Having been among the people who were not able to make the potluck jam, and
hearing that it ROCKED (which I didn't know was allowed at the Folk School!), I
hope there will be more such events!

BTW, whatever happened to the plan to have a special events committee and other
committees to plan events such as this?  I notice that this is listed as a
volunteer opportunity on the website (and the redsesigned website is very nice!)
Seems like I put my name in as a volunteer for these committees some time ago
but haven't heard anything since then.

*does old-time happy dance*

Andy, will you autograph my CD once I get a copy?

This is GREAT news!

I bought a copy of the "Pride of America" CD off Andy, and I'm sure a satisfied
customer! It's great old-time music from Illinois, including a lot of fine
ensemble vocals of a kind you don't often hear in old-time.

Some of you may remember when the New Mules played for the Saturday dance last
June, and I understand they'll be playing a dance in June again this year, too. 
Can't wait to dance to them again!

Dan.

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Gribble <pl8unes@...> wrote:
> Our group has a new website: www.newmules.net. The New Mules (Garry Harrison,
Genevieve Harrison, Smith Koester, Abby Ladin, and myself, Andy Gribble) will be
playing at The National Folk Festival and�teaching at Fiddle Tunes this year,
so if you're going and would like to check us out in advance, we invite you to
visit the site.
>
> Also, we have a new CD of previously unrecorded old-time music entitled 'Pride
Of America'.� At the website there is info about the instruments used,
tunings, sources of the music, all of the song lyrics and sound clips of all the
tracks.
> �
> Thanks,
> Andy Gribble
>

Jill,

I bet if you come to the dance on June 13 you can get all of the autographs!

I'd highly recommend that to everyone - playing for dances really seems to
energize a band - you will see them at their best!

Mac
--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "jhfield4@..." <jhfield4@...> wrote:
>
> *does old-time happy dance*
>
> Andy, will you autograph my CD once I get a copy?
>
> This is GREAT news!
>

There is a bluegrass festival at the Holiday inn at the 6 flags exit today and
tonight. It used to be an old dairy barn and is a cool place to check out. When
you get off at the 6 flags exit at 44 going west, take a right, go just up on
the left. Take your instrument, and walk around the pool area. People are
playing music all night long in the rooms. It's fun just to walk around and
listen. Take a cooler of beer or something. Last year I ended up jamming with
some of them till 5 AM, and they were still going at it when I left.
   I have a horrible cold, but might head up there later. Alan

I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with.  There used to be
"slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening again.
Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable for
beginners?   I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move forward,
but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam for quite
a little while yet.
Dan

All we need in order to make slow jams happen again at the Folk School Saturday
jams are a few volunteers to lead them. Jam leaders need to be able to play
tunes slowly (obviously) and with steady, solid time (which is harder to do when
you are playing slow than when you are playing fast). For old-time slow jams
(that is, playing fiddle tunes), fiddlers and mandolin players are the most
ideal for jam leaders.

Volunteers???

thanks,
Colleen

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "danhiggins3" <dan.higgins3@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with.  There used to
be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again.  Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable
for beginners?   I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move
forward, but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam
for quite a little while yet.
> Dan
>

I did try that once, but no fiddlers wanted to do it.  I can always try it
again.

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, Sean Ruprecht-Belt <sruprect@...>
wrote:
>
> Dan,
> There isn't a scheduled novice or slow jam. But there's always the option of
splitting the group and asking if some of the newer players want to go to
another room. Usually one or two of the more experienced fiddlers will go along
at least for a while to make sure that someone can "drive" the tunes. You might
not get a whole three hours of slow jamming, but it would be a place to start.
>  
> Sean R-B
>
> --- On Mon, 3/23/09, danhiggins3 <dan.higgins3@...> wrote:
>
> From: danhiggins3 <dan.higgins3@...>
> Subject: [folkschoolstlouis] Jam for novice players ?
> To: folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, March 23, 2009, 8:06 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with. There used to
be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again. Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable for
beginners? I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move forward,
but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam for quite
a little while yet.
> Dan
>

If it will help, I'll volunteer to provide slow rhythm guitar backing at least
some of the time.  All I'd want would be to get in some time playing fiddle.

