THE COLUMBUS FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY, INC. FEBRUARY, 2013

A DIFFERENT STRUMMER

Terry Keller has been singing ever since he can remember. With a strong, resonating and memorable voice, he takes his listeners “on the ride” with him. He joins fellow musicians Brian Szuch, Maury Falkoff, Rebecca Stansbury, Dave Clutter, Linda february 23rd Blaine and Dudley Townsend in this Folkside performance. Terry has produced two Coffeehouse CD’s; one entitled “That’s Our Moon T.C.Keller Tonight” (c. 2005) and one entitled “This presents: & Friends is Who I Am” (c. 2010). Terry has written most (if not all) of the songs on the CDs. His favorites from the CDs? “Fingerprints” and “If I Believed in God.” terry C. With the exception of Maury Falkoff, the rest of the musicians are comprised of keller members of the band “Avalon Nine”. & friends Interview by Bill Cohen

Bill Cohen: How long have you been singing, and how did it all start ? the bed in my room was a crowd of I also!wrote song lyrics on pieces of high school crushes listening and cardboard. I got my first guitar - a Terry Keller: It started with me as a applauding (girls I couldn't talk to out Sears Silvertone of course - in the teen singing along with the Top 40 - or of shyness.) early!sixties when I was first coming to maybe lip synching - while pretending See Ke!er " page 4

February 9th Valentine Concert Helps Support CFMS Folk Festival! Fun, romance, food, and Beautiful harmonies will be provided What’s Inside: music. What else does a person by Ann Fisher on flute and Rebecca need in life? Stansbury on violin. Guitar Strings: Come to the fourth annual Valentine The glow from dozens of candles will some basics & tips Concert Saturday, Feb 9 and you’ll get a set the mood. - pg. 2 taste of all of those things. While the songs will look at the Bill Cohen will be playing guitar and serious sides of love – the joy and sorrow Mustard’s Retreat piano, singing romantic love songs from it can bring – we’ll have fun with trivia Concert Look the past several decades. There will be questions about famous and infamous many familiar tunes made popular by the romantically-linked couples throughout Back - pg. 6 likes of John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, the the ages. Beatles, the Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, Plus, lucky audience members will Fridge Poster: Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Tom Waits, have a chance to win some fun door prizes calendar of and the Eagles. with a love theme. events/ announce- Expected the unexpected, since there ments - pg. 5 See Valentine " page 4

