March 19, 2020

Already tired of hunkering?

Yeah, we are too.

That said, we're as committed as you are to getting through this crisis.

People have begun using the expression "for the duration" and as it did during the Second World War, it seems to capture how to talk about a future that is totally unknowable.

Here are some answers to questions some of you may have:

Our March and April workshops at Artichoke and the American Legion are canceled. Artichoke Music has indicate that they expect to stay shuttered until at least the first of May. As of today, Post 158 is still open, but we feel it is sensible to avoid any risk for our Vets and Coaches.

As many of you have heard, McMenamin's has closed all its locations, so our Friends and Family Night scheduled for March 31 will be postponed until the Barley Mill Pub reopens.

We want to put in a plug for our generous friends at Artichoke Music. Like most non-profit businesses, Artichoke's margin is razor-thin and they can use our help, in any amount, to stay afloat during this period of no income. You can make a donation here and it will, indirectly, benefit SSV PDX as well.

Please continue to check our web site's News page https://www.ssvpdx.org/news and we'll keep you informed as information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience, and be sure to stay in the bubble of the song!

March 13, 2020

SSV PDX and the Pandemic

Today we received the following message from our good friends and hosts:

In the face of the growing worldwide coronavirus pandemic, Artichoke Community is closing indefinitely until the crisis is over. Starting today, Thursday, March 12th, our store, classes and all performances in the café are cancelled until further notice.

We applaud the folks at Artichoke for their good sense in making what must have been a difficult decision, and agree that social distancing is a primary weapon that we can all use to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Accordingly, SSV's workshops on Sundays will not meet until Artichoke reopens. We will monitor the situation closely and send weekly updates. 

We have not made a decision about the March 25 Tigard workshop and the March 31 Friends and Family fundraiser. We will send an update on Tuesday, March 17, when our Executive group meets.

Thank you for your patience, and get back to practicing!

March 8, 2020

Coach - Chris

Vets - Ed, Dan, Joanne, Joyce, Jim, Scott, Patrick

We welcomed Joyce, a USMC vet, who was with us for her first time, and Patrick, a Navy vet, for whom this was his first full session.

We warmed up with a discussion of guidelines for instrument humidification, in consideration of the season.

Chris introduced an instrument "petting zoo," during which we all got a chance to inspect and play each of a variety of instruments--a mandolin, a fiddle, a cavaquinho (a Brazilian steel-stringed version of the ukulele), and a viola caipira (also from Brazil, a ten-stringed guitar family instrument played in music from the Sertão).

We discussed how the different intervals between the string pitches and the overall tuning affects the way the left hand is able to shape chords. Both the Brazilian instruments are tuned open in major chords, creating a different approach to accompaniment from the guitar chording we're used to.

In the Great Songs part of the session, we took turns sharing the tunes we are planning to play at the upcoming Friends and Family Night at the Barley Mill Pub. Jim played and sang Ring of Fire, Dan Sam Stone, Scott Baby, Please Don't Go, and Ed Peaches and Pound Cake.

The session closed with group play while Chris held SSV Welcome and Orientation with Patrick and Joyce.

We're looking forward to March 31!

March 1, 2020

Coach - Sean

Vets - Ed, Chris

A light turnout didn't stop the music.

Ed shared a cake from his Birthday Party last week. Thanks Ed and Happy Birthday! We decided to do an 'in the round' today with just 3 of us making music. Ed started with When I Go written by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammar. This song has some interesting chords. D5 and Fsus2. We listened to a recording on Ed's phone to get the hang of it. Took a minute to figure out the chord changes. Will have to try this one again.

Chris played Dust in the Wind by Kansas. Some fingerpicking and lots of sus and add chords. This was a good challenge. Not just the guitar parts but the singing. Not an easy choice. Ed and Chris discussed playing this one as a duo at an upcoming performance in the future. I look forward to this. They have a good start.

Sean played Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers. A practically impossible song to pull off. But was fun to give it a try. Not much guitar, mostly reaching for the right timing and soul to make it work. He also shared a song he wrote recently called Only One. “I had two ideas that seemed to work together so I mashed them up and made a song.,” Sean said.

Was a good time with the small group.

Jason and Rob from the shop came by and shared some birthday cake. A special thanks to Jason and Rob that always help out (printing songs, making copies) helping out any way they can. We have a great community at Artichoke.

February 23, 2020

Guest Coach: Bill Valenti

Coach: Carl

Vets: Ed, Joanne, Ken , Chris, Scott, Jim, John, Patrick

Bill Valenti  is a singer songwriter.  He  help created the Central Oregon chapter of SSV. He is a veteran and a former Wall Street banker. He talked about his songwriting approach to writing protest songs. He has created a traveling show called The Art of the Protest Song. He introduced a concept of two types protest songs—rants and laments.  We captured a short video of this process.  You can find his YouTube channel here. 

Great discussion and he filled the whole session.