StickNews Digest Issue #289 - 12/11/06
An online digest about The Chapman Stick® published by Jim Reilly.Please send your posts and responses here: sticknews@stick.com
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CONTENTS:
HAPPY TAPPING TO ALL
- The future is so bright...
- NS/loud and Pround
- New Featured Artist, Online Videos, and Interview on Stick.com
- December '06 Performances
- Jonas 3 Stick tour dates
- Spinal Column #20
- Silver Bells
- The Roland V-Bass - a very flexible floor processor
HAPPY TAPPING TO ALL
Hello All,The Holiday Season is fast upon us, the year is coming to a close. Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy season and all the best for the New Year. Hard to believe another year has come and gone...
A couple of weeks ago I gave a Stick presentation to a group of High School kids. I've done this a few times now, and it always amazes me how into it they are. From the first notes their excitement and enthusiasm are infectious. I always make the comparison between The Stick and other musical instruments, specifically just how rare it is for new musical instruments to be developed and have success. I point out just how lucky we are to be able to be a part of the birth of a new instrument. Of course the highlight is when I strap one of my Sticks onto their teacher and show the teacher how to tap. Invariably apprehension gives way to tentative abandon when the teacher realizes that I wasn't lying when I said that all you have to do is line your hands up and let your fingers do the tapping. It always encourages me when I let the kids pick up The Stick and try it for themselves. One kid was figuring out Metallica lines that he knew on guitar on my Stick. Can't help but feel that The Stick's future is in good hands.
Once you make your way through all the good stuff below, down past the lessons, you'll find a wonderful article from Brian McCully about his use of the Roland V-Bass and V-Guitar systems with his GK pickup equipped Stick. I'd like to thank Brian for all the hard work he put into this interesting, educational and in-depth exploration of these different technologies integrated with The Stick. It seems like Stick players are naturally drawn towards new technologies and I'm looking forward to hearing from anyone else who is experimenting with different ways to make music with their Stick. Part one of Brian's piece begins below; part two will be in next month's issue. Again, feel free to send in stories about your sonic Stick discoveries too.
Don't forget to stop by www.stick.com for the holiday shopping needs of all the Stick players on your list. Michael Kollwitz is the new featured artist. He has a long and colourful Stick history and a lot of new music for you to check out. Last year was another great year for Stick players and Stick music, here's hoping that 2007 will be even better (with a new CD from Steve Adelson on the horizon it looks like we're getting off to a good start).
Once again, a safe and happy Holiday season to all!
Take care,
Jim
THE NEWS AS IT BREAKS
From: Don Schiff [donschiff@sbcglobal.net]Subject: NS/loud and Pround
Date: 07/11/2006
Hello everyone!
I just got back from a brief tour in lovely Laughlin, Nevada. "How was it?" you might ask.... "Well, from my perspective - lovely "Laughlin" is kinda like the old Laugh-In TV show joke when they would say "Lovely downtown Burbank" and truth be known - Downtown Burbank is 'less than lovely'. I had a nice time however... I'm easy to please, give me a free buffet, a nice room where I can write and practice all day and watch a little TV, then "I'm good"... however for those that like to get out of the room and do stuff... well.............. let's put it this way... The band could of stayed one more night, wake up the next day, go to the airport and catch our flights home... However the group elected to 'Rent a car' that night and drive home right after the last performance!!
"It's safe to say my enjoyment standards are low comparatively". Like I said, I'm easy... and the buffet wasn't that good AND one of the donuts I ate was stale.... "oh wait, I'm starting to complain".... it's good we left early.
Here's something nice, I get a solo on each show. Ya know, "a moment in the performance routine where you can stretch out and do what ya want".... (Here's a secret of what that statement really means -- "A point in a show where you actually wake up and start to pay attention to what's goin' on around you") Just kiddin', I'm sharp as a tack from the down beat of a show to last cut off. (How's that for a back pedaling).
