tag:janemillergroup.com,2005:/blogs/newsletter?p=9Newsletter2023-12-11T12:56:30-05:00Jane Millerfalsetag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762812018-03-29T20:00:00-04:002023-12-11T12:56:30-05:00Boats Downloads Now!
<p>Hey, everyone, the new CD "Boats" is now available to download from our friends at CDBaby! Here's the link:</p>
<p>https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/janemiller4</p>
<p>Go to your nearest rooftop and help me shout it! If you already ordered a download card, that will come in the mail in another week or two. CDs will be available on April 5.</p>
<p>Happy Boats download day!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762802018-03-03T19:00:00-05:002023-12-11T12:56:30-05:00New Song Link
<p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/gamsahamnida" target="_blank" data-imported="1">"Gamsahamnida" free audio preview from "Boats"</a></p>
<p>Hi Friends, <br>I'm excited about new mixes for our "Boats" recording. Working with Tom Eaton has been amazing and rewarding. Here is a link to a mix we finished on Thursday. Please feel free to share! https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/gamsahamnida</p>
<p><br>Thanks so much for the support. Photos and videos coming soon to document the making of "Boats." We are still on track to get packages sent to you in early April if you've pre-ordered CDs or Downloads. <br>We hope you'll enjoy this free preview of my song "Gamsahamnida." That is, fittingly, "Thank you" in Korean.</p>
<p>Please share widely and help us meet the expenses that have incurred and are yet to come in order to finish the work by pre-ordering the recording here: https://www.gofundme.com/jane-millers-new-album</p>
<p>Thank you all and Gamsahamnida!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762792018-01-12T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00new recording update
<p>Hi Friends!</p>
<p>My new recording, called "Boats," will be released in February, 2018. It has been a fulfilling time putting this one together. Recording began on August 31, 2017, and mixing is continuing now through January 20, or thereabouts.</p>
<p>I played electric and acoustic guitars, Tim Ray played piano, Lincoln Goines played bass and Mark Walker played drums and percussion. Our guests have been Eugene Friesen-cello, Sarah Bauhan-flute and whistle, and Sonia Rutstein, Kim Harris, Reggie Harris, Janie Barnett, and Larry Watson on vocals. Engineering is Tarik Mahrour, assistant engineer and editing by Bobby Danzi.</p>
<p>Here is a link to a quick snippet of each of the 14 (!) tracks in the form of a 3 minute compilation:</p>
<p>https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/excerpts-from-boats?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook</p>
<p>I'll have a lot more to say about the work that everyone has done to bring this music to life. For now, I say best wishes to you all for a very happy and healthy new year.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762782017-07-03T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00recording!
<p>I've finished 14 demos of some new and old compositions. I've begun the task of writing the charts in Finale notation. The band that I have in place for a studio recording is a dream team; I'm afraid to talk about it too much in case it's not real. But I am very excited to record again in late August 2017. The core group is a quartet: guitar, piano, bass, drums. There will be three guest vocalists, a cellist, and a traditional Celtic flutist.</p>
<p>The recording is called "Boats." The oldest composition of mine, if I am remembering correctly, is from 1992. There are three from 2003, one from 2011, and maybe one other from the early '90s, I don't really know. The rest, more importantly to my mind, are from December 2016 to the present. I had a growth spurt in writing when a piano moved into my living space.</p>
<p>The mix of old and new was not intentional. In fact, I tend to have an aversion to older material in general, preferring instead to look ahead or at least stay present if not futuristic. But this album of material called "Boats" has been on my mind since I took a boat ride from Ogunquit, Maine in 2003, and it has never really left my system. It was a little tour boat jaunt that I've taken many times, sliding out of Perkins Cove and down to York, back up to the Ogunquit main beach, and back to the cove. The boat wrote the song for me, if you'll pardon the corny esoteric notion. Maybe it was the waves. Maybe it was the collection of people in the boat, unaware that something was grabbing hold of me, not exactly being tuned out by me, but not exactly being part of my ride either. Or maybe they were the biggest part of my ride. I don't know where it came from, but the phrase "The American Wave" kept singing in my head in a loop. The chords changed below the melody, and I tinkered with them some more when I got back to shore, but the melodic phrase was relentless and fun. Later that summer from the comfort of home, I wrote the song "Boats," which crosses musical boundaries like an ocean that doesn't know what country it's in. So there were two songs with an emerging theme.</p>
<p>New songs have taken on names from recent travels, like "La Boca," "Puente de la Mujer," "Caminito," and "Gamsahamnida." There are Latin grooves, jazz waltzes, ballads, and music that I don't know how to describe. It is instrumental, except for "The American Wave," which will feature three vocalists.</p>
<p>This is just the beginning of describing this work, which has been a long time in the making. Tim Ray-piano, Lincoln Goines-bass, and Mark Walker-drums will be joining me in the studio. Some songs will feature electric guitar, some acoustic, some nylon string, some all of those guitars. More on the guests later, but Sonia Rutstein, Reggie Harris, Euguene Freisen, Sarah Bauhan...</p>
<p>Also, as if I can concentrate on much else, there are a couple of fun gigs in MA coming up fast this summer: Cercie Miller Quartet on Cape Cod (I'll be playing guitar in the group) on July 12, and Melissa Ferrick at the Bull Run July 8 (I'll be opening the show on solo guitar). Click on over to my calendar page for details!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762772016-08-13T20:00:00-04:002021-09-22T08:18:40-04:00Late Summer trip
<p>Well, it all started when Eric Skye and I said we should do some playing together because it's fun. It turns out, we both meant it enough to make it happen! Eric and his family are opening their house to me (and you, if you want to go!) for a house concert on August 27, 2016. I'll do some solo tunes, we'll play together, and I'll bet i can get Eric to play solo a bit, too. I'm so grateful to the Skye family and Eric for this wonderful and generous opportunity.</p>
<p>I figured, while I was in the area, I'd like to visit Seattle, so I'm stopping in the jam session on August 25 at El Norte Lounge, 7pm.</p>
<p>I also thought maybe I should visit the bay area again while I'm almost nearby but not quite. So I'm playing at a house concert in San Francisco on August 28. More info on these to follow. Thanks to the fabulous T Lin for setting this one up for me.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762762015-10-12T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Amazon Comments and Thank you!
<p>Thanks to so many of you for buying my book "Introduction To Jazz Guitar." I keeping hearing from people who have found it useful and that makes me feel good! Here's a link to add a comment at Amazon if you feel so inclined. Janis Ian did, and that makes me feel good, too! <br>http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Jazz-Guitar/dp/0876391552/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762752015-08-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Amazon Comments
<p>We'd love to get your comments on Amazon if you've read Introduction To Jazz Guitar and have been using it in your practice or teaching. Here's a link to add your thoughts if you'd be so kind: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876391552/sr=1-1/qid=1430691581/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1430691581&sr=1-1</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762742015-07-10T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Master Class at Act III
<p>If you've been curious to check out my new book, Introduction to Jazz Guitar,</p>
<p>(http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Jazz-Guitar/dp/0876391552/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436546945&sr=1-1&keywords=jane+miller),</p>
<p>there's an excellent chance to do that with me in the form of a Master Class on Sunday July 26, 1-3pm at Act III in Littleton, MA. Mike Kelly will be joining me to help demonstrate some of the ideas in a chapter or two. It'll be an informal setting, and there will be plenty of time for your questions or music to play. The material is especially helpful for guitarists in styles other than jazz, like singer-songw<span class="text_exposed_show">riters looking to improve their skills. You don't have to be a guitarist to come join in the discussion, which will be relevant to anyone in a band or to a listener looking for a new appreciation of the music. Act III is a beautiful setting for this, and we hope you'll take this opportunity to visit. The $35.00 ticket includes the book and the workshop. If you already have the book, bring it and get in for $15.00. Reservations appreciated. <span class="text_exposed_show"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.act3restaurant.com%2F&h=aAQEY2uAL&enc=AZOnSSi8jDTOpgbV-d6aRP8VI9Pb-qwPktSi9HYzpw1nNlElBV_x-IfedWX3QQ6lef1UCk9EGGGSIzrOSve67hy8PF4hYkVxr5kj-mTOHzVhP1WfWm8JTMjh1FZCYv-_JMAHgWoa0QYdXW7GvyNydvGJfrW9V2YMKhriU7brbIYUmpS8nHTy2lxwFJe1ZRcfp07j4jCCfPCtTySEj3j-V6V1&s=1" target="_blank" data-imported="1">http://www.act3restaurant.com/</a></span></span></p>
<p><span class="text_exposed_show"><br>We're hoping to see you then.</span></p>
<p><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762732015-06-24T20:00:00-04:002023-12-10T11:53:42-05:00Berklee Press interview
<p>Here's a link to a fun interview I did with Jonathan Feist, Editor-in-Chief at Berklee Press. Enjoy!</p>
<p>http://blogs.online.berklee.edu/jonathanfeist/2015/06/22/start-playing-jazz-guitar-an-interview-with-jane-miller/</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762722015-06-15T20:00:00-04:002022-03-24T07:00:39-04:00sound cloud fun
<p>I've posted a few new things to Sound Cloud lately. Here's something some of you might enjoy. I strung together short clips of selections from my group's CDs. https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/demo-clips-reel</p>
<p>Feel free to add comments on the page, or email me here.</p>
<p>Speaking of comments, if any of you feel like writing a review of my book on Amazon, please go ahead and do that.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762712015-05-14T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Introduction To Jazz Guitar
<p>Hi Friends!</p>
<p>My book is now out and available! See it, read about it, and buy it here: http://berkleepress.com/catalog/product?product_id=49538340&category_id=4</p>
<p>If you'd like to see it in your favorite bookstore, please ask for it there, or let me know (if you're shy). I'd like to see it all over the planet, personally. I share my house with books and love to browse through them in person. But I am also quite happy to say that you can easily order my book from Berklee Press (above), Hal Leonard, Amazon, and wherever else you might buy your books online.</p>
<p>I'm humbled and grateful for all of the support as the book takes on its own life with all of my students, listeners, and readers. My hope is that it is an entertaining read, even if you skip the exercises! But don't skip the exercises.</p>
<p>I now have an author page on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/janem</p>
<p>If you would like to write a review on Amazon or any other site where you find the book, I would be honored if you take the time to do that. If you are a teacher and would like to recommend this book to your students, drop me a note. If you just want to drop me a note, drop me a note.</p>
<p>Sincere thanks and best wishes,</p>
<p>Jane</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762702015-04-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00preorder my book now!
