I’ve been shooting 24p pretty much since I heard there was such a thing. I read all the discussions about the advantages and disadvantages, made a choice and never looked back. Until now. I’m about to undertake a few new projects and I’m wondering if maybe I should go to 30p. So I made a couple of tests of my own. Give them a look if you have a few minutes to spare and see if you can see any difference. I think there is slightly more blurring of the birds during the panning, but not much. I’m going to do some other tests soon. Perhaps in low light and see if that brings out any clear advantage to the 24p.
The First one is 23.976 frames per second which passes as 24 fps for some reason It can be played at 1080p for best viewing.
The second one is 29.97 frames per second which passes as 30 fps for some reason It can also be played at 1080p for best viewing.
The Annapolis Ward One Residents Association asked me to play at their silent auction which was held in lobby of the Francis Scott Key Auditorium at St. John’s College. They’ve invited me to play at other events and I’ve always been happy to do it. This night was no exception. A lot of local movers and shakers were there and the food seemed really nice, though I only had time to toss back a couple of raw oysters on the shell. I enjoyed the convivial atmosphere as well as the interesting acoustics. Thanks Ward One.
Sometimes you eat the bear. Sometimes the bear eats you. Sometimes you never see the bear at all. This audience I played for today was not the worst of all time, but it was certainly a contender. One person looked up from her computer to clap for one song. As far as everyone else might have been concerned I could detect very little evidence that anyone knew I was there. Ah well. It is a nice opportunity to play just for Zahn who listens faithfully and always claps. And she took time to take a few nice pictures for me to post today. It is really amazing how loud twenty or so people in a room can be, especially when one or two of them seem to feel it is important to make sure that anyone in the room who wants to hear every word they speak will have no problems at all. I’m sure it is entirely possible to converse quite effectively in either a noisy or a quiet room while moderating one’s voice so that only the person across the table can really hear what you are saying. That would be what I would consider a polite way of being in public. Well. So much for that
Earlier in the afternoon, while I was setting up my equipment, I had a nice chat with Paul Michalec who decided to open the 49 at 49 book to page 2, on which I am featured. Paul himself is on the cover of the book as well as maybe on page 6. Or 8. One of the usual waitresses was out for her birthday. Mike Shifflett failed to show up. Was he out sailing? He was missed, not only by us but by the waitress with whom he regularly flirts. Mike will be very disappointed to learn that he missed a choice version of the St. James Infirmary.
One of the two people who took an interest in the musical aspect of the situation came over and asked about my amplifier. It looks like some old vintage machine, but it is actually fairly new. It is a Fender Acoutasonic Pro which I bought it back in 2002 I think. It was fairly expensive but it seemed like just what I needed to embark on a journey of discovery in the world of music performance. It has served me well. Though the Acoustasonic line has continued, the Pro model was discontinued fairly soon after I bought mine. I’m not sure why. It is a fantastic machine. It is quite heavy but that goes with the territory when you have 80 watts per channel, 99 effects and great tone control options. I use all the same settings I’ve been using since I first bought it and rarely turn it up past 3 (it goes to 10). But I doubt another machine would allow me to fine tune the sound so well to meet my needs and there’s always the possibility of deciding to try something new.
The Maryland Avenue merchants organized an event this past Thursday as a run up to the Maryland Day Celebration. It ran from 4-9 pm and I was asked to join in as one of three musical acts. First were a couple playing guitar and bodhran, followed by a marching band. I got to occupy this corner by the circle around the Maryland State House and play my amplified music out into the heart of Annapolis. Tom Boddorff and his lovely wife Terry wandered by on their way to an art opening and took this very nice picture. Despite the cold weather the event was well attended.
I took particular pleasure in the opportunity to turn my amp up just a little higher than usual and project my sound out into a much larger space than usual. My regular gig at 49 West Cafe and Wine Bar is indoors with people chatting and eating. It is always a challenge under that circumstance to find the right level: Not to be two loud and overpower the room, nor be too quiet and not be heard. Toward the middle of my second set on Maryland Avenue, it dawned on me that I really didn’t need to modulate down at all, so I let it rip. Reminding me of so, so many years ago when I used to wander the streets of Annapolis on a Friday night singing at the top of my voice in a sort of operatic version of the Volga Boatman’s Song, among a few others. Might I then have had a small bottle of spirits tucked away in my coat pocket. Perhaps. Thanks to the Maryland Avenue Merchants for an opportunity to play for the public.
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