Hey, I am very proud to announce that I have been asked again to be a guest lecturer at the Penn State Ext Campus here in Pittsburgh for their World Music Course.
It will be this Tuesday at 3:00 in McKeesport PA. The professor is Doretta Whalen, professor of Jazz and Voice who also has tenure at the University of Pittsburgh School of Music.
As far as gear goes, I'll bring two Marshall Stacks and an 8x10 SVT Ampeg cab and head, and have a drummer with a double bass Ludwig Octoplus set....
wait, that was my formative years.. actually I'll bring just My Stick and probably my gig pedalboard and a small amp.
These are the opportunities we get to advance Emmett's wonderful instrument and introduce it to a new generation who may only be listening to top 40, hip hop or rap. King who? Gentle Giant- they make vegetables right dude? Gabriel, that's a department strore isn't it?
The Stick is always well received and I play a selection of rock, jazz and pop, as well as emulate acoustic finger picking, flamenco, and all out in your face funk! I also teach chord structure, basic harmony and use some cool songs, like the Beatles, to show pedal point harmony ( 8 days a week intro)
Last year, I played "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga and they were blown away. If you YouTube her ( real name Stephanie Germanotta)and find AOL sessions where it is just her and an acoustic ( digital) piano doing Poker Face you will see the strong songwriting and performing behind her well oiled pop machine.
So I explored it further, and got a songbook and was very impressed with her writing.
The point is don't be afraid if someone asks to go play the Stick for a group or a class or an art show. I have a friend who always paints himself into a corner saying he's not ready or not good enough. You never are, but you're better than you were yesterday, a month ago, a year ago, and you'll get better tomorrow if you go out and perform before live people.
take care, and if you are in the area, I'll sneak you in the back, but you'll have to roadie that Marshall Stack and the SVT cab!
dave brosky