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>It's here! Well, the book is not actually quite here yet, but the opportunity to pre-order it from amazon is here now! Release date is April 29, 2015.</p>
<p>Details here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Jazz-Guitar-Jane-Miller/dp/0876391552/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428427056&sr=1-7&keywords=jane+miller</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone.</p>
<p>Jane</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762692015-03-19T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00My Book: A Sneak Peek
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>My book, <em>Introduction to Jazz Guitar</em>, will be out very soon. It's published by Berklee Press, distributed by Hal Leonard, and will be available wherever you like to buy your music books! Please let me know if there is somewhere you would like to see the book in stock. FAQ: Will it be on Amazon? Yes. Does it contain tab as well as notation? Yes. Did you have a nice winter up in Boston? No.</p>
<p>Stay in touch, friends, and do let me know if you have more questions or ideas!</p>
<p>Thanks and best wishes,</p>
<p>Jane</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762682014-04-07T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Happy Spring
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>Here in New England, we have had to earn warm weather this year. We are now beginning to see and feel signs of Spring and so there is hope. </p>
<p>I want to let you all know about a show coming up at the Bull Run in Shirley, MA. On April 13, it's An Evening With Larry Carlton. </p>
<p>http://tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com/</p>
<p>He is one of a very small list of guitar players who is instantly recognizable. I attended his show a couple of years ago in Natick, MA and it was a powerful experience. His music is fun, energized, relaxed, moving. All of that. His trio was wonderful, rocking some jazz, jazzing some blues (impeccable lines from Larry that I'll never forget), and in general having a great time making authentic music right there before our eyes. I've been a fan of Larry Carlton's playing on recordings for many years, including my formative years as a composer listening to Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell recordings, among others. Catching his trio live is spellbinding. </p>
<p>I am happy to be opening the show on April 13 with a solo guitar set. It's an honor to play my music for Larry's audience in a beautiful place. Happy Spring, indeed. </p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762672013-12-07T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Season's Greetings
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>Season's Greetings! My dog, Betty, and I are sitting in front of our glowing pellet stove as it whirs along. We are surrounded by windows through which we watch the seasons change. There's fresh snow out there now; beautiful now, not so much in March and April. The beaver pond, the brook, the lake across the path all bring us peace joy and fun. It seems a good time to consider the year that has passed. </p>
<p>The early part of 2013 was spent recording my solo guitar CD. I had a blast at the NAMM Show in Anaheim in January. </p>
<p>"Three Sides To A Story" was released in July. I played a show at the Bull Run soon afterwards. Scott Yanow's book The Great Jazz Guitarists: A Complete Guide came out in June and included a feature on me. Scott also wrote a sweet review for the LA Jazz Scene, as did Gayla Drake for Premier Guitar. </p>
<p>I played a very fun show in August at the Provincetown Jazz Festival with my dear friends Cercie Miller and David Clark. </p>
<p>The Red Sox won the ALDS, The ALCS, and The World Series!</p>
<p>I remembered that my group's first CD, "Postcard," was released 20 years ago in November 1993. We played a show at the Acton Jazz Cafe to celebrate. </p>
<p>I'm working on two books and a number of magazine contributions. I've been teaching. A lot. </p>
<p>Thank you all for your support and for listening to my music. If you're looking for special gifts for someone (or for yourself; that's important, too!) please visit my store here on this website. We have CDs, Shirts in many styles and colors beautifully designed by Emily Joy Ashman, and caps. It's fun stuff, top quality, and it's another way of supporting independent artists. </p>
<p>Wishing you peace, love, and joy.</p>
<p>Jane</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762662013-11-11T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:42-05:00Celebrate with us in Acton
<p> </p>
<div>Twenty years ago this month, I picked up boxes of my group's first CD, "Postcard." We had recorded it over the summer of 1993 at Ken LaRoche's studio in Peterborough, NH. This Summer, 2013, I released my first solo CD, "Three Sides To A Story." Let's celebrate!</div>
<div>On Friday November 22, my group will be at the Acton Jazz Cafe playing just about every song from "Postcard," and probably a few others from our other two CDs. I'll be opening the show doing a solo set of music from "Three Sides To a Story." Reservations are encouraged. Here's the link:<a style="color: #1155cc;" href="http://www.actonjazzcafe.com/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">http://www.actonjazzcafe.com</a> </div>
<div> I'll be thinking of my friend Ken, who engineered and co-produced Postcard with me. We had such a fun, silly, serious, and creative time working on Postcard. Ken booked one of my very first gigs, and I knew he was the right guy to call upon for my first recording. I especially remember percussion days, when we would really soar. We started hitting anything that made a cool sound; when I started tapping on his flute case with a drum stick, I had crossed the line of acceptability. I didn't know that's what it was, honest. And really, we giggled like crazy about it. I am counting on Ken's spirit to be in attendance in Acton as I will also be celebrating his life with wonderful memories.</div>
<div>The group is in fine form, and I am still grateful for the gift of their musical contributions and respect for the music. Don Kirby, Bob Simonelli, and Tim Ray: thank you my friends. Our guests who joined us in the studio were a dream team: Cercie Miller, Patty Larkin, Mili Bermejo, and Mick Goodrick, thank you all so much for just the right touches.</div>
<div>Our friend Joey Mazarella will be taking over the piano chair with us in Acton. We're in good hands. Please join us and say hello as we look back and ahead. </div>
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<div></div>
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Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762652013-11-01T20:00:00-04:002022-03-24T07:02:04-04:00Announcing lessons, private coaching, ensemble coaching, musical retreats!
<p><strong>Musical Retreats: Guitar lessons and ensemble coaching</strong></p>
<p><strong>With Jane Miller</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy a retreat in the country in beautiful New England and immerse yourself in practicing and studying music with Jane Miller. Four season beauty on a lake in Central Massachusetts, tucked away for peaceful concentration. De-stress, get positive encouragement, personalized focused learning. Or bring friends, bring your band, get experience playing with others, improve your band’s skills: arrangements, rehearsals, efficiency, sound. Piano and amps provided. Welcome all guitarists, or mix in bass, piano, mandolin, other stringed instruments, horns, bring your existing band or start a new one. </p>
<p> Go to the Store page here for details on these options:</p>
<p>1 hour private lesson</p>
<p>4 hour private session</p>
<p>1 hour 2, 3, or 4 people</p>
<p>4 hour session (one day only) 2, 3, or 4 people </p>
<p>Weekend specials:</p>
<p>4 hours Private session each day, Saturday and Sunday (8 hours total)</p>
<p>4 hours 2, 3, or 4 people each day, Saturday and Sunday (8 hours total) </p>
<p>1 hour Lessons are scheduled for mutually available days and times.</p>
<p>4 hour sessions are scheduled on available Saturdays and/or Sundays from 10am-2pm, or 12-4pm.</p>
<p>Thanks to the innkeepers at these beautiful places to stay nearby. Inquire about their discounts for travelling students of Jane Miller:</p>
<p>The Maguire House Ashburnham MA</p>
<p>http://www.maguirehouse.com</p>
<p>Mainfare B+B Ashburnham, MA</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mainfarebnb.com" data-imported="1">http://www.mainfarebnb.com</a></p>
<p>The Woodbound Inn Rindge, NH</p>
<p><a href="http://www.woodbound.com" data-imported="1">http://www.woodbound.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Jane is an amazing musician. Relaxed class and she explains things in a very</p>
<p>understandable way. Great teacher and great sense of humor.” – L.S. Iowa</p>
<p>“If you run to turn up a favorite tune on the radio, you should check out Jane Miller’s heartfelt way with the guitar. Whether she is interpreting jazz standards or her own compositions, Jane makes the case for melody awareness as the hallmark of lovely and moving play. Her gentle frankness and accessible way of discussing technique inspired me to simply stretch on the fretboard and trust to joy of trying.” J.T. Vermont</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“A gifted teacher can help you become aware of your own inner dialogs, shenanigans, and weavings, and help you tune into the subtle shifts that put you in the way of knowing that wild and ineffable state of grace. Jane is one of those teachers. A natural coach, Jane expects her students to perform a large part of the heavy lifting when it comes to envisioning one’s own place in the musical galaxy, and to undertaking the more grounded practicalities of getting there. She is the kindest peanut gallery you will ever meet.” C.I. Vermont</p>
<p> </p>
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Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762642013-10-31T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00November
<p>It was twenty years ago this month that I drove up Route 95 in Maine to pick up my first CDs in all of their boxes. "Postcard" is its name, and I've been listening lately. Who wrote that stuff? I've been enjoying the music as if it belongs to someone else. I remember fun little details about the recording, mixing, mastering, graphics, manufacturing. The music is deeper than I had remembered. I'm not sure why. I haven't exactly moved in a backwards direction, but it hasn't been a rocket blast upward or even forward, either. I've been moving musically in different directions all around what I've been doing for a long time: playing changes, writing and arranging changes, taste changes, and certainly changes in accepting what I do as my own, along with who I am. It's as if the past twenty years has been a giant editing session. I've pared down. I've grown, too, which is probably what allows me to be looking back and appreciating my younger self and her work. The guys in the band were outstanding, and they still are; all in their own ways, too. </p>
<p>I hope you'll join us at the Acton Jazz Cafe on November 22 to celebrate the music from "Postcard." My new self is learning from my old self. I'll be opening the show at 7 with a solo set featuring music from my new solo guitar CD "Three Sides To A Story." No reservations needed for that early set, but I suggest making then anyway because you'll need them for the second set, which starts at 9:15 or so. Settle in for a nice dinner and stick around for the show. </p>
<p>I'm looking forward to playing and seeing lots of you there. </p>
<p>http://www.actonjazzcafe.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762632013-07-29T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Radio!
