here's where we left off.....

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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?

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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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quote:

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The reason I suggested just one "style" per session was so that folks that really have no interest in say ... "western swing" ... would "by-pass" that session.

But since there will probably be a set of "regulars" that show up every Sunday ... Joel's suggestion makes alot of sense ... keep things more interesting/varied ...

Either way ... it'll be quite a cool event ... and maybe folks in other areas will do the same ...

I usta run chemistry labs ... real ones ... ... before all the computer simulations and restrictions were placed on public schools in terms of "approved chemicals" ... with 15, 16 and 17 yr olds.

I would spend a day or more in "pre-lab" ... and then test them on the prep ... before going to lab.

We used strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, organic solvents and lotsa heat ... throughout the year ...

And anyone who wasn't prepared ... was kicked out ...

Preparation ... it's a good thing

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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 23 July 2005 at 08:59 AM.]

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.]

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.

BTW - I play C-Diatonic accordion (seriously).

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

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....

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.]

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.]

raising my hand

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.]

Both ...

The "designated" leader of the session can supply the participants with either the BIAB file for the songs ... to those who have BIAB ...

Or ... he/she can supply the participants with a "burned" CD ... with the same BIAB songs (they would be restricted abit ... no tempo or key changes that way).

BIAB ... can also provide chord charts ...

ex: Across the Sea

Here's the BIAB file ...

Across the Sea ... BIAB file

Here's the "spit-out" chord chart ...

At the actual session ... a laptop computer with some decent speakers or fed into a small mixer/PA ... would allow total control.

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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 12:00 PM.]

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's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

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

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.]

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.

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.

good thing there weren't any girls in it...or were there?

Thanks all for your input as we now have a plan.

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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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...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.]