Next DC Area Gathering

[sayheyjeff]

After the great event at Linda's last week, are folks ready for another gathering in late February? Been dancing around having it the last Saturday in Feb (23). I know thee has also been talk of one in Richmond at a site to be determined. My sense is that this mid-atlantic group is interested in a pretty regular gathering. I am able an offering the afternoon of the 23rd. I know a couple of folks said they will be away, but I will be away in much of March and some of April so ... That said, I say lets go for it. 12-6 on the 23rd. Thoughts I've had about the next event that anyone is welcome to shoot down without hurting my feelings. Room for relative beginners to play in for some of the time. Invite a local luthier or two to show and tell a guitar they have built.

For those that were not here or aware of the last gathering here, I am in Chevy Chase, Md. Might be best to communicate via email as I don't always get my box cleaned out. Certainly if a PM bounces back, send me an email.

jeff

[LindaW]

Sounds good to me. I can probably make that date barring a kid-catastrophe!

[Kennydmeek]

Hi Folks...I hail from Frederick MD...My wife and I are both long time part time pro pickers. She's the bassist these days when we go out. Also have a little Pro-Tools studio at the house if anybody might be interested in using it. It's a little booked up right now but will be freeing up likely in the spring...$40hr. Have lots of good studio pickers on hand for projects too if needed...

[macfawlty]

I'm looking forward to the next one. Date sounds good to me. Chevy Chase is only 15 min. away from me. My suggestion would be to see if we can do a little jamming this time. If anyone has some songs they think would allow for a variety of players to jam to, make a list and we can learn them before the gathering. I have noticed whenever I get together with other players, we can all play but don't know any of the same songs...

[hammerhead]

Great idea macfawlty! More playing! I'm guessing that songs us beginners can strum along to while the more experienced players can inprovise at will? As well as those who sing all singing together? 10 part harmony?

For me, I keep a binder that I have songs with lyrics/chords and make CD's to strum/finger pick along to for practice. Most have pretty simple chord progressions that we can all strum to. I can pencil in changes for times when a person/persons want to sing it in a different key (God knows I can't do that on the fly very well! :) ) Maybe we should get at least a short song list that each of us can practice a bit before hand? Easy stuff like Van Morrison, Buffett, James Taylor, etc.?

[LindaW]

I will.....try....:D

We should also think about tapping each other on the shoulder for improptu get-togethers, ie. spur of the moment sorta things. Even one on ones are good for learning!

[sayheyjeff]

I like all these ideas. Happy to work on a few songs to play along with someone. Not the most skilled but should be able to play behind folks on relatively simple songs. I am primarily working on fiddle tunes if anyone is interested in those. they are plenty simple (if not a little redundant at the most basic level). Also interested in playing with others on somewhere between a regular and ad hoc basis. (once a week, every other week, once a month?) I promise not to sing! Had a couple of fun evenings playing with kidsholm last year before he went to NJ.

jeff

[kidscholm]

Hi Jeff,

It actually looks like I'll be back in town by then. I'm starting a new job as head of Public Works at Walter Reed. Right in your neck of the woods.

[macfawlty]

I can follow most things as I pretty much play by ear. Only problem with that is that I don't memorize anything and never write anything down so I'm not necessarily a great leader. I guess I could take the time to write some stuff down. Please everyone that has some good songs that work in a group setting, make your list and put the suggestions up here. I'll do the same. I play a lot of country, folk and bluegrass type songs as well as rock... anything that works acoustic. If any of the expected attendees with more experience have a good repertoire of songs under their belt, that would be helpful.

[hammerhead]

If I can make it, which is still up in the air, and I don't have directions (maybe these can be PM'd to everyone?), I will bring my binder full of songs with chords. I would think there is a lot in there that if you like to sing and play acoustic, our singers would likely know. Most are basic chords since I used them to learn from as a beginner. It's a MSWord document that I can email if anyone is interested in giving it a looking over, especially our singers.

Of course, most importantly, is that I hope to have my T5 by then to try on Matt's system :)

[sayheyjeff]

Binder full of songs sounds like a good start. I'll do something like that too (although I am more comfortable in the novice player and follower role but what the heck). Imagine we can even make copies on the printer if need be. Directions will be forthcoming to all those that think they are (probably) coming. That system worked out pretty well last time. Might be a good idea for me to start getting an estimated head count. If people can think about their plans and let me know what they are thinking it will be helpful. Then I can send out PMs or email with directions and better contact information. Getting excited about it myself. Time to hit the basement with a guitar or two and get to work!

jeff

[pmccaskey]

I have a pretty sizable file (MSWord) of songs. However, I just have words for most of them and no chords. I'd be happy to make them available if it is any help.

Pat

[tmanson]

I've got a .doc file of about 30+ songs that I can make available too, but I am not sure I can make the Feb 23rd date. Mine are lyrics+chords - although some have been transposed away from the original keys. Is there a resource here on the AGF where could post such files so they could shared? It would be great if we exposed in advance to what folks will want to play.

