June 12, 2020

Hand sanitizer won't help with FOMO:

The thing to do is join us on Sunday. Let's face it--reopening is paused in Oregon, but our SSV community is going strong and we've got room for plenty more vets to be pickin', grinnin', and learnin'.

Here's what will be happening on Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m.

We'll be at the usual place at the usual time and we hope you will too! Robert will be Coaching, with Chris K. running the tech.

We'll play:

1. Red Rubber Ball - Ken, will you lead us again?

2. You Ain't Goin Nowhere - Ed, will you lead us?

3. Let it Be - Do we have a volunteer?

And we will brainstorm for new songs to learn.

By the way, if you haven't visited our Google Drive, where we keep the song sheets, e-mail Chris to receive an invitation.

And, as always, please explore YouTube for different versions.

Writing assignment:

Last week we tossed out a free writing prompt, but didn't have time to explore it. Here it is again, in hopes that you try it and see what bubbles to the surface:

This City...

And we'll follow up with more sharing and a discussion about where inspiration comes from.

Robert would like to share this video:

https://youtu.be/DXYsv7SHhbk

Here's how to get to the workshop

Click on this link or paste it into your browser:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7209014215?pwd=K3JtRmI1TVJXdlV6bTd5aG1kbVFPUT09

Meeting ID: 720 901 4215

Password: 752419

By the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.

And don't forget--This City...!

June 5, 2020

Lest you have a touch of FOMO:
We're bringing back the Summary for those who missed last week.

From Sunday, May 31:
Coaches:  Robert, Chris K.

Technical driver:  Trish

Vets:  Joanne, Vincent, Chris L., Ken, Ed

We opened the workshop learning a new song:  Crazy Mama, by J.J. Cale. After listening to the original recording from the 1972 album Naturally, we demonstrated and practiced in keys of E and D.
Group play songs included:
  Let It Be, led by Robert  

Lodi, led by Ken  

Wonderful World, led by Robert

We called on everyone to share something with the group.  Here is what transpired:
- Robert shared the poem Magpies in Picardy, from a book of WWI poetry.

- Ken played a cover of Red Rubber Ball, by Paul Simon.

- Ed played You've Got A Friend, by James Taylor.

- Chris L. Shared information about his ~20-yr old Boss metronome and the book Rhythm Guitar- The Complete Guide.

- Chris K. played a cover of the Louvin Brothers tune She Will Get Lonesome, emphasizing the "crooked parts".

- Vincent shared an original poem he was working on, about his sister.  Poem entitled Are You Looking Down At Me?

- Trish shared some timely insight into being the "Technical Driver"!

Here's what will be happening on Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m.
We're gonna be pickin' and singin' at the usual place and time and we hope you'll join us!
Carl will be Coaching, with Trish running the tech again.
We'll play:
1.  Red Rubber Ball - Ken will lead us 

2.  You Ain't Goin Nowhere

3.  Let it Be

4. If I Needed You

By the way, if you haven't visited our Google Drive, where we keep the song sheets, e-mail  Chris to receive an invitation.
And, as always, explore YouTube for different versions. 

Writing assignment: Here is a song prompt for a free write: This City...
Try writing to this prompt before Sunday. Please bring something you are writing  and willing to share.

LEARN/RELEARNING: In this pandemic, is there something you have been working on learning or re-learning in music?

Here's how to get there
Click on this link or paste it into your browser:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88227292376?pwd=OUFLSnF0QUtiQWtaOStsNU5HV2ltZz09
Meeting ID: 882 2729 2376
Password: 523924
By the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.

And don't forget to do your homework!

May 22, 2020

Now, for something a little different:

We don't usually meet Memorial Day weekend. That's because people usually go places and do things on the four-day holiday weekend.

But most of us are at home now, and may be looking for something to do.
So we're gonna be open for (virtual) business at the usual place and time and we hope you'll join us!

Here's what's happening on Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.:

Carl will be hosting, with Trish running the tech.Here's how to get there.
Click on this link or paste it into your browser:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88227292376?pwd=OUFLSnF0QUtiQWtaOStsNU5HV2ltZz09 

You shouldn't need this information, but here it is just in case:

Meeting ID: 882 2729 2376

Password: 523924

By the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.

We'll start by getting everybody's technology working--thanks for everyone's patience last week. Each time we get a little better.

Here are links to the play-along songs Carl will be leading:

Wonderful World     Lodi     Dock Of The Bay

By the way, if you haven't visited our Google Drive, where we keep the song sheets, e-mail Chris to receive an invitation.

And, as always, explore YouTube for different versions.

News from Artichoke Music:

We're pleased to announce that Robert Owen was elected to serve on Artichoke's Board of Directors. See below for the latest and greatest!

Artichoke opening soon!

• Volunteer(s) are needed for disinfectant cleaning of facility on May 28 (8am-noon); safety items supplied (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc.)

• Looking for volunteers for bartending, door person, performance event hosts, and tending the store (may be an hourly position)

• Artichoke is continuing to take donations at their web site

To volunteer, contact Robert and he will connect you with the appropriate person at Artichoke.

May 15, 2020

This is getting to be fun!

We're finding some new angles that we weren't aware of when we met face-to-face. We'll keep improving as the technology gets more familiar.

