Topic: Intro to the Port Townsend workshop?

[Emma Lee]

It occurs to me that, especially for us newbies, having a "blues moniker" for the workshop could be very helpful in getting into the country blues groove (and out of our normal desk jockey or otherwise workaday grind). Folks like Gary Davis -- NotRev that is -- are lucky enough to have been born with a bona fide blues name, but perhaps others could acquire one for the purposes of the workshop.

People could use variants on or parts of their real name, but morph it in a country blues direction. For guys, adding a Southern place name to the beginning of your name works well -- Mississippi or Alabama or Memphis of course, but how about Tallahatchie or Chattanooga for fun. Or, picking a style or influence you like. If not blind (thankfully), how 'bout Nearsighted or other mild infirmity? For first names, Willie, Walter, Lonnie, Clarence, Henry, and Charlie are great, but monikers/prefixes like Cow Cow, Furry, and Barbecue are even more fun.

For a last name (optional), Johnson, Williams and the like are great bets, or any pre-20th century president. Or perhaps just add Mc to your last name...?

For the women, it can be pretty simple -- using a simple nickname from a born-at-the-turn-of-the-century sounding first name works well. If Elizabeth, go with Bessie, Lizzie, or something sweet like that. Sadie, Hattie, Bertha, Mamie are great, or add Mae or maybe Lee onto your first name, or just be Ma. But you too can go with even more inventive names like Sippie and the like. For last names, you don't have to be a Smith sister, but in a pinch...

Just a thought. It could be a lot wackier & funnier than that, but in any case, it might help things along. Thoughts, anyone?

[NotRevGDavis]

Although I'm NotRev here I was called Rev at PT fairly regularly. I usually recognized "weenies" by their forum handle quicker although I knew most members given name. Having a familiar name worked to my advantage at PT because people would approach me and ask if I was NotRev at the WC or AG forums, people who didn't know me at PT would stare blankly at my name badge for a few seconds and then ask, "What is your real name?"
If you were to introduce yourself as Emma Lee at PT I would recognize you from the forum.

A few personal observations about PT:

Classes: BRING A RECORDING DEVICE!, after your chosen instrument the most important tool to have (and batteries). You will be absorbing so much information on a daily basis that you will need something to refer back to. I use a minidisc due to its quality of recording. If you need more info about minidiscs contact me off-forum.

Food: The Fort Worden cafeteria was quite good and a great place to meet fellow participants. The Cafe did a good espresso.

Town: I walked in along the beach (at low tide) a couple of times last year. Port Townsend is a nice little town a bit touristy but during the weekdays the shopkeepers don't mind hanging out.

The Store: If you like listening to the blues the Store on site supplied by Quimper Sound is probably the best collection of Acoustic Blues around.

Hi Tim - as for room with a view, you're in a barracks so you won't spend any time in your room aside from sleeping.

Sleeping???

[Slack]

Hi Emma Lee,

Blues monikers are fun and we obviuosly use them around here and at PT - in fact quite a few of us have the moniker put on our PT buttons.  Some real names just lend themselves to a moniker, some folks are good at thinking of names for themsleves - However, IMO, the best way to obtain a blues moniker is the age old tradition of someone else giving it to you.  (Not sure how you got Emma Lee - but that is a good on.)  So you never know - many of th names you see around here were spontaneous at PT (uncle bud, frontpage, deacon to name a few.)

Cheers,
Slackjaw Johnny  (aka Slackjaw, aka Slack  -- who made  the mistake, 10 minutes before going on stage to perform at a friend and family event, of asking his smart-a El Paso friends what they thought his stage name should be.     )

[cmr]

Hi all

I have a few questions about the PT workshop.  I registered for the workshop and even have a confirmation.  The best way to characterize my guitar playing is that I am  permanently double-parked at the advanced beginner to intermediate level.  I will even purchase a mini-disc recording device.  From a previous post, I've recieved many helpful suggestions.  Since I am somewhat dependent on tab, is it really that helpful?   The PT workshop is my first workshop and have never recieved guitar lessons.  Lastly, what's the deal with Blues Buddies?
Just curious...   

thanks, Charlie

[waxwing]

Someone once said there are really only two classifications in fingerpicking guitar, beginners, and players, and really the only difference is that players know that with enough practice, they can play just about anything. Sounds like you're ready to cross over, and PT is just the place to do it.

