ATTN: Guitar Pull w/ Michael Queen !!

[Hookstratten]

After meeting (and listening to in awe, I might add) Michael Queen this past weekend in Monroe, I mentioned to him that I'd really enjoy hearing more of his work sometime.

While at the Monroe program, I likewise repeatedly heard several folks make mention of a desire to get together to play with other attendees in a casual setting. In the spirit of helping to facilitate such an event, I thought I'd maybe offer to host a Guitar Pull at my place (Concord, NC).

While still in the "might-be-a-good-idea" phase, I approached Michael with the concept of perhaps having him join us as a "Guest of Honor" at some such event if it ever came to fruition.

What ensued was a flurry of e-mails over the next few days wherein he ultimately offered the following:

++++++++++++

Doug,

I have another idea about the get-together. Would you like to have a long and very informative guitar lesson for the group? I can work up songs that I can teach you at the party. To make it really effective, I'll need to know what kind of songs you'll want and I'll work them up.

I'd like to teach a few different things. The first is basic music theory, scale harmony, chords related to keys, etc. Then I suggest basic chord voicings and the 3 forms of barre chords. Next is picking styles and then some simple ideas (chord changes) that make up a LOT of songs. Then ways to make them sound good. Then, teach them in a few actual songs. I will hand out material supporting each of these concepts and work with each person individually and/or in a group as their needs require after the group lesson.

Michael
++++++++++++


Incredible. So, here's the deal. Michael and I have discussed it further and are now kicking around the idea of making this a regularly scheduled event (assuming there is adequate interest). Michael wants to get started as soon as possible (as do I), so I'm thinking of doing something either this Saturday (NOV 7) or next. Reply here if you are interested in participating. I'm thinking of something that would start around 10:00am and last 3-5 hours. I've got enough room to comfortably seat 8-10 folks. If it grows beyond that, we'll have to find another location, but we'll take it one step at a time. Nothing formal, just an opportunity to get together, enjoy some music, and maybe (ok, not just maybe) learn a thing or two.

Again, sorry for the short notice. Reply here ASAP and I'll work on getting directions to my house sent out.

Anybody interested?


Doug

[Rick Crider]

Hi Doug.....
....I'd be in.....

This Saturday's the 9th though...not 7th....I'm sure it's just a typo.

But 10:00 AM on a regular basis? Hmmmm. Awful early for a night-owl.

That's an insane offer from Michael. Does he know what he's committing to? Better get it before he sobers up. :roll:

Rick

[david_m]

That sounds like typical Michael. He's always willing to help and contribute when he has the chance. Too bad I now live 3 hours away.

David

[Hookstratten]

Yes, a typo.

Again, not absolutely locked in to date (nor the time for that matter). Just trying to ascertain interest at this point.

We could just as easily make it an afternoon or evening deal. It's all going to depend on schedules. Nonetheless, I wanted to throw it out there and see if there are any takers.

We finished out our basement a couple years ago and it is quite conducive to sitting around and playing. We've got a Nuendo-based digital audio workstation set up for recording (my wife is a
classically-trained coloratura soprano and has recently begun writing) and thus a mixer/monitor with plenty of inputs for folks to plug into as necessary. Michael has even gone so far as to offer to haul his set-up over and allow folks to play through a "pro" rig.

He says he's doing this strictly for the fun of it. If it turns into something more formal and involved that requires preparation of material before the sessions, I feel strongly that we should figure some sort of fee for him down the road.

I really hope to pull this off, even if only once Should be fun.


drc

[Hookstratten]

Originally posted by david_m
That sounds like typical Michael. He's always willing to help and contribute when he has the chance. Too bad I now live 3 hours away.

David

David,

Any chance I could get a copy of the performance notes you mentioned during your presentation on Saturday?

[lcogginz]

I'd love to do it, as I'm sure you know, but there's just no way in heck I can get Saturdays off work this time of year. Store opens at 10am and closes at 4. Aside from that, being a part-timer I'm at the vacation behest of full-time people during the holiday season. Anyway we could do it in the afternoon? Just asking.... ;)

Lauren

[Hookstratten]

Sure, we can do it just about any time that works. Not absolutely locked into the weekends anyway. Friday nights may be an option. We'll just have to see what the consensus is.

Originally posted by lcogginz
I'd love to do it, as I'm sure you know, but there's just no way in heck I can get Saturdays off work this time of year. Store opens at 10am and closes at 4. Aside from that, being a part-timer I'm at the vacation behest of full-time people during the holiday season. Anyway we could do it in the afternoon? Just asking.... ;)

Lauren

[Simplyhere]

Hookstratten (Doug),

I'm absolutely IN...absolutely in. I'll help you facilitate this in any way. Michael is incredible, and very politely taught me a couple of licks after his show. What an unbelieveably generous offer. Good grief.

