly want to be engaged in community, and if you build it, they will come!
All right. Why is she talking about virtual reality? Has she completely lost her mind? We're not dialing it in from our computers. Is she selling Amway? Is she nuts?
Here's the thing: I'm not talking about virtual reality. I'm talking about us. About community. Our Slow Session is a community. Old Songs is a community. Neither are static. They're both growing. Both are stronger and better because you are involved, because YOU show up.
No matter what face you put on to come to session, no matter whether you're totally confident in your playing, working at it, or completely new at it and afraid of screwing up in front of everybody, you're part of our world. This session is about welcoming new people, helping to keep regular attendees growing and moving in the direction they want to go, and building confidence.
Remember, in this universe:
1. mistakes are welcome, even encouraged.
2. learning by ear is encouraged: bring a recorder and get the tune as it is played at the session.
3. we do care what you think: give constructive feedback if you think there's something you'd like to see happen.
What's Next for The Session?
In the spirit of growing and changing, we've found that maybe a little bit of a new approach would help keep the session fun and useful! Here's what's happening:
Session Portion
1. We're enjoying learning Waltzes. If Jeff is around, perhaps he'll start us off with one.
2. We'll start off each session evening by playing some sets of tunes. I'll be posting those shortly. If you want to suggest a set, please comment or e-mail me.
3. We'll play established sets every time, if we can get through them. This will help us get used to playing tunes in sets, get used to changing from tune to tune, and keep us building our repertoire.
4. We'll add new sets every time -- we can put some together right on the spot, incorporating tunes from the big lists, and new tunes that we're working on.
Learning Portion
1. We'll work on a few learning tunes: one or two from spots, and one or two by ear, depending on what people are interested in, and what they'd like to learn. Again, send recommendations or make a comment to the blog.
2. We'll finish up with either a slow tune or a new waltz and an old waltz, if Jeff is with us.
I hope this new format will be enjoyable for everyone.
Again, thank you so much for continuing to be a part of the slow session community, and welcome to those who are new. Thank you for bringing a vibrancy to Old Songs, along with all the other DIY-ers who make music during the week. Because of you, Old Songs is growing in so many wonderful ways. Old Songs isn't virtual, it's a reality. But it can only stay a reality if we support it. So, next time you're surfing around on the web, and you're feeling a little meta-philanthropic, visit the Old Songs site (http://www.oldsongs.org/) and consider making a donation. Keep the groove alive!
Happy New Year to you all!
The Trad
Where do they find the time?
Hey, don't get me wrong. I like the internet as much as the next guy. Well, maybe a little less than your average 15-year-old. And I'm reasonably savvy, but I haven't cottoned onto constant texting like every normal 24-year-old. MySpace is only now becoming a reality for me. And YouTube. Hey -- you can market your music there! (Our buddy David from the session did. Check out his band's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Oz6_Ptizs. Excellent playing!)
When I first read this interview, I was struggling to understand how one would be attracted to the idea of creating a wholly new life and self in a brand new universe and making the time to live it. I mean, my whole life is really pretty filled up with living the life I already have. And then to have the wherewithall to create an income stream out of relationships forged with a whole bunch of people who are also sitting around in their jammies and fuzzy slippers, typing on their computers. Pretty creative.
So what happens in this "metaverse"? Well, people create their avatars, get oriented to their new world, make new friends, run around like maniacs, and maybe get their groove back. And then -- and here's the surprise -- they get bored. And they start to look for more. More? I don't mean more funky virtual clothes or jewelry or cars or houses or lovers or food or whatever consumeristic needs this fantasy world can fulfill. I mean more like finding your purpose or making a difference or needing to change the status quo. That's a question, though, isn't it? If you've just created this perfect self and environment and whatever, why would you need to change it? Isn't everything hunky dory?Why would you want to change something that's completely made up? Isn't it just a pretend world? You can make it whatever you want, right? Well, No. There are other people creating their own experiences. It's not static. Things are constantly changing. Which would, perhaps, explain why there are activists and do-gooders in virtual worlds too. We aren't really changing the society completely, we're just moving it from one plane to another. Think about it: you go there and reinvent yourself. At the same time, zillions of other people are doing the exact same thing. Maybe you can change the way you look or what your life looks like or how you behave. And everyone else is doing that, too. Look, you can change yourself all you want, but you can't really change the fact that once you're there and someone else is there, it's sort of automatically a new society. A community. Whether you wanted it to be or not. So, now I get it. (Anthropology rules!) We go there to be someone we're not, have things we don't, create things we do. We want things to be better there, so we make an effort to make them better. And that includes charity in thought, word, and deed.