Of course tab is helpful, especially when you are starting out and may not have a teacher to show you where to go. But if you hang out here on Weenie Campbell much, you will find that we are all in various degrees of getting away from the tab and developing our ears to be able to hear the licks and know where they are going. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and it's great to use tab to develop your "vocabulary" of blues licks. You might try purchasing one of John Miller's online lessons in which he talks you thru each lick very carefully. You can easily back track, or even loop little sections, playing along with John, first slowly, then up to speed, until you know a part, without ever having looked at "the tab". Many of the teachers provide tab for the songs they teach at PT, but others, like John, do not. But often, by the end of the class, everyone is playing along, note for note. Sure, we're all sleep deprived and won't remember a thing tomorrow (speaking for myself only -G-), but that's where the minidisc comes in. You can just take the class over again.

Basically, after the intro concert, Sunday night after dinner, in which each teacher gives a little demo of what they will be teaching, anyone who wants some advice about choosing which classes to take meets up on the steps of the big house where a bunch of us regulars, with blue ribbons attached to our name buttons, is ready to help you out. If you're having questions anytime you can just spot a blues buddy and talk it over, Like if you think your first class was a little too much (or not enough) of a challenge, a blues buddy might suggest something a little better suited to your style. As a matter of principle, all veteran Weenies enlist as blues buddies.

All for now.
John C.

[Slack]

Hi Charlie,

There will always be folks who play better than you and who play worse than you - it is not a contest. If it gives you pleasure, whatever your level, that's what counts.

Tab is very useful!  While WC doesn't want to be a repository for tab... I'm not sure I could have ever gotten my fingers to work independently without tab.  Having said that - the songs that stick with me the longest, that I remember for the long haul are ones I've tried to figure out (often not very well) by ear.  I've been going to PT for 10 years and stuck at about the same place as you - so what, we can exchange a few songs.    I take guitar lessons once a year at PT.  Actually, my playing is degrading daily as the result of spending way too much time on WeenicCampbell! - so you'll probably be way ahead of me.  My philosophy in the first year (and still do it in fact) is to play my few tunes early - folks then realize I am no threat   - I then relax and party of the rest of the week.   

Blues Buddies are volunteers,  folks that have attended the PT workshop in the past and can answer questions about classes, food, housing, etc etc .... eg Centrum's attempt to make folks feel comfortable. 

Cheers,
slack

[Buzz]

I agree with Slack and John C.
What can I add:
1. Hear the faculty at the opening nite introductions--they play what they? will be teaching, or talk about it--and you will think there is at least 1 of them you want to take at least 1 class from, then you decide what to take in a morning and afternoon class.

( Cool! On the juke as I am writing this is Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Dowwn, took it in dRich Del Grosso's mando class at PT last summer , and am? playing it with a group at a band class I am taking with Morgan, my son. I love hearing it!)

2. We all share minidiscs and will go to different classes, then exchange discs, so if I go to John Miller's class in the afternoon, I can still get a copy of another pm class! Just check with others of us, and we al decide who is going where. Of course, some of us don't know where we are at any one time anyway?

3. Play other folks' guitars-- with their permission-- while at camp. I did this, and it helped me to decide which guitars are best to take? the next year, or to put on my GAS list. I want one of Slack's little Gibson knock-offs, an old parlor guitar with a new neck reset, a Norman Blake Martin OM-28, an electric mandolin--maybe a Gibson--a nice MArtin mahogany uke. If I hadn't held these babies at one time, I never would have fallen in love with them, and determined how fine they sound when I play them.

4. Slack is right. I meet folks each summer who teach me licks, who are far better than I am.? Then, someone will be amazed at the one lick that I know and pick my brain for it, so I show them! Seems a reasonable trade, we all benefit. Remember: everyone is just as up tight and self- conscious about how they sound and how bad they will be,? so hardly anyone will have any un-selfconscious time to pay any attention to how YOU sound, they are so stuck on how THEY sound. So, just have a jigger of your favorite tonic, as Harry Truman would call it, "Have a libation!", watch, listen, play, sing, strum, learn, and love every minute of it.