You name the date and time, and what you need me to do, and I'll help. I'm in Kings Mountain, about 45 minutes West of Charlotte. What a great opportunity. Personally, I wish the guy gave lessons...I love his style, and his easy way of getting his point across. This just might be the boost I need for my feeble attempts to do more fingerstyle playing.

Bill

[Hookstratten]

OK- doesn't look like this Saturday is shaping up. Conflict w/ the NC Thumb and Fingerpick conference (see www.NCTAF.com). Now looking at possibly Sunday or one day next weekend. I'll keep you all posted. It WILL happen eventually.

[janicekla]

I'd be interested as well! The next two weekends are out for me, though...I'm out of town.

[david_m]

Hookstratten,

email me and I'm more than happy to send you the performance notes.

I wish I could attend the pull with Michael. Somebody videotape it.

David

[jam]

Silly question - what's a "guitar pull"? I've never heard that term. I'm guessing it's nothing like a tractor pull. :)

--jam

[Hookstratten]

Still working on setting up the deal with Michael Queen. Trying to work out a date & time that suits everyone that has expressed an interest so far. Now looking at perhaps Saturday the 23rd around 6:00pm (this seems to work well for most, it appears). Waiting to hear back from Michael on that one. As soon as I have something, I'll post.....

drc

P.S.- A traditional "Guitar Pull" is a sort of round-robin where several people get together and share songs and musical ideas.

[Col. D Mortimer]

What an incredible oppertunity. If I can work out the travel, I would love to attend.

Mortimer

[Hookstratten]

OK- Looks like we've finally got everything set for our first get-together w/ Michael.

The date is Saturday for Saturday, November 23rd. The time is 6:30pm (til whenever) and the location is my place here in Concord. If you've responded before, please do so again via e-mail so we can get a reasonably accurate headcount.

Michael & I should have everything covered as far as amps & P.A. go if you wish to plug into the board (bring the longest cord you have if so; otherwise there's no need to haul in anything else other than your guitar).

At last count, it looked like we'd have somewhere around 8-10 folks here. Again, this is simply an opportunity to get together, share some music and good times, and participate in a group lesson with Michael Queen. If the interest is there, we'll develop this into a monthly deal. Let's just see how the first one goes.

REALLY looking forward to this. Send me an e-mail and I'll create a distribution list to send out updates and directions.


Doug

[Simplyhere]

Doug,

I'm in, and just sent you an email offline.

Bill

[Hookstratten]

If you have previously responded to this post expressing your interest in attending, you should have just received an e-mail with directions and further information.

Please contact me if that is not the case. Looking forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

[lcogginz]

Bill;

Any chance I can ask you to bring your Walnut-series model? I'll definitely be there and I'd love to have a chance to hear it if it's not too much trouble. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you again--


Lauren

[Simplyhere]

Yep, I'll bring it and you can play it all night if you'd like.

[lcogginz]

Bill;

I'll return the favor if you'd like to try my NS62ce, but just make sure we head home with the right guitars. ;) Thanks--


Lauren

[Simplyhere]

I don't know...Pat Kirtley just TORE one of those nylon stringed guitars up the other night. Even with all his mastery, it was without a doubt the "audience gasp" moment of the night.

He played a "Bossa Nova" type number on the nylon, at high volume, and it was just unbelieveable. Sounded like two guitars.

(Hmmm, wonder how I could get home with both of them...)

[Hookstratten]

Thanks to everyone able to drop in last night. Sorry we missed a few of you, but rest assured we'll do it again. Perhaps next time we'll do more round-robin song sharing, less of the way-over-my head instruction (e.g. until last night, I thought an Am9 was a chord from West Virginia that you finger-picked once and then strummed 8 times. Who knew?)

LAUREN- you have got quite the voice going there! Very nice indeed. Do you know any early Indigo Girls tunes? I think you could absolutely nail Emily Saliers' style. She does several finger-picking ballads I think you would really enjoy.

Let me know when you guys will be available again. We'll set it up.

Doug

[TimB]

Photos? :)

-=Tim=-

[lcogginz]

Doug;

Thanks for hosting such an enjoyable evening! I had a really nice time, and I have to say you and your wife did a marvelous job on that basement--very classy, and comfortable. Thanks also for the compliment--I normally sing a bit higher but late at night my voice goes down a little. Guess that's normal. As for the Indigo Girls, I have Shaming of the Sun--and actually saw them live once...good time...--but I don't know the earlier stuff. I'll check it out.

Thanks again to you and to Michael for his ever-patient instruction, and I'm a definite attendee whenever the next opportunity rolls around. ;)



Lauren