To All,

Two traditional American Dance tunes called Shady Grove and Fly Around My
Pretty Little Miss are for the most part almost exactly the same. It is
difficult to find where the melody diverges and where the tune differs. The
most striking characteristic of both these songs is that they are both
usually played without any chord changes. In the key of G a D7th chord can
be placed in the measure 3 before the end but  this adds nothing to the sum
total quality of the song.
On the banjo this is very liberating. If one plays in the open tuning of G
or capos up to A or C for example.,the left hand is totally free to explore
the fret board without having to worry about when to change chords. Also
with-in the bounds of common sense, any note played in the original key and
any ornamentation used should not greatly detract from the quality of the
melody. Great news, if it is new to anyone else but me for closet pickers
and novice jammers . Maybe we should give it a try on Memorial
Day.   I know the French folk song, Frere Jacques, also is played using one
chord throughout. Does anyone else know of other songs that share this
characteristic. Granted , a  Nobel Prize for Music is not in my future,but
to me it is more relevant than Quantum Mechanics or the Big Bang theory
Henry
> 
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> Ponkiesburg Pickin'
> Wednesday, May 21, 2008
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> Welcome back to another issue of Ponkiesburg Pickin', dedicated to
> ensuring that you have some good music to see (or wish you could see)
> every night of the week. Starting tonight, when Smokey Hormel will be
> back at Sunny's. I'm amazed the bar isn't filled every time he plays.
> He's a legend, he's got a crack band, and you can sit at the bar and
> talk with your friends and hear him do western swing and jazz tunes.
> It's the kind of relaxed and wonderful evening that makes Sunny's so
> special.
> 
> Speaking of Sunny's, I'll be there on Friday night playing with Fresh
> Baked, and Kari Denis will be joining us as well. And at their Sunday
> brunch gig this week, Fresh Baked will be joined by Jen Larson, along
> with Diane Stockwell and of course Joe Choina. Also Friday night, a
> host of big names will be playing Bob Dylan songs at Jalopy -- the
> lineup includes the South Slope String Band, Astrgrass, and much much
> more.
> 
> And don't think you get Thursday off to relax in between, because the
> Demolition String Band is at the Rodeo Bar and Li'l Mo is at Banjo
> Jim's.
> 
> Hogzilla is playing Saturday night at Two Boots, and on Sunday,
> there's a special celebration of Matt Winters' 10th anniversary
> hosting the Moonshine Show. I hope you're all familiar with that show
> (heck, I bet half of this list has appeared on the show!) but if not,
> Matt plays great bluegrass music and hosts local bands for live
> performances every Sunday morning, 10-12 am, on WKCR, 89.9 FM. It's
> been a don't-miss institution for many years so go down and help thank
> Matt for all he's done. It's Sunday night starting at 6pm, and will
> feature lots of great pickers including Kenny Kosek, Fran and Charles,
> Bill Christopherson, Reckon So and more.
> 
> Tuesday the 27th, Mamie Minch celebrates the release of her new CD at
> Union Hall in Park Slope. The first edition will be handmade -- she's
> printing and cutting and folding the CD cover herself. (A cakewalk
> after having to hand-etch the CDs themselves, I'm sure.) The Second
> Fiddles are at the Rodeo Bar and Michael Daves does his weekly thing
> at Rockwood.
> 
> We got a blast-from-the-past note this week from Scott Pfaffman, who
> long-time Brooklyn pickers may remember as a dobro/mandolin player at
> Sunny's a while back. He used to play with the Gowanus Canal Boys, and
> he's looking to start playing with some bands. He says he'll play for
> peanut shells (you can keep the nuts) so it's time for a booking at
> the Rodeo, it sounds like. You can reach him at[masked]  or
> [address removed].
> 
> Please let us know what's going on so we can feature it here. Send
> your gig notices, myspace bulletins, facebook posts and carrier
> pigeons to [address removed] by Wednesday for inclusion. In
> addition to this email newsletter, these updates and more are
> published on our blog, the Ponkiesblog. See below for details.
> 
> 
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> Calendar
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> 
> Wednesday, May 21
> 
> 8:00 pm   Angel Band Jam
>          Vin Rouge
>          5th Avenue between 17th & 18th St, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          For Details, call Bill Duke,[masked]
> 
> 8:00 pm   Franglais
>          Bar Reis
>          375 5th Ave, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          Ben Wood and Bobby Sexton on guitars, Monica Smith on
>          fiddle, and Eve Seltzer on vocals: Rollicking hot club jazz
>          and the only weekly gypsy jazz jam in NYC--please join us!
>          The band will play one set at 8, followed by the jam session
>          at 9:30.