5. PT is a great place: cool and talented faculty, a very relaxed environment among buddies, cool climate, fun day and nite. Blues camp is? one of the highlites of my year. I wouldn't miss it.
More later,
Buzz? (aka: Miller, cyotegulch) (my moniker was given last summer by Deacon and Uncle Bud and Slack after I played kazoo in the jug band performance number "Stealin, Stealin")

[cmr]

Thanks for everyone for the response.  Slack, John C., and Buzz have greatly helped me understand the my future at PT.  It's really hard playing for other folks; for some reason I do not concentrate as well and start playing faster. Perhaps, I just want to finish the song as soon as possible.  I'll make sure I bring a minidisc recorder and discs.  I just need to decide what to purchase - suggestions?   Cheers,  Charlie

[GhostRider]

cmr:

My suggestion on what to purchase for PT....Crown Royal!

Alex

[Emma Lee]

Slackjaw Johnny--? Nice to know your, uh, full name. ? Sounds good, acquiring blues monikers in a blues sort of way.?

[acousticjam]

One recommendation regarding the PT workshop that keeps surfacing is a reminder for all attendees to bring a recording device.  I admit that when it comes to audio recording technology I'm far behind the times.  I bought a portable cassette tape recorder a number of years ago for taping my guitar instructor's lessons.  Since I haven't taken lessons for quite a while I haven't used the recorder lately.  While I think that the machine still works blank cassettes appear to be more difficult to find.  Consequently it's probably time to upgrade.  What devices now available for portable audio recording would be a good choice for recording lessons, etc. during the workshop?

[Slack]

Minidisks are very popular.  Folks have also started showing up with MP3 recorders.  I'd investigate both and decide based on what other use you think you can put them too.

[uncle bud]

If you go with minidisc, just make sure you get one of the recording units and that you can plug a mic into it (miniplug style). I've seen some called recorders that can't take a mic. You can find lots of info on MDs here: http://minidisc.org/. Many folks have bought from these people in the past: http://minidisco.com. Lots of info there too.

Other people have bought the iRiver mp3 recorders. I know nothing about them but the folks at IGS have discussed them if you do a search there.

[NotRevGDavis]

If you go with minidisc, just make sure you get one of the recording units and that you can plug a mic into it (miniplug style). I've seen some called recorders that can't take a mic. You can find lots of info on MDs here: http://minidisc.org/. Many folks have bought from these people in the past: http://minidisco.com. Lots of info there too.

Other people have bought the iRiver mp3 recorders. I know nothing about them but the folks at IGS have discussed them if you do a search there.

I recently upgraded to a Sony MZ-NH1 HiMD because it transfers both directions, PC to MD and MD back to PC (the earlier MD's were only tranferable PC to MD except in real time analog back to the PC which was a bit of a hassle). The new HiMD disc media claims 1 GB storage and I haven't filled one yet. Combined with the Sony ECM-MS907 Microphone, studio quality is achievable.

I received an iPod for Christmas that [Apple] clearly states it is not for quality voice recording ( which included recording music with an aftermarket external microphone) and the problem I had with other hard-drive/mp3 systems is none offered external microphone capabilities, although the speed of current technology that may have changed.

[Bluesygirl]

I have a mini-disc recorder (Sony) that's a couple of years old.  I had been using it for recording classroom discussions for research purposes.  Even though they provide excellent sound quality, I found that it was not that user friendly and I found it difficult to control the indexing of individual recordings on a single disc without having to access additional buttons/menus, etc. And there seemed to be a considerable lag time between hitting the record button and actual recording.  Maybe these are non-issues for others or maybe I never learned to operate it correctly (though I not a newbie when it comes to audio/electronic gadgets).  I've had better success at using plain old cassettes and then digitizing them into my Mac.  But this may be more optimal for non-music material.  I may want to revisit the mini-disc but may have to consider a different one.  Or maybe my iPod. I think you can get a device that allows you to record on it. Bg