From the fj-list
PICKIN' PARTY IN GOLDEN GATE PARK
Saturday, May 9
Noon
Dahlia Dell Picnic Area @ Fell and Stanyan, Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco
free/all welcome
Presented by the California Bluegrass Association
Free drawing for tickets to the
CBA Father's Day Festival
Details coming soon!
Showing posts with label promoting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label promoting. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
5th Quarter Jam FAQ
Here is a draft of the FAQ I'll start distributing at the jam.
---
Quick FAQ:
*Q: Who the heck are you people?
A: We are a group of bluegrass and old-time enthusiasts who regularly get together to jam. Our circle ranges in size from a low of about 6 folks to a high of about 20. We don't have rabies, but we do have banjos. Consider yourselves warned.
*Q: What kind of music do you play?
A: If Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley or Lester Flatt sang/played it, so do we (but perhaps not quite as well). If the New Lost City Ramblers played it, we'll be likely to take a whack at it. Yes, we have heard the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, but no, we don't sing I'll Fly Away in the key of D. Key of G? No problem.
*Q: Is this a (folk circle / singing circle / blues jam / klezmer jam / Irish seisun / Sea Shanty sing)?
A: Sadly, no. This is a bluegrass and old time music jam. There are certainly some bluesy bluegrass songs out there, and there are certainly some folky old-time songs (Carter family) out there, but by and large we like to play the bluegrass and the old-time. Sorry.
*Q: Can I sing/play my favorite (John Denver / Eric Clapton / SRV / Iron Maiden) tune at this jam?
A: We don't own the building, and we're non-confrontational folks as a rule, so you'll likely be able to get away with it. But have I mentioned that we like playing bluegrass and old time yet? If not, let me go ahead and give up the secret: We like the bluegrass and the old-time. Phew, I'm glad I got that off my chest.
*Q: I've got this totally awesome Fender and three effects pedals and an amp that goes to 11 and...
A: Whoa there, buddy. Acoustic instruments only, please. Thanks.
*Q: I've been playing my instrument for only six (hours/days/weeks/months). Should I come to the jam?
A: Sure! Y'all come on out! But be ready to pick a tune when your turn comes up.
*Q: Pick a tune? What the heck does that mean?
A: It means you should have a couple of bluegrass or old time songs picked out that you'd like to attempt to play. Don't freak out; everyone has to do it. If you're completely new, may I suggest one or more of the following: {Cripple Creek, Sitting On Top of the World, Old Joe Clark, Angelina Baker}
*Q: OK, I think I've picked a good tune, now what do I do?
A: Raise your voice, and tell everyone in the circle: 1) What the name of the tune is, 2) What key it is in, and 3) Anything else we absolutely need to know to swim instead of sink. Describe the chord progressions, if they are nonstandard. Sing or hum the melody once, if people aren't familiar with the song. Once everybody is ready, kick it off!
*Q: Kick it off? Huh?
A: Kicking it off means starting the tune. You can either count into it (one, two, one two three four) or play a lead-in break, or jump straight into the first verse, depending on what is appropriate. Once you're done with the kick off, look to your left - it is your neighbor's tune to take a break.
*Q: Wait, am *I* supposed to take a break?
A: Yep. We will expect you to try, or to indicate to the person leading the song that you're not interested in taking a break. The person leading the song will either call out your name (if they know you), what instrument you're playing (if they don't), nod at you, make eye contact, or any variant of the above. That means you're up! If you don't want it, shake your head, say 'skip me', or tell your neighbor to take it.
*Q: OK, we've gone all the way around. I think the tune is done, but nobody is stopping! Help!
A: Don't panic! Wait till the person who is currently playing is nearing the end of their break, then raise your foot up in the air. This means 'we're done!'. Everyone will get it, and the song will end.
Q: This all seems like a bit much. Can I just come and watch?
A: Absolutely! There is plenty of room for folks to hang out and listen.
---
Quick FAQ:
*Q: Who the heck are you people?
A: We are a group of bluegrass and old-time enthusiasts who regularly get together to jam. Our circle ranges in size from a low of about 6 folks to a high of about 20. We don't have rabies, but we do have banjos. Consider yourselves warned.
*Q: What kind of music do you play?
A: If Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley or Lester Flatt sang/played it, so do we (but perhaps not quite as well). If the New Lost City Ramblers played it, we'll be likely to take a whack at it. Yes, we have heard the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, but no, we don't sing I'll Fly Away in the key of D. Key of G? No problem.
