While she didn't know exactly what they were doing.. maybe this was what a "jam session" was? The way they flowed from one sound to another was interesting. Celeste leaned back and listened, letting herself study each of the musicians as they played. It was something enjoyable to them from their expressions even as it was such an odd blend of sounds and instruments. Certainly not a combination she wouold picture seeing. Suddenly she felt a longing for her camera so she could capture this melding of time and place. Blinking, her blue eyes widening slightly, she marvelled. It had been years since she'd bothered with her photography.
The blues they moved into was something familiar, a cousin to the Jazz that was such a part of New Orleans. Cel couldnt help the slight smile on her face as she just closed her eyes and enjoyed. It made her just a little homesick, but in a good way.
A Sharing of Music ((open, attn: Ambrose and Ysabel))
With the help of two of the staff members, Dana carted every instrument stand and most of the instruments from her room to the library. Her quarters simply were not big enough to house more than her playing many different instruments, not to mention the acoustics in her room were abysmal.
She was meeting Ambrose and hopefully Ysabel today and share music with them. The library had a very well tuned piano, and plenty of space for them. Once everthing was deposited on the floor near a deep arm chair, Dana went about setting up each instrument, while the staff brought her four straight-backed chairs from some other room.
When she finally had everything arranged to her exacting standards, she sat down and tuned each instrument, starting with the simple guitar, to the balalaika, to the gittern, her newest acquisition the banjo, and finally her favored, very temperamental lap harp.
Celeste
14 years ago
Dana
14 years ago
Dana played a few funky riffs on the balalaika, before setting it on its stand and picking up her well loved guitar and putting that more familiar sound to the music they were playing.
"A little of both, never hurt anyone Ambrose."
A soft laugh followed her words as she offered a impish little grin. She glanced up around the room, and found Celeste smiling with closed eyes and enjoying the music they made. It warmed her heart, and she went back to finger picking through the chord slides she was adding to their mix.
"A little of both, never hurt anyone Ambrose."
A soft laugh followed her words as she offered a impish little grin. She glanced up around the room, and found Celeste smiling with closed eyes and enjoying the music they made. It warmed her heart, and she went back to finger picking through the chord slides she was adding to their mix.
Ambrose
14 years ago
He couldn't help but notice Belle didn't say a word. That gave him a warm and fuzzy feeling but he only raised an eyebrow at her lack of comment. Part of him wanted to end the jam session right her and now but there was something to be said for anticipation. And while Belle might more or less forgive him for playing with words the total breach of etiquette just vanishing with her would be might not... well it probably wouldn't have quite the results he was hoping for.
"Just a little bit?"Â?
Watching Dana change instruments, he called her on it.
"I think that might be an unfair advantage."Â?
He was making due with an instrument that was less than his forte and didn't think it was quite fair. Although she seemed just as comfortable with the guitar as she had with the oddball string instrument she'd been playing.
In retaliation, however, he switched it up yet again and headed them into something more ragtime, something of a take off on the Maple Leaf Rag. It probably wasn't sporting but he knew the piano would have the advantage here.
"Just a little bit?"Â?
Watching Dana change instruments, he called her on it.
"I think that might be an unfair advantage."Â?
He was making due with an instrument that was less than his forte and didn't think it was quite fair. Although she seemed just as comfortable with the guitar as she had with the oddball string instrument she'd been playing.
In retaliation, however, he switched it up yet again and headed them into something more ragtime, something of a take off on the Maple Leaf Rag. It probably wasn't sporting but he knew the piano would have the advantage here.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel was too busy trying to keep the little lap harp on the same wavelength as the piano and balalaika to banter, for the most part. When Amber decided to play a new song she almost groaned out loud. Instead she narrowed her lips into a thin line of concentration and began to use a technique with the small instrument that involved plucking at the strings more than caressing them, using whichever hand was free to still the vibrations of the strings so they took on a slightly twangy, guitar-like quality instead of resonating.
She did take a moment to favor Amber with an expression of mild disbelief.
"Who has the unfair advantage?"
She was playing a lap harp, for the love of... perhaps Ambrose should try it. If he would only get his guitar, the piano would be free and she could move to that. It would certainly be easier than trying to fit the delicate sounds of the lap harp into the current genre.
At least she hadn't brought her larger harp. She shuddered to think of what it would sound like if she'd been playing that monster here.
She did take a moment to favor Amber with an expression of mild disbelief.
"Who has the unfair advantage?"
She was playing a lap harp, for the love of... perhaps Ambrose should try it. If he would only get his guitar, the piano would be free and she could move to that. It would certainly be easier than trying to fit the delicate sounds of the lap harp into the current genre.
At least she hadn't brought her larger harp. She shuddered to think of what it would sound like if she'd been playing that monster here.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana laughed, a bright sound, that carried over the music. "You are certainly welcome to take up your guitar and see if you can keep up."
She did not know the feel of the music he was playing and so followed with simple chord changes until she got the feel and could finger pick her way through. The sounds Ysabel was pulling from the harp were a fun background to the song Ambrose was playing and she admired the lady's skill. The lap harp was never easy, and that one had a few quirks, but she seemed to have overcome them just fine.
She did not know the feel of the music he was playing and so followed with simple chord changes until she got the feel and could finger pick her way through. The sounds Ysabel was pulling from the harp were a fun background to the song Ambrose was playing and she admired the lady's skill. The lap harp was never easy, and that one had a few quirks, but she seemed to have overcome them just fine.