<p>Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your support on the occasion of the release of my new CD "Three Sides To A Story." It's available on the store page here, both as a download and as a CD. You'll also find it on CDbaby.com and itunes and all of your other favorite download sites. My Facebook page now has a store on it, too! Check it out here and like it! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Miller/43506192847
Thank you for supporting independent music; it really matters.
I'll be joining Pamela Hines on Wednesday July 31 (that's tomorrow as I write this!) on her fantastic show Jazz New England on WICN-FM, 90.5 in Worcester, MA. Check out the station at wicn.org. Pamela does a show in which her guests play live with her, interspersed with conversation. Sounds like a blast to me, and I can't wait. Hope you can check it out.
Next week, I'm heading to Richmond VA to perform a night of solo guitar at the Hermitage Country Club, Friday August 9. While I'm there, I'll be doing my live jamplay chat on Friday from 12-2 EDT as usual. What's jamplay? http://www.jamplay.com/card Here's a code for a free 7-day membership to give it a ride. 5617DB6B8 Over 60 guitar teachers, and now offering bass instruction. I have about 70 videos up on the site from a few visits out to their Colorado studios. You can catch me doing a live chat every Friday from 12-2 and Sunday from 4-6 Eastern Time.
It's the 20th Anniversary of the release of my first CD "Postcard." What? Yes. To celebrate, it is now available as a digital download for the first time. Find it on CDbaby, itunes, and all the rest. And here at my store and on my Facebook page, of course.
Things I'm excited about coming up: It's the Provincetown Jazz Festival August 17. I'll be playing with my good friends and trio mates Cercie Miller (sax) and David Clark (bass). The second half of the night features the impeccable guitar trio of Howard Alden, Jay Geils, and Gerry Beaudoin. More on that later.
And much more on my Central Mass CD release party coming up at the Bull Run in Shirley on August 24. It's not too soon to get tickets! http://www.tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762622013-06-29T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Three Sides ready for download!
<p>Hi Friends,
Here's the link to download my new CD Three Sides To A Story. Actual CDs will be available on July 15.
Enjoy! And Thanks!
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/janemiller</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762612013-06-16T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00June is busting out all over
<p>I'm a cliche. I'm sitting in my local Barnes and Noble Cafe writing my book. It's raining as hard as I've ever seen rain rain. I was thinking that it's about time to head back home and check in with Betty the dog. The parking lot is a lake and the flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder are keeping me in my window seat for now. It's a good show. So here's something new: Gayla Drake Paul from Premier Guitar Magazine had this to say about my new CD:
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2013/Jul/Album_Review_Jane_Miller_Three_Sides_to_a_Story.aspx
Thanks, Gayla! Digital downloads from cdbaby should be available in a couple of days, June 19thish. Physical CDs will follow by the end of the month. So many people have been helping me through this process, most notably Emily Joy Ashman and Lauren Passarelli, photos and design, and engineering, respectively. I'm going around wearing a gratitude necklace lately, which by the way, was made by Natalia Zuckerman out of recycled guitar wood. Check out her etsy page.
I am honored to be participating in a round table discussion this Sunday, June 23 from 2-3:30pm at New England Conservatory. It is Boston Guitar Fest weekend, directed by Eliot Fiske, and I am thrilled to have been invited.
This Thursday, June 20th, I'll be doing my first stageit show at 8pm. Stageit.com is a very cool site where so many wonderful artists play concerts from their homes, backstages, backyards, you name it. Come on aboard and grab a ticket soon! I'll be playing from home with my dog nearby. Lots of music from the new CD, of course. You can request songs from other CDs, and the highest tipper gets a free signed copy of "Three Sides To A Story."
I'll be at the Bull Run in Shirley, MA on June 29th. I'll have CDs on hand to celebrate, so come on by if you're in New England. It's a nice room with beautiful people making you feel comfortable and serving you delicious food.
Let's not forget the wonderful Picasso Restaurant to the west. I'll be there June 27 playing solo guitar, and maybe the CDs will be there, too, but that's pushing it.
Back to writing my book. It's called "Play Your Guitar: A Plain Talk Guide to Being a Better Guitar Player." Give it a few months, but then keep an eye out for it, please!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762602013-04-12T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00new CD mixes just about done
<p>I've been finishing up my new solo CD, called "Three Sides To a Story" with Lauren Passarelli engineering, mixing, and cheerleading. We're about ready to master this thing and get it off to press. I'm excited about it, since it's my first time going completely solo. For those of you interested enough to be checking out my website, then here's a peek at the song list:
1. Gift
2. Happy
3. Pretty Ballerina (The Left Banke)
4. Davy (Janis Ian)
5. Funny Monkey
6. Our Love is Here to Stay (Gershwin)
7. Sunday
8. Three Sides to a Story
9. Gratitude
10. Nardis (Miles Davis)
11. Here's That Rainy Day (Van Husen)
12. The Summer Knows (Legrand)
13. Quechee
14. Same Tie, Different Shirt
15. Regift
I had a great time with Emily Joy Ashman and Amy Ashman doing the photo shoot in a beautiful remote location. I think we're all going to like the design of this one. Stay tuned! And please "like" my facebook page for more immediate updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Miller/43506192847
Thanks for your support.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762592013-04-12T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00New Book by Scott Yanow
<p>Just got my copy of The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide by Scott Yanow. I've enjoyed Scott's writing for many years; that's reason enough to be so honored to be included in this book. But to be included among so many guitarists whom I've admired, listened to, and learned from all my life has me feeling humbly grateful. Thank you, Scott.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762582012-12-03T19:00:00-05:002022-05-09T05:01:39-04:00New Solo Guitar recording
<p>I'm excited to announce that my first solo guitar recording will get underway December 14 at the studio of my friend Rob Roy. It's a nice quiet little town in New Hampshire to work on this music together. I've been arranging some standards, old pop tunes, and some of my own compositions. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, I hope you know that my group's first three CDs are still available on my music page, with thanks to the great people at CD Baby.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762572012-04-12T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Guitar things
<p>I've encountered the world of drop-D tuning and it's fun. Oh, sure, I had tried it before, but now I think I get it more. I can be musical with it rather than hyper aware of it or a little afraid of it. And the Martin Acoustic sounds and feels amazing singing that low note.
I added some new links to my link page, which made me see how long overdue that was. Some nice and generous people have helped me over the past year or two, and their websites tell their great stories.
I am playing with a quartet accompanying singer Christine Eubanks on April 21 at the Fitchburg Art Museum. The event runs from 7-10pm and it's a benefit for a youth center in the Cleghorn section of Fitchburg. I'm all for helping to provide a much needed place for kids to hang out and spend some safe and creative time. Playing with me will be Jim Heffernan on piano (I haven't seen him in far too long and I can't wait to play music together again), Bob Simonelli on bass and Don Kirby on drums. I'm so grateful to them for joining in on this show.
On May 5th, I'll be doing a concert at the Preservation Hall in Wellfleet, MA. Show starts at 7pm. Bart Weisman is the drummer, and Laird Boles is on bass. These two play together a lot and are the top shelf jazz musicians on Cape Cod. I'll be calling some of my favorite standards to play in arrangements you haven't heard yet, along with some of my compositions from my recordings, and some new ones that you haven't heard yet. I am hoping to see lots of Cape Codders there, and lots of other folks who want to visit the Cape for the weekend. It'll be fun. Check out the hall:http://wellfleetpreservationhall.org/
I have two different facebook pages. I would especially like it if you like my music page, linked here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Miller/43506192847
but you're welcome to go ahead and be my friend on my other page, too: https://www.facebook.com/janeomiller
Here's to peaceful resolutions, live music, recorded music, and hydrated runners in the Boston Marathon this Monday, where it will be in the mid-80s. Go Red Sox!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61761992012-03-18T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00Spring
<p>It has been extra warm here in New England. Everything is ahead of schedule: ice out on the lake, mud season, jacket-less walks with the dog, canoe rides, swimming (well, the dog...) and windows open, pellet stove off. One thing that I can't say is ahead of schedule, but that is happening at long last, is my solo guitar recording. It's only the beginning, but to begin is the hardest part, so the rest should be smooth sailing and fun. It's good to be back at work on a new project. I'm working it in around my schedule, my dog Betty's schedule, and whatever snags show up in the recording process. I'm reminded of the Isley Brothers: "Iii-iiiiiii-ii've got work to doooo-ooo. I've got work to do. I've got a giiiii-iig."
I'm looking forward to playing with drummer Bart Weisman again, this time in Wellfleet, MA at Preservation Hall on May 5th, with Laird Boles on bass. It's a wonderful venue, and a wonderful time of year to be seeing my friends on Cape Cod. Hope you can join us. Meanwhile, be well and happy and true.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762562011-08-23T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Old Charts, New Charts
<p>Rearranging space being the ongoing project that it is, I came upon some forgotten charts for my group the other day and chose a few to revisit. I highly recommend doing that! I am now on an arranging and composing kick. New music is gushing out of me; new ideas for old tunes are, well, dribbling out, but still.
Chet Williamson and I are still playing pretty regularly at Picasso in Barre, MA. Next gig for us there is September 8.
I have been swimming swimming swimming boating swimming swimming swimming. Boating.
Betty (the dog) fans will be glad to know that she has had a wonderful summer, too. She has been swimming swimming boating walking running. Boating. And barking ferociously at the watering can which blew off of the deck in the wind and ended up in the front yard where it didn't belong. It's great to have a best friend looking out for my safety that way.
If you're thinking of going to Provincetown, MA for Women's Week in October, I'll be playing in Hyannis on October 15, which is the Saturday at the end of Women's Week. I hope you'll make the short trip through the Cape to hear the trio: Bart Weisman on drums and Ron Ormsby on bass at the Cape Codder resort. Details later. It's still summer. Enjoy.
Please email me through my contact page here or "like" my music page on Facebook if you have any musical ideas you would like me to explore during jamplay chats (Fridays 12-2pm at jamplay.com/card 5617DB6B8) or for future Acoustic Guitar Mag lessons. I always appreciate the good feedback from my columns and lessons. Shout-outs welcome on the Guestbook page, too!