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "colleenmheine" <colleenmheine@...>
wrote:
>
> All we need in order to make slow jams happen again at the Folk School
Saturday jams are a few volunteers to lead them. Jam leaders need to be able to
play tunes slowly (obviously) and with steady, solid time (which is harder to do
when you are playing slow than when you are playing fast). For old-time slow
jams (that is, playing fiddle tunes), fiddlers and mandolin players are the most
ideal for jam leaders.
>
> Volunteers???
>
> thanks,
> Colleen
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "danhiggins3" <dan.higgins3@> wrote:
> >
> > I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with.  There used
to be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again.  Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable
for beginners?   I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move
forward, but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam
for quite a little while yet.
> > Dan
> >
>

I would be interested in slow jams also as a banjo player.  I have taken
a lesson with Colin and just got to busy at work to do another one.
--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "colleenmheine"
<colleenmheine@...> wrote:
>
> All we need in order to make slow jams happen again at the Folk School
Saturday jams are a few volunteers to lead them. Jam leaders need to be
able to play tunes slowly (obviously) and with steady, solid time (which
is harder to do when you are playing slow than when you are playing
fast). For old-time slow jams (that is, playing fiddle tunes), fiddlers
and mandolin players are the most ideal for jam leaders.
>
> Volunteers???
>
> thanks,
> Colleen
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "danhiggins3" dan.higgins3@
wrote:
> >
> > I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with. There
used to be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see
that happening again. Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around
town that's suitable for beginners? I've got to get some jamming in if
I'm ever going to move forward, but nobody's going to want to hear my
fiddling at a regular school jam for quite a little while yet.
> > Dan
> >
>

If somone could help set the correct tempo I would be happy to set in on the
slow jam with my fiddle.

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "danhiggins3" <dan.higgins3@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with.  There used to
be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again.  Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable
for beginners?   I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move
forward, but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam
for quite a little while yet.
> Dan
>
  Dan
I'm  not (by a long shot) experianced enough to lead a jam but if someone can
set the tempo speed I would be happy to join in the slower jam with my fiddle. I
can still remember how important those jams were to the advancment of my
fiddling.

I'd like to help out too. I've been playing banjo off and on for 30 years,
then I found the folk school. I did a lot of classes with Dave Landreth, then
someone gave me a fiddle and I've been taking lessons on that for about 5 years
now. I always wrote down what I learned, but lost the original notebook, so I
need to review what I've learned. Steve gave me a pretty good list that he made.
   Also, I was wondering if all the teachers or students are writing down all the
tunes they teach each session, and maybe make a book of it.
   Alan Sullivan

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "steve" <stevemanion@...> wrote:
>
> If somone could help set the correct tempo I would be happy to set in on the
slow jam with my fiddle.
>

About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a cassette
recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was in my
banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are others
like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something and
record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes to
CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering how
much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost me
about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is learning
how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files for the
complete idiot".
   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone else
uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and always
used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC though, so
that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and didn't realize
how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and I did find
another site for deals.
www.geeks.com
   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the PC". I
think the website for Audacity is,
http://audacity.sourceforge.net
  Maybe there is something better?
   Alan Sullivan

Hi Alan,

I've been using my laptop for both live and multitrack studio recording. I use a
program called Cool Edit Pro for recording, which is fairly similar to Audacity.
But these programs aren't really designed to organize your music, they're mostly
for recording and editing audio.

For organizing music, I use iTunes.  The problem with iTunes is that you can't
transfer your organized music to just any MP3 player, it only works with an
iPod.  MediaMonkey is an excellent music organizer, and it works with just about
any MP3 player.  The free version still has plenty of features and you can
download it at mediamonkey.com

Another good music organizer is Songbird.  It's free and has some good features,
but it's still in beta version.  It's not yet compatible with Microsoft Zune MP3
players.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Billy Boyer



--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "irishfeat" <irishfeat@...> wrote:
>
>   About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a cassette
recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was in my
banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are others
like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something and
record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
>   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes to
CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
>   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering how
much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost me
about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is learning
how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files for the
complete idiot".
>   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone else
uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and always
used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC though, so
that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and didn't realize
how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and I did find
another site for deals.
> www.geeks.com
>   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the PC". I
think the website for Audacity is,
> http://audacity.sourceforge.net
>  Maybe there is something better?
>   Alan Sullivan
>