*Q: Is this a (folk circle / singing circle / blues jam / klezmer jam / Irish seisun / Sea Shanty sing)?
A: Sadly, no. This is a bluegrass and old time music jam. There are certainly some bluesy bluegrass songs out there, and there are certainly some folky old-time songs (Carter family) out there, but by and large we like to play the bluegrass and the old-time. Sorry.
*Q: Can I sing/play my favorite (John Denver / Eric Clapton / SRV / Iron Maiden) tune at this jam?
A: We don't own the building, and we're non-confrontational folks as a rule, so you'll likely be able to get away with it. But have I mentioned that we like playing bluegrass and old time yet? If not, let me go ahead and give up the secret: We like the bluegrass and the old-time. Phew, I'm glad I got that off my chest.
*Q: I've got this totally awesome Fender and three effects pedals and an amp that goes to 11 and...
A: Whoa there, buddy. Acoustic instruments only, please. Thanks.
*Q: I've been playing my instrument for only six (hours/days/weeks/months). Should I come to the jam?
A: Sure! Y'all come on out! But be ready to pick a tune when your turn comes up.
*Q: Pick a tune? What the heck does that mean?
A: It means you should have a couple of bluegrass or old time songs picked out that you'd like to attempt to play. Don't freak out; everyone has to do it. If you're completely new, may I suggest one or more of the following: {Cripple Creek, Sitting On Top of the World, Old Joe Clark, Angelina Baker}
*Q: OK, I think I've picked a good tune, now what do I do?
A: Raise your voice, and tell everyone in the circle: 1) What the name of the tune is, 2) What key it is in, and 3) Anything else we absolutely need to know to swim instead of sink. Describe the chord progressions, if they are nonstandard. Sing or hum the melody once, if people aren't familiar with the song. Once everybody is ready, kick it off!
*Q: Kick it off? Huh?
A: Kicking it off means starting the tune. You can either count into it (one, two, one two three four) or play a lead-in break, or jump straight into the first verse, depending on what is appropriate. Once you're done with the kick off, look to your left - it is your neighbor's tune to take a break.
*Q: Wait, am *I* supposed to take a break?
A: Yep. We will expect you to try, or to indicate to the person leading the song that you're not interested in taking a break. The person leading the song will either call out your name (if they know you), what instrument you're playing (if they don't), nod at you, make eye contact, or any variant of the above. That means you're up! If you don't want it, shake your head, say 'skip me', or tell your neighbor to take it.
*Q: OK, we've gone all the way around. I think the tune is done, but nobody is stopping! Help!
A: Don't panic! Wait till the person who is currently playing is nearing the end of their break, then raise your foot up in the air. This means 'we're done!'. Everyone will get it, and the song will end.
Q: This all seems like a bit much. Can I just come and watch?
A: Absolutely! There is plenty of room for folks to hang out and listen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Redwood City Bluegrass Jam Report: 2/5/09 at 5th Quarter
Here is an abbreviated jam report for last week's jam. Forgive me for not having all the information that I usually do -- it has been quite a week.
If you're considering coming out to the jam at all, consider coming out this month -- we're part of the NCBS Bluegrass on Broadway festival, which is a real treat. Rumour has it that Sid Lewis (http://www.acousticcollege.com, www.jamming101.com) will be in attendance either on the 19th or the 26th. I'll pass along more info as I receive it.
Jam participants will also receive a 20% discount off the 5th quarter menu, which is nice in these tough times.
Do you have a bluegrass or old timey band? Would you like easy exposure and 'face time' with like-minded folks within the scene? Consider coming out to the Thursday jam. Contact me individually if you're interested.
Anyway, on with the jam report:
In attendance
---
4 fiddle - Mostly new folks who were old-timey players.
5 guitar - Linda, George, myself, and two new gentlemen, both of whom were quite hot on the improv.
2 banjo - Robert and Jerry holding it down for a grand total of 10 strings between them.
1 hammer dulcimer / saw / dobro - Patrick the multi-instrumentalist! Believe it or not, the dulcimer can overpower both banjos and fiddles without even trying.
0 mandolin - but who is counting?
Some tunes played -- more incomplete than usual. I blame work.
---
June Apple
Sitting on Top of the World
Turkey in the Straw (aka 'do your ears hang low')
Angelina Baker
Red Haired Boy
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
I'll Fly Away
Katy Daley
Ragtime Annie
Cherokee Shuffle
NEW FEATURE: Practice Tunes!!!