CONTACT US AT: VOICEMAIL 614!470!3963 PAGE 1 A DIFFERENT STRUMMER" FEBRUARY, 2013 – GUITAR STRINGS – SOME BASICS AND TIPS This is the beginning of a column strings to find which ones are best dedicated to tips and tricks to keep your suited to his or her technique and musical instrument and the playing of it guitar. In general, nylon trebles have a sweeter tone than composite ones. at its best. Some of the information is A medium or low tension string puts very basic, but some is designed for the less tension on the soundboard and more experienced musician. We hope will frequently provide a greater you enjoy this feature AND if you have range of tonal color. When a guitar is any ideas for future articles, please drop new, you should play it using any brand of good quality strings for a an e-mail to the address at the end of and many popular and folk styles). In contrast, steel-strings produce a few months. After the guitar has had the article. Article compiled by D. bright, metallic sound (the staple of time to settle in, start experimenting Boston (sources listed at end of article). Country and Western and Hawaiian with various string brands and music). 1 tensions to see what works best for you. 2 Strings Nylon Strings To get the most out of your A Tip on buying nylon Nylon strings often come in strings instrument, some basic knowledge of three different tensions (some strings is important. And there are a manufacturers offer more than It may be worthwhile to try a set wide variety of strings to choose from! three). The tension of strings are of “better” strings, even if it is just often referred to as low tension – for once. You won’t know what More cheaply made guitars often “moderate or light”, normal or you’re missing if you don’t. come with cheap strings. To get the medium tension and hard or high most out of your guitar, you can A Tip for saving money tension. Lower tension strings are on nylon strings upgrade your strings which can result easier to play and tend to produce a in both better intonation (especially if warmer, “drier” and less distinctive The bass strings on a classical they are nylon strings) and overall sound than high tension strings guitar often go dead before the sound of the guitar. It has been said which – feel tighter, play a bit trebles. The strings are usually not that ‘the best strings in the world “heavier”, and sound brighter and worn out. The windings are dirty. won’t make a poor guitar sound more articulate. Remove the bass strings only. Loosely great, but poor strings will ruin the coil them and place them in a large sound of a great guitar.’ When speaking of nylon (vs. basin or bathroom sink. Submerge steel strings), it is in reference to the them in room temperature water. There are two basic types of core material of the string. If you The water can be lukewarm but acoustic guitars, the classic or nylon- look closely at the end of your lower NEVER HOT. Hot water will cause string guitar and the steel-string pitched nylon strings you will see that nylon guitar strings to play out of guitar. Both types are excellent the inside material consists of many tune. general purpose instruments, suitable small fibers made of nylon. The for many styles, but each has its own reason that the lower pitched strings Add about 1/4 cup of ammonia distinct feel and sound. The choice of have a "metal" (most commonly to the water and let the strings soak one or the other is purely personal. silver plated copper) winding is to for about fifteen minutes. More time Many guitarists play both types of add mass to the string so it will be won't hurt them. The ammonia and instruments depending on their able to be tuned lower. Without this water mixture breaks down crud that mood and style of music. The classic winding the diameter of the string has built up between the windings on guitar (nylon string) has a string would need to be so much larger in the strings. Put a washcloth in the tension of 75-90 pounds whereas the order to have the same mass and it water and pull each string through it steel-string has a string tension of would be impractical to play. If you a couple of times. Rinse the strings 150-200 pounds. Thus, the strings of break one of the wrapped strings and under cold water. Pull them through a classic guitar are much easier to fret wish to replace only the one string, be a dry towel and put them back on than a steel-string acoustic. sure to ask for a (low E, A, or D) your guitar. nylon string and not a steel string. The classic guitar's nylon strings The cleaned basses often sound produce a round, mellow sound (the Each classical guitar player better than they did when new. They preferred sound for classical, Latin should experiment with various See Strings " page 3