While we are on the topic of organizing tunes and recordings, i use iTunes as
well. But i have this problem. I have stuff i have recorded for instructional
purposes in my iTunes library, mixed in with the music i listen to for
enjoyment. This pretty much renders the 'shuffle' play feature pretty useless,
since i don't want to be listening the old "here's the first phrase of this tune
played slowly over and over again" during dinner. iTunes users: Any remedy for
this?

Colleen

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "stlouisyouthcontra@..." <boyerwl@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Alan,
>
> I've been using my laptop for both live and multitrack studio recording. I use
a program called Cool Edit Pro for recording, which is fairly similar to
Audacity.  But these programs aren't really designed to organize your music,
they're mostly for recording and editing audio.
>
> For organizing music, I use iTunes.  The problem with iTunes is that you can't
transfer your organized music to just any MP3 player, it only works with an
iPod.  MediaMonkey is an excellent music organizer, and it works with just about
any MP3 player.  The free version still has plenty of features and you can
download it at mediamonkey.com
>
> Another good music organizer is Songbird.  It's free and has some good
features, but it's still in beta version.  It's not yet compatible with
Microsoft Zune MP3 players.
>
> Hope this helps.  Good luck!
>
> Billy Boyer
>
>
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "irishfeat" <irishfeat@> wrote:
> >
> >   About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a
cassette recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was
in my banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are
others like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something
and record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
> >   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes to
CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
> >   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering
how much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost me
about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is learning
how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files for the
complete idiot".
> >   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone
else uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and
always used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC though,
so that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and didn't
realize how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and I did
find another site for deals.
> > www.geeks.com
> >   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the PC".
I think the website for Audacity is,
> > http://audacity.sourceforge.net
> >  Maybe there is something better?
> >   Alan Sullivan
> >
>

I've had the same problem with iTunes playing instructional recordings when I
don't want to hear them.
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/get_itunes_to_skip_certain_songs_in_shuffle_mode.ht\
ml offers one solution. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a good idea.

Michael

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "colleenmheine" <colleenmheine@...>
wrote:
>
> While we are on the topic of organizing tunes and recordings, i use iTunes as
well. But i have this problem. I have stuff i have recorded for instructional
purposes in my iTunes library, mixed in with the music i listen to for
enjoyment. This pretty much renders the 'shuffle' play feature pretty useless,
since i don't want to be listening the old "here's the first phrase of this tune
played slowly over and over again" during dinner. iTunes users: Any remedy for
this?
>
> Colleen
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "stlouisyouthcontra@" <boyerwl@>
wrote:
> >
> > Hi Alan,
> >
> > I've been using my laptop for both live and multitrack studio recording. I
use a program called Cool Edit Pro for recording, which is fairly similar to
Audacity.  But these programs aren't really designed to organize your music,
they're mostly for recording and editing audio.
> >
> > For organizing music, I use iTunes.  The problem with iTunes is that you
can't transfer your organized music to just any MP3 player, it only works with
an iPod.  MediaMonkey is an excellent music organizer, and it works with just
about any MP3 player.  The free version still has plenty of features and you can
download it at mediamonkey.com
> >
> > Another good music organizer is Songbird.  It's free and has some good
features, but it's still in beta version.  It's not yet compatible with
Microsoft Zune MP3 players.
> >
> > Hope this helps.  Good luck!
> >
> > Billy Boyer
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "irishfeat" <irishfeat@> wrote:
> > >
> > >   About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a
cassette recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was
in my banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are
others like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something
and record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
> > >   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes
to CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
> > >   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering
how much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost me
about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is learning
how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files for the
complete idiot".
> > >   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone
else uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and
always used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC though,
so that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and didn't
realize how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and I did
find another site for deals.
> > > www.geeks.com
> > >   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the
PC". I think the website for Audacity is,
> > > http://audacity.sourceforge.net
> > >  Maybe there is something better?
> > >   Alan Sullivan
> > >
> >
>

Actually, the problem of iTunes/iPod playing undesired songs during shuffle is
fairly easy to fix.

