<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt">Hi All,<br>I've attended some of the slow sessions off and on for a couple years now. The issue of speeding up is frustrating to me also, but I realize it is a natural tendency to do just that. In my opinion, the best solution to this would be to have one person act as a "conductor." I think this problem requires the visual aid of someone standing in front or center and using a baton, bow, whatever and perhaps counting out loud at the same time. Also if the pace is spoken prior to starting to play, it is a firmer way of setting the pace. Debbie is very good at doing this, or I could volunteer if people feel they would like to try a method like this. I think it's a matter of retraining our automatic pilot habit of speeding up. The vocal/spoken cue and the
visual aid would help a lot.<br><br>Sharon<br><div><br></div><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> "peterk@cruzio.com" <peterk@cruzio.com><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions announcement list <santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Mon, April 5, 2010 5:51:27 PM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session Invitation- Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br></font><br>As long as we're making suggestions, I would like to see a list of tunes, sent out earlier in the<br>week, with each of us telling the rest of the group what tunes we will choose when it's
our turn.<br>That way, we could practice on the tunes that will be played on Sunday. The way it is now, those<br>of us that aren't proficient sight readers can either sit out the tune if we don't know it, or<br>just try and play a few matching notes....I know it would really help me if I could practice on<br>those tunes during the week, before Sunday rolls around.<br>See you Sunday,<br>Peter<br><br>> Hi all: I have been coming on and off for about a year and I enjoy the<br>> sessions and playing the tunes. I wholeheartedly agree with others that the<br>> songs are played too fast for a session that is slated to be a "slow-slow"<br>> session. By default (since a lot of us slower players have dropped out), it<br>> has become just another session for the more advanced/faster players. And,<br>> frankly, I have also gotten to the point that I resist saying "that's too<br>> fast, can we play it slower?", especially when I hear comments
such as<br>> "that was dreadfully slow", "that was boring" or "I can't play that slow".<br>> This has been frustrating to me since I thought that playing the tunes<br>> slowly was the purpose of the slow-slow session!<br>><br>><br>><br>> I also don't think that at a designated slow-slow session it should be up to<br>> those who wish to play the tunes more slowly to "tame the fasties". The<br>> constant attempt of "taming the fasties" does not make the session<br>> enjoyable to me. There are two other sessions for the fasties to go to;<br>> those who like to play the tunes more slowly just have this one.<br>><br>><br>><br>> I like the suggestion of during more waltzes and airs from the big book, but<br>> for the entire session. These slower songs are perfect for the slow-slow<br>> session and I think mixing them throughout the session would add diversity<br>> to the session. I also like
the suggestion of setting a metronome range<br>> for the jigs and reels. All participants can then practice with a metronome<br>> at home at these speeds and know what to expect at the session. If the<br>> metronome range is too slow for some, they have the option of going to the<br>> faster sessions at the Buttery and Brit. Arms. If the metronome range is too<br>> high for some, then we can lower it.<br>><br>><br>><br>> Thanks,<br>><br>> Kathy<br>><br>><br>><br>> From: santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions-bounces+brg=<a ymailto="mailto:cruzio.com@lists.sonic.net" href="mailto:cruzio.com@lists.sonic.net">cruzio.com@lists.sonic.net</a><br>> [mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions-bounces+brg=<a ymailto="mailto:cruzio.com@lists.sonic.n" href="mailto:cruzio.com@lists.sonic.n">cruzio.com@lists.sonic.n</a><br>> et] On Behalf Of Fulton-Bennett, Kim<br>> Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 8:17 AM<br>> To: Santa
Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions announcement list<br>> Subject: Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session<br>> Invitation- Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>><br>><br>><br>> Hi folks,<br>><br>><br>><br>> I don't come very often, but I think the idea of having a truly "slow speed"<br>> session is a good one. One thing I have observed is that even when we start<br>> slow, we almost always speed up later in the song. I think it would be very<br>> useful to find a way to keep the tempo slow throughout a song. Maybe this<br>> means using a metronome, or perhaps following a designated person who is<br>> able to keep a slow, steady tempo.<br>><br>><br>><br>> Just my 2 cents...<br>><br>><br>><br>> ---kfb---<br>><br>> -----Original Message-----<br>> From: santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions-bounces+kfb=<a ymailto="mailto:mbari.org@lists.sonic.net"
