Re: [Harp-L] Jason Ricci's Blow-Off '07

[Jonathan McAnulty <mcanultj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, Wed. was very slow. I got home at 4am. Yikes, I am getting a little 
old for that action. On the music theory, I started with the Idiot's 
Guide to music theory (or maybe it was Theory for Dummies- same 
concept). That was OK but not great. I found that if I read it through, 
did the little quizzes in the book as exercises, let it sit until I had 
played a few weeks while trying to apply those concepts I had 
understood, read it through again, and repeat, that slowly I was able to 
garner more understanding every time I reviewed it. Then someone on this 
list recommended Edly's book on music theory for practical people (Ed 
Rosemont is the author, if I remember correctly). This book was WAY more 
understandable for me and I just kept repeating the process. Some of the 
theory concepts were just over my head but as the basics sank in it 
became easier to assimilate the more complex ones. Over about 6 months I 
think I developed a useful working knowledge of music theory. That said, 
I am still working on it but my starting position was absolute zero so I 
have made a lot of progress. There is some stuff that I just don't apply 
to harp (such as some of the much more complex chording structures) but 
would with piano or guitar. For me, the key was patience. I am 
comfortable with long time-line projects. My current harp effort is a 
minimum 5 year concerted effort. I build split cane bamboo fly rods and 
to the first one I built all the tools needed to make the rod blanks. My 
first rod took me 2 years to build. There are other examples but I 
figure if you are not in a hurry you tend to get more accomplished in 
the end. It also makes it more fun as I don't get stressed out about 
where I am in the overall voyage.
Cheers.
Jon


Wally Walters wrote:
> Thanks John!
>
> I, actually, drove back here to Iowa Tuesday Night... Kinda ruined my 
> Wednesday.
> The last SPAH I actually stayed for was 2004.  Now- after reading Richard 
> Hunter's updates... I Gonna start staying at more of them.
>
> So- HOW did you Teach YOURSELF Music Theory?.....
>
> wally
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jonathan McAnulty" <mcanultj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Wally Walters" <bigwalter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 2:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Jason Ricci's Blow-Off '07
>
>
> I can second Wally's thoughts on the blow off. I was in heaven! What a
> night. I couldn't make SPAH but drove over to Milwaukee with two friends
> just for the blow off. I looked at the pictures and I am not in any but
> I think that is because I was sitting one seat away from Wally at the
> bar, too close for pics. That's funny. Had the opportunity to meet quite
> a few folks- Jason, Randy, Winslow, Adam, Dennis G., Roscoe, talked to
> LD's folks at the bar quite a bit, and a variety of others. Everyone was
> very friendly and energized. It was just great.
> Cheers.
> Jon
>
> Wally Walters wrote:
>   
> > The Highbury Pub in Milwaukee was Host to Jason Ricci's Blow-Off on 
> > Tuesday.
> >
> > The joint was small and the crowd grew quickly. The night started with PT
> > Gazell- playing with his own band. It was a Sweet show.  PT brought up 
> > Randy
> > Singer from the house.  Jason and new blood performed between acts.
> > Next- was Winslow Yerxa.  After 'training' the band and playing a nice mix
> > of tunes... he invited Michael Peloquin onstage to perform before Michael
> > began his own Act.
> > MP played a song with Jason.. then did his own thing (with some Sweet
> > Vocals).  He, then, invited Roscoe (Maybe August) up to play... and, then,
> > we got another taste of the ageless Randy Singer.
> > Next was the fantastic Dennis Gruenling.  Always a True Pleasure to Listen
> > to... Diatonic and Chromatic.  Plus- His Van is taller than Jason's. 
> > Dennis
> > invited BUZZ up... and BK Sang-Up a STORM... a nice act, indeed!
> > So- Next was the Un-scheduled LD Miller.  The 13 year old Speedster
> > Extraordinaire.  It was Great Fun watching him answering Jason's bits with
> > quick Blasts of super harp.  The kid seems to have been working on his
> > vocals, too... as he sang some real heartfelt stuff that, I doubt, anyone
> > could have expected.  Hopefully- LD will keep singing.. and bring his 
> > great
> > harp chops down to Harp 'art'... saving that fast stuff for the non-harp
> > lovers (Popper fans).  All-in-All... it was Great to witness LD in person.
> > His folks were VERY Good people, too. Great Family!
> > So... now comes the Real Headliner.. the Master of Busking and the Best
> > Video Harp Teacher Yet (keep working on it Jason)... Adam Gussow.   What a
> > great guy to meet in person.  As normal as one could want.  What a SHOW.
> > Damn Fine Singer and a Harp Player's harp player.  Like Pat Ramsey... 
> > Sweet,
> > Real Harp.  Adam and Jason together made the perfect nightcap for a great
> > evening.
> >
> > Now- these are just My Thoughts.  but- I TOOK PICTURES!:
> > http://spahvention.com/jrb07/
> >
> > I'm ashamed to say that I knew hardly anyone there... If anyone can help 
> > me
> > identify any of the harp-L'ers that are in any of the many pictures of the
> > crowd.....
> >
> > wally
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >     
>
>