Hi Pete,

I was very excited to find your CMC site. I have been leading an acoustic jam for nearly 10 years now and it has grown and flourished despite being held in small village in rural Wisconsin. 

I may find time to tell you about that jam and the lessons I have learned but I mostly wanted to applaud what you are doing and let you know about a book written by an ethnomusicologist, Thomas Turino.  Prof. Turino, himself a jammer, proposes that we look at music in terms of the context.  Relevant to us is his category of 'participatory' .  It contrasts with 'presentational' even if the genre of music is identical.  It is the difference between a rock or old-time jam and a rock or old-time concert.  What is enjoyable or laudable at one, is not necessarily a good thing at the other.  As you point out, grooving together on simple tunes are a blast at jams; Turino points out that most of us would begin yawning if we had to sit quietly, only politely applauding at the end of songs,  thru 4 sets of 3 chord rock.  Its not the genre or even the musicianship that make one experience estatic and the other a bit of a chore.  It would be equally unappealing to me to listen to a orchestra try to jam Beethovan symphonies. 

Another of Turino's points is that participatory music, since it has no commercial value, is given little respect by our culture.  It has no stars, recordings of it are rarely made or sold ( and rarely capture what is great about it).  Yet, the participation in a musical experience, even just as a dancer or occasional singer or percussion player, is what has given music its most enduring value over the entire span of human existence. 

Another exponent of participatory music is Pete Wernick.  He (and I) teach folk instruments by group jams.  He, not surprizingly, holds a PhD in Sociology.

Very Pleased to be admitted a member,

Willie

 

Hi Pete,

 Saturday was fun hope to do it again.

I believe the song was Sweet Home Chicago. 

 

Thank you Pete, i hope anything will interfere this time.

It's a date! We will be advertising and talking it up with the community. If you have any input as how we can spread the word and have a great turnout, let us know. It is a BYO drink and food night. Please call if there is anything else we need to do or you need to know. Marcy and Joel 860-526-9586

Hi Pete....It seems that someone got a band for Oct.8 (this coming Friday) but we are still interested in having the "Guise" come on Nov. 12. Most people I have spoken to are very excited about the participation element with the Music Circle. We are having a board meeting tomorrow night (Tues.) when this will be discussed. Hope you understand about this Friday. They had to go ahead with another group so they could start to advertise the event.

Sounds good Pete....let me know asap. If not Oct. maybe Nov., but we are really hoping for Oct....;-)

I think that the Hall wants to get things going as we missed a few months this summer. There is no specific event aside from the eclectic cafe. We do a pot luck and pass a bucket. Would you be OK with splitting the bucket with the hall? We would also advertise for people to bring their instruments and participate. It really is a lot of fun.

October 8 is the next date. I emailed you the other day, but haven't heard back. Maybe I goofed somehow.

Nice to see you too, Pete. "Youse Guise" sound great! The Hadlyme Hall has the Eclectic Cafe the 2nd Friday of each month. We are flexible with that. Check out the website hadlymehall.com
Marcy and Joel

Tried to make the circle last night........definitely next time. Great "Twist and Shout" video.

The circle was on fire last night!!! Good times. Thanks Pete.

the next cmc is at hilltop? wow. :D

hi. sry i couldnt make it on monday :( i will next time tho