StickNews Digest Issue #287 - 10/09/06
An online digest about The Chapman StickŪ published by Jim Reilly.Please send your posts and responses here: sticknews@stick.com
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CONTENTS:
BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER
- Change in the air at StickNews.
- The improved NS/Stick is here.
- Tha 2 Zigg Zaggs album Ridin' High now available.
- Bring back the "Way back Machine".
- How Hard Is Too Hard?
- Big Show.
- Beginner and Teacher Seminar Nov 4 and 5.
- Emmett Chapman 1983 DVD now available.
- Oct. '06 Calendar, DVD Release Party, etc.
- Boogie Woogie.
- Muck and Brass.
- Spinal Column #18.
BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER
Hello All,
Once again there is change in the StickNews air. And there is cause for excitement, because this is change for the better. As StickNews continues to grow and evolve and more and more folks just like you are signing up, we've decided that StickNews should grow too. Our mission has always been to connect you with the latest happenings in the Stick world, while giving you some top of the line instruction, tips and stories from the hands of some of the top players and Stick instructors. This hasn't changed. What has changed is the way we're going to delivery the News.
The biggest shift is a regular publication schedule. We're going to sending out StickNews the first Thursday of every month. The goal is to make it easier for people sending in submissions to plan accordingly and to give everyone else a sense of when they can expect the next big hit from the World of The Stick. So if you need to arrange a weekend away from the wife and kids so you can work through the last offering from Chris or Steve or Ron, now you'll be able to give your loving family plenty of notice. If you have gig announcements, keep the publication date in mind, and if you can, get them to us about a week before the publication date. That said, we will do everything we can to get those last minute submissions in.
We're going to make StickNews available online first, then sending it out to the mailing list. In the past we've published in the opposite order. Don't worry, you don't need to change anything, you'll still receive your issue just as before. We're just trying to maximize the exposure and get StickNews in as many people's hands as possible. We've also made some formatting changes to both the online and delivered versions of The News. Hopefully these make your StickNews browsing easier and more interactive. Let us know what you think.
So here we go! Lots and lots of new stuff at stick.com. Check out Tom G's upcoming dates opening up for the Tony Levin band. The new NS/Stick page looks amazing. There is a new DVD featuring some rare, and exhilarating footage of Emmett, and the AFSTG has just announced this year's Stick and Tap Guitar Festival.
I'm really excited about this refocusing here at StickNews and thank all of you for support, encouragement and SUBMISSIONS. Keep them coming in.
Take care,
Jim
ALL THE BEST STUFF
From: Emmett Chapman [emmett@stick.com]
Subject: The improved NS/Stick is here
Date: 05/10/06
|
Hi all, For the past two years we've been working to improve the NS/Stick design, materials and manufacturing processes, and now this model is again ready, this time featuring a new graphite neck from Moses, Inc., three different hardwood choices for the body, and a variety of color stains with a penetrating "soft finish", allowing the player to feel the wood itself. All the unique original features remain unchanged, including the selectable 3-position quad EMG active pickups with tone controls, switchable stereo/mono outputs, patented retractable damper, caliper style fine-tuners at the tailpiece, and Ned Steinberger's amazing "side-saddle" bridge and nut. |
We're now delivering back-orders and are ready to take new orders.
Greg has just finished an elaborate new NS/Stick page, now up on our SE Website. You can find lots of striking new photos, descriptive details and links about our newly refined NS/Stick at:
www.stick.com/instruments/ns
Hope you enjoy the browse,
Emmett.
From: Darrell Havard [dhavard@comcast.net]
Subject: Tha 2 Zigg Zaggs album Ridin' High now available for download at afromanmusic.com
Date: 20/09/2006
Hi all.
The 2 Zigg Zaggs album "Ridin' High" is now available for download at afromanmusic.com for $5. Yes for the price of a mixed drink (a weak one at that) you can have some fresh funky beats to bump.
Just go to afromanmusic.com>merchandise>'fro sto and click on the album download. After you've made the purchase, you'll receive an email with a link for a temporary site where you can download the album.
The album features some 2ZZ instrumentals with Premo "Jody" Stallone on drums, drum prog., and vox(DJ Hardcore Mutherf$#cker), and Darrell Havard on Chapman Stick, NS/Stick, keys, and bass. Special guest MCs include: Strainj, Shugg, Afroman, O Period of Squeezetoy and Lower Thirds, Fatsoe One, PoBoy, and DJ Mr. Mixx makes a coupla cameos.
Hope you enjoy! No word yet on when the hardcopy CD will be available, but in the meantime we appreciate your support of Tha 2 Zigg Zaggs and Hungry Hustler Records.
Oh, and the album, although I wouldn't consider it "nasty", does come with a Explicit Content Advisory so you can't say I didn't tell you so.