Firstly, you can shuffle just the songs in one of your playlists.  On your iPod,
go to settings and select "shuffle songs", then start playing any song in the
desired playist, and it will shuffle only the songs in that playlist.

Another thing you can do is make a playlist that has the all songs you DON'T
want to play during shuffle.  Call it "undesired" or something.  Then select
"new smart playlist". You can easily customize a smart playlist to omit songs
that are in the "undesired" playlist.  Then when you use your iPod, just start
playing a song in that smart playlist while you're in shuffle mode, and you'll
hear everything except the songs you put in the "undesired" playlist.

Another option is to uncheck the undesired songs (all songs in iTunes have a
check mark that can be deselected).  The songs you uncheck won't play during
shuffle in iTunes.  They also won't be synced to your iPod as long as you've
selected that option.

You can also select which playlists get synced to your iPod.  While your iPod is
connected to the computer, click on the iPod icon in the left column.  One of
the tabs near the top (in think "playlists") brings you to a checklist where you
can select which playlists are synced to your iPod.

As you probably guessed, I'm a bit of a computer geek :)  Anyway, hope this
helps!

Billy


--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "michael_morgan_qwerty" <morganm@...>
wrote:
>
> I've had the same problem with iTunes playing instructional recordings when I
don't want to hear them.
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/get_itunes_to_skip_certain_songs_in_shuffle_mode.ht\
ml offers one solution. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a good idea.
>
> Michael
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "colleenmheine" <colleenmheine@>
wrote:
> >
> > While we are on the topic of organizing tunes and recordings, i use iTunes
as well. But i have this problem. I have stuff i have recorded for instructional
purposes in my iTunes library, mixed in with the music i listen to for
enjoyment. This pretty much renders the 'shuffle' play feature pretty useless,
since i don't want to be listening the old "here's the first phrase of this tune
played slowly over and over again" during dinner. iTunes users: Any remedy for
this?
> >
> > Colleen
> >
> > --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "stlouisyouthcontra@" <boyerwl@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Alan,
> > >
> > > I've been using my laptop for both live and multitrack studio recording. I
use a program called Cool Edit Pro for recording, which is fairly similar to
Audacity.  But these programs aren't really designed to organize your music,
they're mostly for recording and editing audio.
> > >
> > > For organizing music, I use iTunes.  The problem with iTunes is that you
can't transfer your organized music to just any MP3 player, it only works with
an iPod.  MediaMonkey is an excellent music organizer, and it works with just
about any MP3 player.  The free version still has plenty of features and you can
download it at mediamonkey.com
> > >
> > > Another good music organizer is Songbird.  It's free and has some good
features, but it's still in beta version.  It's not yet compatible with
Microsoft Zune MP3 players.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps.  Good luck!
> > >
> > > Billy Boyer
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "irishfeat" <irishfeat@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >   About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a
cassette recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was
in my banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are
others like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something
and record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
> > > >   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes
to CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
> > > >   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was
wondering how much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally
about year ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It
only cost me about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that
is learning how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files
for the complete idiot".
> > > >   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what
everyone else uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my
classes and always used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a
MAC though, so that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and
didn't realize how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and
I did find another site for deals.
> > > > www.geeks.com
> > > >   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the
PC". I think the website for Audacity is,
> > > > http://audacity.sourceforge.net
> > > >  Maybe there is something better?
> > > >   Alan Sullivan
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

With a slight twist, I use one of the approaches Billy mentioned.

The twist is that I start by tagging all my instructional material as
instructional genre when I add it to my library. Then I create a smart playlist
that excludes the genre instructional.

If you aren't familiar with smart playlists, you should really check them out.
They are very useful. I often use a smart playlist that only includes things
added to the library in the last month or two so that I am sure to hear my new
material. If you buy or otherwise collect a lot of songs, it's easy to let them
drop off the radar sometimes. The smart playlist really helps.

The new genius playlists are cool too.

