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San
Diego Folk Song SocietyCome on over and join in the pickin' and singin'The San Diego Folk Song Society meets every second Sunday of the month, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, at Old Time Music in North Park. A special leader picks a theme and leads the song circle. The leader starts the circle off, plays some songs related to the theme, then the rest of us follow, playing theme related songs, first time around the circle. After that, it's open choice. So please join us, for an exciting musical time, sing some songs, just listen, play your instruments and enjoy being a part of the great folk tradition.
Old
Time Music Bob Page, the owner of Old Time Music, wants us to feel at home and help make Old Time Music the premier traditional music store in San Diego. He has requested that a couple of rules be adheared to. Please!....
Water bottles are okay. ===================================
If
you have ideas for themes, suggestions for circle leaders (yourself or others)
or just want to talk or vent, e-mail me at allens@allensinger.com.
See you at our next meeting. Until then, keep on pickin' and singin'!
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Leader:Drew Gallahar
There are many ways to express this month's theme. It can be freedom on either a personal or national level, the wish for freedom, the struggle for freedom or freedom found. Perhaps you've written a song about your own life and times or have been struck by the power of a song you've heard. Just singing one of them can lift you up as you think about the lyrics. Come share your favorite. It may very well inspire someone at our meeting.
Drew has been a SDFSS member since 1976 and served for three years as “El Presidente”. He's a product of the “Great Folk Scare” of the early sixties, but spent the years between 1963 to 1972 playing rock & roll. He bailed out of this in the 70's after it got too loud, excessive, and bombastic. He came back to folk music and got introduced to the more “roots” forms through SDFSS. He's always liked watching people grow as performers in SDFSS.
Drew is a superb luthier, not afraid to tackle the repair and restoration of instruments others won't touch. The editors of this sheet can testify to his skill. He made Tanya's very old, very rare Martin into a playable instrument of wonderful tone and appearance. You can find him at the Blue Guitar, 5959 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego 92120 (619) 283-2700. Says Drew: "I build a few guitars and mandolins each year, so contact me if you're interested. They don't hang around long, so it's best to ask before they are completed.”
Second Half of the Meeting
We will be trying a new format during the second half of the song circle in the coming months. Be ready to lead a familiar group song and we will get in as many as time allows. The theme does not apply to this part of the gathering, and the song should be one that most of us know without having to use sheet music.
I've noticed that some people are still uncomfortable and scared performing at our monthly song circles. All musicians experience anxiety and a fear of not doing well some times. The best way to get beyond these fears is to practice your songs at home, play more often with other people, and enjoy the fun of performing. Nobody is evaluating your song circle performance. We get together to listen, learn, play together, and have a great time. I realize we have people with a variety of musical instruments, talents and skill levels. Our song circles offer us a great learning experience where we can pick along and improve our playing, while widening our song knowledge and singing experience.
We all got involved with our instruments because of the joy and satisfaction the music brings to us. The best way to get past the nervous fingers and voice is to play and let the music out. Mistakes are the roadmap for later improvement with practice. When I practice, I test my musical limits to learn, listen, perform, and extend my music vocabulary. Your ear, skills and musical intuition are great guides. Practice slowly and speed up as you develop your material. I find that nothing's more uncomfortable than a "rushed" song. So next time, take a breath, close your eyes, sing out, and play on. It works all the time and nobody will mind if you make mistakes!
--Allen Singer
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Epitaph on the headstone of a blues musician: “I didn't wake up this morning”
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