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Topic: Monthly Steel Jam in NYC - Part 2 |
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 23 Jul 2005 7:42 am |
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Many ideas and suggestions seem to be very prudent. Thanks everyone.
here's where we left off.....
quote:
Another vote for Rick's idea. I've run many
a "jam night" in Philadelphia and if you
don't have the "house band" with a bag of
standards 1. everyone can find somthing to
fit in with 2. guys with more years on the
stand can support those with less stage time. Then some pre-selected back-up numbers
we could shed with in advance would give the
support missing with out live back up.
Also, interesting to see the different takes on the material.
A combination of the two would be good also! Some good players might jump in more freely if they didn't think they would be stuck in back up for the whole gig
I think it's a great idea. No problem filling the place. Hey Rick, how about a little "product" demo?
quote:
Ok, here's an addenda to Rick Aiello's brilliant idea, maybe the songs picked could be in different genres,(doh! maybe that was assumed . . ), but like; one Hawaiian tune, one western swing, one country tune, jazz etc. . . you know sumthin' like that.
Maybe 5 tunes is a bit much to bite off maybe we could shoot for 3?? I guess we could individually get to shed what we could get to . . .
Also I think we should make sure of the keys in print,(regardless of tunings), as you know how some of the old recordings go, sometimes they're not quite @ A440 and I'd hate to be a 1/2 a step off from everyone else.
Anyhoo just my ideas . . .
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 23 Jul 2005 8:08 am
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Here are some thoughts.........
The jam day can consist of two sections. From 11am up to 1:30pm, could be socializing, playing, noodling, and trying different instruments. People can show up anytime within that time slot as it will be unstructured. Not to bring up food again, but there could be sandwiches and beverages delivered or people can go out for lunch.
From 1:30pm - 5:30pm would be the designated jam as suggested previously. Personally, I would prefer a variety of musical genres. If someone isn't interested in playing a specific type, they can sit that one out. Or, since I have two rooms (one being smaller) there could be a secondary jam, or hangout.
I can have some resident instruments in attendence at all jams. An acoustic/electric Ovation, an acoustic/electric Tacoma bass, a Carter S10 3&4 E9, a Sierra D10 8&4, a uke, & an Ovation mandolin. If anyone plays a C diatonic accordian, let me know in advance.
Didn't mean to leave your suggestion out Rick. And yes, preparation is a good thing.
And if we're gonna sit all day, Preparation H is an even better thing...  [This message was edited by HowardR on 23 July 2005 at 09:51 AM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 23 Jul 2005 8:44 am
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Taking this further with regard to workshops...
We could have a mini workshop in the 11-1:30 time slot. Or 11-1, or 10:30-1:00, whatever works.
I do intend to host another Jim Heffernan all day workshop and if there were other instuctors interested in an all day workshop, it could be held in lieu of the jam, or on a different Sunday.
If anyone one is interested in teaching a mini, or regular workshop, please let me know. I will also contact some people about this.
I know that these are a lot of ideas, but I know I can do this with enough support, and I believe there is enough support. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 23 Jul 2005 4:49 pm
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I think all these ideas are fantastic.
I can't wait and thank you howard for moving the ball forward.
BTW, my son and I are playing this thursday in Bayonne NJ. I'll post the directions later for all who are interested. Not that you should here me, but if you want to hear a 15 year old mandolin prodigy....
The next Chris Thile -my son. If I do say so. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 6:16 am
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Gerald, is there an instrument that you don't play (well)? Let me know in advance if you want to sit in on tuba.... no, don't tell me you played in HS
Bill, you are, and should be proud. Every parent wants their child to be better than they are.
Let's explore the back up possibilities as this is the glue that holds this together. As I see it, the possibilities are;
1. those who double on guitar & bass
2. a designated rhythm section
3. recorded back up
Those who double.....the advantage is that they are familiar with the tunes and the styles. The disadvantage is if someone has to cancel at the last moment, or if there is only one bass/guitar player, they get stuck doing all of the rhythm.
Designated rhythmn section. This to me is the most sound. We could try to get volunteers, but again, someone could cancel or not show up. We could each kick in some scratch so that this would be a gig for a couple of good players. This way, there would be less chance of a no show.....in which case, we'd have...no show 
Recorded accompanyment....I know next to nothing about recording and software, so I will certainly need input here.
Extended backing tracks recorded on cd?
What about BIAB or similar software?
[This message was edited by HowardR on 24 July 2005 at 10:51 AM.] |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 8:10 am
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It's me again ... back in teacher mode
These sessions would be for learning and exploring. They are not "performances" per se.
I think BIAB is best choice for the learning session ... using the least number of instruments as possible ... basically use it as a time keeper and to lay down the basic chord progression.
That way ... everyone would have the "rhythm" in advance (via a website or email) ...
The tempo could be altered as well as the key ... by the touch of a button.
A laptop computer is all that's needed ...
At the "end" of the day ... if any rhythm players are there ... there could be a recital to show off the days work.
Again just my opinion ... but the main point of the day should be exploring the steel guitar .... and the focus should be on that.
Having "BIAB" rhythm ... would allow participants to practice at home ... making them feel more secure during the sesson.
The "recital" would give the whole day closure ... reinforcing what was learned ... and adding to it ...
That vital "live performance" feeling.