Time to indulge in my night owl routine of practicing and writing and relearning some of my old material. Any requests?</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762552011-02-15T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00The Benedetto Andy
<p>I've been having so much fun with my new guitar, the Andy, made by Bob Benedetto. It's a 3/4 size jazz box, but it's no toy. It's really an amazing instrument, and it's a perfect fit for my hands. Check out the photo gallery for pictures of it, and check the Benedetto website for more wonderfulness. Thanks Bob, Howard and Cindy!
http://benedettoguitars.com/</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762542010-11-10T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Uke Bass
<p>When I was in Nashville last June, I fell in love with these little basses called UBass. They are made by the Kala Ukulele company, and they are just amazing. Here's a link so you can see for yourself:
http://www.kalaukulele.com/Endorsees_UBASS.asp</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762532010-11-10T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00Aria Guitars
<p>I got an Aria guitar for Christmas when I was 12 or so, after learning on a little red guitar from Sears. So now, all these years later, I have a new Aria parlor guitar that I want to show you all. It's a beauty, and very fun to have and play. Check it out!
http://www.ariausa.com/</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762522010-09-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:41-05:00jamplay!
<p>The good people at jamplay.com have offered seven days of free lessons to all of you. Go to http://www.jamplay.com/card and enter the password: 5617DB6B8
From there, you can have fun browsing any lesson series you'd like from over forty teachers. There are live chats with instructors going on every day, there are interviews with artists, and performances to watch along with the various levels of lessons. Skip all around and try it out.
You'll find an interview with me (and a performance with the interviewer Jeff Booth and me) and an introduction to the lesson series that I recently filmed with them. Hope you'll enjoy it.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762512010-08-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00jamplay
<p>It's been warm enough for swimming just about every day here with my yellow dog. My scull boat is all set up just right and has seen more of the lake this year than in the past few years. Our garden is thriving. I have been having fun playing guitar a lot. That's a good summer right there.
I had a great time with a live session on jamplay.com yesterday. Thanks for all of the smart questions and the inspiring discussions. It was fun to play for you all from the comfort of home with my dog Betty nearby as always. I'll keep you posted as to more live sessions to come. You can check http://www.jamplay.com for lots of good info. Like them on Facebook, too.
I'll be traveling to Colorado in a couple of weeks for a video shoot for the jamplay folks. That means that they will be adding a lesson series from me to their roster of instructors. I'll be talking about a number of some of my favorite topics in the jazz guitar realm. We'll also squeeze in some artist specific talks along with lots of playing and demonstrations. When it's ready to go, I'll turn you on to some free lessons as a sample to check out the site and get a feel for it. Stay tuned!
My monthly column for Premier Guitar, "The Jazz Box," continues, so I hope you'll look for it on newsstands or on-line. I'm working on the October column now, which will include some special and valuable advice from Katherine Riggert, DO, on taking care of our fingers, hands, wrists, shoulders, and our whole bodies. She's my sports medicine doc, and has been a big part of getting me and my crazy shoulder back on the right path. Lots of people wanted to talk about warm-ups and good routines for our practicing and gigs on the chat yesterday. Thought I'd let you in on the column-in-progress.
Meanwhile, the September issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine has a Woodshed Lesson by me about adding 9s to your chords, with examples and a new song to try. You can find it on-line along with my audio examples, too. http://www.acousticguitar.com
Thanks y'all. (Texas in-laws visiting this weekend...)</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762502010-06-24T20:00:00-04:002022-02-20T07:44:44-05:00Home from Nashville
<p>I was at the Chicago Midway Airport Sunday night thinking about my song "Home from Chicago." I'd like to spend more time in Chicago someday, but it is very nice to be home for now. I had an absolute blast at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville. I started smiling as soon as I got off the plane and kept it up all weekend. As I had imagined, my new and old friends-- and "virtual friends"-- all came through with great show-and-tell stories and wonderful visits. The instruments were fantastic, and the vibe was friendly all around. An unexpected treat was getting to the Muriel Anderson All-Star Guitar night show. (Thank you, Rick Shubb!) Muriel, Stephen Bennett, Andy Wahlberg, Doyle Dykes, just to name a few off the top of my head. Then came a tribute to James Burton. So great to see him there and to hear him play. He was introduced by surprise guest Emmylou Harris. She then invited another surprise guest to sing a duet with her that she and James recorded on her first album; out onto the stage came Vince Gill. Other standouts were Brent Mason, Joe Dalton, Seymour Duncan, Victor Wooten joining in on bass; what a fun night.
Speaking of Victor Wooten, I attended a clinic that he did back at the NAMM show. His book, The Music Lesson, and his playing and teaching style are all inspiring and fun to take in.
It was very nice to see some friends from Premier Guitar Magazine there. "The Andy" from Benedetto Guitars is amazing, and I had fun hanging out at the booth with Howard Paul. Chris Thomas is always a joy and the Martin Guitars are continuing to live up to their long-lived reputation. Thanks to Chris for getting me to NAMM this year.
The UBass is a Ukulele Bass that you have to try and hear to believe. Great little instruments.
Tom Stadler from Tennessee is making some beautiful archtop jazz guitars. I was very moved by his instruments and his stories about them. What a nice guy. Someday...
Lots of fun with Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitars, Randall from Kyser Capos, the folks at D'Addario and Planet Waves, and on and on. Thank you all.
Now back to life at the lake: writing, teaching, playing, and swimming with a big yellow dog.
Oh, and mowing the lawn.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762492010-04-23T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00Canoe Ride
<p>Earth Day has come and gone, but my family and I are still marveling at the lake, the grass, the great blue heron and the rocks poking up from the water, the sticks in the yard carefully selected by my dog Betty to display, and the good luck that is ours for being privy to it all.
The May issue of Premier Guitar Magazine is out now. You can have a peek on-line and browse through the many terrific articles by clicking below:
http://www.premierguitar.com
My Jazz Box column for this month is called Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I hope you'll find something useful to play and think about in there.
I had a great time playing music with Chet Williamson last night. We have dates lined up through the summer, so please stay in touch here or "like" me on Facebook. There will be some dates with Doug Lowe, also.
Keep looking for-- and maybe even pestering me about--news of my next recording, which will be a solo guitar effort.
Oh, and ask me how my book's coming along, too.
Thanks for stopping by.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762482010-03-25T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00Your sound
<p>Here's the April Premier Guitar Jazz Box column, in which I discuss tone.
http://digital.premierguitar.com/premierguitar/201004_1/#pg83</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762472010-03-04T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00three four
<p>New lesson in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, the April issue out now.
http://acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=25150
enjoy!</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762462009-12-28T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00new-1
<p>happy new year. happy new decade. if you need to resolve things, or if you resolve to make resolutions, or if you resolve to not make resolutions, or if you just like to play guitar, here's a fun link for you:
http://digital.premierguitar.com/premierguitar/201001_1#pg79
i have been having fun writing The Jazz Box column for Premier Guitar magazine this year.
i am grateful for the patch of snow that saved my car and 1/2 of the residents of my house from going over a small cliff after sliding out of control on our icy street the other day.
i am grateful that my friend jane gets to rest all week and heal and be well.
i am glad to have a new lesson coming in the spring in Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
i am still having fun being a musician and setting up a new little demo recording space in my house.
i am grateful that my dog came back safely after disappearing on us for a bit longer than we were comfortable with.
i am glad to still be enjoying teaching and lucky and happy to have a great teaching gig.
i am most grateful today for the many layers of warm clothing i have to put on before venturing out to play with the dog.
i am looking forward to seeing you at gigs this coming year or hearing from you on these pages or through magazine reader mail or facebook or in the classroom or studio. wherever we may find each other, i wish you peace and health and joy.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762452009-12-06T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00winter
<p>the snow has made playing in the yard extra fun and challenging. it's fun to look out later and see all of the footprints and pawprints all over the place as we warm up by the fire.
i'll be playing with my friend chet williamson this thursday night at picassos's, which is a wonderful little restaurant in barre, ma. then friday and saturday night, it's back for another year of christmas music and celebration with mark marquis and friends at the unitarian church in downtown leominster,ma.
for those of you cd shopping, i have added my three cds to the bargain bin at cdbaby.com which means you can buy any three cds in the bin (there are a lot to choose from) and pay just 5 bucks each. also, i have lowered the price on each of my individual cds if you just want to buy one at a time instead. the 5 dollar sale (of my cds, anyway) will last until the end of the holiday season, which i figure, is my birthday. the epiphany. the 12th day of christmas. little christmas. ok, january 6.
as always, check out premier guitar magazine for my monthly column called "the jazz box."
future alert: work is underway for a new lesson in acoustic guitar magazine for a spring issue.
enjoy the season and best wishes to all.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762442009-07-15T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00summer
<p>the july issue of premier guitar magazine is out. in it, you'll find my column, called "the jazz box." this month's topic is "A Bargain Chord." I'm writing a new one every month now, so keep an eye out. Future topics include practicing with a metronome and adding bass lines to your comping. to me, there's nothing like flipping through an actual magazine, perhaps while sitting on the edge of a dock dangling your feet in a lake, or maybe stretched out on a lawn chair, or just right there in the grass next to the dog. oh, i mean, keep it in your practice room on the music stand, yeah, that's right. anyway, if you don't have to hold the glossy paper in your hands, then you can also find it on-line here: http://www.premierguitar.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762432009-07-15T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00acoustic guitar community profile
<p>this is kind of fun, and if you're an acoustic guitar enthusiast, sign on up.
http://tinyurl.com/kw7lto</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762422009-05-03T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00premier
<p>got the premier magazine column done for the july issue.
look for musings from me in those pages every other month in my new column.
there is a beaver swimming around and having a good old time right outside my window, right there near the canada goose. every now and then it climbs up out of the water onto a patch of grass or a rock and i can't believe how big it is.
this is the sort of thing i have to contend with while writing.
by the way, does this mean my yard will flood sometime soon?</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762412009-04-22T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00check it out
<p>http://www.acousticguitar.com
for the new lesson in the woodshed department about guide tones. it's out in print mag soon. the on-line version is up and has audio examples and a bonus song.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762402009-04-10T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00water
<p>there is water right outside my window. there is water right across the dirt path. there is water over there in the woods. there is water next to the dirt road. there is a small canoe leaning up against the shed. there is a bigger canoe leaning up on the deck. there is a rubber raft hanging on the back of the deck. there is a scull boat stretched out along the edge of the deck. there are paddles and oars inside of the shed, separated from their boats. there is an eager water lover sitting here typing. the ice was fun for awhile, but jeeeeeez.
