Spring Colds and Music on the Olympic Peninsula

I don't like being sick...never have. Such a waste of time and the world stops for no one, not even musicians and school teachers. And then there's the work that has to be done whether you're sick or not--loading equipment, correcting papers, setting up for a show, planning for a sub, and the list goes on.

Another busy week is already under way. Rollin' Waters plays the Port Townsend Brewing Company this Friday, starting at 5:30 PM, and kicking their new season of live music. We haven't been there since last October, and we're excited. I may have mentioned before that the beer is really good and sometimes they have food. This week it's just Stephanie and me performing but subsequent shows will feature our quartet that includes Tom Svornitch on drums and Todd Fisher on bass.

Now that I have XM radio, a whole bunch of new songs are available to me, giving many ideas for new arrangements to add to our repertoire. Fun!

Northwest Radio, Truffles...

With a radio spot on KONP in Port Angeles this Friday, more gigs scheduled at the Ajax in Port Hadlock and at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles, and Sunday nights at the Junction, Rollin' Waters is having a busy month. Saturday at the Ajax was especially rewarding with the packed and generous diners and the food--delicious(I learned that a truffle is not something George Harrison made up for "Savoy Truffle" but rather a kind mushroom that makes a great sauce.)
Some guy at the Junction Sunday appropriately named "JC" kept saying 'Amen' after each comment....very ironic it seemed. Many thanks to Joe and Bill for helping me host during the last few weeks. That's Joe and me in the pic at left making the best of things in Stephanie's absence, but now she's back and the music plays on.

Guitar Instruction Tip #2: When using a flatpick always keep a few fingers loosely touching the pickguard below the soundhole at all times (yes, even when playing chords!). Try it and listen to the improved tone and notice how much easier it is to navigate the strings and notes.

RL note: Schools in Hawaii are planning a WASL-like test but it will be called the "HASL" (pronounced "hassle")

As Common as Boats...Good Thing

Many thanks to Joe and Patrick (pictured left) for helping me out last Sunday at the Junction in Port Angeles. Lots of fun playing with them along with Johnny Mustang, Tom and Dave Secord and Rosalee. We sure have a wealth of talent here on the Olympic Peninsula--that's for sure. That pic was taken by Tina, Stephanie's mom, and the new ones in the panel are by Patrick. Nice job!

The rain continues here in Port Angeles with brief periods of marginal clearing, but you should see the cherry trees! Wow...just exceptional this year, and I didn't see a one in Las Vegas where the temperature was about 87 degrees and gray and dusty and crowded with tourists like me. So nice to be back in the Northwest where it's green and guitars are almost as common as boats. The Junction still has the best gin and tonics, the music free, and if you're a musician (acoustic, of course), you should join us Sunday night.

Use the Tips of Your Fingers to Fret Notes on Guitar

That's Johnny, Cody and Stephanie at the Junction in Port Angeles on a recent Sunday. If you're a player (guitar or other acoustic instrument, that is) get down to the Junction on Sunday night from seven to eleven and play some music with talented folks from the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.

Yes, that's the first of many guitar lesson tips up there in the title. You simply can't be too specific when it comes to helping learn guitar techniques. Too many bad habits to avoid!