StickNews Digest Issue #279 - 11/03/05
An online digest about The Chapman StickŪ published by Jim Reilly.Please send your posts and responses here: sticknews@stick.com
You don't have to be subscribed to post.
To receive new issues by email, send a message with "Subscribe" in the subject line to sticknews@stick.com.
To be notified when new issues are online, send a message with "Notify" in the subject line to sticknews@stick.com.
Check out the Stick Events Calendar to find out about upcoming events near you.
Archives of previous Sticknews Digests can be found at sticknews/archives.
CONTENTS:
WELCOME
- A new place to hang my hat.
- Steve A is busier than ever.
- Live Stick in Montreal.
- Check out the interviews on Irene's site.
- The Stick seems safe in old Sac.
- Speaking in the harmonic minor.
- Giddy Yup little Stickists.
- A tip from the Stick Tech.
GREETINGS FROM A NEW HOME
Hello All,
Ch, ch, ch, ch, changes. Big changes this month for your trusty StickNews provider. I pulled up stakes in Kamloops, packed my wagons and headed east. That's right, east, not west and landed in Calgary, Alberta. You can probably find Calgary on the same maps you used to find Kamloops, it's about a six hour drive due east, just on the other side of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
So I'm no longer holding down the Stick fort in Kamloops. After much soul searching, debate and dialogue I figured a move to a bigger city with all the inherent opportunities and prospects was in order. Don't fear, it's not like I've moved to sunnier, warmer shores. Calgary regularly hits -40 degrees Celsius in the winter, we actually had our first big snow fall last night. The streets are a slushy mess. But with a population pushing a million people and growing incredibly fast and a thriving music scene the move was a no-brainer. Besides, sometimes change is the absolute best thing.
Much to report in the Stick world too. Emmett and Greg are off to France for the fifth annual Festival of Stick and Tap Guitar and Stick Seminar. It 's been a while since Emmett was able to make a trip overseas. I dare say, check this one out if you can. The details are here: www.afstg.com/stage05.php. The first Stick Tech, hosted by Greg and Glenn Poorman was an unqualified success as well. Glenn has posted a write-up: www.poorman.ws/detroitstick/words/events/sticktech2005. And in another first, Bob Culbertson will be travelling to Japan for a Stick Seminar in Hiroshima. Yet one more event not to be missed: www.ramuji.com.
So much to see, so much to do, so much music to make. For those of you near Calgary, drop me a line. I'm looking forward finding out what sort of Stick scene lurks behind these new doors. For everyone else, stay safe, stay warm (think of me on those -40 mornings) and send in those reports on the seminars and concerts going on all over the world. I only wish I could be jetting of to Europe, then over to Japan then back to Charlottesville for the weekend and taking in all these events myself. No time for that though, I'm off to shovel the drive.
Take care,
Jim
WHAT'S GOING ON?
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Free Hands
Date: Wed 28/09/2005
Amazing. I recently revisited Emmett's book Free Hands with a new student. Not only did Mr. Chapman invent this spectacular instrument over thirty years ago, he created a logical system and vocabulary on his own in those early stages. When I reviewed some of the pages and the techniques he was exploring, it's mind boggling that along with the Stick, Emmett found the operators manual simultaneously. And there's a wealth of knowledge. Things that I haven't discovered in 21 years of Stick playing. I'm truly astounded that this book shows the full concept at such an early stage. Simply inspiring.
Steve Adelson
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Flying and carrying on
Date: Sun 09/10/2005
This topic has been brought up before and thought needed revisit. Just returned from Sedona/Phoenix area. For the first time in my flying experience I was told I couldn't bring my Stick (soft case) on the plane. Somehow sweet talked my way and got it on leaving NY. On the return trip, no such luck. With pleading and begging they kept their stance and told me the best they could do is pink tag it, walk it personally to baggage and it would be handed back to me outside the plane on landing. I had no choice and crossed my fingers. Well, on landing, the Stick wasn't brought over. Instead I was told it was in regular baggage, on the carousel. We've all seen how the bags come flying out of there. Fortunately no visual damage was found, but I haven't plugged in yet. They heard it from me. They admitted screwing up, but BFD. So to be on the cautious side, be aware "America West" which is merging with US Air will not accept your instrument as carry on. Carrion yes, carry on no.
Steve A.