> 
> 8:00 pm   Whiskey Wednesday with Will Scott and Wylie Wirth
>          68 Jay Street Bar
>          Brooklyn NY
> 
> 9:00 pm   Sheriff's Good Time Jam
>          108 MacDougal St
>          New York NY
> 
> 9:30 pm   Roots n Ruckus
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St., Brooklyn NY
> 
> 10:00 pm  Smokey Hormel
>          Sunny's
>          253 Conover St, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Thursday, May 22
> 
> 8:30 pm   Monica (L'il Mo) Passin
>          Banjo Jim's
>          9th St and Ave C, New York NY
> 
> 10:00 pm  Demolition String Band
>          Rodeo Bar
>          375 Third Ave, New York NY
> 
> 
> Friday, May 23
> 
> 9:00 pm   Bob Dylan Song Celebration
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St., Brooklyn NY
> 
>          Join South Slope String Band, Astrograss, AudraRox and more
>          as they sing 31 Bob Dylan songs.
> 
> 9:00 pm   Lennie's Jam
>          Contact Lennie: [address removed] or[masked]
> 
> 10:00 pm  Fresh Baked
>          Sunny's
>          253 Conover St, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Saturday, May 24
> 
> 11:00 am  Traditional Appalachian Clogging Classes
>          Chelsea Studios
>          151 W 26 St, 6th Fl
> 
>          Beginner 11-12:30, Intermediate 12:30 - 2, Advanced 2 -
>          3:15. Contact Mary Beth Yakoubian for information:
>          [address removed]. The dancers love live music so
>          musicians are welcome!
> 
> 12:30 pm  Bluegrass Brunch with Copper Kettle
>          Nolita House
>          47 E Houston St
> 
> 10:00 pm  Bluegrass Jam at Sunny's
>          Sunny's
>          253 Conover Street, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 10:00 pm  Hogzilla
>          Two Boots
>          514 2nd St, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Sunday, May 25
> 
> 12:30 pm  Bluegrass Brunch with Fresh Baked
>          Nolita House
>          47 E Houston St, New York NY
> 
> 5:00 pm   Paddy Reilly's Jam
>          Paddy Reilly's
>          2nd Avenue and 29th Street, New York NY
> 
> 5:00 pm   Ponkiesburg Pickin' Party
>          Kili
>          79-81 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 6:00 pm   10th Year Anniversary Celebration of Matt Winters'
>          hosting the Moonshine Show on WKCR-FM 89.9
>          Banjo Jim's
>          9th St and Ave C, New York NY
> 
>          Barbeque - Music featuring Kenny Kosek, Fran Leadon and
>          Charles Puckett of the Y'all Stars, Bill Christopherson
>          Trio, Danny Weiss and Mary Olive of Reckon So and special
>          guests.
> 
> 
> Monday, May 26
> 
> 7:00 pm   NYC Bluegrass Slow Jam
>          Paddy Reilly's
>          2nd Ave and 29th Street, New York NY
> 
>          If you're a fairly new player and really want to play with
>          other people, this is the meetup for you. Most of the folks
>          that are part of this meetup are new to jamming and it is
>          very exciting to be playing in a group for the first time.
>          You should attend this meetup if you play: banjo, guitar,
>          mandolin, fiddle or bass. This is a SLOW JAM -- meant for
>          advanced beginning and intermediate players.
> 
> 9:00 pm   Country Blues Jam
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St., Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Tuesday, May 27
> 
> 6:00 pm   Citigrass
>          Virgil's BBQ
>          152 W 44 St, New York NY
> 
> 7:30 pm   Mamie Minch CD Release Show
>          Union Hall
>          702 Union St., Brooklyn NY
> 
>          Celebrating the handmade limited edition first release of
>          Mamie's new solo album, "Razorburn Blues."
> 
> 9:00 pm   The Second Fiddles
>          Rodeo Bar
>          375 3rd Ave, New York NY
> 
> 10:00 pm  Michael Daves
>          Rockwood Music Hall
>          196 Allen St., New York NY
> 
> 
> Wednesday, May 28
> 
> 8:00 pm   Angel Band Jam
>          Vin Rouge
>          5th Avenue between 17th & 18th St, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          For Details, call Bill Duke,[masked]
> 
> 8:00 pm   Franglais
>          Bar Reis
>          375 5th Ave, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          Ben Wood and Bobby Sexton on guitars, Monica Smith on
>          fiddle, and Eve Seltzer on vocals: Rollicking hot club jazz
>          and the only weekly gypsy jazz jam in NYC--please join us!
>          The band will play one set at 8, followed by the jam session
>          at 9:30.
