jmyersgoucheredu

Then that's a change from when I learned the term a generation ago. To me ECD has always included contemporary English dances, including the rowdier (barn dance?) types. Perhaps because we have such a strong contradance community here (Baltimore/Washington area), I've always appreciated the clear distinction between what we call English (mostly Playford and similar dances) and contras. When we've had ECD callers visit from England and call what they clearly considered "rowdier" dances, I've found them to be disappointing neither-fish-nor-fowl kind of dances, losing the stateliness of Playford and not achieving the vigor of contradances. On the other hand, the dancers who do mostly or entirely ECD seem to appreciate these rowdier dances much more than I do. By the way, there are two contradances at Glen Echo. Unfortunately, the Sunday Night dance takes place in the bumper car pavillion. Last Sunday, while we were dancing contras there, there was a line of about 50 people waiting to get into a swing dance in the Spanish Ballroom. Jeff Myers

Way to go! My wife swears that when she was pregnant the girls loved to hear my button box (red PS B/C at the time). Now, however, they both play fiddle. I can't figure out what happened (about the fiddle, that is). Jeff Myers

Surely not Lt. Worf! There is little music in that man. The two pictures I have seen have been of another Klingon whose name I don't know. Jeff Myers

I found this book extremely depressing. The poor instrument [button accordion] goes through a number of harrowing experiences, including a metaphorical sexual molestation, before finally and mercifully being run over by a truck. I'm not sure what larger goals Proulx had with this book, but I found it gratuitously disheartening. Jeff Myers

I have the exact same problem. Every time I visit the site, I have to log in again. It's very tiresome. Usually, I don't even bother signing in unless I want to post something. Guess I'll always be a newbie.

I have 2 20-button boxes with accidentals so arranged that I can play any Irish tunes in D, G, A and, of course, related minors and modes. Thank you Button Box and Bob Tedrow! And, in a couple years when I get my Wheatstone, Steve Dickinson! Jeff Myers

No problem, Jim, with removing the original incorrect statement, so long as there is some way for people who have seen it to find out that it has, indeed, been shown to be incorrect. Jeff Myers

The rumor needs to be dealt with, not hushed up. I got an e-mail this morning from Steve himself saying he is by no means out of business! Jeff Myers

Such censorship is ridiculous and only defeats the purpose. Had the original thread not been deleted, I would have seen the denial of the original report (which cited, correctly or not, a respected member of the list as source and was thus certainly not anonymous rumor) and had no reason to reintroduce the topic. Jeff Myers

I can't seem to find the thread about whether or not Steve Dickinson Wheatstone was still in business. Were there any conclusions? Since I have placed an order with him and he has not responded to my e-mail, I'm very interested in what is happening (or not). Jeff Myers P.S.--Do threads just disappear suddenly? Perhaps I'm just missing it somehow.

I'd settle for the 2-row Wheatstone I have on order. Only about two more years to go if everything goes according to schedule. Jeff Myers

I played a couple Irish tunes on the concertina at the Maryland Renaissance Fair last Sunday. My kids and I also played some Renaissance tunes on fiddle and pennywhistle. No one gave the slightest hint that there was anything wrong. And with the hodgepodge of non-Renaissance clothing and instruments and food...they really couldn't say anything. Most people don't have a clue about historical accuracy, and the Maryland fair, at least, seems a big scam to charge people to enter a kind of a goofy mall in order to buy more junk. I find the whole thing idiotic but went because a niece was having a mock-wedding there and asked us to attend. Jeff Myers

The heck with the new concertina, Morgana! (Although I'm sure it's lovely and exciting.) How about some details about the lesson with Mary MacNamara, you lucky person, you! Thanks, Jeff Myers

Frank, I was put off by the new format at first, but I now find it easier to use than the older format. I get e-mails about responses to my posts. When I visit the discussion page, all of the topics with new listings are first in line. One click takes me to the most recent entry, and the others are right above it on the same page. It seems much easier to navigate to me. Jeff Myers P.S.--Hope you'll try it a bit longer, for your contributions are (IMHO) among the most valuable!

You know, I didn't like it at first, but after using it a few times, I like it very much. Not having to scroll to find unread entries is very convenient, as is not having different messages flagged as new at home and at the office. Actually, I can't at the moment think of anything I don't like about it. Thanks to our fearless leader!

Thanks to Michael and David for your very helpful answers. I look forward to version 2.

Is there a way to indicate D.C. al fine in abc notation? I'm transcribing a tune that repeats the A part then repeats the B part D.C. al fine. I'm at a loss, however, as to how to indicate this in abc. Thanks, Jeff Myers

That's just it: I don't know how to try it and would like to do so.

Be sure not to play around cats as well. I did at my sister-in-law's house and scared the hell out of her Siamese. It first gave me a strange look as if I must have been mad and then sprinted out of the room and hid under the bed for the next 12 hours. I know my playing isn't that great, but...

I don't understand what it means to subscribe to a topic or forum. How does one do it? What does it mean? What happens after subscription? Benefits? Not quite sure what that emoticon means either. Thanks,