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Rock School 08 : READY FOR REGISTRATION !!!
Rock Bands, Horn Workouts, Beginner Rock Guitar, Grrls
Only Rock Band, Songwriting, Focus on Hendrix, Focus
on AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and more. Go to the
website to check out the schedule and course
descriptions or give us a call for more info anytime at
730-2887.
Rock School
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Some of our favourite Links...
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Greetings!
Wendy and I were just touring Ireland (w/ the
Rathskallions in primary schools along the west coast
- heaven!) and we had the opportunity to hear some
fine music. I always ask who is the hottest folk artist
locally and try and buy their recording while I'm there. I
purchased the new Sharon Shannon (accordion
player) recording that has a version of 'The Galway
Girl" with Steve Earle singing. It's a great and eclectic
recording that's very popular in Ireland. There's a tune
on it that goes: La da da, da da da la, la la, laaaaaaa.
Can you hear that melody in your head? No? Seems
to be a communication breakdown!
Over the centuries, a musician's attempt to share their
music with another musician has been confronted with
the same communication problem: how do you share
music when you're not around to play it? This has
been a challenge for over 4000 years. And, it hasn't
proven to be an easy problem to solve. The goal is to
be able to give the 'feel' of the music in a non-musical
form. The earliest form of notation is considered to be
Babylonian, in cuneiform or shapes pressed into clay.
The Ottawa Citizen recently ran an article about
ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that may be a form of
music notation. The early Greeks (4th Century BCE)
created an advanced form of notation, as did the 5th
century CE Arabs. Early European notation started
with Gregorian chants (the notation is still in use
today) and, with the advent of classical music (15th
Century CE) modern notation evolved.
Modern standard notation is fairly complex but does
allow for a good amount of information to be shared,
like tempo and emphasis. To be a well rounded
musician, knowing how to read standard notation is
essential. Tablature is less exact and is considered to
be a more mechanical method of sharing the music.
Tablature works best with fretted instruments and can
be used for violin, harmonica and other instruments.
There are other forms of notation. My favourite is
"shape note", a variation of the Solfege system (do, re-
mi, etc). The four note version has four different
shaped notes that are placed on a five line staff. The
shapes suggest the relative pitch of the notes and,
with a little practice, shape note singing is very
enjoyable. We use some of this notation in our
Canadian Pub Caroler and shape note groups do
spring up in Ottawa. Check out the Village Harmony
group at the Ottawa Folk Festival this summer. At the
Folklore Centre, we believe in the 'folk method' of
passing on music - face to face, guitar to guitar. We
also teach standard notation and tablature.
Most importantly, play, just play.
Arthur
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| Blues and Improv Workshop with Piano Legend David Maxwell - Saturday, July 12, 1-3pm |
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In association with Bluesfest and Blues in the
Schools, we are happy to announce a very special
workshop with one of the great blues piano players of
our time, David Maxwell. David has amassed an
enormous resume throughout the years playing piano
with some of the greatest and well known musicians
in the blues. He has played on tours with Freddie
King, Bonnie Raitt, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Buddy
Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Rodgers, Charley
Musselwhite, Johnny Adams and Ronnie Earl; and
gigs with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The
Fabulous Thunderbirds, Levon Helm,
Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulsom, Junior Wells and
many others.
David has been involved in well over fifty recording
sessions and can be found playing keyboards on
many blues albums that have been released over the
last 25 years. David backed up Keith Richards and
Eric Clapton for Hubert Sumlin's CD, "About Them
Shoes" released in 2005. David's music was used in
the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and in the TV
series "Touched By An Angel". He has performed on
"Late Night With Conan O' Brien" and is on several
videos playing with Freddie King in the early 70's.
(Rounder). David's first CD as a leader "Maximum
Blues Piano"(1997, Tonecool) received high critical
acclaim. His new album, "Max Attack" (2005 95North
Records), features guests James Cotton, Kim Wilson,
Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Hubert Sumlin and
Pinetop Perkins.
Join David for an informal examination of Blues piano
styles, accompaniment, and improv here at the Ottawa
Folklore Centre, 1111 Bank st. 730-2887. Why would
you
not take this workshop???
$15 members, $20 non. All proceeds go to Blues in the
Schools.
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| The Pipeline with Ross "The Tartan Spartan" - How do we listen to a highland bagpiper? |
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How do we listen to a highland bagpiper?
This invaluable life skill will serve you well whether
you make it out to the highland games, attend a
bagpipe infused wedding service, or flick on the old
tele' and accidentally catch some of the Edinburough
Tattoo.