The person who made her Million-in-a-Metaverse has now become a metaphilanthropist. First she used some of her proceeds to sponsor a person who couldn't afford the fees to have access to Second Life. Seems like sort of a weird charity, but hey...she gave someone who couldn't afford it access to a global village. This guy, from an impoverished family in Southeast Asia or somewhere, could connect with people in Brazil, the U.S., South Africa, Iceland, or wherever the people he met were from. I'd say that's an incredibly cool opportunity, wouldn't you?
Next she saw an opportunity to foster real meaningful dialogue among Second Lifers on a larger scale. She had seen and heard avatars having thoughtful and informed conversations about real issues. So she donated the real estate to develop a Non-Profit Commons, a virtual suite of non-profit organizations to give them a place to promote themselves, connect with volunteers and people in need. Residents of the metaverse can visit, get involved, make a donation, or decide it's not for them and start stalking the hot chick who works at TechSoup.
Even in this virtual reality, you can volunteer your real time and energy, you can organize, you can create virtual events and hold them. There are people literally making a living by interfacing with this virtual metaverse. You can buy a private island to host your event. Big corporations are doing it. I think Google owns an island where their employees can "go" to attend company conferences or corporate training. Heck, the American Cancer Society held a virtual relay-for-life. In their first year, they raised $5,100. In their fourth year, they've raised over $100,000 without anybody strapping on sneakers. I know...it kind of defeats the purpose of a walk. But look, people clearly want to be engaged in community, and if you build it, they will come!
All right. Why is she talking about virtual reality? Has she completely lost her mind? We're not dialing it in from our computers. Is she selling Amway? Is she nuts?
Here's the thing: I'm not talking about virtual reality. I'm talking about us. About community. Our Slow Session is a community. Old Songs is a community. Neither are static. They're both growing. Both are stronger and better because you are involved, because YOU show up.
No matter what face you put on to come to session, no matter whether you're totally confident in your playing, working at it, or completely new at it and afraid of screwing up in front of everybody, you're part of our world. This session is about welcoming new people, helping to keep regular attendees growing and moving in the direction they want to go, and building confidence.
Remember, in this universe:
1. mistakes are welcome, even encouraged.
2. learning by ear is encouraged: bring a recorder and get the tune as it is played at the session.
3. we do care what you think: give constructive feedback if you think there's something you'd like to see happen.
What's Next for The Session?
In the spirit of growing and changing, we've found that maybe a little bit of a new approach would help keep the session fun and useful! Here's what's happening:
Session Portion
1. We're enjoying learning Waltzes. If Jeff is around, perhaps he'll start us off with one.
2. We'll start off each session evening by playing some sets of tunes. I'll be posting those shortly. If you want to suggest a set, please comment or e-mail me.
3. We'll play established sets every time, if we can get through them. This will help us get used to playing tunes in sets, get used to changing from tune to tune, and keep us building our repertoire.
4. We'll add new sets every time -- we can put some together right on the spot, incorporating tunes from the big lists, and new tunes that we're working on.
Learning Portion
1. We'll work on a few learning tunes: one or two from spots, and one or two by ear, depending on what people are interested in, and what they'd like to learn. Again, send recommendations or make a comment to the blog.
2. We'll finish up with either a slow tune or a new waltz and an old waltz, if Jeff is with us.
I hope this new format will be enjoyable for everyone.
Again, thank you so much for continuing to be a part of the slow session community, and welcome to those who are new. Thank you for bringing a vibrancy to Old Songs, along with all the other DIY-ers who make music during the week. Because of you, Old Songs is growing in so many wonderful ways. Old Songs isn't virtual, it's a reality. But it can only stay a reality if we support it. So, next time you're surfing around on the web, and you're feeling a little meta-philanthropic, visit the Old Songs site (http://www.oldsongs.org/) and consider making a donation. Keep the groove alive!
Happy New Year to you all!
The Trad
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