[mikelhenry]

It actually looks like I'll be back in town by then. I'm starting a new job as head of Public Works at Walter Reed. Right in your neck of the woods.

Kidscholm:

Hopefully they will be moving you on to Bethesday Naval when (AND IF) the BRAC closing ever happens!! I work in DC but our personnel officers are at Walter Reed. When they move, we'll end up going to Belvoir for personnel issues.

Jeff:

There's a good chance I will be able to make this one after all. PM me or email me the directions again as they are long gone.

I also have a notebook of songs that I hope to learn someday... mostly 70's stuff, but some contemporary.

[tmanson]

Mike,
I was just thinking about your DC-AURA that you had at the last gathering (you will recall that I suggested that was based on DC-16 - dummy me). For the life of me, I can't figure out why Martin didn't call it a DC-40AURA. It seems like there is a lot left out of the identification of that guitar compared to Martin's other models.

[macfawlty]

How about we start with some artists/songs that some people may be familiar with and work down from there. Here are a few artist suggestions:

Bob Dylan
Neil Young
Van Morrison
Beatles
Dave Matthews
Grateful Dead

I play a lot of country, folk and bluegrass too so anything is open to me.

[mikelhenry]

Mike,
I was just thinking about your DC-AURA that you had at the last gathering (you will recall that I suggested that was based on DC-16 - dummy me). For the life of me, I can't figure out why Martin didn't call it a DC-40AURA. It seems like there is a lot left out of the identification of that guitar compared to Martin's other models.

That would've made more sense to me, I am not one to know why Martin did this, but it doesn't matter! I like the sound and how it reproduces when amplified. My priorities were to find a guitar that had plenty of volume and sounded natural in the PA or amp and this one fit the bill. The bling almost turned me away, however. When I bought there were no DC-16's in NoVA.

[sayheyjeff]

Its starting to be time for me to get planning for the gathering on the 23rd. There are a total of 20 forumites that have expressed interest in this DC gathering. There are also a few I reached out to yesterday who were talking about a Richmond, Va. get together. If a couple of friends and neighbors join in as hoped, the total could come to nearly 30. That is great. The house will accomodate. I would just like to get a somewhat realistic idea of how many in advance to organize space and provisions. Posting or email are great. PMs work too but the box tends to get full and require management. I will start sending out directions to anyone and everyone as soon as I get word. I am thinking of opening the gates around 12 noon and letting it take its course (into the early evening?). the last 2 events used a 12-5 and 12-6 guideline. We can go with that, but if people who come a long way will find it more worthwhile if let it run on a bit longer, that will be fine by me.

looking forward to a good time.

jeff

[oneeyedrifter]

Jeff, thanks for offering and I plan on coming. I'll make you all sound good. I'll be the critic, since I can't play... Yet.

[sayheyjeff]

1st head count:

8 said in the last couple of days that they are coming.
12 have said in the thread they intend to come.
5 have been extended invites (including the "Richmond" contingent).

also, special thanks to jim for asking me to the blues guitar class at Levine. was a load of fun in less than an hour and a half, and I hope I can work it into my schedule.

jeff

[tmanson]

Hey Mikel,
I was perusing the UMGF Introductions thread yesterday and there you were!!! I suspect that there are many of us that frequent both forums so I don't suspect it all that uncommon, but I also suspect that the majority use different usernames in both places so it is not obvious who we are. I am Slothead Tom on the UMGF. Fortunately you have used the same both places. :)

Take care,

[Boone]

Unfortunately I just realized I'm traveling to Colorado this week and not back till Sunday. Sorry to have to miss it - sounds like a good one. Thanks Jeff for hosting.

[sayheyjeff]

Latest head count:

7 have said they plan to come. (Boone will be missed - too bad)
12 said they intend to come.
6 have been extended invitations (including Matt Dievendorf from the Levine School who was gracious enough to allow me to sit in on his call with Boone Friday nite.)

I could still use a better head count. Please let me know if you need directions.

jeff

[hammerhead]

Jeff, I'm planning on it, but won't be certain until that weekend, and I do need directions. Thanks.

John

[open-road-matt]

Hi Jeff,
I'm out of town until mid-March. I wish I could make it. It sure was fun last time.

Matt

[tmanson]

Hey Jeff,
I'm seriously thinking about trying to make it. Could you post or send directions?

Thanks,
Tom

[macfawlty]

I will.....try....:D

We should also think about tapping each other on the shoulder for improptu get-togethers, ie. spur of the moment sorta things. Even one on ones are good for learning!

Linda is volunteering to sing if we bring her the lyrics to the songs we play.

[sayheyjeff]

people are going to take away my the lyrics unless I promise not to sing!

jeff

[tmanson]

Come on guys, did anyone ever say that to Bob Dylan or Neil Young? Ha!

[LindaW]

Linda is volunteering to sing if we bring her the lyrics to the songs we play.

I am????? :D

Depends on the weather as to whether or not I can come. My husband would probably be ok with it for a few hours. He's been sick so I need to see if he's up for a few hours alone with the kids.