Jammin' for Betsy's birthday

Betsy, our fearless leader in Watkins Glen who hosts us every other week to play music at her place, let the cat out of the bag about her upcoming 'big' birthday.

So her good friends Kate and Danni, both hammered dulcimer players, threw the big surprise birthday bash for her last week, and even the sun showed up to help the celebration. It was the nicest weather we've had since our arrival in late May.

The company was great, the food was fantastic and the music was even better (at least for those of us who got to play). Betsy lives to sing the old time tunes (or anything else), plays the dulcimer and the bass, joins every jam in the area.

I also got to hear a great singer and local musician, Chris Holder, play (he's in the video too). Check him out!

A perfect celebration, for all of us.

Here's a wrap-up of some of the day's tunes (courtesy of Cap'n Michael):

Time to 'fiddle around' again

When we were getting ready to leave Mexico in May, I remember telling Michael that I was dreaming about being able to spend the summer playing my fiddle --- practicing, taking lessons, playing with friends.

More than a month later, I'm just putting down the project list and picking up the fiddle.

I've been playing music every other Friday night at a friend in Watkin's Glen. You never know who will show up, or what instrument they'll be playing but it's always fun and they're quite inclusive of all us newbies who are starting to play music late in life.

And I've played the violin a few times with cousin Brett and brother David, both professional caliber musicians, as we play some evenings by the campfire.

In early June I headed up to the top of the actual Glen --- of Watkins Glen fame --- for the Old-Time Fiddler's Gathering, with jams facilitated by the Valley Folk Music group. We were huddled under a big tent while thunderous rains rolled over the park, then cleared to a beautiful afternoon. Some excellent musicians were there and I learned some new tunes and made some local contacts.

In the second half of the video I've posted, the guy I was sitting next to (a great fiddler!) had just played with Jay Unger on his radio program the week before. Impressive! And I met Hope Grietzer, who gave us some quick pointers on how to add a little more fun to a tune. Hope has one of the best instruction books that I've found, including three CDs of songs. It has a great selection and it's really well organized. Practice has gotten a lot more interesting and fun.

When I'm struggling with the violin, I really question why I decided to pick up this difficult an instrument. But my spirit soars when I get to play music with friends. So I guess that's as good enough reason as any to keep practicing.

I've got a great network here in the Finger Lakes in New York. And there are a couple of groups that play together weekly in Sacramento, so I'm covered there. But I still haven't figured out who I'll play with in Mexico. I just don't have that mariachi thing down yet....

Here's a video from the Glen.

Finding the Slow Jam fiddlers

We live a crazy, mobile, fun but disjointed life, so creating my community for some of my interests can be challenging when I'm never in one place long enough to let things gel.

But then something happens to make me hopeful that despite this three-way bank shot of living in Sacramento, New York and Mexico each year, I can still find --- and connect with -- my peeps.

Last summer I found a group of people to play with --- The Crooked Lake Fiddlers from Keuka Lake in New York. Hammered dulcimer, fiddlers, autoharp, banjos, guitars, mandolin, you name it. The first time I joined them, it was as if I was making my first stage performance --- I was absolutely convinced I wouldn't be good enough, embarrass myself, whatever. They were kind and inclusive and just want to be with people who also want to make music. Now I can't wait to get back to New York next summer to join them again.

Last night I finally found a group of Sacramento group of fiddlers and musicians who play Irish, Scottish and anything other fun music you put in front of them. They meet in someone's home every other week (no wonder I had such a tough time finding any local groups on the web -- they're underground!), plus they do some informal performances around town. A Waltz performance is next.

I had a blast!

We played for about three hours, circling the room with tunes (including some original work!) until it was time to break up to get rested for another day at work.

But I felt like a kid when I got home --- vibrating with overstimulation and the pure, sheer joy of being able to play my violin with friends. It's a long way from the way I felt about the violin last week when I hit the wall again and was sure it was insanity to think that someone my age could learn to play this unforgiving instrument.

I'll be fine, as long as I remember that I'm doing it for the fun of it. So don't hold your breath --- no Carnegie Hall performances are being planned.

Playing with friends in Sacramento