> 
> 8:00 pm   Whiskey Wednesday with Will Scott and Wylie Wirth
>          68 Jay Street Bar
>          Brooklyn NY
> 
> 9:00 pm   Sheriff's Good Time Jam
>          108 MacDougal St
>          New York NY
> 
> 9:30 pm   Roots n Ruckus
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St., Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Thursday, May 29
> 
> 8:00 pm   CashHank Hootenanny Jamboree
>          Buttermilk
>          577 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 9:00 pm   Andy Mullen
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          Andy Mullen and his group, the humbly named "Andy Mullen
>          Outfit" play Folk Fusion: a rousing combination of fiddle
>          tunes, country, bluegrass, and even a little-bit-o-celtic
>          for good measure. The stage is festooned with fiddles,
>          banjos, guitars, harmonicas, accordions, and sundry "means
>          to tinker." You'll be up on the floor in no time! Andy even
>          calls some Squaredances! The gang will be playing songs from
>          Andy's new album, "The Toenail Jar" which, incidentally, is
>          available as a free digital download on his website -
>          andymullenmusic.com.­
> 
> 
> Friday, May 30
> 
> 8:00 pm   Alan Friend House Concert
>          Reservations required: Call[masked]
> 
>          This concert on the Upper West Side will feature traditional
>          ballads from the U.S. & British Isles and old-time Music
>          from the southern Appalachians, with Alan on vocals, banjo,
>          guitar, concertina and more, plus Andy Klein, co-member of
>          the Chelsea String Band, on fiddle & mandolin. Reservations
>          are required because space is limited:  you MUST call (718)
>         [masked] to reserve a space and to get the location ASAP.
>          This concert is sponsored by the Folk Music Society of NY.
>          Members of FMSY $12, Non-members $15, Children & F/T
>          Students $6, Seniors $10.
> 
> 9:00 pm   Lennie's Jam
>          Contact Lennie: [address removed] or[masked]
> 
> 9:00 pm   Wretched Refuse String Band
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St, Brooklyn NY
> 
>          The Wretched Refuse String Band is New York Citys oldest,
>          largest, and most eclectic local bluegrass and
>          old-time string band, still actively performing and
>          recording after more than 35 years. The concert on Friday,
>          May 30th is an evening with The Wretched Refuse String
>          Band. There will be 2 shows, the first starting at 9 PM
>          and the late show commencing at 11 PM. Admission for each
>          show is $10.00. The band has a very fluid membership, a
>          free-wheeling approach to performance, and a light-hearted
>          attitude in general. On May 30, the band will include
>          Citizen Kafka, fiddle; Ken Kosek, fiddle; Jon Sholle,
>          guitar; Bob Jones, guitar; Marty Confurious, bass; Marty
>          Cutler, 5 string banjo; Larry Eagle, percussion; Barry
>          Mitterhoff, mandolin.
> 
> 
> Saturday, May 31
> 
> 11:00 am  Traditional Appalachian Clogging Classes
>          Chelsea Studios
>          151 W 26 St, 6th Fl
> 
>          Beginner 11-12:30, Intermediate 12:30 - 2, Advanced 2 -
>          3:15. Contact Mary Beth Yakoubian for information:
>          [address removed]. The dancers love live music so
>          musicians are welcome!
> 
> 12:30 pm  Bluegrass Brunch with Copper Kettle
>          Nolita House
>          47 E Houston St
> 
> 9:30 pm   Andy Mullen
>          Parkside Lounge
>          317 E. Houston St., New York NY
> 
> 10:00 pm  Bluegrass Jam at Sunny's
>          Sunny's
>          253 Conover Street, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 10:30 pm  Kings County Strings
>          Parkside Lounge
>          317 E. Houston St, New York NY
> 
> 
> Sunday, June 1
> 
> 12:30 pm  Bluegrass Brunch with Fresh Baked
>          Nolita House
>          47 E Houston St, New York NY
> 
> 5:00 pm   Paddy Reilly's Jam
>          Paddy Reilly's
>          2nd Avenue and 29th Street, New York NY
> 
> 5:00 pm   Ponkiesburg Pickin' Party
>          Kili
>          79-81 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn NY
> 
> 
> Monday, June 2
> 
> 9:00 pm   Country Blues Jam
>          Jalopy
>          315 Columbia St., Brooklyn NY
> 
> 9:30 pm   Michael Daves' Bluegrass Jam
>          The Parkside Lounge
>          317 E. Houston St., New York NY
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> Links
> ====================­====================­====================­=========
> WE ARE
> www.ponkiesburg.com
> 
> RELATED BANDS
> www.copperkettleband­.com
> www.myspace.com/yall­stars
> www.myspace.com/fres­hbakedbluegrass
> www.blueharvestband.­com
> www.jamesreams.com
> www.whiskyrebellion.­com
> www.mshanghaistringb­and.com
> www.jonahbruno.com
> www.myspace.com/trip­henderson
> www.secondfiddles.co­m
> www.myspace.com/teri­annmclean
> 
> 
> VENUES
> www.sunnysredhook.co­m
> www.banjojims.com
> www.parksidelounge.c­om
> www.freddysbackroom.­com
> www.lailalounge.com
> www.jalopy.biz
> www.galapagosartspac­e.com
> www.bagottinn.com
> www.livingroomny.com­
> www.hillcountryny.co­m
> 
> INFORMATION
> www.ponkiesburg.com
> www.nycbluegrass.com­
> www.brooklyncountrym­usic.com
> www.kingscountyopry.­com
> 
> STORES
> www.kingscountystrin­gs.com
> 
> 
> ____________________­____________________­_______
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