We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing

In honor of the holiday I've posted some of my arrangement ideas for the traditional Christian hymn, We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing. Go to my website, www.SueWilsonDulcimer.com, scroll down the home page until you see the FREE SHEET MUSIC button. You can take it from there.

Have fun! and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Monday's Muse

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you', that would suffice."
~ Meister Eckhart

CTO … Worried about carrying your instrument onto a plane?

There's a law protecting your right to do it!

Check This Out … The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 was signed into law by President Obama on February 14, 2012. It includes a section under "Passenger Air Service Improvements" that addresses musical instruments on airlines - page down to Section 403, subsection 41724. There's more pertaining to larger instruments, but here's the scoop on carry-ons:

IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) SMALL INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.—An air
carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if—
‘‘(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator; and
‘‘(B) there is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.

Many hammered dulcimers are not "small" instruments, but if you have a more compact instrument it may fit in the overhead compartment. If so, the key is to board the plane early before available storage space is taken. Check with your specific airline to find out how to get an early boarding pass.

It wouldn't hurt to print out the entire "musical instruments" section of the law in case you run into gate attendants who don't know the score. It's helpful to realize that "gate checked" items end up with the regular baggage. If you must check at the gate, make sure your instrument ends up with a tag that's the same as the one that goes on strollers and other personal items that will be put on the jet bridge at the end of the flight. Some airlines may call this "valet" checking as opposed to "gate" checking.

Read lots of great comments and stories about this issue and other musical concerns at Ari's Take .  Check it out!

Music Buddies get Creative

There are many ways to benefit from having a music buddy, even if you don't live anywhere near each other! One of my students has made a pact with her music buddy from afar. The two of them take turns choosing a tune. They spend one week learning the tune and applying original arrangement ideas. Once the arrangement is "just right" they record it and share it with each other privately through YouTube.

Here's what YouTube says about sharing private videos:

If you'd like to share one of your videos with a select and limited audience, you can do so by setting your video to private. Once the video's set to private you'll be able to share it with fifty other users.

Once you've set the video to private you'll be able to send the video's private URL with your contacts. Once your contacts receive the private URL, they'll be able to sign into their YouTube account and watch the video.

Here's how to find and send a private video's private URL:

1. Sign into your YouTube account and click the Account link located (at the top-right of any page ).
2. Then click the Uploaded Videos link. Click and choose the video you want to send to your friends. Then, click the "Edit" button.
3. Under the "Broadcasting and Sharing Options" section (on the left-hand side of the page towards the bottom) you'll see "Privacy" options. Click the little black arrow / triangle to expand and see all your privacy options (if its not already open and you cannot see your privacy options).
4. If the video's set to private, there will be a URL section below the "Private" option. This is the special private link that you will send to (up to) fifty contacts so that they can watch your private video.
5. Email / send a private message including the private video's special URL. When your friends receive the email invitation, they'll need to: Sign into their YouTube account
6. Click the video URL. They'll then be able to watch the video

That's it! You've now learned how to share a private video with your contacts!

What a great way to challenge yourself, impose accountability, structure practice time, strengthen the bonds of friendship ... practically guarantee improvement of skills and technique … not to mention have FUN! I'd love to hear more about how others share their musical journey with friends.

Previous Posting: 10 Reason Why Music Buddies are Essential

Monday's Muse

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ~ Confucius

CTO … Now Available! Ken Kolodner's newest book of tune arrangements, "The Sandbridge Waltz and Slow Air Collection"

Book #2 in a two-volume set, this is the companion book to The Sandbridge Dance Tune Collection, released at the end of October and featured in the November 1 CTO posting. You know you must have both of these books! Better let Santa know ...

Check This Out … From Ken Kolodner's website, The Sandbridge Waltz and Slow Air Collection contains "Traditional and original waltzes, slow airs, marches and O'Carolan. The repertoire draws primarily from the traditional music of the U.S. (Old-Time), Ireland, Scotland, Quebec, Cape Breton, England, Finland, Sweden, Chile and Israel. Each tune is presented as a simple melody with chord progression along with one or more detailed arrangements offering a wide range of levels of complexity. Backup and harmony parts are provided for many of the pieces. The book is a lifetime resource for players of all levels. Kolodner is widely known as one of the most prominent teachers and performers of the hammered dulcimer and is especially known for his teaching of arranging and backup techniques."

All righty, then. That ought to keep you busy for awhile!

Damper Users - Give us a Clue!

I don't have dampers on my instrument. You could say that I have "damper lust". Consequently, I don't have much to offer in the area of damper instruction. I depend on my students and blog fans to teach ME about the use of dampers.

So tell me … what has been the biggest "ah ha" moment you've had while learning to play with dampers? Share your words of wisdom and we'll begin a list of tips right here. I'll get it all started with a couple of pointers I learned from a student today. She got these gems from Maggie Sansone during her recent joint workshop with Marya Katz.

1.  Don't like the central position of the damper pedal? Easy fix! Decide which foot you'd rather play with - right or left? Position the pedal to the left or right side of center. Pull up the string on the top of the damper bar on that side. Tie an overhand knot. Tadah! But be careful. The drawback to this is you can't alternate your feet to spread out the physical exertion. Fatigue could become an issue.

2.  Wish you could have more control over the sustain of your instrument? Ride the pedal. Like riding the brake in your car - not entirely activated and not entirely off. Strike a happy medium.

Don't be shy! Do you play with dampers? We need your advice. Give us a clue!