PAGE 2 WEBSITE: WWW.CFMS!INC.ORG A DIFFERENT STRUMMER" FEBRUARY, 2013

Strings " #om page 2 different alloys as plating. Most jazz brilliance of a fresh set of 80/20 and folk string players prefer steel- bronze. Phosphor adds a warm don't squeak as much and they don't core strings for their faster response, pleasing tone that give a tonal need to stretch out like new strings. low cost, and tuning stability. softness not found in other strings. The washed strings also work well for They tend to have a little less “pick recording because they are somewhat String Material noise” as a plectrum sweeps across smoother since they have been Here are some guidelines as to the strings. In fact, some sets have played in and they have a lively, clear general characteristics of the more been known to yield a soft 3 sound. common materials which can be “brushing” type of pick noise. Again, since the advent of coatings, And another tip used in steel strings for the acoustic setting. the role of phosphor in coated string When you put them back on, is purely tone versus longevity. put them on backwards. That way, if Bronze Wound – There are no there's any fret wear, it won't end up strings that are “pure” bronze, per se, Silk & Steel – For players in the same spots. You'll also have a but a mix of several different alloys. seeking the soft sound of classical string with no fret wear all the way The core is usually made of steel. guitar strings, silk steel strings deliver up to about the 12th fret. Bronze strings can make virtually any the classical tonal range. Also it will acoustic guitar come alive with be easier to depress the strings. This Steel Strings highly penetrating tone, versus their string is constructed of a center wrap steel string counterparts. Since string of silk with a steel winding. Unlike Steel strings (as opposed to nylon coatings have become popular, many classical strings, the silk steel strings strings) put a lot of tension on your of the previously highly corrosive come with a ball end to anchor in a guitar. If your guitar is a nylon bronze sets have become popular bridge made for metal strings. This string guitar and you try to put steel again. Uncoated bronze sets can lose type of string is not as bright as the strings on it, you risk warping the their brilliance after a few hours of other steel string types and less neck, cracking the top or making the playing, as they can be highly durable. bridge come loose. Conversely, corrosive. String coatings in general, putting nylon strings on a steel-string have pumped new life into acoustic Titanium – Acoustic string sets guitar doesn’t work so well either, as bronze sets. The brassy sound can based on titanium compositions and the posts are not designed for nylon last for many weeks, or months, cores have been cited for their strings and you won’t get the tension without decaying. corrosion resistance abilities. The necessary to make the soundboard non-ferromagnetic properties of vibrate sufficiently. 80/20 Bronze Strings – The titanium strings inherently put them 80/20 is the ratio of copper to zinc in the acoustic class of strings. The in the wrap wire. The wrap wire is tonal range of titanium is somewhere 80% copper while the other 20% is between steel and bronze sets with a zinc. Since the advent of string very unique sounding clarity and coatings, the corrosion issue has all richness. Titanium is a bit of an but disappeared as a primary exotic metal and can be over thirty concern. Although, poorly coated times the cost of stainless steel. 80/20 strings, or strings with worn away coating will corrode. Tone !Stainless Steel – Stainless steel wise, the 80/20 mix is excellent for strings bring their own tonal creating a string that yields fantastic uniqueness to the acoustic world. tonal range. The 80/20 strings are Their high tension requirements And not all steel strings are make them less friendly to acoustic created equal. There are numerous known for their brilliance and crisp highs. Uncoated versions of this designs, but still give exceptional brands of acoustic strings on the performance. Steel gives a much market, all making the claim that string can lose brilliance after a few hours of playing sessions. softer sound with less volume than they are the best strings available. their bronze counterparts. They The truth is that the strings you use Phosphor Bronze Wound – The make a good choice for the hard on your acoustic guitar is a matter of phosphor bronze strings were strumming, open style chord players. personal preference; very often, a developed to have a longer lasting life Players on a budget will appreciate guitarist will use a specific set of cycle. The phosphorus content their availability in low price points. strings for a specific reason. helped preserve the brilliant tone In addition, their stainless properties 4 Steel/Metal strings have a crisp, longer than the 80/20 bronze strings. give them good corrosion resistance. Phosphor bronze strings are the bright tone when compared to nylon String Gauges strings. Their metal composition darkest sounding of the bronze string varies greatly, sometimes using many family. They have about 75-80% the See Strings " page 7

