Folkin' It Up

Hi everyone, sorry about the last minute post (again).  I was camping last week and didn't feel up to blogging on a phone.  It rained, and there were no singalongs around the smoldering campfire, so I'm glad to be back.  :)

Last session we talked about working up enough of a repertoire to be able to perform at the Gurler House Folk Music Festival next summer.  The board would need a sample recording of us by October, and we'd need to tell them What Kind of Music We Play.

It seems that most of us want to play classics from the Folk Revival era of the 60s and 70s, with some turn-of-the-(previous)-century classic dance tunes, cowboy songs, and Irish Traditional thrown in.  I love all of it.  I do wonder about copyright issues for songs too new for the Public Domain, but I'd want to learn them regardless.

Suggestions included:

• Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Simon & Garfunkel - in G
• Red River Valley - Traditional - in G or D, whichever is easier for the majority to sing
• City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie - in G
• Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - in D
• Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
• Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
• Rainbow Connection

How about if each of us picks a song or two for this week and brings ~5 copies of chords and lyrics to distribute?  I'll take Teach Your Children and City of New Orleans.  Leave a comment to give us a heads up on what you're bringing.  If you're passionate about a song that's not on the list, go with your passion!

So Now What?

Okay guys, what do we want to learn next?  Laura wants to do "A Few Old Memories"

G
Just a few old memories 
C
Slipped in through my door 
G
Though I thought I had closed it 
D
So tightly before 
G
I can't understand it 
C
Why it should bother my mind 
G D G
For it all belongs to another place and time 

G C
Just a few old keep-sakes 
G
Way back on the shelf 
C
No, they don't mean nothin' 
D
Well I'm surprised they're still left 
G
Just a few old love letters 
C
With the edges all brown 
G
And an old faded picture 
D G
I keep turned upside-down 

G C G D G

G 
Just a few old memories 
C
Going way back in time 
G
Well I can hardly remember 
D
I don't know why I'm cryin' 
G
I can't understand it 
C
Well I'm surprised myself 
G
First thing tomorrow morning 
D G
I'll clean off that shelf 

G C
Just a few old keep-sakes 
G
Way back on the shelf 
C
No, they don't mean nothin' 
D
Well I'm surprised they're still left 
G
Just a few old love letters 
C
With the edges all brown 
G
And an old faded picture 
D G
I keep turned upside-down

Julie gave me a link to NPR's 100 Most Essential Folk Songs, and I recognize several of them (we've even tried a few) and would love to learn several more.

Nathan and Julie both have expressed interest in learning traditional "old timey" dance/fiddle tunes, which sounds great.  We'll talk tomorrow!

We Did It!

Julie, Laura, Howard, Nathan, and Ashley performed on a stage.  Nobody threw rotten produce.  It was awesome!

Here's Turn, Turn, Turn

Paradise

My Rainbow Race

and Shine.

In the Merry Month of May, the 5 of us worked with diligence and focus to this end.  I want to assure anyone who is interested in Ordinary Folk that our group is open to ALL levels of skill, from the seasoned performer to the newest musician who has never picked up an instrument.  All you need is the desire to play and the patience to try.  Come as you are, whenever you can.  Our next meeting is Sunday, June 14th.

points to ponder

Hi guys,

I was thinking about some ways to make the group vocals sound a bit tighter in Shine and the chorus to Paradise -- they're kind of muddy right now.  Y'all are right that I need to sing the melody louder in Shine, but I'm not sure I can.

(You know, Laura and Nathan have the strongest and most accurate singing voices; how did Howard and I wind up tackling the lead parts so often?  I guess because we knew the lyrics first.  Something to consider for future performances!)

ANYWAY, I think it might help if we make sure that there are at least 2 people on melody in any group vocals like that (except Turn Turn Turn*).  Laura already sings melody with Howard on My Rainbow Race, and it sounds really good.

I spoke to Nathan in the parking lot as we were leaving yesterday, and he said he'd do melody with me in the chorus to Paradise.  He's got a nice clear tenor that I think will balance well with Laura's and Howard's richer harmony.

Would either Nathan or Laura be willing to sing melody with me on Shine (at least for the verses)?  I know harmony in that one is super fun, but it might clean up the sound a little.  We can experiment a bit on Friday.  I'll practice sitting up straight and breathing from the diaphragm to try to boost my volume -- if I can do it without sacrificing pitch accuracy, maybe it won't be necessary.

*Turn Turn Turn actually sounds good without a dominant melody line, because that's the way people are used to hearing it from The Byrds.  Thanks, Byrds!

Nailing Down the Details

Hey, here's the write-up on what we settled on for additional performance details.  Howard, thank you again for the use of your porch.  On a personal note, I've longed for years to be able to participate in folk jams like this, and it's everything I dreamed.  Thank you all for taking the time to play.  :)

Okay! We decided the performance order would be Turn Turn Turn, Paradise, My Rainbow Race, & Shine.  Again, if I remember anything incorrectly, please jump in and fix it.