If you are wondering what to practice between now and Thursday evening, here are two tunes I am guaranteed to call Thursday night. If you have any practice tunes that you would like featured for next week, email me and I will add them.
Practice Tunes for 2/12/09:
* Forked Deer (traditional, key of D)
- guitar : http://www.bluegrassguitar.com/tabs/ForkedDeer.html
- mandolin : http://www.mandolincafe.com/tab/fdeer.txt
- banjo : http://www.banjohangout.org/tabnew/files/forked_deer-677.tef (tabledit)
Sorry, I couldn't find fiddle tab.
* Nine Pound Hammer (C. Bowman, key of G)
- guitar : http://www.flatpick.com/blues/9lblesson.htm
- banjo : http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/banjo/B_13.html
- mandolin : http://www.mandolinsessions.com/jun04/hammer.html
No fiddle tab. What is it with the bluegrass fiddle online?
If you're considering coming out to the jam at all, consider coming out this month -- we're part of the NCBS Bluegrass on Broadway festival, which is a real treat. Rumour has it that Sid Lewis (http://www.acousticcollege.com, www.jamming101.com) will be in attendance either on the 19th or the 26th. I'll pass along more info as I receive it.
Jam participants will also receive a 20% discount off the 5th quarter menu, which is nice in these tough times.
Do you have a bluegrass or old timey band? Would you like easy exposure and 'face time' with like-minded folks within the scene? Consider coming out to the Thursday jam. Contact me individually if you're interested.
Anyway, on with the jam report:
In attendance
---
4 fiddle - Mostly new folks who were old-timey players.
5 guitar - Linda, George, myself, and two new gentlemen, both of whom were quite hot on the improv.
2 banjo - Robert and Jerry holding it down for a grand total of 10 strings between them.
1 hammer dulcimer / saw / dobro - Patrick the multi-instrumentalist! Believe it or not, the dulcimer can overpower both banjos and fiddles without even trying.
0 mandolin - but who is counting?
Some tunes played -- more incomplete than usual. I blame work.
---
June Apple
Sitting on Top of the World
Turkey in the Straw (aka 'do your ears hang low')
Angelina Baker
Red Haired Boy
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
I'll Fly Away
Katy Daley
Ragtime Annie
Cherokee Shuffle
NEW FEATURE: Practice Tunes!!!
If you are wondering what to practice between now and Thursday evening, here are two tunes I am guaranteed to call Thursday night. If you have any practice tunes that you would like featured for next week, email me and I will add them.
Practice Tunes for 2/12/09:
* Forked Deer (traditional, key of D)
- guitar : http://www.bluegrassguitar.com/tabs/ForkedDeer.html
- mandolin : http://www.mandolincafe.com/tab/fdeer.txt
- banjo : http://www.banjohangout.org/tabnew/files/forked_deer-677.tef (tabledit)
Sorry, I couldn't find fiddle tab.
* Nine Pound Hammer (C. Bowman, key of G)
- guitar : http://www.flatpick.com/blues/9lblesson.htm
- banjo : http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/banjo/B_13.html
- mandolin : http://www.mandolinsessions.com/jun04/hammer.html
No fiddle tab. What is it with the bluegrass fiddle online?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Jam Report: Wednesday, 01/14/2009 Lintpicker's Revenge
Another lovely winter Wednesday at Fandango.
Vibe summary (my own): "To hell with mandolins! We'll just add more (banjo/guitar)!"
In attendance:
Mike B (Martin HD28-12 and banjo)
George B (thrift store special fingerpicked)
Autumn, Bob, Robert, Jerry (banjo)
Yours truly (Michael Kelly Rose Trio guitar)
Zippy (fiddle)
Three 'new folks' or folks who were new to me:
A gentleman on fingerstyle folk guitar
Autumn's quiet guitar buddy, who sits outside the circle even after repeated pestering to join us. Don't be shy, now!
A woman on guitar, reportedly a jazz guitar teacher. She threatened to bring in her accordion next week. I think she thought we might have tried to run screaming, but we didn't.
Some tunes played (no particular order):
I'll Fly Away
Golden Slippers
Old Home Place (damn you, B7, damn you to hell!)