Don
--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "colleenmheine" <colleenmheine@...>
wrote:
>
> While we are on the topic of organizing tunes and recordings, i use iTunes as
well. But i have this problem. I have stuff i have recorded for instructional
purposes in my iTunes library, mixed in with the music i listen to for
enjoyment. This pretty much renders the 'shuffle' play feature pretty useless,
since i don't want to be listening the old "here's the first phrase of this tune
played slowly over and over again" during dinner. iTunes users: Any remedy for
this?
>
> Colleen
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "stlouisyouthcontra@" <boyerwl@>
wrote:
> >
> > Hi Alan,
> >
> > I've been using my laptop for both live and multitrack studio recording. I
use a program called Cool Edit Pro for recording, which is fairly similar to
Audacity.  But these programs aren't really designed to organize your music,
they're mostly for recording and editing audio.
> >
> > For organizing music, I use iTunes.  The problem with iTunes is that you
can't transfer your organized music to just any MP3 player, it only works with
an iPod.  MediaMonkey is an excellent music organizer, and it works with just
about any MP3 player.  The free version still has plenty of features and you can
download it at mediamonkey.com
> >
> > Another good music organizer is Songbird.  It's free and has some good
features, but it's still in beta version.  It's not yet compatible with
Microsoft Zune MP3 players.
> >
> > Hope this helps.  Good luck!
> >
> > Billy Boyer
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "irishfeat" <irishfeat@> wrote:
> > >
> > >   About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a
cassette recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was
in my banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are
others like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download something
and record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
> > >   It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes
to CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
> > >   Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering
how much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost me
about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is learning
how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files for the
complete idiot".
> > >   The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone
else uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and
always used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC though,
so that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and didn't
realize how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down, and I did
find another site for deals.
> > > www.geeks.com
> > >   Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the
PC". I think the website for Audacity is,
> > > http://audacity.sourceforge.net
> > >  Maybe there is something better?
> > >   Alan Sullivan
> > >
> >
>

There is also a web browser media player that looks similar to Media Monkey
called Songbird from the makers of Mozilla Firefox. It brings in you library for
itunes or windows media player, and is pretty interesting. I've been watching
and reading about it for about 8 months and decided to download it about a month
ago. It has some nice features and free addons. It's free too.
   Although, it doesn't record, and that's why I posted this thread.I was
wondering what or if people are using laptops for recording. Organizing is most
important though, do any of you guys/gals use Media Monkey? AL

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Mutchler" <stevem5000@...>
wrote:
>
> There are a bunch of software programs for organizing music.I like Monkey
> Media about the best.Free version is fine, but if you want to rip a bunch of
> CD's, the paid version rips much faster.
>
>
>
> Best way to find stuff is to "google".try mp3 players, organize mp3, things
> like that.and do a LOT of exploring the various web sites that come up.lot
> of free stuff out there as well as paid.try different things until you find
> something you like.
>
>
>
> The issue with Media Monkey is that it has sooooo many features.it can do
> just about anything to just about everything.including moving mp3's to your
> iPod.no, you don't need iTunes to do that.although MM is the only program
> other than iTunes that I am aware of that will work with iPods.
>
>
>
> I have several thousand mp3's on my computer, and I use MM to keep things
> organized.went thru Audacity, MusicMatch, couple others I don't remember, a
> few free ones.settled in on MM.
>
>
>
>
>
> My daughter started fiddle lessons at the school a while back.I got her a
> Zoom to record the practices etc.she loves it.Think I paid about $150.online
> someplace.Amazon maybe.
>
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> From: folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of irishfeat
> Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 4:08 PM
> To: folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [folkschoolstlouis] Laptop Recording Studio
>
>
>
> About 5 or 6 years ago when I found the Folk School, I was using a cassette
> recorder. I hadn't really kept up with technology in digital. Mac was in my
> banjo class and has an digital recorder that costs around $300. There are
> others like it, Zoom. I was always wondering if I could just download
> something and record it on a laptop and found Audacity.
> It's a free download, and can even convert your old LP's and cassettes to
> CD's. I only just downloaded it, so don't know much about it.
> Although I'm still learning all this stuff about files, I was wondering how
> much you guys know. I also ran out an bought a MP3 player finally about year
> ago, because I didn't realize you could record on them as well. It only cost
> me about $35 and holds about 4 G of stuff. The only problems with that is
> learning how to organize files. I need to go out and buy "Organizing files
> for the complete idiot".
> The main reason I filed this post is that I was wondering what everyone else
> uses to keep tunes organized. I know Ellen was in one of my classes and
> always used her laptop to record tunes. I have windows and she has a MAC
> though, so that's a different ballgame. I bought this laptop last march, and
> didn't realize how old my other PC really was. Prices have really gone down,
> and I did find another site for deals.
> www.geeks.com
> Anyway, it could also be a good workshop for "Organizing Tunes ON the PC". I
> think the website for Audacity is,
> http://audacity.sourceforge.net
> Maybe there is something better?
> Alan Sullivan
>