look for a new acoustic guitar magazine lesson/article coming out in a couple of weeks. all about guide tones. i'm recording new examples and a song to go with the on-line version of the lesson.
also, look for news about a column in premiere guitar magazine in which you can read my philosophies, ideas, lesson ideas, and more every other month starting early this summer.
this is to say, of course, that i get to look at the many brooks and streams and swamps and the lake and write about guitars and music and then hop into a canoe and then come back and write some more and then play and then record and then look at the water some more. it's a very lucky life i lead. i get to balance it out by being in boston to teach three days each week and that's a very lucky thing, too. this is not news, of course, but it's just what's right in front of me.
news would be like, say, i am playing with chet williamson on april 24 at val's in holden ma from 6-9. chet is a jazz harmonica player of the highest order and a wonderful old friend of mine.
happy spring in new england, happy musical adventures wherever you are.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762392009-02-25T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00red and orange
<p>i saw the sky turn red and orange from the prudential center skywalk observatory a couple of nights ago. i looked at fenway park and the citgo sign and traffic patterns and the charles river. now i am watching the sky turn red and orange again from my window here at home, where the sky hangs above the frozen marsh and the gray trees and tree stumps and the old snow and ice. my dog betty showed me the way to the beaver dam one recent saturday afternoon.
come be my friend on facebook if you'd like. i am working on updating my musician page with music. it's not working yet. any advice? i'll be adding some music and photos to my regular old facebook page as well, so check it out.
i have some writing to do in a few different areas over the next few days.
i feel like playing guitar more and more. like, whenever i play.
cheers, dick albert.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762382008-12-18T19:00:00-05:002022-03-19T06:34:59-04:00power trips
<p>hi folks,
first of all, to fans of the guest book, i will try to get that back up and running soon. just have to delete all of the stupid entries. i have been majorly spammed here.
second of all, to those concerned about my little corner of the world, thank you. we are back up and running now, too. someday, i will try to describe what it's like listening to trees fall and poles snap and wires get yanked out of the side of your house while you try to sleep, all with the steady rhythm of freezing rain in the background. with no electricity, heat, or water, we hung out at home as long as we could, about 48 hours or so. our fire in the fireplace betrayed us a bit on night 2 when it started to burn right through to the sub-floor. some time during the next day, we decided to flee to an undisclosed location, but let's just say we're so lucky that mom got her power back. the next day when we went back home for a few more things, including guitars, it was 29 degrees inside of the house.
now my whole family is safe and warm and back home with everything restored, just about. we have some damage to repair, but we have overflowing gratitude for all of those who helped us in our neighborhood and in our extended family. it might be spring before we can clean up the trees and limbs, but for now, we can watch holiday movies and bake cookies and cuddle with the dog and cat and create a holiday scene that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
happy holidays, everyone.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762372008-11-19T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:40-05:00one year
<p>a lot can happen in a year.
one of my favorite questions from students is: "so, how do you improvise?"
it's also one of my least favorite questions.
answering the question itself relies on the art of improv.
how do you have a conversation with someone?
do you recognize your friends' speech patterns? do you recognize familiar voices on the phone (without looking at caller i.d.)?
do you listen a lot? do your friends listen a lot? do they talk on and on and on sometimes without stopping for responses, or even air? do you? do you sometimes get into a car and ride silently for miles and no one minds? are you funny? serious? do you respond to others' with thoughtfulness? do you talk over each other without really paying attention all the way?
maybe we all do all of those things some of the time.
maybe we play lines that are completely unrelated to the harmony, intentionally or unintentionally. or maybe we always play right inside the harmony without any risks.
our ears tell us what to do. we just have to teach that to our hands and fingers.
i got married, bought a house, didn't know i was going to do any of that. my dog betty and i got a step-cat. we got a new groove. and even though it's ours forever, (no one can actually take that away) we can make changes and reharmonizations and get haircuts and buy a car and laugh and throw up and vote and celebrate and watch baseball and renew our vows and paddle a canoe and slide on a boogie board in the snow and not get hurt and a lot can happen in a year.
happy thanksgiving.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762362008-10-15T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00saturday eve
<p>another doug lowe gig is fast approaching. we're playing in acton, ma this saturday night, oct 18, the early show from 7-830.
my dog betty and i took a nice walk today and the fall foliage color was about the most beautiful thing i've ever seen. what a celebration.
things that rock:
guitars
vibrant health vibrant green drinks
canoes
baseball at fenway park, even though...
dogs
pellet stoves
going out to buy bread and coming back with cool furniture instead
watching guy van duser work out a chord solo and brainstorming with him
the lake
the ducks
betty swimming with the ducks
ipods
working out my own arrangements
surprising myself
writing an article from home and having betty nearby without interrupting
interruptions from betty
teaching and realizing that i thought of something new again
playing and realizing that i thought of something new again
chai lattes
love and gratitude</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762352008-08-17T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00one day
<p>dog, boat, dog, dog, boat, wireless, troubleshoot, troubleshoot, orthopathic wrestling match, whiffle ball, badminton, boat, boat, sun, water, peaches, dog, dog, npr, terry gross, boxes, recycling, organizing, shed, nice breeze, water, water, boat, walk, dirt road, idea, story, lesson, guitar.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762342008-07-07T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00proto's child
<p>i just added a link on my music page for listening to a demo version of "proto's child," a song i wrote and recorded in 2003 while trying out a nylon string guitar. just for fun here; feel free to add comments.
as for recording plans in the future tense, i'll of course be recording the newest AG magazine examples and a new etude for another lesson to be out in print in the oct issue (available end of august), on-line in september. tune up and get ready to give your open strings a ride. thanks for the good response to the diminished chord and scale lesson in the july issue. dan a. rocks and came up with this good idea for me.
next, the plan is to record a solo acoustic cd in august, due out sometime this infinity.
as for live shows, i'll be playing with the doug lowe group on july 19th 7-830pm at the acton jazz cafe. he's got a killer rhythm section and the cafe is a delightful hang. come early for dinner and then stay late for a show by the "geezers" for you late-nighters.
my dog and her best friend are here sleeping away the hot humid new england summer day.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762332008-05-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00dim the lights
<p>i got to play with my old pal chet williamson last friday night. he is a jazz and blues and anything style harmonica player. it's like working with a horn player. they don't come better than chet. hopefully, we'll have more gigs to tell you about soon, but for now, i was filling in for our friend steve cancelli (amazing guitar player). you can catch the two of them every friday night at val's in holden, ma. nice place, nice owner, nice music. chet is an encyclopedia of american music history and is just an absolute blast to work with. he is also editor and writer at worcester magazine. we know each other from doing radio in worcester, where he was my mentor and we spun the platters and hosted concerts and had all kinds of fun.
i have a piece in the next issue of acoustic guitar magazine. it's the july issue, out at the end of may. they wanted a story about diminished chords, so if you want to read a story about diminished chords, check it out. there's a new song for the lesson in there, too, which can be heard on their on-line magazine site once the print mag is released. it's called "dim the lights."
http://www.acousticguitar.com
many more stories to come for acoustic guitar mag, so keep an eye out.
my dog, betty, is quite a story teller, too. she's in the middle of a forensic investigation of some crow feathers on the hill. and some bread under the neighbor's house. and the leaves that maybe a deer or something like that must have brushed by this morning, or was it last night. and that stick over there. and and and...</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762322008-04-16T20:00:00-04:002022-01-31T02:20:01-05:00the seventies
<p>my dog's best friend comes by from time to time to visit. we have to spell his name around our house because the very thought of him causes so much excitement it's hard to bear. when betty is just about jumping out of her skin either when her friend comes over or when i come home or go to pick her up from her vacation spot, she grabs the first toy she sees to show it off. i like to think of it as her way of story telling. here's what i've been playing with since i've seen you last. here's what i can do with it. here, you try it. try to take it away. see how strong i am.
it could be that none of that is in her head at all. it could be that she feels like she'd better grab something or else she just might bite me because she's so excited. or it could be that she just wants to play. but it makes me think of the many ways of expression. many art forms. many teaching styles. many sports. many languages. many studies.
max is a big boy dog, one month older than betty. he teaches her how to stay around and play with us rather than running off to find food in neighbors' yards. he teaches her to come in the house with us when the games are over. he teaches her to drink like a big slobbery dog out of the big water dish. he teaches her to be and have a best friend. so when i started spontaneously singing "ma-a-a-a-a-aps" from the "yeah yeah yeahs" the other day, betty's eyes lit up and her body stiffened ready to spring for the great outdoors to see her pal in the yard. no such luck. but when he is there and i say "go see maxi" and she leaps like a bunny all through the field until she finds him, i am in the lucky position of witnessing pure joy.
that's the draw toward guitars. that's the draw toward learning and listening to music. that's what we pay for to either learn or listen to in classrooms, studios, clubs, concert halls. as i played a lick during an impromptu jam with susan werner one day last year, she said "i want that for christmas," and i knew she felt the joy of music in the right spirit of fun and excitement.
you can't force that stuff. it's as natural as betty and max. when it's right, it just is.
today, i have a lot of work to do for school and for a magazine assignment and some general other parts of life to take care of, but there's no way i'm doing any of it right now because it's in the seventies here in new england, and i am following my heart to the great outdoors with betty.
you gotta be flexible with that stuff.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762312008-03-12T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00snippets
<p>open strings are so cool.
someone that plays loud and confidently can sure fool a lot of people into thinking that they are adept or musically accomplished when in fact they might just be having a blast and not be either of those things and that's ok, too.
java chip ice cream is so good.
roy clark showed up on the beverly hillbillies now and then and played his butt off.
playing bass is an absolute blast. i almost believe that bass players and drummers must belong to a secret club.
what, that chord again? try finding a new note.
or:
oh, good, that chord again--i love that one.