Turn Turn Turn: In order to keep us all together, Howard plays the first 5-measure intro-instrumental lick, we (Ashley and Laura? Nathan?) play along for the second one, and during the second lick, the vocals pick up into the body of the song.

"a time to refrain from embracing" is a little tricky; RE-FRAIN FROM is spaced pretty evenly, with 2-note syllables on "frain" and "from" to keep it moving.  I plan to listen to the Byrds recording a few times to get it cemented in.

We close the song with the same instrumental lick that opened it, only everyone plays both times.

Paradise:  This sounded so good!  I count off, "1-2-3, 1-2" so that Howard and I can pick up into the intro together without having to read each other's minds.  In the final chorus, we slow down the last line, no need to repeat it.  The harmonies on the chorus gave me chills, y'all, it is solid.

My Rainbow Race: Howard does a quick 4-note ascending run to jump right in to this one.  He sings the opening chorus solo (as well as the verses), but we harmonize on the other two choruses.  I love the way Julie's fiddle improv just kind of rocks us all like we're in a hammock during this tune.

Shine (I started grinning just typing that): Just to clarify, there are two different 4-measure chord patterns in this. For verses, it's [D-D-C-G] x2, and that's also the pattern for Julie's solo.  For chorus, it's [C-G-D-D] x2, and that's also the pattern for the breakdown at the end.  Here are the components.

• Intro: 4 measures (D-D-C-G).  Dulcimer plays first 2 measures, fiddle joins in for second 2.
• Verse 1:  8 measures.  
• Then the riff (YEAH!). Riff repeat (fiddle joins on repeat).
• Chorus: 8 measures
• Verse 2: 8 measures.  
• Riff. Yeah!  Riff.
• Chorus: 8 measures
• Fiddle solo: 8 measures (D-D-C-G)
• Verse 3: 8 measures.  
• Riff. Yeah!  Riff.
• Chorus: 8 measures, then go into the breakdown.  Hey guys, how about if for this one spot, we don't hold the "shiiiiine" but repeat "Heaven let your light shine down" instead?  The momentum of it would help kick off the breakdown, and it would increase the impact of the final "shiiiine."  What do you think?
• Breakdown:  Laura goes nuts on vocals to the C-G-D-D pattern, and we contribute as the spirit of Dolly moves us. ;)   When she feels that the time is right, she'll guide us into a final chorus with a nice hearty "WHOA-OA-OA-OA."
• Chorus: 8 measures, but we're coming in halfway through the 2nd measure following Laura's lead.  We let the final harmony ring, Howard introduces Jim Scott, high fives all around.

So mote it be for the music, and I had a thought for equipment.  I have a triple guitar stand that I could bring, and Howard and I could use it for our extra instruments rather than laying them on the floor.  Sound good?

Set List

Okay, last Sunday's session was really fun!  We've decided to hold an extra practice at Julie's house this Sunday the 17th at 2:00 in order to start polishing our set list for the Jim Scott concert on May 31st.

(UUFD members, remember that there's a Congregational Meeting after the service this week.  Hopefully there will be time to get from one activity to the next.)

We've decided to play My Rainbow Race, Turn Turn Turn, Paradise, and Shine.  I've put links to the chords over in the sidebar.  Any thoughts as to what order we should play them?

Here are some notes on what we've worked out so far. If I'm remembering anything incorrectly, please let me know! Unless otherwise indicated, Laura is on guitar, Howard is on guitar, Ashley is on dulcimer, Julie is on fiddle.  Nathan, what do you think, guitar or ukulele?

My Rainbow Race: Howard sings the verses, the rest of us harmonize on the chorus.  Laura is singing the melody line with Howard, Ashley is singing a low harmony.  Did we decide on an intro and tag?  I think Julie ad libs on the fiddle.  Laura, do you want to play banjo for this one?

Turn, Turn, Turn: 5-measure intro played twice by Howard and Ashley.  Second time, vocals pick up into main body of the song.  We're all singing.  Ashley does high melody with Laura singing low harmony for the chorus, then Ashley sings low melody with Laura's high harmony for the verses.  I don't remember what Howard's doing!  I'm sure he and Nathan will figure out something amazing.  Julie is playing melody.

Paradise:  Howard is on the banjo for this one.  Banjo and dulcimer do an 8-measure instrumental intro, and we're off.  Howard and Ashley sing verses, everyone sings chorus.  Laura is doing harmony for the chorus, and I think it would sound great if Nathan could, too.  Julie is playing a broken chord pattern against the vocals.  Just before the final verse, Howard will play a banjo melody for 8 measures, and Julie will answer the next 8 measures with the fiddle (the rest of us support quietly with chords).  After the final chorus, do a slowdown repeat of, "Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away" for the tag.