Here's what's happening on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m.
Chris will be hosting and here's what he has planned:

Exploring the Imagine strums
Capo math refresher
Inversions and chord voicings

And here are links to three songs we can play together:
Imagine     Worried Man Blues     Wonderful World     

Please note: we have changed the location where these files are kept, so your old links may not work. Use the ones above.

By the way, if you haven't visited our Google Drive, where we keep the song sheets, e-mail Chris  to receive an invitation. And, as always, please explore YouTube for different versions.

Here's how to get to the meeting. 
Click on this link or paste it into your browser:
 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77616594571?pwd=a2Z3ZW1UR3FvZk94dTVWMUZEbkk4Zz09

You shouldn't need this information, but here it is just in case:

Meeting ID: 776 1659 4571
Password: 9quqNd

By the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.

We'll start by getting everybody's technology working--thanks for everyone's patience last week. Each time we get a little better.

An abundance of caution

We understand if not everyone is comfortable with online meeting technology, either in general or with the Zoom platform we're provisionally using.
We'd like to ask a big favor. If you aren't planning to join us for reasons related to the technology, would you please drop us a line here and let us know what's on your mind. Short and to the point is fine.
If there are issues that we can address, we would really like the opportunity to do so. We are able to handle some of Zoom's security problems, but not all.

Keep in touch!
We're looking forward to getting together! And let us know your good ideas. Everyone around us is creating new ways to make sharing music work, and you may have come across something we haven't.

And in case you haven't seen it, here's Robert performing The List:

https://www.facebook.com/robert.owen.77715869/videos/2543413465870425/UzpfSTEwMTE5ODkyOTE6MTAyMTk3NjM4OTI0NjA0MTg/

May 2, 2020

If you missed last week, no problem!

Congratulations this time to Robert, who made it look easy and unveiled The List, a hilarious new song! And thanks to Sean, who handled the visuals.
Likewise, thanks to the vets who braved our new format and especially those who tried, but the technology gods were uncooperative.
We had some laughs and hatched some good ideas about making some short SSV-specific instructional videos to enhance our online presence.

Here's what's happening on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.:
Carl will be hosting and here's what he has planned:
A songwriting prompt for free writing:
Choose a question and do a free write and share it, with or without a tune.1. Favorite or craziest family member?2. What was the first car you ever drove and where did you go?3. The first time you put on a uniform?
And here are links to three songs we can play together:
Brown Eyed Girl     Angel from Montgomery     Another Saturday NightHere's how to get there.
Click on this link or paste it into your browser:
 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76225565074?pwd=ejJYZmVtVlBITVFDY1dhZU5EdEFHdz09You shouldn't need this information, but here it is just in case:Meeting ID: 762 2556 5074Password: 8pSqpbBy the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.We'll start by getting everybody's technology working--thanks for everyone's patience last week. Each time we get a little better.
We'll sing and play John Prine's Angel From Montgomery together. Click here for an advance look at our chart. By the way, if you haven't visited our Google Drive, where we keep the song sheets, e-mail Chris to receive an invitation.
And, as always, explore YouTube for different versions. There is really some variety on this one!

An abundance of caution

We understand if not everyone is comfortable with online meeting technology, either in general or with the Zoom platform we're provisionally using.
We'd like to ask a big favor. If you aren't planning to join us for reasons related to the technology, would you please drop us a line here and let us know what's on your mind. Short and to the point is fine.
If there are issues that we can address, we would really like the opportunity to do so. We are able to handle some of Zoom's security problems, but not all.

Keep in touch!
We're looking forward to getting together! And let us know your good ideas. Everyone around us is creating new ways to make sharing music work, and you may have come across something we haven't.

And in case you haven't seen it, here's Robert performing The List:

https://www.facebook.com/robert.owen.77715869/videos/2543413465870425/UzpfSTEwMTE5ODkyOTE6MTAyMTk3NjM4OTI0NjA0MTg/

April 17, 2020

It's taken some work, but we're going ahead!

Big thanks to the vets who joined our session on April 5!

We've now got some idea of what we're doing, but that'll get worked out as we move forward.
It seems likely that we won't be able to meet face-to-face for quite a while, so we're committed to making the online sessions work for everybody.
So here's our concern:
We understand if not everyone is comfortable with online meeting technology, either in general or with the Zoom platform we're provisionally using.
We'd like to ask a big favor. If you aren't planning to join us for reasons related to the technology, would you please drop us a line here and let us know what's on your mind. Short and to the point is fine.
If there are issues that we can address, we would really like the opportunity to do so. We are able to handle some of Zoom's security problems, but not all.
Here's what's happening on Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.:
Carl will be hosting this session.
Here's how to get there.
Click on this link or paste it into your browser:
 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2295299906?pwd=MmlCZVl4bVhQZHBveXRKSUs2UDdSQT09
You shouldn't need this information, but here it is just in case:

Meeting ID: 229 529 9906Password: 591515

By the way, turning on your computer's, tablet's, or phone's video camera is totally up to you. If you'd rather just participate in the audio, that's okay.

We're looking forward to getting together!

And for fun, here's a link to a recording that Scott shared with us, in lieu of performing his tune at the (now cancelled) Friends and Family Night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRZlh_G-roc

Keep in touch!

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.