(no subject)
A good past few days. It was the Berkeley Old Timey Music Convention. I don't like the old timey scene here in the bay area, but its not really a complaint against the people involved. I just don't like paying so much money for things I STRONGLY believe should be free and accessable. But the fact I don't socialize much with "the scene" is more of why I don't take part in the free, small, HUMAN events. I am out of the loop and only know about paid events. I'll admit The New Lost City Ramblers playing is a big fucking deal and probably worth $25. They are IMPORTANT, not just good, and I may not get a chance to see them perform again. Not having that sort of money to throw around on entertainment and it selling out early besides made the the moral issue easy to stand behind, but sincerely: I don't think one should pay so much for music. Waht ev's. I did volunteer work for the whole deal and got into the square dance for free. I tried to get a lot of peepsto come out with me, but only Jillian made it. Which was great. I like Jillian quite a bit, some of you may know. The chance to dance with her and be partners for the evening, to be on the same team, was nice. Party people, know this: I do not know how to dance. Not square dance, only circle pits for me. But they give lessons. We danced a few rounds and fumbled through them, but sat out to drink and talk too. Seeing probably the prettiest gal in the joint was hanging out with herself, I invited her to sit and hang out with us. I totally couldnt get away with that if Jillian weren't with me, but worked it and ended up talking with her most of the night. Jillian decided she should elave early, to a bit of my disapointment, but it gave me a chance to partner up with this pretty, pretty girl who I was getting along with quite well. When it became clear to me I had no intention of dancing anymore I suggested we go to Gilman, which was right by the venue we were at. The Queers were playing, and my first punk show was The Queers, so I wanted to pop in, She herself never had been to a punk show, so her first punk show was The Queers too. She really liked Gilman and the scene. I lied that I was playing the role of the friendly stranger who takes the unintiated to a new, strange world. It was a good night. She and I are going to hang out soon to play music. She's a banjo player too.
Today was the workshops that the members of The New Lost city Ramblers were teaching. That was much more valuable to me and worth the money I put forth. Forty dollars for three hours of talking advanced banjo theory with the greatest living names of old timey music. WELL worth it. It was great too. The first one was by John Cohen and delt with alternative tunings. There's this guy who was there and I hate him. I've seen him at the jams and he is so self abosrbed and stuck up about what he knows. I mean, supposed he IS good at the banjo. But so fucking what, you know. So fucking what. He rolled his eyes when people were having trouble tuning and hushed people "for" Joh Cohen, like he was his assistant. When John asked someone to show an example of The Rounds Peak style of banjo, everyone nominated this dude. Obviously he was thrilled and honored. I hear that. I was actually happy for him, because shit I'D like to be singled out to play for John Cohen. Good for him. I was happy for him, but not as happy as I was that John Cohen corrested him and told him he was doing it wrong. The poor guy, tried defending himself but Mr. Cohn was, or played, the oblivious old man who just moved on with a good natured laugh.
Part of what I don't like about the old timey scene is the devotion to re-created the past. Gosh, I don't care abvout Round Peaks style of the banjo. Well, not because of the reasons that its supposedly the correct way to play the banjo for the current old timey scene. Being a punk, my attitude against The Establishment is never as obvious to me than when I'm encountering the old timey scene's Establishment. The best thing John Cohn said was when one of the "less devolped" players, who kept on asking questions that made that dude I hate roll his eyes, asked why Tommy Jarrel and his Round Peaks style was so influential. John said first off that Tommy Jarrel was just a terrific musician, but mostly because the man was so giving and generious and friendly. People would travel from all over to visit his home and hear him play, and he'd let them stay with him and talk with anyone who came over. I really liked that John said that this was why his playing the banjo was more influential than any other player. Kindness being abstractly influentual as well as directly pleasing. Nice idea.
Still, as odds as I feel from those would charge you to show you how to organize a string band ensemble ($90 these people are trying to charge for this. dispicable.), I got a lot out of the classes and the scene. I met some new people who I may see again and I learned a new lick. Oh, and when Mike fucking Seeger was walking around after a explaining a little ditty to see how people were doing, he said "good, perfect" to me, but didn't comment on anyone else's unless they were getting it wrong. How charged that made me feel it part of why I hate classes and school envirnments in general. He's just some guy, you know. Still, I'm a sucker still and it made me very pleased. Also, there was nothing that was thrown out technique wise that was beyond me. Really, beyond that actual tunes being played everything was actually a bit redundant to me. That was somewhat pleasing because I am never around banjo players and don't know if I am good or not. A little re-assurance here and there is nice.
Today was the workshops that the members of The New Lost city Ramblers were teaching. That was much more valuable to me and worth the money I put forth. Forty dollars for three hours of talking advanced banjo theory with the greatest living names of old timey music. WELL worth it. It was great too. The first one was by John Cohen and delt with alternative tunings. There's this guy who was there and I hate him. I've seen him at the jams and he is so self abosrbed and stuck up about what he knows. I mean, supposed he IS good at the banjo. But so fucking what, you know. So fucking what. He rolled his eyes when people were having trouble tuning and hushed people "for" Joh Cohen, like he was his assistant. When John asked someone to show an example of The Rounds Peak style of banjo, everyone nominated this dude. Obviously he was thrilled and honored. I hear that. I was actually happy for him, because shit I'D like to be singled out to play for John Cohen. Good for him. I was happy for him, but not as happy as I was that John Cohen corrested him and told him he was doing it wrong. The poor guy, tried defending himself but Mr. Cohn was, or played, the oblivious old man who just moved on with a good natured laugh.
Part of what I don't like about the old timey scene is the devotion to re-created the past. Gosh, I don't care abvout Round Peaks style of the banjo. Well, not because of the reasons that its supposedly the correct way to play the banjo for the current old timey scene. Being a punk, my attitude against The Establishment is never as obvious to me than when I'm encountering the old timey scene's Establishment. The best thing John Cohn said was when one of the "less devolped" players, who kept on asking questions that made that dude I hate roll his eyes, asked why Tommy Jarrel and his Round Peaks style was so influential. John said first off that Tommy Jarrel was just a terrific musician, but mostly because the man was so giving and generious and friendly. People would travel from all over to visit his home and hear him play, and he'd let them stay with him and talk with anyone who came over. I really liked that John said that this was why his playing the banjo was more influential than any other player. Kindness being abstractly influentual as well as directly pleasing. Nice idea.
Still, as odds as I feel from those would charge you to show you how to organize a string band ensemble ($90 these people are trying to charge for this. dispicable.), I got a lot out of the classes and the scene. I met some new people who I may see again and I learned a new lick. Oh, and when Mike fucking Seeger was walking around after a explaining a little ditty to see how people were doing, he said "good, perfect" to me, but didn't comment on anyone else's unless they were getting it wrong. How charged that made me feel it part of why I hate classes and school envirnments in general. He's just some guy, you know. Still, I'm a sucker still and it made me very pleased. Also, there was nothing that was thrown out technique wise that was beyond me. Really, beyond that actual tunes being played everything was actually a bit redundant to me. That was somewhat pleasing because I am never around banjo players and don't know if I am good or not. A little re-assurance here and there is nice.