MIR Music Newsletter
May 2009
Newsflash
MIR Music is starting up an All-Star Band with students currently taking lessons with our teachers. will be weekly practices. and fill out a form interested in participating. if There you're
Evolving the Soul Through Sound
Vol. 1 No. 1
Stick Tips...
A Drummer’s Roll (Metaphorically, not rudimentally speaking)
By: Ron Hurst, drummer for Steppenwolf
Come in
On Sale...
Gretsch Blackhawk 5 piece drumset with hardware and Sabian cymbals List: $1516 SALE: $799 Casio Previa keyboard 88 weighted keys, Midi-compatible List: $699 SALE: $499
A drummer’s roll (pardon the pun) in the band as a timekeeper is not unlike that of a driver of a coach driving a team of horses. If the horses go too fast and the wagon flips, they don’t blame the horses – they blame the driver. If they go too slowly, and arrive late, they don’t blame the horses; yet again, they blame the driver. Not unlike tempo, if it speeds up or slows down, it’s usually the drummer who takes the hit, for he is the timekeeper. Maybe it’s no coincidence that the drummer sits up behind the band, not unlike the driver who sits up behind the team of horses.
What's New at MIR Music...
We have 2 classes starting up this month. Krys Turner will be offering a beginning guitar class for 4 weeks starting Saturday June 13th from 10-11am. Cost is $75, and you must bring your own guitar. Music stand and handouts will be provided. Ron Hurst will be offering a Drum Master Class. Check the MIR Music website (www.mirmusic.com/classes) for details regarding time, date, location and cost which will be posted soon.
New monthly drawing!
MIR Music is now doing a monthly drawing. Come in, fill out an entry card, and have a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to MIR Music. One lucky monthly winner will be selected at random on the last business day of each month. Congratulations to Burt Beebe, our May winner!
Jack's Notes
Don't Miss These Live Performances...
How to... tune a violin
String instruments can be difficult to tune. This is a skill players need to learn. Tuning a violin usually takes several steps.
Tuesday June 9th, 9 – 10am New Seasons Market/Orenco Station Jazz with Jack Stern, Ragnor Gilberts, Kirtley Burggraf, Tom and Dan Gilberts
Start by backing out (loosening) the fine tuners on the tailpiece all the way, then tighten until they make a little contact. Then look at the bridge. The side of the bridge against the tailpiece needs to be at a 90 degree angle. Violin bridges float, meaning they are not glued to the top. If the bridge is not 90 degrees to the tailpiece side, slightly loosen the strings and correct it. Using a chromatic tuner, tighten the G peg (low string) while applying significant pressure into the peg box or scroll. Pegs are friction fit, and will only set in this manner. Once you have the G string close to
Tuesdays starting June 9th, 5:30-8pm Hillsboro Tuesday Marketplace live music on the Sequoia Stage
Thurs. June 18 , 6pm
th
Ida Viper McMenamin's Grand Lodge www.mcmenamins.com
approximate pitch, switch to the E string. This will balance pressure on the bridge to prevent movement. Moving on, tune the D and A strings respectively, and then start over again from the G string. As you tune, the strings will change in pitch due to the added pressure of each string. With most violins, you'll need to adjust all 4 strings 3-4 times before your instrument will be in tune. Now use your fine tuners to dial in each string exactly to pitch. Practice will make this procedure easier, and I would recommend that you initially practice tuning just one peg of one string using the chromatic tuner in order to get a feel for what it’s like. Good luck, and if all else fails, bring your instrument to MIR Music for a free tuning.
July 31-Aug. 2nd Pickathon Roots Music Festival Pendarvis Farm/Happy Valley www.pickathon.com
Wed. August 12th, 12-1pm Brown Bag Concert Series Saxitivity (Jack Stern Quartet)
MIR MUSIC coupon 20% off accessories
(not including sale items)
Expires 6/30/09
MIR Music
331 E Main St Hillsboro, OR 97148 503 693 0434 mirmusic.com mirmusic1@gmail.com