Hard Times Come Again No More
Teardrops in My Eyes
Old Cabin Home
Simple Life (ricky skaggs)
blackberry blossom (this one started out slow, and just ran away from us)
theme time
cherokee shuffle
sowing on the mountain, reaping in the bounty (a.p. carter by way of woody guthrie)
earl's breakdown (plus explanation of 'scruggs pegs')
old country church (?)
how mountain girls can love
denominational blues
Notes:
* Banjo Bob (as opposed to Banjo Robert) has a fancy new axe. Looked like mahogany back, with 'stealth' in mother of pearl on the front at the base. I allowed as to how there was never seen such a strange beast as a stealthy banjo. In any case, stealthy or not, it sounds real nice and bright.
* Jerry, Mike B, George B and I ended up in the laundromat after Fandango gave us the boot. I recall picking/singing a couple, but couldn't give you a list.
* coming up: Thursdays at 5th quarter! No rest for the wicked!
Vibe summary (my own): "To hell with mandolins! We'll just add more (banjo/guitar)!"
In attendance:
Mike B (Martin HD28-12 and banjo)
George B (thrift store special fingerpicked)
Autumn, Bob, Robert, Jerry (banjo)
Yours truly (Michael Kelly Rose Trio guitar)
Zippy (fiddle)
Three 'new folks' or folks who were new to me:
A gentleman on fingerstyle folk guitar
Autumn's quiet guitar buddy, who sits outside the circle even after repeated pestering to join us. Don't be shy, now!
A woman on guitar, reportedly a jazz guitar teacher. She threatened to bring in her accordion next week. I think she thought we might have tried to run screaming, but we didn't.
Some tunes played (no particular order):
I'll Fly Away
Golden Slippers
Old Home Place (damn you, B7, damn you to hell!)
Hard Times Come Again No More
Teardrops in My Eyes
Old Cabin Home
Simple Life (ricky skaggs)
blackberry blossom (this one started out slow, and just ran away from us)
theme time
cherokee shuffle
sowing on the mountain, reaping in the bounty (a.p. carter by way of woody guthrie)
earl's breakdown (plus explanation of 'scruggs pegs')
old country church (?)
how mountain girls can love
denominational blues
Notes:
* Banjo Bob (as opposed to Banjo Robert) has a fancy new axe. Looked like mahogany back, with 'stealth' in mother of pearl on the front at the base. I allowed as to how there was never seen such a strange beast as a stealthy banjo. In any case, stealthy or not, it sounds real nice and bright.
* Jerry, Mike B, George B and I ended up in the laundromat after Fandango gave us the boot. I recall picking/singing a couple, but couldn't give you a list.
* coming up: Thursdays at 5th quarter! No rest for the wicked!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Jam Report: First Thursday at 5th Quarter
Last night was the first 5th Quarter Thursday jam. I think we had a pretty stellar turnout for a completely unknown promoter type (me) and mostly untested venue.
I think at its height, we had about 12 folks there. There were a number of Fandango folks, and quite a few folks I had never met before. The jamming was of pretty high quality, too. I'm very pleased that everyone could make it out.
I'll keep promoting the jam in various venues, online and off, in hopes of keeping the number of participants high. One idea I've had is to ask Jack down at Gryphon to mention the jam to his students. I'll also continue to try and get the jam on all of the various jam lists on the internet.
I didn't keep a song list this time, but I will next week.
---
EDIT: better jam report from my post to fandangojammers:
Last night was the first 5th Quarter Thurday jam! Here is a quick report.
First of all, while I'm typically terrible with names, I am trying to learn at least the names of the regulars. If I screw yours up, please yell at me.
I showed up at 5th quarter at around 6:30 to have dinner and prep 5th quarter's owner/manager, Hassan, as to what all was going down that night. Dan (mando) and daughter showed up just after 7, and together we rearranged the back room to accommodate about fifteen or so folks. Hassan had turned on the heat (!) in the back room, so it was downright toasty.
About the room: I think max jam occupancy will probably be 20 or fewer folks. The room is long but somewhat narrow, carpeted, and low-ceilinged. The acoustics are decent; I was able to hear folks taking their solos all the way across the circle.
Patrick W of www.scbs.org showed up early with his dobro and saw. We chatted a bit about the upcoming Bluegrass on Broadway show ( http://www.scbs.org/events/bob/ ) and the state of bluegrass on the mid-peninsula in general. Other early arrivals included Jerry and Bob/Robert (which one of you is Bob and which Robert? I'm so confused). An excellent mando player also showed up early; his was a new face and I didn't get his name. Mando-rascal Mike joined us, as did George B a bit later. Guitarist-who-was-new-to-me-whose-name-I-should-be-remembering arrived fairly late in the evening with his D-18 and played the fiddle tunes real nice.
