Campout, canceled.
Jams, canceled.
Concerts, canceled.
Lessons, canceled.
What’s a bluegrass extrovert (or even introvert) to do in the times of COVID-19?
Zoom.
Zoom is video application that allows you to meet in real time, chat, maybe even take or give a music lesson. It can live on your desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. You can get it here.
And, here’s a nice little video created by the Royal Academy of Music (UK) on how to adapt Zoom settings for music rehearsals and instruction.
The Cliff’s Notes version of the video is:
- By default, Zoom is set up for speech, not music, so it may compress or distort audio. There are settings to improve this.
- Choose “original sound” to preserve the quality of the source audio. There’s an additional setting required for best audio during screen sharing.
- You can’t use Zoom for live synchronous performances because of lag and because the mic allows only one performer at a time. Great for call and response, not so for playing or singing together.
Even if you don’t Zoom for music, during the quarantine/lockdown, what have you, it’s a great tool for checking in with your fellow musicians to make sure everyone is okay.
Help protect your friends and family. Stay home. Don’t hoard.
Be healthy and happy.
Be healthy and happy.
————————
Finally, a short little playlist for the quarantine:
Jerry Garcia – Drink Up And Go Home
Flatt & Scruggs – Lonesome Road Blues
Steve Ledford & The Mountaineers – Happy or Lonesome
Front Country – Daysleeper
Steep Ravine – Lonesome Daybreak
The Infamous Stringdusters – A Hard Life Makes A Good Song
Sam Bush – Howlin’ At The Moon
Kind Country – Wasted Time
Cherryholmes – Makin’ Time
High Strung String Band – Time for a Change
Bad Livers – Better Times
The Bluegrass Album Band – Sittin’ Alone In The Moonlight
Laurie Lewis – Happy I’ll Be
Kathy Kallick Band – So Danged Lonesome
The Vern Williams Band – When Springtime Comes Again
Flatt & Scruggs – Get in Line Brother
