Monthly Archive for June, 2006

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Japanese Cultural Fair

Written on June 20, 2006.

In March, Kevin Kmetz, (my Shamisen teacher) asked me if I wanted to play with him and other students at the annual Japanese Cultural fair just a few blocks away. I agreed to that ’cause it sounded like fun. Well, since then, we haven’t played (since he’s been out and about) and the day before the fair, I called him and asked what the story was about it. He said that since we haven’t practiced together, we wouldn’t do it.

Aww. . . I’ve been looking so forward to it!

In anycase, Pa, some friends and I went up to the fair. I was talking with a friend who had the flute making stand and from that spot I was looking around for Kevin and then Mad Dog (a guy I know) came by and started talking to me. A few minutes in the conversation, he told me about this Shamisen player and he led me to my teacher. He was behind a tent with the other students and the shamisens! Good thing Mad Dog showed me ’cause I wouldn’t have seen him!

So, my teacher asked me if I was ready to play. That kinda caught me off guard ’cause I thought I wasn’t playing but I guess I misunderstood it. We would’t be playing together but we’d be playing seperatly. Just as good! I’m glad I went! We were supposed to get on in about ten minutes. My bachi hand got so sweaty and I hadn’t played Shamisen in a week so I had to “get my groove on” quickly! My best song is Rokudan but it does this thing where the melody goes up the neck and I was still a little too rusty to do that part yet. Out of the 6 parts in the song, it goes up there on 3 parts. I decided to do the first and last part. After getting that coordinated, I decided to, after doing the crushendo (pronounced something like that), make a transition into Yasaburo Bushi. After a round of that, I went back into the Crushendo and ended the song.

Showtime! First my teacher came up and played a few, than I came up and played the medley and than another guy came and played some other song (not all at the same time of course). We didn’t bring our camera but fortunately, some friends of ours had their digital camera that takes movies and they recorded me playing! They haven’t sent it to me but when I get it, I’ll send try to put it up here.

It was also good I went ’cause I got a potential Shakuhachi student!

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Us On Film!

Written on June 19, 2006.

We played on the mall last week. As you may not know, people often come up and take pictures or video of us playing but nobody as ever let us look at them or send it to us or even uttered a word to us. Well, last week, we were playing and this guy came up and was filming for quite a while. Afterwards, he asked us for our address and wanted to send us a copy video he took. Boy, that was nice! First time ever! A week later, we got the film and watched it. It was pretty fun to watch. I never like to hear myself playing but watching. . . it’s much more fun. ‘Cause see, when you hear yourself play, all you can hear is mistakes (most of the time). When you watch yourself play, you also get to see your hands flying around the fretboard which is really fun to watch.

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The Peace Sign

Written on June 16, 2006.

Call me crazy, but for me, the whole two-finger peace sign never really “took off” for me. I mean as a greeting or a farewell, I like the classic hand wave. Holding up two fingers . . . meh, I dunno.

If you ask me (which I don’t really see happening but I’m assuming that you’re asking ’cause it might happen), if one is gonna be sticking up two fingers, one should either raise the other three or lower one of them. (though I probably recommend raising the three)

No political responses please!

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Bluegrass Haiku

Written on June 13, 2006.

On the great website: CBAontheweb.com , There was a thread on the message board about Bluegrass Haiku. They were pretty funny and Luke posted a few. He encouraged me to post some too. He told me about the 5-7-5 syllable thingy which helped a lot. After he and I posted, Ma and Pa posted too.

In order of posting: Luke, me, Pa, Ma,

—-Luke—-
Another banjo
Coming to jam. That makes four
Methinks I should leave

Come to our work shop
It’s shameless self-promotion
But you will like it

Rusty strings, can’t tune
The strings on my mandolin
Darn acid fingers

Been jamming nine hours
Aching legs, aching ankles
Where is my Rump Roost

—- Me,—-
On my back knocked out,
Why is it a crime to play
A lame one chord song?

Bought a ‘jo (banjo) for fame,
Toilet clogged, No Rump Roost, *twang*
I play flute now . . . yeah.

At a ripping jam,
I’m hot stuff! I stop, they don’t.
My amp isn’t plugged in.

Crosspicking guitar,
Ow! Thumb pick in neck with note,
Death threat from banjo player
(ain’t quite 5-7-5 but it’s good enough)

Back from jam, tent gone!
Should’ve gave banjo player
The extra break.

Listen music lots,
Have plenty songs stuck in head,
Is real jam worth it?

Me in a circle,
Where are the instruments? Oh!
It’s Banjo Anon.

Can’t look, think, smile straight,
Jamming with drunks, tuners broke.
All in a day’s work.

At my very first jam,
Feeling smart ready to whip out,
Blackberry Blossom

Back from festival,
Stinky and have pickle breath,
Banjo is my friend.
(I’m getting desprate here!)

Sitting here plugged in,
Thinking as I’m writing this
Haiku should rhyme for god sakes!

(In fact, I’ll make the last one rhyme)

Come to me at GV,
I’ll autograph your BB
Take it easy (but take it)
Big ‘K’

—-Pa—-
A summer’s dark night
Surrounded by campsite light
Ahhhh, music in flight

—-Ma—-
My seats over there
Someone big is in my chair
Care to hear my song?

Ponderosa pines
Music, friends, a jug o’ milk
The moon shines down, dang

My sons and my mate
With a workshop to relate
Are here. Play by ear.

A long time I sit
I get up stiff as a plank
My last song werent stank

Ripe, smelly, strong and stiff
His shirt after noon a wiff
He’s having a blast

This place is too big
I can’t find my normous rig
Can I sleep with you?

The festival’s here
A state of bluegrass, folks cheer
Collaboration

If you sing with me
I will sing a harmony
Nothing feels better

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Shamisen Concert

Written on June 12, 2006.

I’m gonna be playing at the Japanese Cultural Fair with my teacher for a few minutes which should be fun. However, Luke woke up today with a sore throat. That means we all will have colds. Hopefully we won’t get them ’till next week but hey, whatever happens, happens. Hopefully my throat singing will help against the coming sore throat!

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