Hi everybody.  I was out of town when this conversation started so I'm just
catching up to it.  I am certainly in favor of seeing a "slow jam" at the Folk
School and would be happy to help out.  I think I could provide some solid "slow
fiddling" on certain tunes and would be happy to play rhythmn guitar or
mandolin, as well.

But let me comment on this from the perspective of my recent experience in
proposing and conducting a "folk song jam" on a few jam session days.  First of
all, I thought of this as a "slow jam" of sorts mainly to benefit some of the
novice guitar players who I noticed seemed to be lost, intimidated, or bored by
the old-time or bluegrass sessions.   There seems to be some interest in
continuing this, but I wasn't able to be there to do it this month.  The main
question I would ask is this:

Could a "slow jam" combine both folk songs and old-time tunes?

I ask this question because I have noticed that there has always been an
unspoken resistance or reluctance to doing vocal songs at the old-time jam.  I
don't really understand this and I think it reflects a limited view of what
constitutes "old-time music" so I'm interested in comments people might have
about this.

Another issue that bears discussion is the matter of proliferating more jams at
the Folk School, in general.  Having done the Folk Song Jam and participated in
the Blues Jam,  I would state the opinion that a significant expansion of the
jam sessions beyond the traditional old-time and bluegrass sessions, whether it
be for "Slow Jams", "Folk Song Jams", "Irish Sessions" or whatever really should
entail expanding the number of Saturdays per month that jams are conducted. 
This is because it seems like the additional jam sessions compete too much for
the same players and can be less than a satisfying experience when confined to a
small room where there is the distraction of sound from the other jam sessions. 
There is also the frustration of not being able to play in the other jam
sessions, though this may only be a problem for a person like me who enjoys
playing different types of music.

Obviously, conducting jam sessions on additional Saturdays would entail having
the committment of volunteers to do it,  but my feeling is that there would be
enough people willing to volunteer to make this possible, if the school were
willing to consider it.

RG



--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, "danhiggins3" <dan.higgins3@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with.  There used to
be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again.  Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable
for beginners?   I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move
forward, but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam
for quite a little while yet.
> Dan
>

The Buckhannon Brothers (Curtis - mandolin, Dennis - guitar) along with bassist
Vince Corkery are performing tonight at the Folk School. 7:30pm. $10 admission.
These guys are always a pleasure to experience! Not only is their music pure and
beautiful, but they will make you laugh your socks off! BYOB. We hope to see
you.

The Buckhannon Brothers (Curtis - mandolin, Dennis - guitar) along with bassist
Vince Corkery are performing tonight at the Folk School. 7:30pm. $10 admission.
These guys are always a pleasure to experience! Not only is their music pure and
beautiful, but they will make you laugh your socks off! BYOB. We hope to see
you.

