Tuesday, March 9, 2010

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 164 #207)

More Juke Practice!
Both B1 classes continued practicing the Juke ensemble arrangement to be performed at the Harmonica Convergence show. Juke is sounding great and we were even able to make some arrangement changes! (see below)

Memorize the dynamics we practiced so you know when to adjust your volume. Remember where you tend to rush so you resist that temptation. And for the melody part, remember where to play with hands closed as we practiced.

Please show up as early as possible for rehearsal in the coming weeks. We will start Juke practice at 6:45 pm next week (our last Monday practice before the performance).

Please note the "dress code" for this gig: we'll all wear black, with "dress black" preferred.
Blues hats and dark sunglasses are totally acceptable.

Plan to arrive at 5pm on Sunday, March 21 and meet in B1 where we'll rehearse a little.
Shoji has posted the parts and the song here: Juke.

New Juke arrangement notes:
Intro: The drummer will start, then Shoji will count us in. Bass comes in alone at first and the chord part joins the bass players at the IV chord.

At the first break verse: A harmonica solo (Grant) starts at the IV chord and the melody players drop out for the remainder of the verse. Chord players play as usual.

Two more solo verses follow (Grant for 12 bars and Linda for 12 bars). During these verses, melody players lay out and chord players play as usual.

After these added solos, we return to the break verse and play through the remainder of the song as originally arranged.

Note that:
- Verse 7, melody plays with hands closed;
- Verse 8, melody plays quietly but with hands open;
- Verse 9, everyone crescendos.

Teaching Opportunity!!!
Reader Ed Paluckis shares this job posting:

Blues harmonica instructor sought to teach fundamentals at the Beverly Arts Center. Classes begin March 25, 2010, so act now! This is a weekly class at 7:00pm. For more information, contact:

Shellee Frazee
Music Coordinator
Beverly Arts Center
111th South Western
Chicago, IL
773-445-3838

Class Notes
  • Jim Liban -- Guest Instructor in B1. It's Jim Liban season! In addition to his highly anticipated performance at SPACE on March 18, we are lucky enough to have Jim scheduled to teach in B1 on March 29. Mark your calendars and don't miss this one. Jim is going to talk about the art of songwriting and about constructing an extended harmonica instrumental. This will be an evening in B1 not to be missed.
  • The Harmonica Convergence show is SOLD OUT! If you don't have a ticket, you are still welcome to perform.
  • Our 14th B1 Blues Harmonica Recital at the Harlem Avenue Lounge is scheduled for May 28, 2010. Mark your calendars and start working on your material.
March 2010 -- Live Harmonica Month!
We'd like to unofficially declare that March 2010 is the month to catch great live harp shows in Chicagoland! There are tons of shows in the area to check out. In addition to the Filisko/Noden/Liban show at SPACE and the sold-out OTS Harmonica Convergence show, there are other great shows to see: Rick Estrin, Watermelon Slim, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Cash Box Kings, Matthew Skoller, etc. Get off the couch and get out to support these amazing bands! Full details where? Yup, at youmissedmonday.com, your source for all harmonica gigs!

Newsletter News!
The newsletter and more is always online! Check it out for more details on newsletter items, a calendar of local gigs, jams, birthdays, archives, links, videos and special features.

We welcome your input. If you're inspired to write a review of a live show, CD, DVD or book, please submit it to us for consideration.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew