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05 Mar 02 - 10:56 PM (#663413) Subject: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman Hello Friends, This is written as a thanks for all your encouragement over the past couple of years, and as an expression of relief and sense of accomplishment and also as an exhortation to anyone who's trying to learn an instrument or learning to sing to keep on keeping on: The other night at a singaround in Kansas City, I actually took up my guitar, played a song (Townes van Zandt's "Tecumseh Valley"), played with other musicians and didn't die, and sang WHILE I WAS PLAYING THE GUITAR!!!! It wasn't great, but it was playing and singing at the same time. and I can say that the entire experience was thanks to my participation in Mudcat. Here's why: 1. Given the encouragment on Mudcat, I bought myself a guitar a couple of years ago, and even though it sat around staring at me for a year, I finally did pick it up and start playing it. My fingers hurt, I was disappointed and frustrated, and everything else that goes with the learning curve. But I kept plunking around on it because that's what my Mudcat friends said would make the difference. 2. I found the chords to the song because this forum has taught me where to look. 3. I transposed the chords to a key I could sing in because this community taught me how. 4. I was singing with this particular group of people, who have now become one of my communities, because Gary T, whom I met through Mudcat, introduced me to the group when I moved to Kansas last summer. 5. I could participate in the jam because my involvement in Mudcat gave me the information I needed to know about how to participate in a song circle or jam. 6. I had the courage to ask the musicians who were there how to let them know I wanted someone to do a lead because of the discussions we've had here, and because of the way my involvement here has demystified the music-making process. 7. I've gotten over some of my singing-and-playing-in-front-of-people paralysis because my fellow Mudcateers have let me know the world wouldn't end if I didn't do it perfectly. So ... if you're just starting out, either with an instrument for the first time, or a new instrument, or if you're just coming out as a singer or whatever, I want to let you know that what THEY say is true: Just keep after it. Do a little playing every day. HAve fun. Don't be too hard on yourself, but be hard enough on yourself to learn and do well. And trust that other musicians are your friends, and if they're snots or snobs, you don't have to hang out around THOSE people -- there are plenty of other generous musicians out there who are a lot better investment of your time and energy. And, well, I LOVE YOU GUYS ..Mwaaa, ww |
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05 Mar 02 - 11:00 PM (#663415) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman And, P.S., a special thanks to GaryT and his lovely wife Karen, who are two of the most big-hearted souls on the planet. xoxoxoxoxo/ww |
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05 Mar 02 - 11:06 PM (#663417) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: little john cameron Great stuff WOW,next thing will be a van and on the road.Good luck.ljc Watch oot for the groupies!! |
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05 Mar 02 - 11:07 PM (#663418) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: GUEST Who-HOOO to you too. Way to go gal. |
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05 Mar 02 - 11:08 PM (#663419) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: mack/misophist Congratulations. Congratulations squared. Only wish I could do the same. |
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05 Mar 02 - 11:15 PM (#663423) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman You can, you can, you can!!! Honestly. And I don't think the van and the concert itinerary are precisely in my game plan, but at least it's great to be able to feel like I'm finally on the playing field. ww
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05 Mar 02 - 11:23 PM (#663426) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Amos Way to GOOOOO!!!! Way to GOOOOO!!!! Way to GOOOOO!!!! We loves ya, Wyo!! A |
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06 Mar 02 - 12:45 AM (#663452) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: katlaughing You go, gyrlfriend!!! HooooYah!!!!! |
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06 Mar 02 - 02:15 AM (#663471) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: michaelr Congrats, WW - you're proving a point I've been trying to make to my wife for years: all that's keeping you from making music is in your head; once you just go ahead and DO it you find out you CAN. Keep pickin'! And thanks for a breath of sweet air after the stench of all the political bickering I've been reading here... Michael |
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06 Mar 02 - 03:04 AM (#663483) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: BlueJay Good for you, WW. I knew you could do it, because you WERE doing it. With your voice, even the guitar playing I heard two years ago sounded good. So you had nowhere to go but up. Your post made my day, because like you, I feel that the Mudcat and all the 'catters have really improved my musical life, in quantity and quality. Thanks, BlueJay |