href="mailto:mbari.org@lists.sonic.net">mbari.org@lists.sonic.net</a><br>> [mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions-bounces+kfb=<a ymailto="mailto:mbari.org@lists.sonic.ne" href="mailto:mbari.org@lists.sonic.ne">mbari.org@lists.sonic.ne</a><br>> t]On Behalf Of Lucas Cantin<br>> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 11:06 PM<br>> To: Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions announcement list<br>> Subject: Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session<br>> Invitation- Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>><br>><br>> The session was created with slow players in mind. I think with some minor<br>> modifications and a vocal group of slow players, we can 'tame' the 'fasties'<br>> for the first Sunday.<br>><br>> Let's keep the dialogue going.<br>><br>> Also, I wanted to contact Pauli if I could.<br>><br>> Lucas<br>><br>> --- On Sun, 4/4/10, <a ymailto="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com"
href="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com">weathercaller@aol.com</a> <<a ymailto="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com" href="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com">weathercaller@aol.com</a>> wrote:<br>><br>><br>> From: <a ymailto="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com" href="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com">weathercaller@aol.com</a> <<a ymailto="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com" href="mailto:weathercaller@aol.com">weathercaller@aol.com</a>><br>> Subject: Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session Invitation<br>> - Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>> To: <a ymailto="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net" href="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net">santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net</a><br>> Date: Sunday, April 4, 2010, 10:35 PM<br>><br>> Hi Everyone,<br>><br>><br>><br>> I've only come a couple of times over the past year and a half or so, partly<br>> due to the distance but also
partly because of the speed with which the<br>> tunes have been played when I have been there. Everyone was very welcoming<br>> and friendly, but I ended up with exactly the same impression as indicated<br>> below -- most of the folks there were people who've been playing for much<br>> longer than I have, and seemingly treating it more as another opportunity to<br>> play than as an opportunity to bring in us much slower-speed beginners.<br>> Perhaps part of the problem too is that "slow" isn't really well-defined; it<br>> covers a vast range. So by slow are we talking 75 bpm or 105 bpm? Either<br>> way though my impression was that whatever was intended, things always<br>> seemed to drift upwards towards what I think of as dance speed, or around<br>> 115-120 -- and that's way out of my league. Maybe we need both a "slow<br>> session" and a "really slow" session!<br>><br>><br>><br>> I
really like the suggestions of (a) starting off with some waltzes and airs<br>> and (b) defining a core set of ~ 10 jigs or reels that would be played every<br>> time. I'm not as wild though about the approach of having the person<br>> choosing the tune set the speed -- as unless that individual happens to be<br>> among us slower players, we're just going to be left out a lot of the time.<br>> Rather I think it would be better to simply to define a speed or at least<br>> narrower range of speeds that all the tunes will be played at -- say<br>> something like in the ballpark of 85-90 bpm before the break and 95-100 bpm<br>> afterwards (or do we need a separately-convened "really slow" session to do<br>> something like that)?<br>><br>><br>><br>> Warren<br>><br>><br>><br>><br>><br>> -----Original Message-----<br>> From: Janet Platin <<a ymailto="mailto:janetplatin@yahoo.com"
href="mailto:janetplatin@yahoo.com">janetplatin@yahoo.com</a>><br>> To: Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions announcement list<br>> <<a ymailto="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net" href="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net">santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net</a>><br>> Sent: Fri, Apr 2, 2010 11:15 am<br>> Subject: Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session Invitation<br>> - Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>><br>> Hi Lucas,<br>><br>> I have some questions/observations about the slowest session . It seems like<br>> the people who show up most dependably are people who have been coming a<br>> long time and want another opportunity to play. Have we lost the slow<br>> people, because not enough tunes are slow or is it just the usual ebb and<br>> flow of session attendence?<br>><br>> The session rules say that the person choosing the tune sets
the speed. Do<br>> we follow that rule in this particular slow session? Do we mean that every<br>> tune needs to be played at a speed that meets the ability of the slowest<br>> player or that if you are a slow player, you can set a very slow speed and<br>> know that that is acceptable in this group?<br>><br>> It does seem like a good idea to start with the waltzes and the airs, but<br>> that not what we usually play. How about having a set list of 10 jigs and<br>> reels that everyone should know and will definitely be played each slow<br>> session. That would give slower players a head start. They could practice<br>> the big 10 and maybe the new slow would be a speed everyone would feel<br>> comfortable with.<br>><br>> If you were to combine the start of watzes and airs and with the 10 and then<br>> let the rest of the session be whatever a session usually is, you would have<br>> something that would meet the
