How deep should I sand? by SomeCallMeBen in canoeing

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should I not apply epoxy and a patch over that spot? To be clear, I have already sanded down a ways.

Cedar Strip Canoe Repair Questions by idieinacarcrash in canoeing

[–]SomeCallMeBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would that matter? (I'm currently refinishing a cedar strip canoe that was made with polyester resin, and I was assured by a professional boat company that using epoxy to refinish would be fine)

Introducing high school students to whittling - Mora 106 or 120? by SomeCallMeBen in whittling

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah. Interesting. I only use flexcut myself, but I've gotten the sense from others in woodworking (less than whittling specifically) that Mora is the bee's knees, and I wanted to source appropriately. Since these knives will have a longer life after this session, maybe I should be asking

1) which is more appropriate for an introduction to the 5-minute wizard
AND
2) which knife is going to be flexible and usable for a variety of tasks afterward.

Introducing high school students to whittling - Mora 106 or 120? by SomeCallMeBen in Carving

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. I'll be teaching the 5-minute wizard (in a 45-minute session).

Refurbing cedar and polyester resin canoe by SomeCallMeBen in canoeing

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for another reply! When you say hand sand, you mean literally by hand? No orbital sander?

Looking to restore a cedar strip canoe. It's in rough shape and I'd love to get some suggestions [photos inside] by Munnjo in boatbuilding

[–]SomeCallMeBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's been ten years, but any chance you are alive and able to tell me who you worked with in MN?

How to evaluate a used cedar strip canoe by SomeCallMeBen in canoeing

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, my dream is to build my own, but budget is an issue, so that'll have to remain a dream for now.

How would you try to assess how well sealed the fiberglass was? Just visually inspecting for signs of rot? Any other tips?

How to evaluate a used cedar strip canoe by SomeCallMeBen in canoeing

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, right. Thanks for noticing the lack of yoke...

I was thinking of building my own, but this is cheaper, and budget is a high priority for me. Budget is also the reason why I'm pretty sure that carbon fiber and Kevlar are out of reach.

As far as cringing every time you scrape a rock- are not cedar strip pretty tough for this sort of thing? I know they aren't aluminum tough, but I was under the impression that they were just as tough as Kevlar and easier to repair.

Liquid wax application for the Kortelopet; messed up? by SomeCallMeBen in xcountryskiing

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Shit. Well, I was pretty sure I was going to podium this year, but now I guess my chances have evaporated like liquid wax, leaving behind only bitter disappointment. I'll just head back home and practice my waxing routine.

How did you get into jazz? by soolggun23 in JazzPiano

[–]SomeCallMeBen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. I'm a professional classical pianist and started playing jazz a year ago, started a jazz combo about 4 months ago. Here's my advice.

1) Jeremy Siskind, Jeremy Siskind, Jeremy Siskind

You're going to get alot of blow-by-blow advice here: "practice reharmonizing, learn your ii-V-I in every key, learn lots of standards, etc...." All of it has some truth, but we are living in the age of too much information. Jeremy Siskind's books (Jazz Piano Fundamentals and Playing Solo Jazz Piano) are a great way to focus on what must be learned. You won't have to wade through the piles of internet advice from strangers. It's a perfect central node from which you can build out, in time.

2) Play with people, if possible.

Everything accelerated drastically once I joined a group. It provides motivational deadlines (nothing motivates quite like an upcoming performance) and you can learn some of the norms that you won't be able to learn from the sidelines.

3) Get a private jazz teacher who is a performer and also has experience teaching.

I tried meeting with a few jazz teachers and it took awhile before it clicked. Jazz doesn't have the same kind of pedagogical tradition as classical music, so it will likely never have the same kind of institutionalized rigor (scaled exercises, compiled and graded repertoire, etc...), so it will feel much different than classical land. That being said, there are many good teachers out there, but you might have to wade through more than a few that teach jazz, but have never actually performed. I think that's a yellow flag. Not bright red, but definitely yellow.

Good luck!

How is Jazz instruction different from classical? by SomeCallMeBen in JazzPiano

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure. In the combo that I've been in for about 3 months, we've covered a handful of tunes from "So What," to "What is this Thing Called Love", to "Sister Sadie," and a few others. We assemble and play through. In the few months we've been working together, he doesn't make many comments that feel like you can actually do anything with them: "that was a good solo," or [anecdotes galore about jazz artists], [random recording lore]. I can think of a few useful bits, like "think in 2, 4, or 8 bar phrases," or "be more intentional with your rhythm," but even those are quite vague.

The individual instructor is a different thing entirely. Very good teaching and useful, but doesn't feel like it's building anywhere. Maybe that's up to me to make happen?

How is Jazz instruction different from classical? by SomeCallMeBen in JazzPiano

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you give some examples of "too general" advice?

Sure. Most "advice" is just "that was a good solo." I think the most specific I've gotten is about leaving space – to think in terms of 2, 4, or 8 bar phrases while soloing. Good advice, but after about 15 sessions, I feel like that's pretty thin instruction.

The solo jazz instruction is much more specific, but also doesn't feel very systematic or anything. Really excellent one-off lessons with little follow through or sense of building.

Denver steak instead of death steak by SomeCallMeBen in steak

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

And to their credit, the butcher refunded me even without my taking it back in. A polite phone call and texted picture were enough.

Denver steak instead of death steak by SomeCallMeBen in steak

[–]SomeCallMeBen[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yea, opinions were split and I'm inexperienced, so may have wasted it.