Anyway, the theater Lighting booth, and sound booth techs came over to me after the weeks run to say that they all requested the sound in both booths be cranked up during the NS/solo because they were really into it. That's an extra nice compliment because anyone working in a booth has the option to keep the 'show' and in-particular 'your solo' "Sooo Low" that it's barely audible...
So ya see folks, "sure I can get a few notes in the right order however if it doesn't sound good - the order won't matter so much!"
Our friend the NS/Stick not only had me 'lookin' styling (which is a lot of the time what seems to impress most in 'show business') but also sounding like an A-1 top notch player (which is what really counts in show business to those 'in the know').
Okay, so let me re-direct you now to my blog page for more of the "Laughlin' hotel adventures" ... mainly because my fingers are tired of writing and I wrote the story at least once there already. Okay... ready, everyone all together now --- go to --- www.donschiff.com/blog better yet, go to just www.donschiff.com so the website counter will 'count' you. Okay, okay... so I clicked it 23,000 times myself!!
I just like to look busy.
Take care,
Don
www.donschiff.com
www.myspace.com/donschiff1
From: Stickist@aol.comSubject: New Featured Artist, Online Videos, and Interview on Stick.com
Date: 11/12/2006
Michael Kollwitz is our new featured artist: www.stick.com/features/artist
He's got a new DVD out, and there's a hi-res downloadable excerpt on our site.
In addition to Michael's excerpt, there's a live video of Marotta/Griesgraber in France from last year:
www.stick.com/onlinevideos
There's also a new Jim Reilly "Talking Sticks" interview with Yours Truly about improvisation:
www.stick.com/interviews/howard_12_06
Happy Reading and Viewing,
Greg
From: SteveAFran@aol.comSubject: New Stick
Date: 14/11/2006
Just received my new "Celestial Stick" today. FANTASTIC!! Inlays of planets, sun and comets, executed artistically by Cliff Suttle. Finished by Emmett and crew, it plays like a dream. Very exciting. Pictures as soon as I stop playing it. Big thanks to SE and Sharkinlay.
Steve A
(NOTE: We've got the pics! Check it out here )
From: Michael Kollwitz [michael@michaelkollwitz.com]Subject: December '06 Performances
Date: 30/11/2006
Wow- I can't believe it- Christmas is right around the corner and December is already here. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your heels. My goodness! What a great year it has been so far...
I don't know about you but Christmas shopping is not one of my most favorite activities. So, I've decided to help you with yours this year as a special gift. I've reduced the price of ALL of my CDs (and the DVD) by 40% if you buy more than one copy. That means you can get a lot of great musical Christmas gifts for very little money and never even leave the comfort of your home. Isn't the Internet the greatest? If you'd like to explore the possibility of giving my music on The Stick as a Christmas gift this year simply click here: http://www.cdbaby.com/all/stikmstr
If you order now you'll get everything in time for Christmas and make someone on your list very happy!
Other news: the new DVD has done well. Everyone who has seen it has given it high marks (including the inventor of The Stick, Emmett Chapman). You can see a 3:30 minute clip of one of the songs from the DVD on http://www.YouTube.com. Just search for 'Michael Kollwitz', 'Steppin' Out' or 'Chapman Stick' and you should have no problem finding it.
Below you will find my December calendar. If you happen to be flying out of Sacramento International Airport this month, you may see me there. But you'll need to be on an early flight as I'm performing from 5-8 AM. Oh my. That IS early! Better put batteries in my alarm clock...
Hope to see you soon and thanks, as always, for your support!