needs of both groups.<br>><br>> On the other hand, that means a lot more structure than we are used to<br>> having.<br>><br>> Just some thoughts.<br>><br>> Janet Platin<br>><br>><br>><br>><br>> _____<br>><br>> From: Lucas Cantin <<a ymailto="mailto:lucascantin@yahoo.com" href="mailto:lucascantin@yahoo.com">lucascantin@yahoo.com</a>><br>> To: Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions announcement list<br>> <<a ymailto="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net" href="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net">santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net</a>><br>> Sent: Thu, April 1, 2010 3:12:44 PM<br>> Subject: Re: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session Invitation<br>> - Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>><br>><br>> Hey Tane',<br>><br>> I checked and they will be open for Easter Sunday.<br>><br>> I also wanted to
put a question out there. It seems that we have lost a<br>> lot of our beginners. I had an idea of having a set list for a half an hour<br>> before the normal session of slow only tunes. Waltzes and Airs. This would<br>> help everyone. What do people think about this?? The idea would be to have<br>> the half hour set list play from 12:30 to 1p. Our group seems to avoid<br>> playing anything slow. This jam was created for the players who weren't<br>> comfortable with the normal tempo.<br>><br>> As before, people can always request to play the song called for at a slower<br>> speed.<br>><br>> This seems to be a difficult problem.<br>><br>> --- On Thu, 4/1/10, Tane' Tachyon <<a ymailto="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com" href="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com">tachyon@tachyonlabs.com</a>> wrote:<br>><br>><br>> From: Tane' Tachyon <<a
ymailto="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com" href="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com">tachyon@tachyonlabs.com</a>><br>> Subject: [Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions] 1st Sunday Session Invitation -<br>> Slow - April 4 at Deli-licious<br>> To: "Santa Cruz Celtic Slow Sessions email list"<br>> <<a ymailto="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net" href="mailto:santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net">santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions@lists.sonic.net</a>><br>> Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010, 12:49 PM<br>><br>> The next first-Sunday-of-the-month slow session will be this Sunday,<br>> April 4, from 1-3pm, at Deli-licious, 21505 E. Cliff Drive, in the<br>> East Cliff Village Shopping Center. April 4 is Easter Sunday, but I<br>> did call Deli-licious and confirm that they will be open.<br>><br>> When I went to this session it was really nice -- everyone was having<br>> a great time, fine food from the
deli, people walking in and<br>> applauding, and so on. Click below to see a picture of what the<br>> session looked like from the front door of Deli-licious:<br>> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tachyon/3691468503/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/tachyon/3691468503/sizes/l/</a><br>><br>> Copies of the tuneset books generally used at slow session are sold<br>> for $15, and you can now download and print the 1006-tune "King<br>> Street Sessions Tunebook" for free at<br>> <a href="http://www.pacholo.com/mike/" target="_blank">http://www.pacholo.com/mike/</a><br>> -- many thanks to Michael Long for putting the book together and now<br>> putting it online as well!<br>><br>> For a news bulletin, at last month's 1st-Sunday session someone heard<br>> the music and hired the group for a paid St. Patrick's Day gig.<br>> -- Tane' Tachyon = <a ymailto="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com"
href="mailto:tachyon@tachyonlabs.com">tachyon@tachyonlabs.com</a> = <a href="http://www.tachyonlabs.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tachyonlabs.com/</a><br>> Click below to sponsor me in the May 8 "Human Race" Walkathon fundraiser<br>> benefitting AFE and many other Santa Cruz non-profit organizations!<br>> <a href="http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=332033&u=332033-249245954" target="_blank">http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=332033&u=332033-249245954</a><br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Santa_Cruz_Celtic_Slow_Sessions mailing list<br>> <a href="http://lists.sonic.net/mailman/listinfo/santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions" target="_blank">http://lists.sonic.net/mailman/listinfo/santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions</a><br>><br>><br>><br>><br>><br>> _______________________________________________<br>><br>><br>> Santa_Cruz_Celtic_Slow_Sessions mailing
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