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Ke!er" #om page 1 group in playing songs that you have national --- who are your music Columbus to hear live music. I sang written.!!Does your original material heroes and influences?!!Has the list my first song onstage at the Sacred have a particular thrust or changed over the decades ? Mushroom - “Tomorrow is a Long theme?!!What do you get out of writing your own music? Terry: My musical heroes are Elvis, Time” by Dylan - thanks to Tom Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Ewing who normally performed it Terry: Most of my 1960's and Johnson, Charles Mingus, Rolling there. many later originals were 'you broke Stones and ABBA. I'm not joking Also, can't thank Hank Arbaugh my heart' songs (for obvious reasons). about the Swedish group - though enough for encouraging me (he ran My first 'keeper' was a blues, though.! they're hardly an influence on my the folk night there.) Only recently have!I been able to music. Over the decades my heroes expand my themes. In recent years have only expanded - ask me about Bill: We know you do a wide variety I've been heavily influenced by the David Frishberg somebody! Dylan of music – folk, country, standards, classics of Berlin and Cole Porter, still amazes me - his song Tempest jazz, rock, blues, swing, and etc. Dylan's always been an influence from the new album is genius - and I more.!!Do you have a favorite genre? but mostly love songs like One Too like his singing (sorry, Rebecca!) Many Mornings and Don't Think Terry:! I have no favorite genre! Twice. Why do I write? Self Bill: What do you get out of your expression. participation in the folk music Bill: You sometimes do songs made society ? famous by Elvis.!!His material is far Bill: At your upcoming coffeehouse from folk music, but by an appearance, you’ll be backed up by Terry: I was actually in the Folk unprecedented special vote by the an array of outstanding instrumental Club (predecessor of this Folk CFMS Board of Directors, you’ve musicians.!!How often do you get Society) back in the 60's. Some of been given the green light!to do a that opportunity and how does it the pickers then were Hank couple tunes by the King at your change the final musical product ? Arbaugh, Roger Johnson and fellow upcoming coffeehouse ComFest guy, Barry Chern. Anytime performance.!!Tell us why Elvis’ Terry: I would love to be in a band CFMS lets me pick and sing is a music resonates with you. full time! In the 60's I was in blessing and I bow to you in numerous rock bands playing in bars gratitude. If you think I'm not Terry: Elvis saved my emotional life and at ComFest. For this gig at sincere, remember this - sincerity is by giving me an obsession to occupy CFMS we are featuring my originals everything and if we can fake my teenage years - that painful time as well as blues, standards and, of sincerity we've got it made!! of questioning why I was such a loser course, Elvis. I may even throw out (as only a teen can feel like a loser.) scarves to the audience! This band Also consider - Elvis' early records!(I got together because I rocked out Please don’t miss this concert! had 'em all) were often blues and and hammed it up at the Whetstone rhythm and!blues covers that he did Gardens jam and Maury Falkoff, Come on out, enjoy the performers, in his own inimitable style.!As a teen, Linda Blaine and David Clutter the feeling of community and home I wrote a letter to Sam Charters expressed a desire to back me for a baked refreshments! author of “The!Country Blues” - gig. Quickly Brian Szuch and Rebecca Stansbury signed on as well. which he answered - and he was kind Where: The Columbus Mennonite enough to say that the Elvis info Big thanks to you all! You are all multi instrumentalists, singers and Church at 35 E. Oakland Park would be used in a later edition of (Clintonville). the book. And - once you've rocked stars in your own right. Having a with the King only someone like dynamite band expands the form When:! 8 to 10 p.m.!Saturday, Dylan can take you further! and is just plain fun - giving me a February 23rd. Doors open at 6:30. chance to act the fool in front of Open mic from 7 - 8 p.m. if you Bill: You are a regular at the weekly millions of!you fans.! want to come early. $7.00 admission CFMS jam sessions at Whetstone Bill: We constantly ask this question ($5.00 CFMS members); under 12 Gardens Assisted Living free. Center.!Sometimes, you lead the of folk musicians, both local and

Valentine " #om page 1 will also be some surprises. AND, our volunteer bakers of the Columbus Folk Music Society will be cooking up some delicious treats. All of this for a suggested per person donation of $10 at the door, with proceeds going to help stage this May’s Central Ohio Folk Festival. So bring your sweetheart or just yourself. WHERE: basement Fellowship Hall of Overbrook Church 4131 N. High (Clintonville) WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 9th from 7 to 9 p.m.

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NEW!CFMS Fridge Poster!

WINTER HAPPENINGS, SO SAVE THE DATE . . .

The Saturday Music Jam at Church, 4131 N. High Street E.N. Broadway), Cols. $7.00 The Shops at Worthington (Clintonville). $10.00 suggested donation; CFMS members $5.00; Place (November through donation at the door. Proceeds under 12 free. This is also the April). (This is the winter venue help support CFMS Folk Festival. night of the Silent Auction. for the Worthington Farmer!s Market held at Worthington Saturday, February 23rd - Saturday, March 2nd ""7:30 Square). Every Saturday from Folkside Coffeehouse p.m. Bill Cohen leads a free 10:30 - 12:30 p.m. All are 6:00 p.m. Open Jam Session hootenanny sing-along of old- welcome to come and play. 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Open Stage time folk song favorites. "He'll

8:00 p.m. Terry Keller & Friends play his guitar; you do the Cut here and put on your fridge! your on put and here Cut Saturday, February 9th - – Featured Performer singing. "At The Unitarian Valentine!s Concert with Bill Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Universalist Church, 93 W. Cohen and friends. Oakland Park Ave. (just East of Weisheimer. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Overbrook High St. & one block North of

: Please save items for our Live If you’re still in need of one or two (or more) 2013 calendars, we Auction at the March 23 Coffeehouse. are now offering our CFMS calendars at 1/2 price ($5.00) You can drop them off at Linda since it is mid-January. We’ve sold over 115 calendars to date, McDonald’s; 444 Oakland Park Avenue which is well over our goal. (Clintonville). Consider gift cards you no It’s a great way to get the message out about the CFMS, plus there longer need -- amongst other things! are lots of nice photos, quotes and a very informative article entitled “What is Folk Music?” Remember our Silent Auction at

Bulletins the February 23rd Coffeehouse! They’ll be available at the February Coffeehouse.