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Philly
Date: Tue 11/10/2005
For those in the Philly area, I'll be at the Philly Guitar Show Nov. 12-13 all day, doing demos at the Roland booth and performing in their "Jazz Bar". Takes place at the Convention Center in Fort Washington, Pa. Also might be available for a lesson or two, if there's any downtime.
Steve Adelson
From: Sylvain Auclair [Sylvain@heavenscry.com]
Subject: SANN Live in Montreal!
Date: Fri 21/10/2005
I would like to let you all know that SANN (Instrumental ambient Stick & Violin Alto, Viola) will be playing at ''Casa Del Popolo'' on November 27th, 2005.
4873 boul. St-Laurent
Montreal, QC, Canada
H2T 1R6
Show starts at 9 p.m.
For more info and music sample contact: www.nothingness.org/music/rhythm/ or Sylvain@heavenscry.com
Keep the musical spirit alive!
Sylvain.
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Turkey
Date: Mon 24/10/2005
No it's not Thanksgiving yet. I've just been asked to play in Istanbul Dec. 16 and 17. Specs to be announced. It will be a trio date at a well-known Jazz Club. Are there any Stick players/fans in the neighbourhood?
Also, if anyone has any leads for extending my stay in the vicinity, I'm open to suggestions/offers.
Thanks,
Steve Adelson
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: interesting link
Date: Wed 26/10/2005
Here's something new. A site that features some cool jazz guitar players and lo and behold, a familiar Stick player has entered the realm.
Latest podcast is up. Music by Tom Stewart, Barry Greene, Steve Adelson, Eric Elias and Edison West.
Enjoy!
Nick Carver
noidlefrets.blogspot.com
Stan Dalone
From: irene@musicbrothersrecords.com
Subject: Two new interviews
Date: Thu 27/10/2005
This month I interviewed two great artists for my Showcase page: Guillermo Cides and Trey Gunn.
The link is here: www.musicbrothersrecords.com/irene/showcase.html
Best,
Irene
From: Michael Kollwitz [michael@michaelkollwitz.com]
Subject: November '05 Performances
Date: Tue 01/11/2005
Hope you had a Happy Halloween. Wow- it's already November! Time to pull out those warm coats and brush up on my Christmas songs for the coming Holiday Season...
It was great to meet many of you in the past month at events in Modesto, Pleasant Hill, Santa Rosa, Pleasanton, Rohnert Park, Benicia, Palm Desert and Sacramento. I'll be performing at a number of events again during November. My calendar for this month is at the bottom of this email. Scroll down and see if I'll be performing near you.
Thanks again for the many letters of support in my ongoing saga with Old Sacramento. Just last week I sent them a big binder with all your letters and comments. There were almost 150 total (wow!). I hope that will give them ample reason to reconsider the revocation of my permit in 2006. I plan to meet with them this month and hopefully resolve this issue. I'll let you know how it goes in my December email.
In the meantime- wishing you and yours a great upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and hope to see you again soon!
All the best,
~Michael Kollwitz
Chapman Stick soloist
www.MichaelKollwitz.com
P.S. I still have some openings in December for Holiday parties and events. If you'd like me to perform at yours, please email me so we can work out the details. Thanks for your support of my music on The Chapman Stick!
November 2005 Performances
Thu, Nov 3rd; 9 am - 1 pm
MARIN CIVIC CENTER MARKET
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, CA 94903
www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org/srcc.htm
Fri, Nov 4th; 6 pm - 9 pm
RECEPTION for 9th ANNUAL SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL
Cottage & Paesano Rooms @ Hutchins St. Square
125 S. Hutchins St.
Lodi, CA
www.lodichamber.com/cranefestival.asp
Price: $free
I'll be performing during the reception (free admission) on Fri. from
approx. 6:00-9:00 pm.
Sat & Sun, Nov 5th & 6th; 10 am - 4 pm
9th ANNUAL SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL
Hutchins Street Square
125 S. Hutchins St.
Lodi, CA
www.lodichamber.com/cranefestival.asp
Price: $see website
On Sat & Sun I'll be performing at the Exhibit Hall (also free admission to Exhibit Hall only) from 10:00 am - 4:00pm.
Sat, Nov 12th; 6 pm - 9 pm
20TH STREET ART GALLERY
911 20th St. (between I and J streets)
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-930-0500
www.20art.net/
I'll be performing from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at this gallery in conjunction with
the monthly Second Saturday event.