Peace
Funky D
www.darrellhavard.com
www.afromanmusic.com
www.myspace.com/twoziggzaggs
www.myspace.com/darrellhavard
From: Don Schiff [donschiff@sbcglobal.net]
Subject: bring back the "Way back Machine"
Date: 23/09/2006
Hi All,
In this new age of 'myspace' something fun has turned up. Ohhhh goin' in the 'way back machine' to 1987 I co-wrote with Tully Winfield and she and I had a band. The studio that we recorded at has two tunes up we did.
www.myspace.com/woodcliffstudio
Both were recorded with Stick (mainly in the bass role) however in the song "Under The Olive Tree" the keyboard parts were Stick midi-triggered (using the Roland keyboard unit mt-32.... Whoa remember that one!) Coincidently enough my instrumental version of "Under The Olive Tree" is also up on www.myspace.com/donschiff1. Using the NS/Stick.
"Cerebral Man" is the other song that is up. This is our demo version. "Pat Benatar" later recorded it on her "Wide Awake In Dreamland" album that went gold. I don't get to say "that went gold" so often so I thought I'd take the moment to mention it here.. yet again.. You can hear both sides of the Stick on this one as well.
I recorded three albums last month for various artists using the NS/Stick that at the moment I can't mention BUT will later as they release in record stores the end of November. (Distributors and promotions dept. get testy when you announce things before they do)....
Take care,
Don
www.donschiff.com
www.myspace.com/donschiff1
From: Marc Pelath [marc.pelath@gmail.com]
Subject: 25/09/2006
Date: How Hard Is Too Hard?
Hi Jim,
I just picked up my Stick again after a looong absence (triggered by personal turmoil, extended by a long affair with a Rickenbacker, extended further by going back to school). Although things are coming back to me gradually (you know, like where the notes are), there is something very basic that I don't think I ever paid proper attention to before, and about which I am allowing myself to be confused about this time around. That element of Stickistry is: how hard to tap.
I think this is really the most difficult thing for me (in contrast to hand independence, which doesn't bother me particularly since my musicial training began with piano). I feel like I shouldn't have to be thumping as hard as I do. I need to tap hard enough to get a good tone, but the harder I tap, the less under control are my fingers -- they go flying into other strings, into other frets, or into blank space.
The action of the strings seems low enough to me. So what might be my problem? I'm using heavy gauge strings -- should I get lighter strings? Should I turn up the gain and use a lighter touch? How hard is it normal to tap? Like typing on a computer keyboard, or like typing on a mechanical typewriter (which is what it seems like now)? Do I just need practice?
Any advice you, or anyone on the list, could offer would be appreciated.
Thanks, and best regards,
Marc Pelath
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Big Show
Date: 02/10/2006
If anyone's interested, it's conformed, I'll be performing a duo set at the Long Island Hall Of Fame event Oct. 15 in Patchaugue LI.
Pricey tix but lotsa' heavyweight attendees/honorees including, Billy Joel, Dee Snyder, Leslie West, musical director Paul Schaeffer and on and on ... www.limusichalloffame.org
Steve A
From: Stickist@aol.com
Subject: Beginner and Teacher Seminar Nov 4 and 5
Date: 03/10/2006
Hi everyone,
I'm happy to announce the first of a new kind of seminar for Stick instruction. Over the past few years I've been focusing on the importance of a good technique foundation for beginner students, and now I'd like to start passing on some of what I've learned about teaching this way to interested teachers while teaching beginner students as well.
The weekend of November 4th, there will be a Stick seminar in Charlottesville for beginner players and teachers who are interested in focusing on this physical approach.
You can find out more at:
www.greghoward.com/events/seminar
There are still a few slots available for students and teachers in training.
Hope to see you there.
Happy Tapping,
Greg
From: Stickist@aol.com
Subject: Emmett Chapman 1983 DVD now available
Date: 06/10/2006
|
Hi all, The new featured video at www.stick.com is a 1983 TV studio performance and interview with Emmett from a Los Angeles program called "Soundboard TV." This was a series focusing on different guitarists, hosted by John Schneider and produced by John and Sal Guitarez. This half-hour program featuring Emmett is now available on DVD from SE. For more please see: www.stick.com/features/video There's a 3-minute Quicktime preview there as well. Happy viewing, Greg |
From: Michael Kollwitz [michael@michaelkollwitz.com]
Subject: Oct. '06 Calendar, DVD Release Party, etc.
Date: 06/10/2006
Omigosh! It's already October. Gee whiz- what happened to summer? It's even getting chilly in the mornings! Oh no- this can't be happening... But- then again- no problema; the festivities are just beginning- the holidays are right around the corner!
Just wanted to let you know that my new DVD release, "Live In Concert" will be arriving any day so we're gonna go ahead and celebrate.! YOU'RE INVITED to the official release party on Wednesday, October 18th. If you're in the Sacramento area that evening and you can make it over- we'd love to see you. There is no charge and you can consider this your invitation! We'll be celebrating at Sacramento Brewing Co. (great food, great beer and great people!). You'll find more info about this event listed at the bottom of this email.
