10 year course correction

[cat]

Very interesting, thanks Cat! So, what type of gig do you play only improvised music? Is it improvised choruses of an existing tune, or totally improvised on the spot? One thing I've done is sort of "noodle" chord tones and such over random (but related C,G,F, etc.) chords and the audience seems fine. But mixed with tunes.

For me, it was finding the freedom of the blues on the instrument - which is an improvisational form. But primarily, getting into Latin forms - forro, chamame, cumbia, etc - was what punched my ticket: i can just groove in the rhythms forever. It's just one big dance.

 

[jozz]

good luck!!

I would drop the idea of a backing track, instead just use a drum machine (tastefully)

 

[cat]

(I also play cello and clarinet... )

Speaking of racketts . . . before I procured a wire harp, I played hammered dulcimers - to emulate the sound of ancient wire. Clanging about with hammers, hackbrett-like, can certainly rank among racketting on musical instruments Seriously though, it's a great instrument on which to play Scottish and Irish tunes.

 

[cat]

Sorry, Tom, for going down the hole here...it's too easy to get distracted.

 

[Tom]

For me, it was finding the freedom of the blues on the instrument - which is an improvisational form. But primarily, getting into Latin forms - forro, chamame, cumbia, etc - was what punched my ticket: i can just groove in the rhythms forever. It's just one big dance.

Ok, thanks, I understand. Another whole "so much music, so little time!" That dulcimer is cool too, thanks!

 

[Tom]

Thanks for asking Tom. For me a gig is a ceilidh, wedding dance or other gatherings where I play for dancing. However, sometimes the music is just for listening; a bit of background music in an old tavern or a nice hotel bar.

I play the music that people expect an accordionist here to play, which is Scottish traditional music; Waltzes, Marches (2/4, 4/4, 6/8), Jigs, Reels, Polkas, Two-Steps, Scottish songs etc. In addition to the Scottish tunes I would have a few country songs and easy listening tunes to mix it up.

I use a musette tuned, standard piano accordion with midi on the left side giving a piano/bass effect.

Ideally I would play as a trio or up to 4 piece band: accordion, fiddle, guitar/singer and drums. But sometimes I just play solo with the midi bass/chords. I occasionally use a drum machine when there are no drummers available.

The videos I have shared previously on the Accordionists Forum with me using a Quint free bass accordion is not representative of what I would play at a gig. I would not use a free bass accordion there, it's unneccesary. The 3 pieces you have heard, are just me noodling about with a free bass accordion for fun and experimenting stylistically.

However, a number of years ago I wrote and published a book of tunes in the Scottish style called The Kitchen Two-Step. It contains 30 new tunes in the traditional style to fill the house with music (an old fashioned house party/kitchen ceilidh theme). I think I still have one or two copies left, if you PM me your address Tom, I would like to send you a copy, if that's alright with you.

All the best buddy.​

Wow, you have a lot going on, thanks!

 

[Tom]

good luck!!

I would drop the idea of a backing track, instead just use a drum machine (tastefully)

Yeah, it's a whole 'nother nut to crack! I seem to be gravitating towards just the bass and drums.

 

[JerryPH]

With the 4X you can do a lot without backing tracks or an arranger, especially in a busking environment, you are already more versatile that just an accordion with more digital instruments, a nice solid bass sound and drums off the bass/chord notes!

 

[Tom]

Well, it's taking longer than I thought, as usual. This week I had to help my friend make 3 40' beams (in 3 sections each) out of reclaimed 2 x 8s. We're shoring up the floor of his house that has slumped over the years. Guess I'll have to make my recording for the contest!

 

[Ventura]

you guys didn't stagger the beam sandwiches ? so the entire
downward stress/load is held in check by the metal faceplates ?

and damn them powder post beetles !

in Pennsylvania Farmhouses and barns with rough hewn tree beams
as floor joists, we usually get 150 years or so before we have to
correct the "sag" but eventually them lil bugs eat 'em all up

new condo's and houses are using chipboard floor joists
(with wood facing to hide that fact from a casual glance
by the prospective homeowner)
so their entire floor/house is basically supported by Glue

 

[Tom]

you guys didn't stagger the beam sandwiches ? so the entire
downward stress/load is held in check by the metal faceplates ?

and damn them powder post beetles !

in Pennsylvania Farmhouses and barns with rough hewn tree beams
as floor joists, we usually get 150 years or so before we have to
correct the "sag" but eventually them lil bugs eat 'em all up

new condo's and houses are using chipboard floor joists
(with wood facing to hide that fact from a casual glance
by the prospective homeowner)
so their entire floor/house is basically supported by Glue

Yeah, a single beam or truss would be better, but we couldn't stagger them because we would never be able to get them into the crawl space. Heavy enough as it is! There will be jackposts under each saddle, as well as several along each beam, so it should be ok. Each on a 150 lb. concrete footing, which we've already made and moved in. Thankfully we don't have the bugs here, what we do have is dirt floors and rough stone foundations which, along with age, cause high humidity and sag. Plus many of the houses were not built that strong to begin with back in the day.

 

[Tom]

Finally I got it done. Very busy plus it's one of those tunes that seems easy but it's not (at least for me). Instead of a backing track, I played the bass and chorus on the Roland.

 

[colinm]

Great arrangement, well played

 

[Tom]

Great arrangement, well played

Thanks Colin!