All told, I think we had about 12 folks turn out last night, with a max count of about 10 folks jamming simultaneously. There was some good cross-pollination of groups, and introductions being made.
Thanks to Mike for the pitcher of beer!
We wrapped up at about 10:45. Thanks to everyone who helped put the room back in some semblance of its original arrangement.
Some songs I remember being played, in no particular order:
Cherokee Shuffle
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Blackberry Blossom
Rose of Old Kentucky
June Apple
Salt Creek
A Maiden's Prayer
White Freightliner Blues
Turkey in the Straw
Red River Valley
Earl's Breakdown
Themetime
Waterbound
Some singing tune with Gb in it.
Dark Hollow (in Bb)
St Anne's Reel
PS: We need a stand-up bassist and some fiddles! :-D
I think at its height, we had about 12 folks there. There were a number of Fandango folks, and quite a few folks I had never met before. The jamming was of pretty high quality, too. I'm very pleased that everyone could make it out.
I'll keep promoting the jam in various venues, online and off, in hopes of keeping the number of participants high. One idea I've had is to ask Jack down at Gryphon to mention the jam to his students. I'll also continue to try and get the jam on all of the various jam lists on the internet.
I didn't keep a song list this time, but I will next week.
---
EDIT: better jam report from my post to fandangojammers:
Last night was the first 5th Quarter Thurday jam! Here is a quick report.
First of all, while I'm typically terrible with names, I am trying to learn at least the names of the regulars. If I screw yours up, please yell at me.
I showed up at 5th quarter at around 6:30 to have dinner and prep 5th quarter's owner/manager, Hassan, as to what all was going down that night. Dan (mando) and daughter showed up just after 7, and together we rearranged the back room to accommodate about fifteen or so folks. Hassan had turned on the heat (!) in the back room, so it was downright toasty.
About the room: I think max jam occupancy will probably be 20 or fewer folks. The room is long but somewhat narrow, carpeted, and low-ceilinged. The acoustics are decent; I was able to hear folks taking their solos all the way across the circle.
Patrick W of www.scbs.org showed up early with his dobro and saw. We chatted a bit about the upcoming Bluegrass on Broadway show ( http://www.scbs.org/events/bob/ ) and the state of bluegrass on the mid-peninsula in general. Other early arrivals included Jerry and Bob/Robert (which one of you is Bob and which Robert? I'm so confused). An excellent mando player also showed up early; his was a new face and I didn't get his name. Mando-rascal Mike joined us, as did George B a bit later. Guitarist-who-was-new-to-me-whose-name-I-should-be-remembering arrived fairly late in the evening with his D-18 and played the fiddle tunes real nice.
All told, I think we had about 12 folks turn out last night, with a max count of about 10 folks jamming simultaneously. There was some good cross-pollination of groups, and introductions being made.
Thanks to Mike for the pitcher of beer!
We wrapped up at about 10:45. Thanks to everyone who helped put the room back in some semblance of its original arrangement.
Some songs I remember being played, in no particular order:
Cherokee Shuffle
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Blackberry Blossom
Rose of Old Kentucky
June Apple
Salt Creek
A Maiden's Prayer
White Freightliner Blues
Turkey in the Straw
Red River Valley
Earl's Breakdown
Themetime
Waterbound
Some singing tune with Gb in it.
Dark Hollow (in Bb)
St Anne's Reel
PS: We need a stand-up bassist and some fiddles! :-D
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Jam Report: Monday, 12/22/2008
This was the Monday Old Time jam at Fandango Pizza in Palo Alto.
Full details here.
I'll be posting a rundown of sheet/tab/chords for each of the tunes later. Probably tomorrow.
Full details here.
I'll be posting a rundown of sheet/tab/chords for each of the tunes later. Probably tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bluegrass jam tonight
Bluegrass open jam at Fandango Pizza tonight from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
I'll post jam setlist (so to speak) when I get back.
EDIT: Here is the jam report. I think I forgot a couple of the ukulele tunes, but the rest is accurate.
I'll post jam setlist (so to speak) when I get back.
EDIT: Here is the jam report. I think I forgot a couple of the ukulele tunes, but the rest is accurate.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
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