On the same day, I'll be having another first: not only will I be releasing my first-ever DVD, I'll also be releasing my first-ever digital download only album entitled "20 Greatest Hits"! It will be on all the digital music sites (like iTunes, Rhapsody, etc.). Of course, there are no physical copies but, hey- the whole world is going digital, right?. Why not get on the bandwagon now?
We've also completely revamped my website and it includes many new features that we've never had before. Now you can search the website for anything you might be interested in and you can leave comments on almost anything you like. It now includes radio interviews and a number of video clips- including ones from Joel Samuel's archives back in the 90's (when I lived in Arizona). Joel has some amazing clips and I heartily recommend you look him up on YouTube.com.
Revamping the website is a big job; we're still working on reloading the photo galleries (but they'll be bigger than ever) In the meantime- take a sneak preview of everything else- that is: IF you dare...
Hope you can catch me this Sat. or Sun. in Pleasant Hill, CA. Stop by if you can. Look forward to seeing you soon. As always, thanks for your support of my music on The Chapman Stick.
All the best,
Michael Kollwitz
Chapman Stick performer
www.MichaelKollwitz.com
OCTOBER 2006 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
Oct 7th & 8th: All Day
3rd ANNUAL PLEASANT HILL ART, WINE & JAZZ FESTIVAL in downtown Pleasant Hill, CA
I'll be performing in a booth all weekend. 'll also be performing on the main stage Sunday from 10:30-11:30 am. This is a free event. For more info and directions, please visit:
http://www.pleasanthillchamber.com/?page=artnwine
Oct 18th: 7:00-9:00 pm
DVD RELEASE PARTY AT SACRAMENTO BREWING CO.
Everyone's invited! Sacramento Brewing Co. is in the Town and Country Village located at:
2713 El Paseo Lane, Sacramento, CA 95821
Also see: http://www.sacbrew.com
Oct 21st: 7:30-10:30 pm
NINA'S DESSERT CAFE
6815 Lonetree Boulevard, A101 Rocklin, CA
For more info and directions, please visit: http://www.ninasdessertcafe.com
KEEP ON TAPPING
From: Chris Crain [stickmusic@earthlink.net]
Subject: Boogie Woogie
Date: Tue 03/10/2006
All right! You finally got your new Stick and you've been wood-shedding for a month. Probably not ready for a world tour or even a local open-mic. But you are definitely ready to accept an invitation to a casual jam with friends. One problem though. you don't know how to jam. Let's see if we can fix that
One of the most fundamental song forms is the I-IV-V7 progression. When thoughtfully arranged, we have the simplest form of the 12 bar blues (conceived by some rocket scientist, I'm sure). The 12 bars (or measures) are arranged like this: 4 bars of the tonic (I), 2 bars of the subdominant (IV), 2 bars of the tonic (I) again, 1 bar of the dominant (V), 1 bar of the subdominant (IV), and 2 bars of the tonic (I) again. For our lesson, the tonic will be 'C'.
Keep the jam going here
From: Ron Baggerman [rbaggerman@yahoo.com]
Subject: Muck & Brass
Date: 02/10/2006
Hello All,
If you're looking for a master of the classic Stick technique-bass/chord in the left hand, melody in the right hand-then you need look no further than Ron Baggerman. In this month's lesson, Ron expands on this theme, giving a repeating left hand progression and a right hand melody that evolves with each passing. As always, my advice is 'do like Ron.' Start out simply, make sure the left hand is solid, get the melody under your fingers, then keep expanding and letting the melody evolve.
When I'm teaching, beginning students often ask, "How can I split me head and think about the melody line and the bass line separately?" My answer is, you can't. For me, the trick is to be aware of how the two hands work together to create one complete musical statement. I remember the moment when things locked into place and I stopped fighting with my Stick. Instead of trying to make it two separate instruments I let it become one big music-making tool. If you're struggling with playing the two parts at the same time, you might want to slow down, and try to get a sense of what it feels like in both hands to be playing the part. Treat it like one musical statement voiced with both hands, not two independent events.
Good luck,
Jim
(MP3s and PDFs here)
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Spinal Column #18
Date: 02/10/2006
This month I've included some excerpts from my forthcoming Stick Method book.
It should be available spring/summer of 2007. It will be called "Stickology......." and published by Mel Bay.
Having limber fingers and total control is crucial for self expression. Technique is not an end, but can bring a liberating attitude toward the music. We make music physically as well as spiritually. The body allows this to happen.
Although this applies to both hands, we'll use the melody side as the example..
Right hand first finger should be placed on the sixth string at a comfortable fret (i.e. 9th).
Tap in succession, 1, 2, 3, 4 using one finger per fret, index on 9th, middle finger on 10th, ring finger on 11th and pinky on 12th. Proceed to the fifth string and play the same ascending chromatic pattern. Continue through each string.
Much, much more here
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 #287.