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Topic: Another night of jazz standards in Portland |
Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2015 8:14 am |
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Well, the time is fast approaching - tomorrow night I'm playing another trio gig, steel bass and drums, playing all jazz standards
I feel much better prepared than the last time, but it's still nerve wracking... I put up a little vid in the Steel on the Web section - if you check it out and have any tips, they would be appreciated
Still a newbie on steel - a bizarre sensation from a professional musician with nearly 40 years performance experience!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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John Alexander
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Posted 22 Dec 2015 6:43 pm
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The only tip I can think of is: Keep doing what you're doing, because it's working.
One thing I like about both your and Sez's work is the minimal use of vibrato. The addition of vibrato can be and sound like a nervous habit. Your video has inspired me to pay attention to eliminating "knee-jerk" vibrato. |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2015 6:50 pm
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I've been trying to find a good balance there - my friend Dean thinks I play I little too "colorless", so I have been working on the skill of it. I am glad that my current technique sounds good to you! I agree that too many ch, especially for jazz, can become too much..
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 23 Dec 2015 3:17 am
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| An accomplished artist paints with a limited palette; hardly colorless. |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 23 Dec 2015 3:38 am
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| Charlie McDonald wrote: |
| An accomplished artist paints with a limited palette; hardly colorless. |
I like that. Creative people will create--Using whatever is handy. (technique notwithstanding). Tony Bennett's painting, for instance.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 7:00 pm
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Thanks, Chris!
I appreciate you checking those out and posting the links!
What I haven't been able to get the hang of is rolling the bar - still working on it....
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 7:11 pm
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I have 2 more this month - Sunday 12/27, and Wednesday 12/30, also at Jo Bar in Portland.
I did ok on Wednesday, but wasn't as together as I thought I'd be. So different live, of course, especially the volume. I'm hoping for a better result Sunday, more relaxed, cleaner.
Fingers crossed
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2015 8:55 am Last night
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I just want you Portland guys to know - tonight, Wednesday, is the last of my 3 jazz steel gigs at Jo Bar for a while.
On the whole, I've not embarrassed the steel community too much. The owner loves it, and was the one who came up with the idea, having heard some Facebook posts of mine. I'm sure he'll have us back, and any jazz steelers in town - this is a cool place that would appreciate you, $75 per man plus tips, a meal, and drinks for 2 hour sets, not bad for a Sunday or a Wednesday in Portland.
I also play here with the wonderful Becky Kilgore, on guitar. Also some brunches with Bobby Torres, also on guitar. Great place, great food, and staff that has been told to treat the musicians like gold. Love it!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Matt Elsen
From:
Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, WA
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Posted 30 Dec 2015 3:37 pm
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My wife and I enjoyed seeing Christopher's first show a few weeks back and I'm sorry that we won't be able to make it in tonight. It was really a treat.
For any Portland based steel guitar fans - Jo-Bar is a very nice, intimate venue and I certainly recommend it to anyone that's thinking about stopping by tonight.
"Break a leg, Christopher!"
Matt |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2015 4:17 pm
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Thank you, Matt!
It was a pleasure to have you there, and to meet you and your wife.
I love Jo Bar - warm place that treats musicians like gold!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 30 Dec 2015 4:59 pm Re: Last night
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| Christopher Woitach wrote: |
On the whole, I've not embarrassed the steel community too much. The owner loves it, and was the one who came up with the idea, having heard.... |
Embarrassed? I should say not! Indeed you may have moved acceptance of the instrument several years ahead by your efforts. I think you are much too modest....your execution and tone is very pleasing and you make these jazz and standard tunes lay so well on the pedal steel. I've watched many of your vids online and I must say, I could only wish to interpret these songs so well. And to have a venue owner recognize and support the effort would be terrific.
I wish I was close enough to witness some of your groups' performances.
I think your mentor Reece would be ever so proud of you and the way you represent the instrument to the people.
Your guitar playing "ain't too shabby" either.  Keep on rollin'. |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2015 11:10 pm
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Thank you, Jerry - your kind words are very much appreciated!
I hope Reece is listening, and enjoying what he hears..... You could not have said anything that means more to me than that beautiful thought.
I have worked very hard on the steel guitar, and sometimes, even during some solos tonight, I wonder how long before I can feel the freedom I feel with the guitar, maybe never. I do promise this - I will never quit trying. I have committed to this.
I am very lucky to be able to hire from the very best players in town, and they tell me they really love the sound of the steel guitar. I'm glad I'm at least good enough that they are willing to come back and play with me as I stumble through it - it makes it much easier to get better!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Quentin Hickey
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 1 Jan 2016 6:36 am
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| Great playing Christopher!! |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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