--- In folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com, Sean Ruprecht-Belt <sruprect@...>
wrote:
>I agree with Sean, at the slow jams you have to play the tunes the Fiddle I and
Banjo I , ect have been learning. If you play harder tunes they would find that
frustrating and intimidating.
> Ray,
>  
> I don't think there is a resistance to songs in the old time jam. I think the
issue is that if the fiddlers or mandolinists don't know the tune, then they're
not able to carry the melody which is their role in old time music. I've never
been at a jam at the school where if someone said they'd like to sing a song
anyone objected or was other than encouraging. I HAVE been at a couple of jams
where one person busted up the jam by insisting on singing song after song; many
of which were either contemporary singer-songwriter numbers or were things they
wrote themselves and went on for verse after verse. Some singers also seem to
have no awareness of what key we're playing in and want to sing "Old Joe Clark"
in D because it's better for their voice, though the convention is to play it in
A and that's where the fiddlers know it. There is a certain amount of etiquette
in an old time jam and some singers seem to be unaware of this. But I'm sure
that if we were in
>  G and you said, "I'd like to sing 'Handsome Molly'," or "Pig in a Pen" or
"Walking in My Sleep" that no one would blink.
>  
> As far as doing a combined "slow jam" and "folk song jam", I am sure it COULD
work. I'm just not sure how. The issue that would have to be worked out is this:
the slow jam is primarily so that newer players can have a comfortable jam
situation where they can work on learning their instruments and playing with
others. I imagine that players from fiddle 1 or banjo 1, etc. wouldn't know most
of the songs the folk singers would like to play and would find that frustrating
and intimidating. With the guitar, if you know three chords you can play most
folk songs; with a fiddle or banjo it's a more difficult proposition. I'm not
saying it couldn't be worked out, but I'm not sure how to make it a fun learning
experience for both the novice players and the singers.
>  
> But for all of these items, if the Folk School community wants it to happen,
we'll find a way to make it happen.
>  
> Sean R-B
>  
>
>
> --- On Sat, 3/28/09, Ray Gude <raygee49@...> wrote:
>
> From: Ray Gude <raygee49@...>
> Subject: [folkschoolstlouis] Re: Jam for novice players ?
> To: folkschoolstlouis@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 11:51 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi everybody. I was out of town when this conversation started so I'm just
catching up to it. I am certainly in favor of seeing a "slow jam" at the Folk
School and would be happy to help out. I think I could provide some solid "slow
fiddling" on certain tunes and would be happy to play rhythmn guitar or
mandolin, as well.
>
> But let me comment on this from the perspective of my recent experience in
proposing and conducting a "folk song jam" on a few jam session days. First of
all, I thought of this as a "slow jam" of sorts mainly to benefit some of the
novice guitar players who I noticed seemed to be lost, intimidated, or bored by
the old-time or bluegrass sessions. There seems to be some interest in
continuing this, but I wasn't able to be there to do it this month. The main
question I would ask is this:
>
> Could a "slow jam" combine both folk songs and old-time tunes?
>
> I ask this question because I have noticed that there has always been an
unspoken resistance or reluctance to doing vocal songs at the old-time jam. I
don't really understand this and I think it reflects a limited view of what
constitutes "old-time music" so I'm interested in comments people might have
about this.
>
> Another issue that bears discussion is the matter of proliferating more jams
at the Folk School, in general. Having done the Folk Song Jam and participated
in the Blues Jam, I would state the opinion that a significant expansion of the
jam sessions beyond the traditional old-time and bluegrass sessions, whether it
be for "Slow Jams", "Folk Song Jams", "Irish Sessions" or whatever really should
entail expanding the number of Saturdays per month that jams are conducted. This
is because it seems like the additional jam sessions compete too much for the
same players and can be less than a satisfying experience when confined to a
small room where there is the distraction of sound from the other jam sessions.
There is also the frustration of not being able to play in the other jam
sessions, though this may only be a problem for a person like me who enjoys
playing different types of music.
>
> Obviously, conducting jam sessions on additional Saturdays would entail having
the committment of volunteers to do it, but my feeling is that there would be
enough people willing to volunteer to make this possible, if the school were
willing to consider it.
>
> RG
>
> --- In folkschoolstlouis@ yahoogroups. com, "danhiggins3" <dan.higgins3@ ...>
wrote:
> >
> > I'm a novice fiddler looking for jams that I can keep up with. There used to
be "slow jams" at the school, and I for one would love to see that happening
again. Failing that, does anyone know of any jam around town that's suitable for
beginners? I've got to get some jamming in if I'm ever going to move forward,
but nobody's going to want to hear my fiddling at a regular school jam for quite
a little while yet.
> > Dan
> >
>