Musical Year in Review

My musical year in review could almost double as my overall year in review, as it was a very music-filled year. Musical activities have also been very much the best part of 2013.

This was the year I joined Chip and Sandy in Rosewood. This has almost been more fun than I could have imagined (and I have a very good imagination.) It's exactly what I was looking and hoping for - to play with good musicians in a gigging band.

I was talking to Darling Wife after one of the acoustic jams, and I noted that the musicians there treated me differently once word got out that I was playing in a gigging band. She answered, "Of course they do, you've got what they all want - the holy grail." I don't say that with any arrogance - I was just in the right place at the right time, and things have worked out. There are many many bass players out there as good or better than me, and Rosewood would sound great with any of them. The band could dissolve tomorrow, and that wouldn't make me any better or worse a player.

Playing with such a good singer has been an education in itself. Transposing keys on the fly is now something I can almost do without thinking.

Now there's the small matter of my miserable performing face....

It was also the year of the Folk Fest, which was an experience not to be forgotten. We can't wait until August for the next year's fest.

Finally, it was the year of the mandolin. I pretty much immersed myself in playing the mandolin, and I think I've made significant strides in my playing. I've started to bring the mando out in public, and that will continue in '14.

One of the best things about getting more involved in music is that it's something Darling Wife and I can do together. Most of my activities have been things she's not interested in doing with me. That's never been a problem - but it's also nice to do something that she enthusiastically wants to be part of. We had a great time this year at festivals, concerts, open mics, Rosewood gigs, acoustic jams, etc., etc.

My hope and intention is that 2014 will see a continuation of everything that happened in '13. Practices and gigs with Rosewood. Tuesday nights with Breakfall - and maybe gigs with them? I'm sure to be buying and selling equipment, which will keep the eyes rolling in my house. I'll be playing mandolin, guitar, and bass, and I'll always be looking for people to play with.

2013 was a fantastic year music-wise, and here's to that continuing in 2014.

Another Gig at the West End Alley

Last Saturday, Rosewood Trio had our second Saturday-night gig at the West End Alley in Pottstown. We're still not sure what to do about drums. We've rehearsed with a guy a couple of times, and he wants to play with us, but we don't see any way of fitting a drummer in on the tiny stage at the Alley. And we now have a number of scheduled gigs in the new year, both at the Alley and at St. Peter's Bakery, which is also *tiny*. Maybe a small electronic kit would do?

The three of us arrived to set up at 5:00 - last time we showed up at 6:00 to play at 7:00, but this time they asked us to be there at 5:00. Our setup and sound check took 15-20 minutes, so we then had time to kill before it was time to play. We sat at a table and ordered some food and a glass of wine and chatted. They told us they had a good number of reservations, which was exciting - the crowd was small the first time (I think the restaurant had just opened.)

Sandy brought a thermos of homemade glogg - a Swedish spiced wine, served hot. It was good, and had enough of a kick to get you through those long Swedish winters! We toasted the gig with a shot.

A few of my aikido friends came in around 7:00, and Darling Wife and brother Chris came in shortly after 7:00. The place did indeed turn out to be pretty full, and we had a great time. We played two sets, and ended the first with Sarah McLachlan's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and the second set with "Santa Baby" (played in our Santa hats!) I *despise* "Santa Baby" when I hear it on the radio, but it was a lot of fun to play. Darling Wife filmed it, and we had a great time (and what's a few forgotten lyrics between friends?)

Oh, Sandy once again invited people to sing or dance during "Brown Eyed Girl", and brother Chris does not need to be asked twice. He grabbed our friend Erika, and they danced up a storm. (I thanked Erika afterwards for being so good-natured, and she assured me it was her pleasure.)

We shared a dessert after packing up, and agreed that it was another successful and super-fun evening.

Eric Johnson's Favorite Guitars

Fun little article with video clips of Eric Johnson's favorite guitars. Cool stuff.

Update on Lessons

A month ago, I wrote that Younger Daughter and I were starting weekly lessons - she on guitar, me on mandolin. A month later, she is working very hard at it and making great progress. I'm pleased and proud, but most of all happy for her that she's found something she loves to do. So she's continuing with the teacher we found.

I enjoyed my month of lessons, but I'm not continuing (and since you pay by the month, I didn't renew for December.) I got a couple of good technical pointers, but I need more - and I found it. I saw a number of flowing recommendations online for Mike Marshall's online mandolin school.

That's not a name that meant anything to me, but a little Googling shows that he's considered one of the very top mandolin players. He's set up a school where you pay by the month and get unlimited access to a big library of video lessons, which you can go through at your own pace. There are loads of free video lessons on YouTube, but seemed worth paying for. You also get access to printed tabs of the songs in the lessons - and the big thing is you can make your own video and submit it to the site, and Mike Marshall will review it and give you a video response. Not exactly the same as a real-time Skype lesson - but interactive nonetheless. A note for the frugal among us - unlimited access to Mike Marshall is *way* less expensive than half an hour a week at in in-person lesson.

I signed up two weeks ago, and I love it. I've been devouring the lessons. They're divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced. While I knew I wasn't a beginner, I decided it couldn't hurt me to start at the very beginning - that maybe I had some bad habits from being mostly self-taught that I could correct.

I went through all the beginner lessons in a matter of days, and now I'm in the intermediate - which is definitely my current level. The lessons are interesting and challenging, and I'm getting a lot out of them. I haven't submitted a video yet...but I guess I should.... Yes, I'm a little nervous about it, even though he repeatedly asks you to do it. Who knows...maybe I'll even do it this weekend. :-)