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06 Mar 02 - 04:55 AM (#663504) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Giac Good for ya, gal! I still listen to that tape from a while back. You GO ! ! ! Mary |
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06 Mar 02 - 08:10 AM (#663572) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman Thanks, y'all. Sometimes what builds community best is actually acknowledging the community and the contribution. This is definitely one of my communities, even though I don't have a lot of time to touch in, and even though I get put out with a lot of the nyah-nyah. Unfortunately, that also goes with humans-being-in-community. We're a pissy lot, we human beans. But we're also angels, so thanks for being my angels, ya little devils, you. ww |
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06 Mar 02 - 08:18 AM (#663576) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Les from Hull Well done that girl! And thanks for posting here, and may your words inspire more people to do the same. Singing and playing good music with good friends is one of the real pleasures of life. |
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06 Mar 02 - 08:56 AM (#663590) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: C-flat I'm sure your words will inspire others who, for lots of reasons, struggle to overcome inhibition to express themselves in a way men and women have done since we first walked the planet.It's only recently we've forgotten how to do this and I'm sure that you ,like me, will find great fulfillment from the simple act of being able to share a song. It's one of our greatest gifts! Congratulations! |
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06 Mar 02 - 09:02 AM (#663592) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Morticia I am delighted for you,and delighted on behalf of future listeners too.Well done. |
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06 Mar 02 - 09:06 AM (#663596) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Lady P. At Work Good on yer girl! It's always a big step and you have taken it bravely! Play on.... TTFN M'Lady P. |
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06 Mar 02 - 09:13 AM (#663601) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: SharonA Good for you, Wyo Woman! Hurray! May you keep on playing and singing – and enjoying – for a lifetime. I think this thread ought to go on Max's list of Great Threads to show to that folk society for his grant application. What a great description of ways that the Mudcat community benefits the larger folk community! Sharon |
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06 Mar 02 - 09:18 AM (#663604) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Mrrzy I am so, like, totally impressed! Inspired, too! Bully for you! |
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06 Mar 02 - 10:11 AM (#663641) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: MMario Huzzah! A twenty one row of bubblewrap popping salute! |
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06 Mar 02 - 10:18 AM (#663648) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: SINSULL Cogratulations, Pansy. And Thank You. I have been staring woefully at my guitar for months. And it has been glaring back at me bitter that it is not being used for the purpose it was created. Tonight - the dreaded F Chord. |
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06 Mar 02 - 11:20 AM (#663672) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Dave Swan Way to be, pal. I'm very proud of you and happy for you. Cheers, D |
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06 Mar 02 - 11:39 AM (#663683) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: artbrooks Clap-clap-clap!!!! |
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06 Mar 02 - 12:16 PM (#663708) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: JenEllen Ditto to durn near everything in your initial posting, and a celebratory yeeeeehaw sent your way. Keep it up, girl. Proud of ya. ~J |
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07 Mar 02 - 02:12 AM (#664037) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Genie Wyo, I'm delighted to hear this great story! Actually, I had figured you for a seasoned performer already, for some reason. (Maybe I figured anyone who wasn't afraid to be in the "Nearly Nude Mudcat Calendar" --even if only your head was showing!--wouldn't have stage fright!) Anyway, I'm glad you've now made it past those first few hurdles that some people find insurmountable. Ain't Mudcat wunnerful? Hope I can hear you play and sing sometime. (When is the CD coming out?) Genie §;-) |
