My favorite quote from Early Strummers, my class at the Old Town School with 4 and 5-year-olds and their parents learning to play the guitar.
4-Year-Old Young Lady: There are three kids and three adults in class today.
Mom: What about Jason? Is Jason a kid or an adult?
4-Year-Old Young Lady: Jason is part kid and part adult.
I can't tell you how happy that makes me.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I made a flute today.
Hello,
Today's project was the completion of a goal I have had for a very, very long time. I made a flute out of a piece of PVC pipe. I found the plans in a book called Homemade Instruments by Dallas Cline, published by Oak Publications.
I was hoping to have the kids make this, but while I think they could make them, playing them might be another situation. It ain't easy. I like that the book says "Once you have the feel of how to blow across the mouth hole, you will be able to play it happily! I may take a week of practice, but a week is a short time, really, and you will be so glad you stayed with it." I love that it has that bit of encourangement.
So here is day one. I'll make another video next Monday and we'll see how it all went. But for now, I share with you "Hot Cross Buns" on the Plumer's Pipe Cross Flute.
Today's project was the completion of a goal I have had for a very, very long time. I made a flute out of a piece of PVC pipe. I found the plans in a book called Homemade Instruments by Dallas Cline, published by Oak Publications.
I was hoping to have the kids make this, but while I think they could make them, playing them might be another situation. It ain't easy. I like that the book says "Once you have the feel of how to blow across the mouth hole, you will be able to play it happily! I may take a week of practice, but a week is a short time, really, and you will be so glad you stayed with it." I love that it has that bit of encourangement.
So here is day one. I'll make another video next Monday and we'll see how it all went. But for now, I share with you "Hot Cross Buns" on the Plumer's Pipe Cross Flute.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Nonesuch and Other Folk Tunes - Pete Seeger & Frank Hamilton
I spent most of the day doing my best to relax around the house and stay off the computer. I listened to the album Nonesuch and Other Folk Tunes by Pete Seeger and Frank Hamilton a few times. What a great record! Super-musical. From the first notes of Meadowland, these instrumental roar through my stereo. The first song, "Meadowland", is a beautiful demonstation of dynamic tension right out of the gate and the energy never lets up. Then, as if they want to prove just how much fun they are having in the studio, Pete and Frank team for for an incredible vocal rendition of The Battle of New Orleans. The power of their voices on lyric "Well . . . " ,which opens every stanza, practically knocks me over every time.
I always love the liner notes from Folkways. Here are a couple of selections.
Pete writes, "[The album] is influenced by the folk traditions of hte American south, popular music of the air waves, and recordings hear of ethnic music fromAfrica, Russia, Asia, the Caribbean and, and also of the symphony and concert hall . . . The selections together tell, we hope, of our love for many peoples, our neighbors in a small world. May our various languages be better understood."
Frank writes, "We attempted to explore the uses of instruments that were not necessarily related to the culture backgroud of the songs." If you know me, you know that this is a sentament that is very close to my heart.
The liner notes also include this awesome picture of Frank playing the guitarrón. The photo is by David Gehr.
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We also had a very good Young Stracke All-Stars practice today. I'm feeling a bit rejuvinated after a very long week of struggling musically, idealistically, emotionally, etc. It's good to "hit bottom" once and a while. Partily because it gets easier to shake it off each time it happens, and also, once you hit there's no where to go but up. Onward!
I always love the liner notes from Folkways. Here are a couple of selections.
Pete writes, "[The album] is influenced by the folk traditions of hte American south, popular music of the air waves, and recordings hear of ethnic music fromAfrica, Russia, Asia, the Caribbean and, and also of the symphony and concert hall . . . The selections together tell, we hope, of our love for many peoples, our neighbors in a small world. May our various languages be better understood."Frank writes, "We attempted to explore the uses of instruments that were not necessarily related to the culture backgroud of the songs." If you know me, you know that this is a sentament that is very close to my heart.
The liner notes also include this awesome picture of Frank playing the guitarrón. The photo is by David Gehr.
-------------
We also had a very good Young Stracke All-Stars practice today. I'm feeling a bit rejuvinated after a very long week of struggling musically, idealistically, emotionally, etc. It's good to "hit bottom" once and a while. Partily because it gets easier to shake it off each time it happens, and also, once you hit there's no where to go but up. Onward!
"Wilson Wants it All", Maria's Birthday, various teachin', etc.
I just got home from Maria's birthday party. She had it in the basement of the Chopin Theater after the House Theater performance of Wilson Wants it All, which is great! It closes next week. Go see it!
Yes, so then Maria had her birthday party. Miki played for a while and then another gentleman played and then the picking session began. It was really fun. Mike Alberts on guitar, Hillary on fiddle, Darrell on piano, Mark (Lou) on mandolin (and Judy played some mandolin also), Maria on fiddle and I played banjo. This Land was Your Land was the highlight for me. So many people sang! Great food. Great friends. Great music. Great show. I am so lucky.
More Old Joe Clark, This Land is Your Land and My Dog Treed a Rabbit in my classes, today. Super fun. My Saturday Kids Guitar 2 really want it. I love teaching, but that is a particularly strong group of students.
Yes, so then Maria had her birthday party. Miki played for a while and then another gentleman played and then the picking session began. It was really fun. Mike Alberts on guitar, Hillary on fiddle, Darrell on piano, Mark (Lou) on mandolin (and Judy played some mandolin also), Maria on fiddle and I played banjo. This Land was Your Land was the highlight for me. So many people sang! Great food. Great friends. Great music. Great show. I am so lucky.
More Old Joe Clark, This Land is Your Land and My Dog Treed a Rabbit in my classes, today. Super fun. My Saturday Kids Guitar 2 really want it. I love teaching, but that is a particularly strong group of students.
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