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 24 July 2005 at 09:31 AM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 10:27 am
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Ooh, ooh..... raising my hand Mr. Aiello.....
is BIAB to be used at home only, or is it to also be used at the jam for back up tracks?[This message was edited by HowardR on 24 July 2005 at 11:28 AM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 10:35 am
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| I agree that the focus should be on steel and learning. In retrospect, maybe this jam shouldn't be open to other instruments unless it's a steel player who could double just to make it a little more versatile. I would keep other instruments available as I had mentioned for that purpose. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 10:52 am
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Oh ... here's my "simple" styles I use for myself ...
For 4/4 ...
Rick.STY
For 3/4 ...
Rwaltz.STY
Just copy them into the main BB folder ... and access them via the "favorite styles" ...
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 24 July 2005 at 12:27 PM.] |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 11:32 am
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I can tell you from the jam sessions that Bill Lewellyn has hosted here in California that Band In A Box is an extremely valuable tool for such sessions. You can tell it to play as long as you want, you can tell it to shut up whenever you want, and it doesn't hog all the soft drinks!
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 11:43 am
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Here is a "sample" Lesson Plan ...
Today's topic ... Jerry Byrd's approach to a waltz.
Here's a JB recording of the beautiful ... Pa'au'au Waltz
Here's the BIAB rhythm file that we will be working from ...
Pa'au'au Waltz
Here's that same BIAB rhythm file ... recorded for non-BIAB owners ...
Pa'au'au Waltz
Here's the corresponding chord chart ...
Use the tuning that you prefer ...
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 11:46 am
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Rick
How do you get 5 bars on the top line of your BIAB chord chart? |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 11:58 am
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Click the print icon ... to "Print options"
Then check "Include Lead In bar" ...
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 24 July 2005 at 02:53 PM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 12:10 pm
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| I guess I'm gonna hafta give Big Jim Baron a call.... [This message was edited by HowardR on 24 July 2005 at 01:11 PM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 24 Jul 2005 3:04 pm
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So here's how it could play out.
Hopefully one Sunday of each month for the steel jam. Brothers of the bar on their respective instruments of steel. Other instruments will be available for those who double.
If there is a full one day workshop, it would either take the place of, or be an addition to the steel jam.
From 11am - 1pm, a general gathering to exchange ideas, practice with others, try out different instruments, set up BIAB, & socialize. This time slot could also be used for a mini workshop.
1:30-5:30 is the round robin session for the predetermined tunes. BIAB or live rhythm, or a combination of both would be employed. Each player has their turn while the others lay out. This session would take place in the main large area of the store. There is a back room that could be used for those aren't participating in the session. They can hang out, socialize, & play, as long as the volume doesn't interfere with the session.
After 5:30 we could go to the Guggenheim Museum and then catch a Broadway show.... 
At 5:30, we could either continue, or grab some dinner, or go home. Whatever.
That appears to be the jist of it. Of course it will be fine tuned as we go along. If anyone has more to add or see things differently, let's hear about it.
It's my intention to bring together steel players regardless of level and what kind of steel they play. From a D10 to a T8 to a U12 to a Tricone....as long as it takes a steel/chrome/glass/bakelite bar to play it.
It ain't all country, it ain't all blues, it ain't all jazz, it ain't all rock, it ain't all Hawaiian, it ain't all sacred steel, it ain't all gospel, it ain't all western swing.....it's a little bit of everything to broaden our scope of playing and hopefully make us better players. |
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 2:50 am
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Wow, an organized jam- WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!
I wish you all the best. Who knows, maybe this will start other jams in city's across the world. The format being posted would be easy to follow along.
You can learn more at one of these jams than you can in probably 10 lessons.
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 26 Jul 2005 4:54 am
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Professor Rick.....thank you for the examples and taking the time to teach class
good thing there weren't any girls in it...or were there? ....
Thanks all for your input as we now have a plan.
I'll be working on this and posting as things progress. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2005 7:41 am
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seldomfed
From:
Colorado
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Posted 26 Jul 2005 1:14 pm
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Howard,
quote:
It's my intention to bring together steel players regardless of level and what kind of steel they play. From a D10 to a T8 to a U12 to a Tricone....as long as it takes a steel/chrome/glass/bakelite bar to play it.
It ain't all country, it ain't all blues, it ain't all jazz, it ain't all rock, it ain't all Hawaiian, it ain't all sacred steel, it ain't all gospel, it ain't all western swing.....it's a little bit of everything to broaden our scope of playing and hopefully make us better players.
...that's basically the focus of my radio show! I do a show every Thur. at 6AM
Mountain on www.krfcfm.org called the "Steel Guitar Jam". It's not as much for players as much as it is to educate the unwashed masses.
My elevator speech is: 'all kinds of music from all over the world as long as it's played on a steel guitar' (reso,lap,pedal,...)
I love your event/jam idea and love how it's forming via input from the very large brains here online!, very cool. Mind if I (we) copy your format in the inter-mountain region?? (Boyette?)
btw, I play stuff from HSGA and Forum members once in a while on the air - so if you want air play, send me a CD, or post a link to your .mp3 (no email .mp3 please)
Chris
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Chris Kennison
Colorado
[This message was edited by seldomfed on 26 July 2005 at 02:16 PM.] [This message was edited by seldomfed on 26 July 2005 at 02:18 PM.] |
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