All the best,
~Michael Kollwitz
Chapman Stick performer
http://www.MichaelKollwitz.com
http//www.MySpace.com/MichaelKollwitz
DECEMBER 2006 CALENDAR:
Dec 1st:Â 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal B-1
I'll be performing as part of the airport's Holiday Entertainment Series.
http://www.sacairports.org/int/about/holiday_entertainment_program.htm
Dec 2nd: 6:30-9:00 PM
PACIOCCO'S ITALIAN TRATTORIA
537 G Street, Lincoln, CA. Reservations recommended call (916) 434-9775
http://www.pacioccos.com/
Dec 3rd: 12:30-4:30 PM
OLD SUGAR MILL
35265 Willow Ave., Clarksdale, CA
http://www.oldsugarmill.com
Dec 4th: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal A
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
Dec 8th: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal B-1
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
Dec 11th: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal A
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
Dec 15th: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal B-1
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
Dec 16th: 6:30-9:00 PM
PACIOCCO'S ITALIAN TRATTORIA
(see Dec. 2 above for more info)
Dec 17th: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
MARIN COUNTY FARMER'S MARKET
across from Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, CA
http://www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org/sanrafael.htm
Dec 18th: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal A
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
Dec 22nd: 5:00-8:00 AM
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-Terminal A
(see Dec. 1 above for more info)
From: George J3 [george.baldwin@btconnect.com]
Subject: Jonas 3 Stick tour dates
Date: 02/12/2006
DATES:
FEB 3rd STAFF UNIVERSITY
4th LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
5th CHESTER tbc
8th NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS
11th BOURNEMOUTH OLD FIRE STATION
15th MANCHESTER ACADEMY
16th WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC CENTRE
28th BRIGHTON KOMEDIA
MORE TO COME VERY SOON!!!!
band website: Jonas 3
LEARN A TUNE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: "And On Blue Guitar"
Date: 02/12/2006
There was the person who sent ten different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did!
There's also a rumor that I will have a new CD out real soon. That soon is Dec. 23, 2007.
"Adventures In Stickology" features 9 really special guest guitar players in various styles. I'm excited to have this music finally come to life.
I thought for this month I would offer an analysis of one the tunes that features guitar master Dean Brown . Dean has played on over 200 recordings from Billy Cobham and David Sanborn to Roberta Flack, Marcus Miller and more. He's a special player. Here's the progression as presented in The Spinal Column (cue Rod Serling).
(Cue the rest of the lesson here)
From: Chris Crain [stickmusic@earthlink.net]
Subject: Silver Bells
Date: 28/11/2006
I would like to return to the topic of transitional finger positioning. Last time, the focus was aimed toward left-hand work, whereas, this time we will work on the right hand. Plus, there is a bonus - you get to learn a new song! Download the following files to get started.
(You can find the lesson and files here )
Like I said, we will be focusing on the right-hand, but you might want to familiarize yourself with the LH chord progression first.
ON THE CUTTING EDGE
From: Brian McCully [spuzroy@yahoo.com]
Subject: The Roland V-Bass - a very flexible floor processor
Date: 25/11/06
The Roland V-Bass hasn't received a lot of buzz from the Stick community, at least that I've observed. Last I noticed, the Roland VG-88v2 and other Roland products are available from Stick Enterprises, but not the VG-88's processing sibling - the V-Bass, which is the VG-88's silver-hardware twin. I'm not a Roland sales guy and have no affiliation with the company, but I do like and use their products. The purpose for this article is to offer my Stick experiences on this unit.
I've been using the Roland V-Bass for about a year now, as a bass-side processor for my Stick, and I have found the unit to be a quite capable bass modeling processor, plus effects unit. The V-Bass also fulfills a need for the Stick that I've tried to tackle by other means, which is splitting the Stick's bass audio output into individual or mixed string parts. This write-up was initially conceived to expound on the split signal capability, although I've augmented with some sound examples, intro and history bits to round out the story...
The included sound examples are random improvisational samplings of the V-Bass sound. I included only V-Bass sounds (plus Stick melody and drum tracks) so as not to muddle with any further processing, even though I discuss this potential in the article. Perhaps at a later date I'll record and post further 'developed' sounds from the split V-Bass output.
(Brian's article and sound samples continue
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 #289.