hey, who took my F#? you know when you take your finger off of the first string when you're playing a D chord and it sounds cool, but you kind of miss that F# that got sacrificed? try making a barre across the first three strings on the second fret and then add the E on the 5th fret of the second string. you'll get your pretty "9" sound but you won't have to lose the good F# in the process.
on a different topic, there will be a new acoustic guitar magazine article/lesson/song of mine in an upcoming issue. not sure when.
last year during spring break, i got injured in my own back yard. this year, i'm going away.
every now and then my dog reminds me that she is indeed an animal. and by every now and then, i mean a lot.
i have a mandolin. i don't practice much. if you turn your guitar upside down and try to play like that, that's how i feel with my mandolin. it's a blast.
in the morning, my dog wakes me up singing eric dolphy licks.
on days when i have to work at home writing, i spend the rest of the day wearing her out.
at night, she sleeps in the big chair in my office and lets me type.
if i try to rush that process at all, i get eric dolphy-ed again.
expressive and artistic and real and raw.
give me a D-7 in third position with F on the second string and the open high E string singing along.
give me a decaf grande mocha.
sshhhhhhhhh the yellow dog is sleeping.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762302008-02-03T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00wooo hooo
<p>hi folks,
it's true, the acton jazz cafe has been rescued by its many friends and so we're back on for gigs. i'll be with the doug lowe group on saturday february 9 for the early show-7-8:30. jerry wilfong on bass, chris poudrier on drums and doug lowe on sax. lots of fun. please come support the acton jazz cafe as often as you can-it's really a gem. and suppport doug and his music, too.
oh, and you have to go see "juno." it's a wonderful story beautifully told and kimya dawson's songs will take you right to your simplest and beautiful essence. (she always does that. check out her cds with the moldy peaches). it's a great match of film, story, and music.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762292008-01-22T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00friday night in acton
<p>this weekend-january 25, 26, and 27, there will be some really fun fundraising going on at the acton jazz cafe. i am playing friday night from 730-8pm with saxophonist cercie miller and our special guest just announced, tim ray on piano. don't miss this great line up of musicians all night and saturday night too and sunday all day and night. it's a great way to chip in and help the club get back and running and it's a great chance to hear some amazing players. check out the lineup at http://www.actonjazzcafe.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762282008-01-17T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00gwenn and the acton jazz cafe
<p>my friend gwenn mentioned something about the tax people freezing her accounts when i saw her last weekend in the midst of a packed saturday night house taking in the group "no static," the incredible steely dan tribute band. she's been through plenty to keep the jazz cafe going for 11 years now, so i trusted her sense of calm and casualness about it to mean that this was no different and she would fix it and continue. on wednesday, we all got word that that's not how it is. since gwenn is inseperable from the cafe in just about every sense, my first reaction was to make sure that she and her two terrific daughters would be ok for now. since then, remarkably, there have been some signs of hope that it might not be over forever for the cafe. to explain all of this better than i can, here's what pianist, friday- night-booker, and friend to gwenn and us all, molly flannery wrote to the community of caring musicans:
Dear Friends,
As you all know, the Acton Jazz Café has closed its doors. Currently, the Café’s Liquor License has been revoked and all funds associated with the Café have been frozen by the Department of Revenue.
Many of you are asking what can I do to help. Gwenn just emailed me, "The response that I have received has been so overwhelming that I now believe that we have the strength to win this one. An awful lot of people care an awful lot about me, this beautiful place, and the music. There is an army. We can mobilize." To me the Cafe is almost like a church (too bad it doesn't have the same tax exempt status....) because of the wonderful sense of community and love that flowers there. I think I see more hugging there than anywhere. And then of course there's the incredible music thanks to the richness of the greater Boston community -- placing the club in Downbeat Magazine's "100 great jazz clubs in the world" selection. And there's the amazing Gwenn who works around the clock to make it happen. The place is a treasure.
So, Phil Argyris and I have established a trust fund for Gwenn and the Acton Jazz Café, called the Gwenn Vivian Support Trust created at the Middlesex Savings Bank in Littleton, MA:
Middlesex Savings Bank
ATTN: Gwenn Vivian Support Trust
P.O. Box 954
Littleton, MA 01460
Checks can be made out to the Gwenn Vivian Support Trust and can be sent to the above noted address.
thanks, molly, for letting me copy that here. plans are beginning to solidify for a benefit concert weekend on January 25, 26, and 27. at the moment, it looks like my good friend cercie miller and i will be playing a duo set on friday night. at various times in my life, i've said: if not for cercie, i wouldn't be working. and: if not for gwenn, i wouldn't be working. these two people mean a whole lot to me. let's see what we can do, ok?</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762272008-01-16T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00modes
<p>who needs 'em.
one of my favorite lines delivered so wonderfully by the gruff lou grant on the mary tyler moore show was while unexpectedly babysitting for phyllis' daughter: "do anything you want, kid. just don't play with matches."
i keep coming back to that "it's all good" attitude while practicing, listening, learning, discussing, teaching, reading. it's all so deep and complex and it is so simple in the end. make it sound good to yourself. have fun with others. other people may want in on it, and that's good, too, but it's beside the point. but before we pick up our instruments, pens, paint brushes to "do whatever we want," we need to spend some time learning the language. learn the rules of the game before talking all that trash.
quick exercise of the week: choose an open string, choose a mode, and play the mode all up and down that one string, going back to the open string between fingered notes. or find an open string that works as an adjacent string drone to the string that you play the mode on.
see what that does for your playful mood.
then do whatever you want.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762262008-01-08T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00thaw
<p>little by little, the betster and i (that's my dog, you know) have been making our way around the trail we love so much. at first, we were brave and trudged through very deep snow and went a short distance but worked hard enough to feel like it had been miles. then a little more, a little more, until today when we could finally get all the way around and still be somewhat challenged by snow. the fields are almost bare, with big drifts and piles from the plows remaining. i spent a week in texas, where they say it snows sometimes. why, just back in 1985...
i played my fairly new nylon string guitar for a fairly long time last night. i like it. it's fun to have around. it's a cordoba. i am looking at another in a series of spectacular sunsets from my upstairs window. this is a good seat.
my states of input and then pause have been so great that i have been happily forgetting about any output requirements. but now there is music in the music room again and there are stirrings in my daydreams and there are fun little percussion instruments to look at and ponder and there are 65 degree days in january in new england.
betty (the betster) tiptoed off on my birthday and secretly ate enough to feed a small nation. i know this because later that night, she was so uncomfortable, she couldn't sit down or lie down or get comfortable at all. so her loving people whisked her off to the emergency vet where she got a squirt in the eye of something or other and out came all that food. crazy kid. she feels much better now. as one of her loving people, i shake my head and learn from her every day.
output, indeed.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762252007-12-03T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:39-05:00whooooooooosh
<p>i usually remember to prepare my students for what feels like seconds between the time we come back from thanksgiving break until the end of the semester. the thing is, i'm just as surprised as everyone else every year anyway. so now there is snow in my yard, holiday decorations and christmas music all over the place, a silly dog catching snow flakes and zooming around while i scrape off the car and send snowballs in her direction,hot chocolate, and well, you get the picture. let's see, cold, boots, hats, gloves, christmas music; oh, right...it's time for mark marquis' annual christmas show this coming weekend. the 20th annual,no less. this will be my 18th year playing with the gang (i missed the first 2, but i think he will still give me pizza at the after party anyway). check the calendar page for details. highly recommended to put you in good spirits and to help children in need of some christmas toys. see you there.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762242007-10-31T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00mel bay piece
<p>The fantastic e-zine, "Guitar Sessions," which is a part of the Mel Bay web site, will be making the switch to the November issue soon. I contributed a piece on the Thanksgiving song, "We Gather Together." Ah, Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for about a billion things.
Here's a link:
http://www.guitarsessions.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762232007-10-23T20:00:00-04:002021-12-09T12:09:15-05:00go sox
<p>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i walked around fenway park the other day and stopped to pat the statue of ted williams on the knee.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762222007-09-29T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00colors
<p>don't tell anyone but the leaves are getting rather pretty around here.
my dear friend sonia is playing at club passim on wednesday october 3. there was some talk of me sitting in on a tune, but whatever happens, catch her show wherever you live; she's touring and celebrating her newest recording called "tango," which is an amazing project. also, she will be visiting one of my classes at berklee, so i will get to hear her music a lot this week. i recommend it to you, too, and i also recommend being happy. it's very cool.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762212007-08-31T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00acton jazz
<p>the mcm trio will be at the acton jazz cafe on september 15th. we're doing the early show; it's a perfect time for dinner and jazz with us. later that night, myanna will be there with her group, which is an excellent jazz/r+b group. mcm (cercie miller on sax, david clark on bass, and me on guitars) has not played in acton in quite some time, so we're really looking forward to being there again. it's a feel good gig. lots of excellent listeners. we love that. also, yes, cercie and myanna were the two sax players in "girls night out" for you trivia buffs, so what a fun night all around. i've played with myanna a bunch, too, and she is a very special real deal great player. i think you'll want to make a night of it.
see you there.
http://www.actonjazzcafe.com</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762202007-08-12T20:00:00-04:002023-12-10T14:45:41-05:00it takes months
<p>or years. or days. there's nothing worse than some pretentious writer going way hogwild overboard on hyperbole while discussing their garden as a metaphor for life itself.
i'm sorry. but my tomatoes are so awesome.
i've been told, and i've told others, that what you're practicing on your instrument now will begin to come out in your playing in about six months. taking classes, studying, working on a piece for a performance; it's all a little like shopping. (wait, what happened to the garden metaphor...). we gather and collect and take things away and come back to our home base and start to sort through our bags. or maybe we move and go through things we haven't seen in awhile and make the tough decisions about what stays, what goes, what finds a new home, what takes on a new role. once we have the gift of time to look it all over, think about the contexts, the textures, the shapes, then we can really make it work in ways that make sense to us. i've paid good money for things while shopping and listened to someone schpeil on about how it works or what it does, but it's not until i get it home and work with it in my own way that i really get at what it's all about. and it might be very different from what the experts say or from what the next person in line says.