Central Ohio Folk Festival – Volunteers Needed Applications are still underway for the Kirby Fri. - Sat - Sun., May 3-4-5 Memorial Scholarship(s). Please visit http://cfms- Work scholarships available inc.org; click on link entitled Bob Kirby Youth email Cathy Sheets, Festival Volunteer Coordinator Scholarship for information and/or application. Maybe [email protected] you know someone who might qualify.

FOLLOWING OUR OWN. . . Friday, Feb. 15, 2013: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013: Pizza. 5601 N. High Street, Grassahol -- Byrne!s Pub, 1248 Loosely Strung -- Chadwick Worthington. 614-436-COAL West 3rd Ave, Cols. Gardens Pancake Breakfast 8-10 p.m. 7-9 p.m. Free http://chadwickarboretum.osu.edu/ www.nataliescoalfiredpizza.com events/ 8:30-10 a.m. Open to Friday, Feb. 22, 2013: all. 4-H Building, 2201 Fred Saturday, March 9, 2013: Grassahol -- India Oak Bar & Taylor Dr. (N. of Lane Ave). Halfway Home -- Clifton Opera Grill, 590 Oakland Park, Col. House, Clay Street, Clifton, OH 8-12 p.m. Free Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013: Avalon 7:30-9:30 p.m. 937-767-2343 Nine -- Natalie!s Coal Fired

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Mustard’s Retreat Concert Look Back

WELCOME TO OUR NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS: Mustard’s Retreat (David Tamulevich and Michael Hough) delighted the crowd of approximately 70 people on January 12th with their mix of serious, thoughtful, and humorous Wilson Brinkley songs, as well as their outright funny stage banter. Steven K. Smith Family The concert had a great “community feel” and drew both long time CFMS members as well as a number of new David Lewis Family (Elizabeth’s Records) faces. David and Michael will be joining us again for this Elizabeth Salt year’s folk festival in May. And. . . to all who contributed homemade cookies; a big thank you.

NOT A MEMBER?! WANT TO BE?! There is a handy membership form right here in this newsletter. BENEFITS INCLUDE: Camaraderie with the folkies in town, discounts on certain admissions, this monthly newsletter and the comfort of knowing that all events are family friendly!

THE COLUMBUS FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OFFICERS 614-278-2710 (J. Baringhaus) President: Art Mittenbergs – [email protected] Bill Cohen – [email protected] 614-263-3851 614-491-0437 Jim Luckhaupt – [email protected] 614-268-8296 Vice-President: Linda McDonald – [email protected] 614-267-8614 Treasurer: Tom Nagel—[email protected] 614-294-6722 Sharon Mittenbergs – [email protected] 614-491-0437 Secretary: Cindy Ramsey—[email protected] Larry Staats – [email protected] 614-891-6293 614-438-0047 Cathy Sheets – [email protected] 740-369-7828 TRUSTEES Diane Boston – [email protected] 740-262-4025 Linda Bolles – [email protected] 614-766-2382 Central Ohio Folk Festival directors: Nancy Cline Bailey – [email protected] 614-267-4128 Art and Sharon Mittenbergs Stan and Beth Bradley – [email protected] Membership Chair: Larry Drake 614-833-6498 (NOTE: this is a new e-mail address!) Newsletter Editor (pro tem): Nancy Bailey Joseph Baringhaus – [email protected] Newsletter Co-editor: Diane Boston

