Mike, what's the name of the place you used to take banjo lessons from in San Diego? I know you worked with a particular teacher, but I remember that he was associated with a group....the same group that gathered together in the Lagunas to play "Knocking On Heaven's Door" all night long.

I have some questions that need answering.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Whitson
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:52 PM
To: Colby
Subject: RE: button accordion teachers

Colby, The name of the place is The New Expression or The House of Strings. My old teacher's name is Walt Richards; but to my knowledge, he doesn't do button accordian and I don't know if the instrument is or ever was taught there. The last time that I went to visit the place, it seemed to be suffering from urban congestion or urban sprawl or lack of business or something...... I may have been mistaken; it was Christmas time and the store may have been a little more empty than usual due to being sold out and everybody being gone on vacation. The only group that I know Walt was a permanent part of was Mandolin Madness. I believe they are defunct now.

However, I think I can help you with your problem. If the note you are playing sounds like the wrong one, play the one next to it. If that doesn't work, then suck if blowing, or blow if sucking. If that doesn't work, make the guys in the band change keys momentarily (something you have lots of practice at). If none of this helps, sell the accordian and buy a Roy Clarke Big Note guitar book and try to learn how to play some chords. As long as the audience is drinking more than the band, nobody will be the wiser. As soon as you learn how to play the thing ( the accordian, not the guitar) show me how, and sell one of the ones you've got to me so I can be way cool too.

Last thought for this missive, the next time Lori gets us a gig, would you or she please let me know the status of the thing so I don't embarrass myself. If I had known that the thing was a paying gig, I would have stayed home, changed strings, practiced, been on time, etc. Anyhow, thanks.

I'll call you with the number for The New Expression or The House of Strings whatever it's called now--it changed hands right after I quit going there.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Colby
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 3:35 PM
To: Mike Whitson
Subject: Re: button accordion teachers

Mike:

Thank you for your invaluable advice on playing the button accordion. In the same spirit, let me offer a few pointers on playing the banjo:

1) When someone mentions you're out of tune, grab a tuning knob and give it a spin. It doesn't matter which one.

2) If you have trouble playing the notes of a tune accurately, play it at twice the tempo. No one will notice.

3) If you have trouble keeping up with the band, play louder. Everyone will leave and no one will be left to notice.

4) If a beautiful woman approaches you during a gig, honks you and says she loves the sound of a banjo, run like hell. She's probably a guy.

5) If none of this helps, sell the banjo and buy the Mel Bay Tuba Douche Method.

Regarding the Tucson gig: none of us knew it was a paying gig, it was all extremely informal, you weren't late and everyone raved how wonderful we were. It was fun drinking beer and playing tunes we didn't know.

Yeah, I figured the San Diego thing was a long shot, but it was a place to start.

My ADG button accordion is mondo-cool. I play it almost every morning in the kitchen with my first cup of coffee and my family stays far, far away.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Whitson
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 7:21 AM
To: Colby
Subject: Re: button accordion teachers

I've tried all of those things. Number four works if you close your eyes real tight. Number five always works. I am, however, very disappointed in my musical art lately, and I have decided to take up the amplified penny whistle. I think that two Marshall stacks and an Eflat tooter will do the the trick. Does a Shure 58 have the necessary output? What I want to do is kill birds on the fly, sort of combine music and dove hunting.

I was off yesterday getting my back glued back together, I'll get the number for the New Expression to you today fersure.

----- Original Message ------
From: Colby
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 9:11 AM
To: Mike Whitson
Subject: Re: button accordion teachers

Mike:

A quick Google web search turned up some handy references on hunting with amplified pennywhistle. The optimum rig is a Shure BLO-ME2 piezo hooked up to a stereo 2000 watt Peavey PA head (coupled, mono) wired to a metal stadium horn. Correctly aimed while playing "Rakish Paddy" (in D), this set-up is rumored to pop a dove's head like a party balloon at distances of up to a quarter mile. Let me know how it works out, but don't bring it to sit in on a gig.