so if you feel like you can't play today, it's because you didn't practice six months ago. if you are having a great time playing and interacting musically and making sense of things that you collected six months ago, congratulations. it's working. it's time to pick the tomatoes. it's time to clear out the closets. it's time to rearrange that bookcase or move that cd collection. or listen to that music you had forgotten all about and really hear what's going on for the first time ever. and then play play play and hear and feel what happens. it doesn't happen every day. it takes months. years. minutes. days. lifetimes. four bars. entire choruses. paragraphs. all seven harry potter books. one sentence. one small workable phrase at a time.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762192007-07-22T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00fox
<p>my dog betty and i set out on our morning walk today and, since i reached the top of the hill first, i was the first and only one of us to see the red fox hanging out below in the field. i decided it would be best if we stayed around at the top of the hill for awhile this morning. improvising over changes, you see. we settled in on the lawn which is not a bad way to spend a july morning anyway, and betty had her nose engaged the whole time. there's just no fooling that kid. now she's snoozing in the big chair next to my desk, which i thought was going to be my chair, but i was wrong; it's clearly betty's. soon we'll head back out, maybe on the same path, maybe a slightly different one. i read up on red foxes and they're not so bad. you just have to have breakfast and a nap and some hot water in a mug and decide that it's ok to be a little bit sleepy on a low pressure almost rainy day and use a pick instead of playing fingerstyle and listen for what the piano player does and enter the measure in a different place and start out at a different time and respond to a few unexpected bits of news and respond to a happy situation and maintain and adjust and see that those four bars are way over with and betty forgot all about it and we'll go back out later.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762182007-07-08T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00home run derby
<p>back back back back gone...
that's what i keep hearing. it's not a real game, of course. it's the night before the all-star game. there is someone-some manager or other-standing behind a screen lobbing in cream puffs for the heavy hitters of major league baseball to crush over everything. it's really fun to watch and to see just what these hitters can make a ball do. how far can it travel in the san fransisco sky. it's not a real game but it's pretty cool.
laying down a basic rhythm track for yourself is a great way to practice improvising over changes or working on endurance or speed or picking or melodic lines of any sort. bam. bam. look at those 16th notes fly over the golden gate bridge or the prudential building. ooh. ahh. look at how that angular pattern of 4ths bursts into a colorful display over the rocky shore of kennebunk. you can make all kinds of things happen when someone (even your computer) is handing you the right tool. feeding you the right word. laying down a simple groove. standing by to listen and watch.
in a real game, players interact. they respond to each others' moves and cues and hits and misses. they back each other up. they fool each other and adjust for the spontaneous curves and change ups. in real music, we listen and respond and play and adjust. we have some of the necessary tools for the game because we practice home run derby all the time. but we only get better at playing the game when we really get to play the game.
like when we comp for our friends. let our friends comp for us. comp for ourselves rather than telling our computers to do it for us. it doesn't have a soul and a heart and ears and a sense of humor and whatever all else it takes to make us play with each other in real life.
bam. there goes another one over everything. the guy's got chops; you gotta give him that.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762172007-06-27T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00territorial tutorial
<p>my dog betty has a few friends in the neighborhood. they share toys and sticks and walks in the woods. they come into our house and drink from betty's water bowl, which she hardly ever does (betty prefers showers, but that's a story for another time). betty still has puppy energy and sometimes gets the zooms when she's excited about something. i know when it's about to happen. she gets the look and then she's off like a shot, all streamlined and pretty and windblown. anyway, they all know where they each live and which toys and bones they will find at each others' houses and where the cats hang out and where the food bowls are and who their people are and what their cars sound like when they are coming home. they are clear about their home base.
yesterday, i was talking about right hand finger style patterns for guitar and how much more efficient it is when you really practice the concept of each finger having its own string to play. it's not a strummy kind of movement, it's a closing in of the fingers; bending. each one gets its own place to be in charge. T12321 pick a bass note and use the first three open strings and just do that over and over again and you will get the clarity of it. practice in your head, on your knee, on the steering wheel, and especially on the open strings of your guitar while the red sox game is on. ok, be a little sensitive to your loved ones-people and animals that are trying to watch the game or sleep. from this practice comes independence and control over your right hand (or picking hand, as it is so correctly called in acoustic guitar magazine so as to cover whichever dominant hand type you may be) and from there, so many things can happen: that's my melody note. ok, well, then these are my filler notes. yeah, and over here, i'll take care of the accompaniment part. ok, but just let me play the bass notes all the time, got it?
wheeeeee. oh, that was betty taking off with her friend's tennis ball. ok, so there's always room for creativity and individual interpretation.
enjoy.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762162007-06-16T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00simply lemonade
<p>input. blue sky. above 80 degrees. cool grass that is finally dry enough to sit in. special bone for betty. the rhythm is both random and steady. her teeth set up a steady groove on the edges and the occasional slip and the weighty drop make unexpected accents. fenway park. green gray brown red. steady murmur. crack. loud swells. boats. paddles. swoosh. swoosh. drip. drip. background music for simple chores. instead, i sit listening. it's coming from itunes. it's coming from betty. it's coming from the red sox. it's coming through the window. it's input. it's about to find the wood and the strings and the newness of creating. there's a vegetable garden growing in my big back yard. there's a rose garden smiling brightly in boston. there's room between buildings and cement and asphalt. there's room for all of it to find a path somewhere between the lemonade and the view and the scent of betty sleeping between my guitar and the red sox on tv. there's room on the collage to add something.
that simply lemonade is good stuff.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762152007-06-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00long night
<p>wow, that was a good nap.
ok, so anyway, the new issue of acoustic guitar magazine is on the stands-it's the july issue and i wrote a lesson for the woodshed column called "visualizing changes." i hope you'll get a chance to check it out. it's also online at
http://www.acousticguitar.com
as a matter of fact, the online version has the correct chords to my new song that i wrote for the lesson called "the shape of things." you can hear audio examples there, too. this month's password is firecracker.
things i like: little martin guitars, raezor's edge speakers, k+k pickups, being able to start the lawn mower, and dog walks.
good morning-good to see you again.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762142006-10-17T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00any favorites?
<p>i'm working on an arranging project for acoustic guitars. if any of you have suggestions for acoustic players or tunes, please send them along either via email or the guestbook. modern contemporary, early days of the guitar, and anything in between will be interesting to consider.
thanks.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762132006-10-17T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00acoustic guitar mag on line
<p>http://www.acousticguitar.com/woodshed
the password, which is available for all to see in the early pages of the current edition of the magazine on newstands now, is that bird lots of people eat on thanksgiving.
i did a bossa nova lesson.
big puppy chewing on keyboard stand-gotta go.
p.s.-you can hear recorded examples of the exercises, which makes it cool to practice, if you're into it.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762122006-10-14T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00open strings
<p>did you ever get so deep into practicing something that you forget about the basics that are not only valid, but pretty wonderful and important to use? i suspect a lot of guitar players have that happening, especially because learning about position playing and movable forms, whether melodic or harmonic, is so critical in understanding the instrument. if we back up a bit from that, however, and remember the joy of the sound of the guitar, the ringing out of open strings, there is new magic to be found. remember what you love about the tone, the wood, the feel of the open strings next to the fingered notes. combine that with the newness of climbing to new heights up the neck. side by side, there's a note way up high on the fretboard right there next to an open string singing low. the right hand might be temporarily confused, but then it joins in with the excitement of newness all over again. choose a constant bass note and try some different scales on top of it using open strings wherever they can fit in. maybe you learned a D major scale as a beginner using open strings in the first position, but when you hear that against a G bass note, it becomes a G lydian with all of its beauty and angst and sophistication and, in fact, reasons for learning those basic scales in the first place.
maybe we learn one thing on top of another our whole lives; building on some foundation, discarding what we don't need, adding cool new things to our stash, sometimes trying to fit too many notes where they don't belong, sometimes trusting the basics and remembering how well our instincts guide us if we let go and listen.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762112006-10-02T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00Mel Bay web site
<p>hi folks-
the e-zine for guitarists on the mel bay web site is a fun and informative place to visit on line.
this month's issue is up and viewable:
http://www.guitarsessions.com
i wrote a fingerstyle lesson for that page this month in case any of you guitarists want to check that out. it's a little exercise to try out on a chord progression you'll recognize.
have fun.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762102006-09-24T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:38-05:00calendar girl
<p>here's a fun link and it supports a wonderful organization:
http://www.cafepress.com/neads
some of you may know that i adopted a puppy back in april when she was just 8 weeks old. she had been bred to be a guide dog for the blind, but decided against it after some testing. good decision for both of us. the people at NEADS had referred me to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Patterson, NY about 2 years ago. NEADS raises and trains assistance and service dogs here in central massachusetts. they recently put out a call for photos and it turns out my little betty, who is 7 months old and big now, won honorable mention in the calendar contest. that's her on the bottom of the july page running through a field with her tail up.
the above link will take you to pictures of the calendars for sale and provide links for ordering them. they make great gifts and the money for NEADS is a very good thing. the puppy pictures will make you feel as good as acoustic guitar music on an autumn afternoon, and the folks who need NEADS and their wonderful dogs will thrive on.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762092006-09-24T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00woodshed
<p>it's harvest time around here. there's an inviting and warm smell of wood fires in the air now and then around the neighborhood. there are morning walks with my dog which gradually have involved a couple of extra steps before getting out the door; let me just grab that jacket.
in acoustic guitar magazine, there's a column called "the woodshed" in which contributing writers share some lessons with players looking for some challenging new practice material to start a new climb. the november issue is out and this month's woodshed is a story and some musical examples from me about playing fingerstyle in the tradition of american folk music and seeing that through to playing some bossa nova. the on-line version of the magazine will have recorded examples of the written examples as they appear in the article. i just love those guys at acoustic guitar mag and i hope you'll get a chance to check it out if you're interested.
much more later-long overdue stories of vibrational healing and the betar and my aching knee and the pretty yellow dog and playing and writing and writing and playing and teaching teaching teaching. there, maybe i did just tell the story. nah-there'll be more later.