Solo Pipes: We're looking for a good, clear, and well
intonated sound. The Drones (the three sticks that go
over the left shoulder) are adjustable in length (ie.
pitch) and should be made to sound resonant with the
chanter. The Chanter is the melody-producing part of
the pipe which is actually "played" by both of the
piper's hands. It should have a bright, continuous
sound that doesn't start, stop, or break once the pipes
are going. (These little stops are called "chokes" and
often result in a deduction of points during
competition). A good performance should appear
effortless, be choke free, and might include a brief
moment of drone tuning...assuming the Father of the
Bride allows the piper time!
Band Piping: Should carry all of the aforementioned
goodness described above and also place an added
emphasis on unison between all the players. A good
band will show up all neat and tidy looking, behave like a
well tartaned machine, and sound like one big bagpipe
and drum.
So there you have it. Make sure to craft a social
setting that will put you, bagpipers, and some folks you
hope to impress together and astound all with your
bold sense of Scottish sound. And... Don't forget about
the Glengarry Highland Games on August 1 and 2nd.
Head to : http://www.glengarryhighlandgames.com/
for more info!
Ross "The Tartan Spartan"
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| Great Things to Do this Summer: Almonte Celtfest - Thursday July 10 to Sunday July 13 |
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Come support and enjoy the musical stylings of some
of the Ottawa Valley's greatest talent at the 12th
Annual Almonte Celtfest. Sit back, relax and be
inspired by the great traditions and contemporary
stylings of Celtic music, song and dance. Now
extended over four days from Thursday July 10 to
Sunday July 13, Celtfest has something for everyone.
On Sunday July 13 audiences can take in the show
on the main stage with traditional acts such as
Hadrian's Wall, the Riverthieves and more or enjoy the
various performers on the new Alt Celt Stage where
the music is rich in dynamics yet strung together with
Celtic flare. Musicians are invited to also take part in
an all afternoon jam session at the O'Connell Acoustic
Session Tent. This terrific continuous session aims to
celebrate and take pleasure in the great traditional
music of the Valley and its Celtic origins. The highly
energetic fusion of talented musicians will go straight
to your feet. Some music just wasn't meant to be
listened to sitting down, and at the O'Connell
Acoustic Session Tent they play that music. A lot.
Practice makes perfect and musicians are invited to
attend the Celtic Music Workshops being offered in
the air-conditioned comfort of the Almonte Old Town
Hall on Saturday July 12 from 1:00-4:00 pm. With
instructors such as Terri-Lynne Mahusky, a
renowned and highly sought after fiddler from
Renfrew, Kyle Felhaver, the sizzling fiddle champion
from the Ottawa Valley and Matt Pepin, the
imaginative and accomplished fiddler from Northern
Ontario, and an instructor at the Ottawa Folklore
Centre, musicians at any skill level will benefit.
Students will also get a chance to learn or master the
techniques of the bodhran drum from Alistair Dennett,
a previous member of the great alt country band,
Prairie Oyster and expert on the drum, as well as
discover the Celtic mandolin with Bruce Barton.
Workshops on the Celtic flute and tin whistle are
planned, and students can take a spin at Celtic
dancing with Clare Dwyer.
Tickets for the workshops are $10.00, with the
extended fiddle workshop valued at $20.00 and can
be purchased at The Miller's Tale (613-256-9090),
Couples Corner (613-256-1171) & The MusicWorks
(613-256-7464). For more information and a
complete list of performers please visit their website at
www.almonteceltfest.com or contact the Mississippi
Mills Chamber of Commerce at (613) 256-7886.
See you there!
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More about Celtfest |
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| "Strange Arrivals" from Stef - Morgan Munroe Creekside Mini |
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Morgan Monroe's solid top, tiny traveller with gigbag.
Sounds good. Looks good. Perfect for the cottage,
campfires and backpacking.
Come in and try one out!
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Morgan Monroe on the Web |
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| Music Lesson of the Month: Summer is for Scales |
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As you probably know, I am a big fan of practicing
scales. There's a few reasons for this but a couple are
grabbing me as important today. One obvious one is
that it tones the left hand in particular, strengthening it
for long performances and rehearsals. Can't say
enough about being in shape for long shows
(remember to do lots of pushups too!). Another is that
you get to understand scales on a bodily level, so that
when you go to improvise, there's not a lot of
separation between you and the music. You are one
with the scale, grasshopper. Now try and grab the
space in between the notes!
One thing to consider when you set out to go crazy
on scales is to give your hands and arms time to pull
together again in between the workouts. Supposedly,
we tear the subtle tissue after hard sessions and,
much like a good workout, we need to give it time to
strengthen again before going at it again. My advice
is to take every second day off from hard practice.
You can always write and/or experiment with freaky
chord forms on those days.
Always something to do! Don't forget that summer is also
for having fun playing music with friends, on stage and in
the garden (my strat sounds pretty darn good by the
tomatoes!) I wish you all a great summer playing music.
Don't take it all too seriously! Just play.