Shine:  How much fun is this song?  I mean really.  We don't have the particulars nailed down yet, but we want to do it like Dolly and Nickel Creek do to the best of our ability, so go watch the video some more.  We all decided to see if we could work something up for the musical breakdown at the end.  Should be interesting.  ;)  The pre-chorus riff is D DD F DD F DF G.  I'm hoping we can all let 'er rip on that and sound the "YEAH" with conviction.  Someone should play banjo.  I'm open to ideas for vocals.  Maybe we could take turns singing verses (there are 3; the 3rd is a mashup of the 1st and 2nd) and harmonize at the top of our lungs for the chorus?

Okay, I'm giving everyone who is playing in the concert access to post entries directly to the blog, if you want to start a new topic.  Laura, would you please FB message me with your e-mail address?

Gettin' This Show on the Road

First off, thank you Laura for sharing the chords/lyrics and videos to "A Few Old Memories."  I'll figure out a way to get those linked up on the sidebar for easy access.

Last Sunday's gathering was eventful!  We have two opportunities coming to play for an audience: the Jim Scott concert celebrating Pete Seeger at the end of May (either the 29th or 31st, TBD), and the Music Sunday service at UUFD on August 23rd.

These are some possibilities we tried out for the set list in May.  Let's polish them up separately as well as we are able, then we can hear what needs refining when we gather again on the 10th.  I look forward to figuring out who wants to claim which harmonies.

My Rainbow Race - Pete Seeger (key of G?)
Turn, Turn, Turn - Pete Seeger (key of C)
Everything is Holy Now - Peter Mayer (key of D)

Although we didn't play it last session, we've practiced "Paradise" enough (see sidebar) that I think we could put it together in time.  Likewise "I'll Fly Away."

Finally, Nathan and I discovered our mutual enthusiasm for Dolly Parton's cover of "Shine" (by Collective Soul).  Let's see if I can link to the video...



And yep, it really is just G, C, & D.  That'll be a fun experiment next session, too.  Harmony!

No Session April 12th!

I'm out of town, and Nathan has a conflicting obligation April 12th. We will resume our joyful noise on the 26th! Keep singing. :)

Erin Go Bragh

During our last session, we looked at several traditional Irish tunes in honor of St. Patrick's Day (see the sidebar for links to chords and lyrics).  It was suggested that we continue the theme throughout March, which suits me fine -- I love this stuff!

I've been quite charmed these last two weeks with a pretty waltz called The Bard of Armagh.  Take a look -- this version is in D, so it's easy for the dulcimers.  I'll show you a spot to throw in a Bm chord that will add a little plaintive depth to the verses -- it's really fun to Embrace the Maudlin with these old ballads.  We can polish up some of the other pieces we tried as well.

Another good song for this month would be Sun's Gonna Shine.  I learned this piece from Susan Boyer Haley at a dulcimer retreat about 5 years ago.  Like so many Depression-era songs, it combines great energy with a peppy chorus and utterly depressing lyrics.

Chorus
Sun's gonna shine in my back door some day
Sun's gonna shine in my back door some day
Sun's gonna shine in my back door some day
March wind's gonna blow my blues all away

My mama told me many years ago
Never to marry no boy that I know
"Won't give you money, nor decent clothes
What will become of you God only knows"

Sun's gonna shine.....

Hard times are comin', so I've been told
Never trade love for an old rich man's gold
Hard times are comin', this much I know
Love ain't gonna help when you're hungry and cold

Sun's gonna shine.....

Low down mean woman, she tried to steal my man
Low down mean woman, she tried to steal my man
Low down mean woman, she tried to steal my man
If I ever catch her, gonna kill her if I can

Sun's gonna shine.....

3 Chords and the Truth

We've joked in sessions that all you need for folk music is "3 chords and the truth," yet it's astonishing how far that will take you.  But which 3 chords?

First, think of a major scale: do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do! Now count the syllables on your fingers as you sing; there are 8 of them.

The 3 chords you usually need are based on the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes of the scale.  The first note of the scale indicates what key you're playing in.

For reasons I won't go into now, it's easiest for the dulcimers in our group to play in the key of D, but G is also a handy option if we need to shift the vocal range.

For the key of D, the scale is: D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D.  Therefore, the I, IV, and V chords (chords are indicated with Roman numerals) are D, G, and A.

For the key of G, the scale is: G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G.  Therefore, the I, IV, and V chords are G, C, and D.

Notice that 2 of the chords are shared between the keys.  Therefore, if you know 4 chords, you can sing the truth in two different ranges right off the bat.

Congratulations, you're a folk musician!  Now come join the fun.  :)

Blogs? Do people still do that?

Hey, Folkies!  It's Ashley.  Nathan and I thought it would be helpful to start a blog to aid communication between sessions.  Not everyone is on FaceBook, so this is an easy way to recap a meeting, check out links, leave comments, etc.

The idea is to provide bits of theory, review concepts, take requests, and hopefully plan ahead a bit for upcoming sessions.  We're happy to stay freewheeling and flexible, but we don't want to be left groping for ideas at the last minute!

Tell us what's on your mind in the comments.  No special accounts are necessary.  Now, let me see if I can figure out how to spiff this place up a bit...