"The River"

**Steven Clarkson** · May-08-2012, 5:16pm

Well, my first album of 2012 is complete - "The Calm of the Dog" is it's title and it's available for free streaming and/or download here - The last track, at the bottom of the page, is the one I recorded today - it's called "Moon Reflections". Hope you enjoy.

**JeffD** · May-08-2012, 10:52pm

Originally Posted by ccravens

And they get listened to, and receive positive feedback and encouragement from the other members.

Maybe it doesn't happen as much on the cafe as on other websites, but when it does occur, the feedback is usually insightful to very insightful, and overwhelmingly encouraging.

Why doesn't it happen here more? I don't know in general, but I can answer for myself - I play with people 3 days a week, jam actually, sometimes more, plus some classical mandolin coaching with a violin teacher, and the feedback I get is in real time when I play with real people. I don't feel drawn to playing for anyone, on a computer, or to get feedback for it. I don't have a single bit of my playing on here, and if I am not mistaken none on line anywhere, except what might have popped up by mistake.

For me, and I only mean me, it feels too synthetic to play into a computer for others to hear at some point in the future to give me feedback that I will receive sometime in the future after that, all asynchronously. Especially when (after all these years) a real live musician (or two or three or four) is only a phone call and short drive away.

Don't misunderstand. I love concept of the song a week group, and listen more than somewhat, and I think for those that are comfortable with it, it is a fantastic resource. And I do love it when people post a clip and folks get to comment. A valuable part of it all. Especially for those for whom access to regular pickin buddies is a bit more of a problem.

But my computer doesn't have a microphone or a camera. Music, for me, is real person in the presence of real person where ever possible, and I am fortunate that it is possible more than I could ever take advantage of.

All of this may change, because that interview with Mike Marshall on his on line school really looks interesting, and I may just have to get used to asynchronous musical interaction in order to do it. Access to Mike Marshall is just not something I can get any other way.

**OldSausage** · May-09-2012, 9:17am

Ever since they invented that gramophone playing device, music has been asynchronous as well as face to face.

I play with people several nights a week, and on stage several times a month. I also do one or two videos for YouTube each week and sometimes a video for Mike Marshall too. I think it can be what's known in literary circles as the "anxiety of reception" that holds a lot of folks back, but I have found the world of online video posting is every bit as welcoming as the local jam, and possibly more so.

Plus you get to play what you want to play, and the audience for what you like to do finds you. It's very different from playing on stage, of course, so I quite understand anyone who just doesn't feel like doing it. But if you do like to play for folks, it's another way you can.

The other thing is, the act of making a video of yourself that you are going to put on display so anyone at all can see (and watching it back, and re-recording it, and listening to it again days, weeks or years later) teaches you a great deal about your playing, and even some things about yourself. Based on my own experiences, I would recommend it to everybody. And I salute everyone who does it. It ain't easy.

**JeffD** · May-09-2012, 3:08pm

Originally Posted by OldSausage

Ever since they invented that gramophone playing device, music has been asynchronous as well as face to face.

Based on my own experiences, I would recommend it to everybody. And I salute everyone who does it. It ain't easy.

Well that is true. My point was really that given the choice of playing with people and playing on line, with people is preferred, and luckily, I never have to do without.

But I can see that some things can only be done on line. The chances of me getting Mike Marshall as an instructor are zero. So what else can I do. Playing into a dead computer, that doesn't smile, or tap a foot in response, or care how I sound. It is the only thing holding me back from jumping into Mike Marshall's school, so I will probably take the plunge at some point.

I also hate the permenence. A video of me, on line, for all time. Yikes!

**jaycat** · May-09-2012, 3:22pm

Steven -- I like your music.

**Santiago** · May-09-2012, 3:25pm

I'm not of your faith, but I did enjoy your music. It was very cleanly played and sensitive.

**Steven Clarkson** · May-09-2012, 3:26pm

Thank you very much - and in terms of an audience, as I do it for devotion purposes a lot, the audience is there. Just a thought in response to the other posts.

**OldSausage** · May-09-2012, 3:30pm

Originally Posted by JeffD

I also hate the permenence. A video of me, on line, for all time. Yikes!

Well, I wonder: you do an awful lot of forum posts, which are just as permanent, asynchronous, and probably far more revealing about you than any video would be

**Steven Clarkson** · May-09-2012, 3:33pm

The great thing about instrumental music is that people of all faiths can enjoy it - I have listened to a lot of music that is faith based from other countries - I love world music and have used the tabla and tanpura a lot in my recordings - I really just put the music that is on my heart out there and hope that it brings peace and soothing feelings to those that want to listen. The instrumental music, which most of my are, is not meant to make any particular kind of statement. Thanks for the feedback and taking the time to listen.

**JeffD** · May-09-2012, 9:41pm

Originally Posted by OldSausage

Well, I wonder: you do an awful lot of forum posts, which are just as permanent, asynchronous, and probably far more revealing about you than any video would be

Yea but I have some anonymity here. For all you know I may really be Shirly from Agana, Guam.

I was thinking I would point the camera too low to see my face.

**OldSausage** · May-09-2012, 10:23pm

Originally Posted by JeffD

Yea but I have some anonymity here. For all you know I may really be Shirly from Agana, Guam.

I was thinking I would point the camera too low to see my face.

A fake beard, or nose and glasses combo, can be purchased very cheaply at your local haberdashery.

**Marty Henrickson** · May-10-2012, 5:34pm

Originally Posted by OldSausage

A fake beard, or nose and glasses combo, can be purchased very cheaply at your local haberdashery.

Here's an example of the disguise technique. This felllow's playing reminds me of Mike Compton, but who can tell?

**Steven Clarkson** · May-10-2012, 5:45pm

Thanks for redirecting my thread - next time I post something, it will be in a new topic.

**JeffD** · May-11-2012, 12:18pm

Steve, my apologies.

Just redirect the thread back.

**Marty Henrickson** · May-11-2012, 3:48pm

Steve, I enjoyed your website, even though I couldn't get any of the music to play (which is most likely a problem with my PC).

**Steven Clarkson** · May-11-2012, 5:15pm

Thanks Marty and Jeff - Marty, if you send me your address, I'll put a couple cds in the mail if you wish - you can send it on the private message part of this site. Thanks again.

**Steven Clarkson** · May-11-2012, 5:19pm

Marty,

You could also download what you thought might interest you and then burn it to disk - play it on the ol' stereo or ipod or whatever. I just went to the site and the songs are streaming fine on my end - but in this day and age, I've found that what works on one computer doesn't necessarily work on another. Good day.

Thanks,

Steven

**Steven Clarkson** · May-12-2012, 5:23pm

Just started in on a new album, "The Tulip and the Crane". The first track with that name can be found here at the bottom of the page. It is an interesting piece as it flows between D and D minor quite a bit. I recorded it for my kids who are getting into origami - we made both a crane and a tulip last week. Hope you enjoy!