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08 Mar 02 - 12:08 AM (#664829) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman Well, I'm a somewhat seasoned singer, although a lifelong lack of confidence has limited my performing a great deal. But I only decided a couple of years ago that I wasn't too utterly long in the toof to learn to play a guitar. Then I got too busy and too bummed and too impatient and put it back on the shelf again. Finally last year I decided that I was going to just press through the painful fingers and the insufficiency and keep going. I still am not what you'd call a actual picker, but ... I'm still in the process and finally able to acknowledge some progress. The F chords and B chords continue to elude me, however. And bar chords may forever be beyond my grasp. Or mash, as the case may be. |
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08 Mar 02 - 08:41 PM (#665478) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: DancingMom thunderous applause! |
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08 Mar 02 - 08:52 PM (#665485) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: michaelr Wyo - for what it's worth, I've been playing the guitar for 34 years now; it took me about 5 years to get the F chord down; Bb and Bminor (with bass notes) another 15; and I'm still hopeless at bar chords. Which hasn't kept me from performing on a semi-pro level since 1985. Keep plugging away at it; the rewards are enormous. Michael |
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09 Mar 02 - 03:58 PM (#665876) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman Bless you, MichaelR. I'm completely emboldened by that information. Screw the Bs! And thanks the rest of you wonderful cheerleaders. Now, let's all go play or sing something. Time's a' wasting ... ;-> PansyRue WW Twidgett |
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09 Mar 02 - 06:45 PM (#665945) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: catspaw49 Lookit here Pansy May RueBob WW Twidgett.....(say, do you remember how all of those came about?)......anyway, I was in absentia when this performance went down, so to speak, and I would have been joyously leading the cheering section.........Especially after I got the real word on your performance. Now I do need to ask you, why didn't you mention the fact that you were wearing your Bubble-Wrap Strapless when you performed? Now I know you can sing and yodel and your pickin' is improving rapidly, but is there any chance that some of the "Hoozahs" were as a result of, uh, well, shall we say "costuming?" However it worked, Little Cleigh sends his best and I think Cletus does too.....it's just that he's about up to his armpits in drool after thinking of you in bubble wrap.........geeziz, what a mess............. Spaw |
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09 Mar 02 - 07:11 PM (#665971) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: DougR Just don't start getting yourself all tatooed up, WW. DougR |
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09 Mar 02 - 07:12 PM (#665973) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Amos Spaw, we're putting you on the billet next, doing a bluegrass two-part harmony with the Pissing Mannikin on "Know When to Hold 'Em--Know When to Fold 'Em". Just in case ya missed it. A |
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09 Mar 02 - 09:06 PM (#666017) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: leprechaun Maybe I need to move to Wyoming. |
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09 Mar 02 - 09:54 PM (#666031) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: RichM Congratulations, Wyo. Your posting should be recommended reading for all beginners. Great inspiration.
Rich McCarthy |
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09 Mar 02 - 10:03 PM (#666034) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: Mary in Kentucky High Fives!!!!!!! You Go Gurl!!!!!!! |
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10 Mar 02 - 12:42 PM (#666331) Subject: RE: BS: Thanks, Who-HOOO! and Keep Going! From: WyoWoman Thanks, y'all. And the barre chord thaing is good news, too. It's interesting -- all the things I'd let hold me up in the past are disappearing as reasons NOT to play. I thought I had to learn ALL the chords and learn how to barre or I just wasn't going to be able to do much. Then the three-chord thread let me see how much was available with just a plain ol' I, IV,V progression. Now, I probably have a dozen chords I can get to more or less quickly -- at least rapidly enough to do a SLOW song ;-> and I"m getting faster. I learn new chords on an ad hoc basis and slowly, slowly build up the base of knowledge. I also bought this great little "gig bag chord book" that has every chord known throughout the entire GuitarWorld, which works as a great reference: I can take one look at a chord and say, "Rats. My fingers'll NEVER reach there. How about doing this song in G???" I still forget about two-thirds of what I know as soon as I have to play in front of one other person. But I imagine that, too, will change with time. And Catspaw,do you still have Cletus and Cleigh's bubblewrap capes? Shall I make you one, too? You could wear it for our 2003 calendar.... I know, I know... I'll make you a bubblewrap thong!!!! I think I may have just come up with a new concession at the Neil YOung Center ... ww |