I’m excited to announce I’ve been selected to perform an official showcase at the SERFA (Southeastern Regional Folk Alliance) conference in May in North Carolina!
New to Folk Alliance? FA is a really cool non-profit dedicated to the promotion of folk and roots music. Their conferences feature days of official showcased music, guerilla shows in hotel rooms, featured speakers, music workshops, etc. Big thanks to Craig Carrick who introduced me to the organization a few years ago. This will be my first attendance and showcase.
Also, I’ll be organizing a tour through OH, KY, TN and NC on my way to the conference, which is May 16-18. My showcase day will be announced soon, and I’ll announce more tour-dates as they are confirmed for that week of May 11-15.
I’m excited that my tour might bring me to the doorsteps of friends, family and musical peeps along the way (especially you, Sarah and Bill!)
Other Showcase Artists at SERFA will include:
Alicia McGovern, Beggar’s Ride, Buddy Mondlock, Caroline Aiken, Darryl Purpose, David Russell, Lara Herscovitch, Lyal Strickland, Hiroya Tsukamoto, Marc Black and Amy Fradon, Rj Cowdery, Robin Greenstein, Spook Handy, Sultans Of String, Susan Herndon, The Billy Jonas Band, and The Hollands!.
When the zipper’s stuck, is your instinct to pull?
It’s always mine. I’m impatient. But that’s not the best solution, getting the zipper caught further or tearing the fabric.
Playing a section of music incorrectly is like getting the zipper stuck. I often want to rush through practicing the parts that aren’t easy.
Instead, it’s best to:
- Slow down
- Break down the music into sections and parts
- Identify the parts that are difficult
- Practice parts in isolation
- Try clapping the rhythm
- Try humming the melody or riff
- Play parts before the tricky section and after and play it all the way through
- Play the composition all the way through after you have worked out the sections
Still stuck? Take a break and come back to it.
Quick note: Sometimes you have to look at things froma new angle (especially because one can play the same note or chord on guitar in many ways.)
I often get stuck transcribing a piece of music when I’m trying to make it too complicated with the finger patterns.
KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. Find the easy answer. That often gets me unstuck.
When a musician first hears a virtuoso, like guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, he or she will choose one of two reactions:
1. Oh my God! This guitar player is too good, I should cut my hands off and give up!
or
2. Oh my God! This guitar player is so inspiring, I should learn how they learned and practice more!
Remember, all virtuosos started as beginners; and when they heard their heroes for the first time, they made a choice.
Be inspired, not daunted.
When I think of Ann Arbor music as a new resident here, I first think of the Ragbirds, the Ark, the Blind Pig, Herb David Guitar, Jim Roll’s, Laith al-Saadi–and Matt Altruda.
Matt is Ann Arbor music scene’s main cheerleader, our United Nation’s Music Scene Diplomat. From his radio show on 107.1, the Sonic Lunch concert series, the Let’s Get Weird variety shows at LIVE, to his attendance at numerous shows in the area, Matt does so much to bringing and support eclectic music in tree town.
Recently, the Ann Arbor press has been writing about Matt’s hard work bringing music to the forefront of Ann Arbor: http://www.annarbor.com/tag/Matthew%20Altruda/
Matt’s been quite welcoming to Natalie and I this last half year as we’ve gotten to know our new home; and I’m excited to now bring my music to his 107.1 FM radio show on Sunday, May 19.
I will be debuting a new song, talking about my upcoming show at the Ark (May 28! Free!), and my new, married life as an Ann Arbor resident.
Sunday, May 19, 2013 – 107.1 FM Tree Town Sound
with host Matt Altruda
- Listen online here (click “Listen live” button in upper right-hand corner)
- Show starts at 6 PM
Monday, March 4, 2013 – Fearless Radio
Interview and live performance
1 PM (CST)
- To listen: http://www.fearlessradio.com/ and click “Listen Now”
- Tweet questions: www.twitter.com/fearlessradio
I’ll be stopping in at my favorite Chicago radio station, Fearless Radio, before my show at the Hard Rock Cafe this night. The show will be streaming live at the link above!