Thu, Nov 17th; 8 pm - 10 pm
FUZIO'S RESTAURANT
1020 10th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 557-9711
www.fuzio.com
I'll be performing solo at this upscale restaurant.
Sat & Sun, Nov 19th & 20th; 11 am - 3 pm
12TH ANNUAL MOUNTAIN MANDARIN FESTIVAL
Gold Country Fairgrounds
1273 High Street
Auburn, CA 95604
www.mandarinfestival.com/
I'll be performing on the Sierra Stage from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm on both days.
The festival runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day and admission is free.
YOUR MONTHLY WORKOUTS
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Spinal Column #10
Date: Wed 12/10/2005
"THE HARMONIC MINOR SCALE"
This needs explanation. It doesn't have anything to do with string harmonics. The scales' name will be explained in our conclusion. Let's start by going to a pure or natural minor which is the same as an Aeolian mode or the relative minor (1 1/2 steps behind a Major scale)
"A "natural minor (relative of C Maj) = A B C D E F G
values compared to A Major scale 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
If we build triads (1-3-5) based on this scale we get:
i ii blll iv v bVI bVll
Ace Bdf Ceg Dfa Egb Fac Gbd
(Am) (Bdim) (CMaj) (Dm) (Em) (FMaj) (GMaj)
If we go a step further and add sevenths:
im7 ii half dim7 bIIIMaj7 ivm7 vm7 bviMaj7 bviiMaj7
Aceg Bdfa Cegb Dfac Egbd Face Gbdf
(Am7) (B half dim.7) (CMaj7) (Dm7) (Em7) (FMaj7) (GMaj7)
Read on...
From: Chris Crain [stickmusic@earthlink.net]
Subject: Giddy Yup
Date: Thu 13/10/2005
I thought it would be fun to write a short rhythmic tune; that incorporates some of the right-hand chords I showed you last month. I call it "Giddy Yup".
Download the files and let's take a look at it.
StaffTab: giddyyup.pdf
Audio: giddyyup.mp3
The first two measures set up the LH rhythm, which is a root-5-5 motor. This pattern remains consistent throughout the tune, but modulates through four different chords/positions. Practice the left-hand part, moving through all the changes for the entire song, until it becomes second nature.
It becomes second nature here...
From: nandav8@netscape.net
Subject: A tip from the Stick Tech
Date: 25/10/2005
Extended Graphite Notes-Free! or how to D-Tuna/ Hip-Shot the Stick. When Michael Manring toured with Greg, it seemed he played the D-Tuna/Hip-Shot drop tuning machines more than the fretboard. The D-Tuna/Hip Shot allows a player to quickly lower the tuning on a particular string mechanically without adjusting the tension on the string giving it its pitch. If you are Jonezing for the Extended Graphite range, but your cash is not as extended, try this trick. Use a pitch shifter device, like the Digitech Whammy pedal, only on the bass side of the Stick. Set it to lower the pitch by a "2nd" when activated. Voila! Your low D, classic tuning, is now a low C. Likewise all the lowest frettable notes have shifted so A =G, E=D, B=A, F#=E. Don't forget the entire bass side is now down one whole step. Your melody side is unaffected. Have fun and hope it inspires some great music!
Other news, It was an honor to play with Greg and Glenn Poorman at the Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville, VA for Stick Night for the first Stick-Tech Seminar. The seminar was jam packed with advanced mastering information geared directly for the Stick, and a wealth of practical live rig playing advice as well. A Must Attend for all for the next one and hosted at a wonderful facility- the Music Resource Center. Kudos to Greg and Glenn! Finally, I will at the Coffee Den, in the St. Clair shops in Pittsburgh, every 2nd and 4th Friday, opening for the Primatives.
Keep Tapping!
Dave Brosky
Please send your posts and responses to: sticknews@stick.com.
Copyright 2007 by Jim Reilly, all rights reserved, except where noted. The opinions expressed by subscribers and contributors to this digest are not necessarily those of the publisher. Any business transactions arranged by readers of StickNews are solely their responsibility, and not those of Jim Reilly.
Stick and Chapman Stick are registered trademarks of Stick Enterprises, Inc., and are used in the title of this digest with permission.
Archives of previous Sticknews Digests can be found at sticknews/archives.
End of StickNews #279.