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Strings " #om page 3 fingers leave on them. Wound caught in between the windings will strings are especially sensitive to this get an opportunity to get squeezed Steel strings come in various kind of pollution, because they retain out as the windings expand in the gauges. The main differences are everything so well in their grooves. high temperature water. shown below: An easy way to keep your strings as Lighter gauge strings: dry and clean as possible is to wash Of course, there are some down Sound ‘lighter’, edgier, and shorter your hands and dry them well before sides to boiling. Following is a list of produce less volume playing, and to clean and dry and some bad things that can happen are easier to play strings afterwards. Any type of lint- when you boil the strings. need to be tuned more often free cloth works well -- an old t-shirt Higher temperatures are often break more easily or dishtowel, for instance. Clean the used to stress relieve any stresses built are lower tension underside of the strings and the up in metal. If the string is exposed fingerboard, as you go along. Simply Heavier gauge strings: to high temperature, there will be pull the cloth between the strings and changes within the various stress sites Sound ‘heaver’, fatter, and longer the fingerboard, and run it up and of the string. This will have an effect produce more volume down the neck a couple of times. on tuning and possibly create “dead make playing a bit heavier Boiling guitar strings is a process spots” in the string that deaden the don’t detune as fast sound. last longer some musicians use to help put a are higher tension better sound back into strings that Calcium and mineral deposits may be worn. Does it actually work? from hard tap water can work their Choose steel acoustic-guitar way into the inner core of a wound strings that fit your playing style. If The Good, The Bad, and string. To get the best results, use de- you play primarily rhythm, you want The Boiled ionized water if you are going to a thicker-gauge string. Strings are What happens when you place boil. usually measured by the starting strings into a pot of boiling water? gauge of the thinnest string. A 9- Here is a list of some positive things Brittle strings. Some strings have gauge set is considered light gauge. that can happen to the string: been known to become more brittle Use a 12- or 13-gauge if you play a after boiling them. The process of lot of chords and rhythm, or if your If there is oil on the strings, the taking the string to a higher temp playing style is heavy-handed. It will higher temperature of water will (212°F) may have an effect on the prevent you from breaking strings on change the viscosity of the oil. The string’s elasticity if the alloy quality a regular basis. Thinner-gauge oil will start to breakup and flow was marginal to begin with it all. strings are ideal for playing lead lines away from the string into the rest of the water. Dirty pan. Obviously you don’t and solos, especially if you do a lot of want to use a pan with left over playing high up on the neck or play spaghetti sauce still in it. The real very quickly. If there is salt from your previous sweaty playing on the issue here is the question of a clean Again, consider the tone you strings, then the salt will dissolve and pan still having soap scum and want. Thinner-gauge strings produce become aqueous in the boiling water. mineral deposits in it. If you use such a brighter, crisper sound. The thicker a pan, the soap and mineral deposits the strings are, the deeper and richer If there is any dirt in between will end up on the strings. As a the tone is. The gauge of the steel windings, there is an opportunity for precaution, using a little bit of acoustic-guitar strings you choose it to break-up and possibly dissolve. alcohol and a paper towel to wipe out the pan first. may be based on this criterion alone. Micro metal shavings from Consider a silk-and-steel normal fret wear will expand due to In conclusion, there are some combination string if your fingers high temp and possibly dislodge merits to boiling strings as well as can't seem to get used to the bite of themselves from windings. pitfalls. If you are on a shoestring steel acoustic-guitar strings. The light budget and do not wish to shell out Expansion. Overall the high the bucks for new strings on a silk weaving within the wind of the temperature of the water will cause steel softens the touch of the string, frequent basis, then boiling might be the strings to expand at molecular your calling. 5 yet still produces a bright tone. level. Every metal has a coefficient of 1 www.e-media.leeward.hawaii.edu Cleaning metal strings? thermal expansion (CTE) associated 2 www.classicalguitarbuilder.com with it. This means the metal 3 Strings can lose their brightness www.classicalguitarbuilder.com expands, or contracts with regards to 4 www.professorstring.com because they are affected by airborne temperature. In the case of wound 5 www.professorstrong.com dust, dirt, grease, smoke and strings, the windings will expand as moisture, as well as by whatever your they are made of metal. Anything Article ideas for future newsletters? e! mail [email protected]

WEBSITE: WWW.CFMS!INC.ORG PAGE 7 The Columbus Folk Music Society P.O. Box 1233620735 Columbus, OH 4321243220

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