Interesting evolution.

The session with Tommy Peoples had long-term effects. From his influence I found myself reaching inside more, pulling the music from within myself rather than trying to match external expectations. Frailty can be a strength.

I missed playing with Pete Tuesday... he listens to what's going on and responds, it's an interaction. I did get to play two rags in a public place. I'm not note-perfect on any of my basic dozen yet, but the feel is manifesting more and more frequently. I just need to keep working at it. Each time I pull a rag back from non-practice I feel that it's more cohesive and natural.

Last night I went to the "bluegrass" jam at the Plough... got there early and got a few tunes, and left early when the cacophony got too great. "Off to the races", unclosed guitar chords, someone doubling the lead vocal but slightly off... just play a slow blues and listen to each other.

This morning I could sense a change in my playing. Travis's "Fat Gal" started to simmer with a funky little bubbling rhythm. "Weeping Willow" was moderate in tempo and pretty. Shaskeen & Chicago Reels got into an interesting place of floating along a spectrum of American & Irish playing... at some times the playing was a little stronger, with more notes left out, some dyads... more improvisation overall on both, within the confines of the melody.

Anyway, I know there are musicians out there I can work with, but I'm increasingly thinking that I'll have to work privately until I can reliably reach the place where I can attract them... it's hard to see finding a bunch of people at the current stage and growing together, cause the "lack of listening" problems I'm hearing in other musicians around are the same I see in email, conversation, traffic... I don't think it's just a stage, I think it's a lifestyle choice, sorry to say. I should move to open mikes and focus on developing myself. I also plan to continue visiting jams, but it's difficult to visualize much meaningful music there.
posted by macromed5 at 9:22 AM

Steady practice, three sessions a day, but no Dobro or percussion. Still keeping some ragtime in, and the occasional musette, but it's mostly Irish and western swing. Saw Tommy Peoples at the Plough Saturday and at a class at Cait Reed's Sunday. He improvised regularly, around the melody... drew the tunes out from himself, did not play them by rote... they were him, full of feeling. I've got more to do to sound like myself, and I'm not sure I can manifest it among all groups, but it's coming. This week: jam with Pete Tuesday, with Jeannie & Chuck Wednesday, at East Bay Saturday.

I've pulled back some Irish tunes: Morning Dew & Woman of the House, Shaskeen & Chicago Reels. Listening to a lot of Merle Travis, doing his tunes. Less of a New Orleans bass... 4/4 bass is coming along well.
posted by macromed5 at 9:54 AM