'til next time,stay safe, have an apple, watch the peanuts great pumpkin special again and again, and listen to fun music.
jane</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762082006-08-22T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00touch
<p>a cute little dog nose touches the back of my hand. never the other way around, unless it's very gentle and loving. "touch." bop. then a quick look to the other hand. sure enough, a treat is there. i move my hand somewhere else. "touch." bop. look. "catch." snap. my hand holds "funny monkey," our current favorite stuffed toy. "touch." again with the nose bop, this time on funny monkey's belly. "where's funny monkey? get funny." trot trot trot. then loud laughter escalating into wild jungle sounds. funny monkey has been caught and tickled and squeezed and is now screaming as betty runs her back to me.
touch. i am touched by a piece written by lucy holstedt, for which i arranged a guitar part. betty the six month old dog decides it would be cool to get in on the collaboration and brings funny monkey to lucy's feet under the piano. let's put funny monkey away for now, pal. what's the difference between improv and composition? there's no punch line. just wondering. what's the difference between a puppy who wants to be recognized and musicians at work? not much, sometimes.
"touch." someone gets a kick out of me and puts both hands on one of my arms leaning into me, having a good laugh. i notice it whenever it happens again because i like that. bop. look to the other hand.
positive reinforcement. persistent optimism. benevolent leadership. artful respect. good morning mary sunshine. how did you wake so soon? da da da da da da da da and shined away the moon. happy conversations that happen in one second our time, one hour someone else's time. too bad. so good.
"touch." bop. look. "look." two little squinty eyes like little opie looking up in the sunlight wondering what will happen next. how could it be anything but good? touch. nice and gentle.
teach. benevolent. positive. reinforcement. when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. is the teacher ready? what would you like to learn? betty come. go get it. should this be a diminshed 7th chord or a dominant 7 flat nine? oh my god, what's the difference, can't we just go swimming? nice and gentle. positive. run like a pretty wind. zoom zoom zoom. massage therapy, pretty guitar music, very sore knee, touch. music on a vibrational level. music so deep that it is completely simple and basic and makes me dream about the essence of touch.
touch. out the door. oh, my aching knee.
run like the wind, betty-i'll catch up.
it's a happy latin groove on a major chord and it's touching and promising and fun.
when the teacher is ready, she will write more.
sleep sleep sleep.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762072006-08-01T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00dog days
<p>hi folks,
come on out to the acton jazz cafe on friday night to catch the doug lowe group. well, it's actually my trio with doug on saxophone playing his material and some standards that he has chosen. details on the calendar page, or visit
http://www.actonjazzcafe.com
stay safe.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762062006-07-16T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00proud
<p>here's a fun link which will take you to a page on my friend SONiA's web site.
http://soniadf.com/slide_show.php?mon=other&yr=pets&rows=18</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762052006-07-04T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00social studies
<p>when fran lebowitz' book by that name came out in the early 80s, she was prompted during an interview with a boston tv news anchor: "and it is the sudy of..."
"social," was, of course,her response.
it's remarkable to think of just how many social skills most of us have together. i mean, i can pretty much get through a gig without too many three stooges moments. that gets a bit more challenging when i'm with bob and don, but still.
now that i have a four month old puppy, i can see where zero is. betty is beyond that, but closer to that end of the scale than, say, i am. for example, here's what went into her mouth today on a routine trip to the lake: a piece of old fish skin with scales, an unidentified kid's sponge football, my wrist, sand, pine cones, dog (or was it cat) poop with a side of pine needles, water and treats given by me in an attempt to flush out the previous stuff, a pine cone, a plastic lid, a frisbee for about one second, pop corn, seconds on the poop with pine needles, and more water and treats with disapproving looks from me.
on the other hand, she very skillfully socialized with a couple of people, including a woman who just thought she was the sweetest most well behaved calm puppy as betty sat up close snuggling against her legs and looking up angelically at her. this was immediately following her second helping of...well, let's move on.
i am tinkering with some new arrangement ideas, and betty is peaceful while i practice guitar. that's a blessing.
she is sleeping off the day right now under my chair, now and then moaning and stretching, and i wonder just how long it will be before she comes to the full realization that she shouldn't have eaten that. who hasn't had that feeling after a summer holiday party.
hope you can join bob and don and me at the heaing light institute concert for peace on july 15. full details in the calendar section of this site.
also, i hope you'll have a chance to read the tales from the road story on the mel bay web site.
http://www.guitarsession.com click on tales from the road.
please feel free to sign the guestbook here and let us all know how you're doing and what else we could be bringing to you on this site.
see you in a couple of weeks.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762042006-06-21T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00puzzle answer
<p>wo, i really left you hanging for awhile on this one. didn't mean to, you know. here are some names for that chord i was writing about last may, for you guitar players:
E-7 (11)
A9sus4
G6/9
D6/9 (sus4)
Cmaj9(13)
Fma9(#11,13)
B-7#5(11)
some you might love, some you might never use. it's just nice to have some options.
my trio will be playing at a concert for peace in worcester, ma on july 15th. check the calendar page for specifics. my good friend sonia and disappear fear will be there, too. so will kim and reggie harris, whom you must hear and see. they are wonderful.
i'm working on another piece for the mel bay e zine "guitar sessions." it's for their "tales from the road" column, and it should be in the july issue. this one is tearing me up emotionally, but i hope you'll think it's a good story.
little betty wants to be supreme ruler of the universe, but i told her i already have that job, so she can just carry sticks. two control freaks trying to live together. sheesh.
hope to see you in july. peace.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762032006-06-01T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00reading and writing and...
<p>I'll write some news soon, but in the meantime, check out this month's Mel Bay Guitar Sessions web site. I contributed the City Scene column.
http://www.guitarsessions.com/
oh, also, yes that's me in the Acoustic Guitar magazine Reader's Rig column in the current issue. early in the magazine, there's a very small preview picture, promoting their on-line stories. on the opposite page, there happens to be an add for epiphone guitars with a great big picture of paul mccartney. my mother saw it and said "oh there you are opposite what's-his-name."
(the profile of me being a gear-head is found more toward the back of the magazine).</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762022006-05-02T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00puzzle
<p>here's one for you: put your first finger across the 7th fret barring the first 5 strings (EBGDA). add your second finger to the 8th fret on the 2nd string (B string). what chord do you get? what do you want to call it?
name all of the notes that you have under your fingers. then think it through this way: if E is the root, what would the other notes be and then what could i call this chord? if A is the root, what could i call it; if G is the root, etc. etc.
ready for answers?
the notes are, from the bass notes to the high notes: EADGB. sound familiar? like the way the guitar is tuned. so, if E is the root, then here's how it lines up: E-1, A-11, D-b7, G-b3, B-5. so let's call it
E-7(11). nice chord.
continue on with each note taking a turn being the root (what would the bass player play) and get a new chord name each time. that's a baragin. but don't stop there- what if the bass player plays a C? how about F? keep going. let me know what you come up with. it's a great deal when you can grab a pretty easy to grab chord ("nice holds" as they say in nashville) and be able to use it in so many contexts.
answers next time. or you tell me.
what's new? well, i am wrapping up the semester at berklee, i have tilled the garden, i got strawberry and raspberry plants in the mail, i played a fun gig with dave clark and willie sordillo, one coming up with cercie miller and dave clark on may 25th, and i have been solidifying some writing ideas. i have been sleep deprived. oh, and i have been playing with betty, my new puppy.
really, i've just been mostly doing that last thing. playing, feeding, caring for, training, cuddling with, being horrified by, being awestruck by betty, elizabeth the great, the smartest cutest most mischievous little yellow lab in the world. she's the only being in my life who couldn't care less about the condition of my hands. guitar player, schmitar player- i'm biting them. sleep, schmeep-let's go outside.
ok, cutie-i'll be right there.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762012006-04-06T20:00:00-04:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00new tune
<p>well, it's not a new tune, really. not by a long shot, actually. but it's newly available to you. check out the music page and scroll down to find a solo guitar version of "gratitude." it's unreleased; can't find it anywhere else. please drop me a line to let me know what you think of it, and of the idea of making things like this available from time to time.
happy spring.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61762002006-03-28T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00La Guitara
<p>La Guitara is a group of women guitarists representing a variety of genres gathered together on tour and on CD by Patty Larkin. Included on the first CD are artists such as Muriel Anderson, Mimi Fox, Badi Assad, and Jennifer Batten, to illustrate the huge scope of this project. Currently touring along with Patty are Sharon Isbin and Kaki King. To help us celebrate Women's History Month at Berklee, the three of them are doing a clinic on Friday March 31st from 3-5pm at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass Ave. in Boston. Later that night, they will be in concert starting at 8:15. If you're near Boston, don't miss these opportunities to watch and learn from three of the greats in their fields. I will be the moderator at the afternoon clinic and I look forward to hearing questions from those attending and coming up with a few of my own, too. If you can't make it but you have questions for Patty, Sharon, or Kaki, let me know via my guestbook here, or send me an email.
Here are a couple of links for more info:
http://www.pattylarkin.com/laguitara
http://www.berklee.edu
Hope to see you there.</p>
Jane Millertag:janemillergroup.com,2005:Post/61761982006-03-13T19:00:00-05:002019-12-18T19:09:37-05:00GO
<p>when i was in the 5th grade, our creative english teacher walked calmly to the board and wrote the word "GO." we all looked at it for awhile, and then she told us "this is the GENERIC word 'go'." after we learned what "generic" meant, our task was to come up with a list of other words we could use instead of "go" that would be specific, more descriptive. the list began: walk, run, amble, drive, skip, fly, scurry, leave, hurry, scatter, split, boogie-ok, some of them i'm making up now. but each one evokes an image. it's a picture of going that adds excitement to the language.
when you're given a lead sheet, say from your songwriter friend, or a page from the real book or whatever, and the chord says "C," what else could you play? Cmaj7, Cmaj9, maybe it belongs in the dominant family: C7, C9, C7b9. maybe it doesn't really need a 7 in it, but Cadd9 might be a nice color to try. if the next chord is D minor, would Dmin9 work? or Dmin11? sometimes a lead sheet offers a general outline of a tune, but it is up to us to interpret it musically, tastefully, adventurously perhaps, or with restraint perhaps. each context calls for its own descriptive sound. what word could we choose that makes our story telling vivid and alive? what variation of a chord could we choose that makes magic with a melody? how many fingers do you have left over-what happens if you put one right there...</p>
Jane Miller