Alan
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| Featured Artist in the School: Margaret-Jane Campbell |
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Margaret-Jane Campbell paints in acrylic and also
work in mixed media. Her subject varies from
abstract
portraits to mixed media tableaux, some of which
comment on society's impressions of the mentally ill.
In both cases, she uses bright colors and sharp
contrasts to support her statements. The canvas is
either completely white, or full of colors which speak
to the naked eye.
"Bonhomme Mysterieux", which is of a man with
electrodes going from the bottom of the canvas to his
brain, was exhibited for the month of May 2004 at the
National Art Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. MJ has
exhibited not only in Ottawa, but also in Toronto at the
Show Gallery, and at the Gladstone Hotel.
Visit the School Downstairs!
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| Summer Course Opportunity: Crash Course in Arranging with Kurt Walther - Wednesday, July 16+23 |
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In this set of two one hour sessions, Kurt Walther will
walk the student through a wealth of instantly
applicable concepts. Starting with the basis of chord
construction and progression in major and minor
keys, Kurt will delve into such topics as the use of
chord substitutions, extended or Jazz chords,
techniques for the composition of strong melodies and
the use of alternate bass notes to change the emotive
quality of a progression.
2 weeks, $ 34 members ($50 non)
July 16+23, 7-8pm
Call us now to register at 730-2887.
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| OFC Students Performing at Bluesfest!! |
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Wow! TJ Wheeler is taking 12 kids from our joint
association program with Blues in the Schools, as well as
some prime OFC student regulars, to perform twice at
Bluesfest on Sunday, July 13. Check them out at the
Blacksheep stage, and later during TJ's set at the Barney
Dansen stage.
OFC Students are awesome!!!!
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| Zeek Gross to teach Saxophone at OFC starting in September 08! |
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That's right folks! Zeek is a highly respected Sax
player in Ottawa and beyond. He has been performing
for over 35 years , mainly with Blues and R+B bands,
and has been nominated many a time for Horn Player
of the Year by the Maple Blues awards. We're very
lucky to have such a talented player teaching here at
OFC. You can catch him at this years' Ottawa Bluesfest
playing with The Tony D. band.
Zeek will be taking students starting mid September 08.
Also joining Zeek in the new term will be Mark Sullivan, a
classically trained trumpet teacher.
Bring on the horns!!!
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| Bruce Cockburn Songbook Special! |
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SPECIAL OFFER: Buy "All the Diamonds" for $24.95 and
add "Rumours of Glory " for $10 plus GST & Shipping.
Deal of the day for Cockburn lovers.
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Buy it Online! |
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| Cole Clark "Jack Tenor" Ukulele with Face Brace Pickup (JT2AC) |
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We at the Ottawa Folklore Centre have just received
the newest model of Cole Clark Ukulele: The JACK
TENOR. A tenor ukulele with a solid bunya top, solid
blackwood back and sides and the patented Cole
Clark face brace pickup. All Cole Clark ukuleles
comprise the unique 'Carved to fit' Soundboard &
Backs, as well as the 'Spanish' or 'Integral Neck', that
is, the neck forms a part of the construction as with the
'Fat Lady range of acoustic guitars.
This is a wonderful higher-level ukulele for the avid
enthusiast or professional musician; ready for live
performance.
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Cole Clark |
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| Mer's Cd Pick: Emmylou Harris - Pieces of the Sky (Reprise/1975 - Warner Bros/2004) |
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The first solo album by country legend Emmylou
Harris is a remarkable start to the singer's prolific
career. This beautiful collection of country songs
introduced her unique voice, which has since been
recorded on over 30 solo albums-not to mention her
many guest appearances with artists like Gram
Parsons. Although the album only contains one
original piece ("Boulder to Birmingham," co-written by
Bill Danoff), it features beautiful songs by many
popular writers: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Merle
Haggard, Shel Silverstein, and Dolly Parton (Harris'
future band mate in the group Trio).
The songs range for kickin' country, as in the opening
track "Bluebird Wine," to beautiful ballads: "Too Far
Gone," "Boulder to Birmingham," "Before Believing."
This reissue also includes two bonus tracks that were
not on the original vinyl release: "Hank and Lefty" and
"California Cottonfields." Another feature of this reprint
is the hefty CD insert which gives a detailed
background on the artist and on the making of this
ground-breaking record.
Harris' voice is perfect on this album: sweet, powerful,
and dynamic. Whether you are a singer, a songwriter, or
a classic country music lover, this album is a masterpiece
that shouldn't be passed by.
OTHER RECOMMENDED NEW ARRIVAL: Corb Lund
-Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier (Stony Plain/2007).
Focusing on the stories and themes of historical
conflicts, Lund drew from history books and famous
authors-such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez-to craft
this record. If not already, Corb Lund will certainly
become an iconic figure in Canadian country music.
Your ear on what to hear,
Mer
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Emmylou on the Web |
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