Ambrose
14 years ago
Nope, he wasn't going to even respond to that. Well mostly not. Ambrose just rolled his eyes at Belle.
"I wouldn't call it unfair..."Â?
He drawled.
Now that was a challenge and lord knew Ambrose couldn't pass up a challenge. He got up from the piano a little awkwardly and picked up his guitar case. Getting the guitar out he absently caressed the body. He'd had this particular acoustic a long time and was fond of it.
He'd left it tuned when leaving his rooms there at the Manor, knowing he was going to be using it again and so it only took a second to confirm it was still tuned.
Keeping up wasn't something he was worried about. He could play anything from mariachi to metal and he could keep up with some of the best currently playing. For now though... he'd play nice and only took up the Maple Leaf Rag where he'd left off with the piano.
"Don't look at me I made the last change up."Â?
"I wouldn't call it unfair..."Â?
He drawled.
Now that was a challenge and lord knew Ambrose couldn't pass up a challenge. He got up from the piano a little awkwardly and picked up his guitar case. Getting the guitar out he absently caressed the body. He'd had this particular acoustic a long time and was fond of it.
He'd left it tuned when leaving his rooms there at the Manor, knowing he was going to be using it again and so it only took a second to confirm it was still tuned.
Keeping up wasn't something he was worried about. He could play anything from mariachi to metal and he could keep up with some of the best currently playing. For now though... he'd play nice and only took up the Maple Leaf Rag where he'd left off with the piano.
"Don't look at me I made the last change up."Â?
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel was happy when Ambrose vacated the piano bench. She let Dana carry the music by herself for a few moments while she gently placed the lap harp to one side and slid herself into the spot Amber had been sitting in. Now, on this instrument, she could hold her own. Even if they continued with jazz and blues; specially then, for that was what Ambrose had most had her practice, telling her there was no better medium for creativity and expression.
Her fingers danced happily over the keys as she settled back into the rhythm. "I believe it's Dana's turn," she said over her shoulder.
Her fingers danced happily over the keys as she settled back into the rhythm. "I believe it's Dana's turn," she said over her shoulder.
Dana
14 years ago
She laughed,"of course it is." Dana wrinkled her nose in thought for a moment, trying to decide where to take this with out upsetting their audience or into territory either clanmate might be unfamiliar with.
With a little grin she played the opening walk of Carl Perkin's Honey Don't, before sending them into a fast paced bit of Rockabilly music. This genre was fast become one of her favorites and she played it almost as much as she played blue grass and some of the older country and western music.
She could have easily taken them into one of the court ballads she'd learned oh so very long ago, but they were slow and not as challenging as the rockabilly.
With a little grin she played the opening walk of Carl Perkin's Honey Don't, before sending them into a fast paced bit of Rockabilly music. This genre was fast become one of her favorites and she played it almost as much as she played blue grass and some of the older country and western music.
She could have easily taken them into one of the court ballads she'd learned oh so very long ago, but they were slow and not as challenging as the rockabilly.
Ambrose
14 years ago
Dangerously close to country. He could do country he just didn't like it. But this he could work with. Ambrose was content to let Dana have the lead on this one and he settled into his chosen roll as back up musician adding depth and flourish here and there but Dana's playing was still obviously the star.
"I think you get a point for that one. I hadn't figured on this from you."Â?
It was a lighthearted compliment.
Having said that, he tossed a grin at Belle knowing it was her turn next and curious where she'd take them. Damned she was cute there at the piano. He loved watching her hands as she played. So delicate, lady like. Not to wax poetic but almost the exact opposite of his hands. Of course, that didn't matter, but he couldn't help noticing of some reason.
"I think you get a point for that one. I hadn't figured on this from you."Â?
It was a lighthearted compliment.
Having said that, he tossed a grin at Belle knowing it was her turn next and curious where she'd take them. Damned she was cute there at the piano. He loved watching her hands as she played. So delicate, lady like. Not to wax poetic but almost the exact opposite of his hands. Of course, that didn't matter, but he couldn't help noticing of some reason.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel found the current beat less appealing but she played on, keeping her own part simple until she was comfortable enough to start improvising. As the music was new to her, she didn't step up to take her "turn" immediately but continued accompanying the two guitars for a while. She had closed her eyes in order to better feel the rhythm, and it took her a few minutes to get comfortable. This wasn't something Ambrose had shown her yet, but it was close enough to country that it didn't take a long time.
After they'd played for a little while, she let her lips drift upward in a secret little smile and began to change the beat to something she was sure Ambrose didn't know she knew. Since adding Marie to their impromptu "family" Ysabel had been introduced to Latin rhythms and beats, and at her young familiar's prompting had learned to play in that style.
Her song, therefore, had no name and was improvised on the spur of the moment but was based on the salsa, representing a distinct shift in tonality from what they'd been playing. She moved into D minor, giving the music a much more sultry but still lively tone.
She had to admit to herself, this was fun. And for someone who grew up with very rigid ideas of how music should be formulated that was saying a lot. She peeked at Ambrose out of the corner of her eye and gave him a little smile to see what he thought of her choice in style.
After they'd played for a little while, she let her lips drift upward in a secret little smile and began to change the beat to something she was sure Ambrose didn't know she knew. Since adding Marie to their impromptu "family" Ysabel had been introduced to Latin rhythms and beats, and at her young familiar's prompting had learned to play in that style.
Her song, therefore, had no name and was improvised on the spur of the moment but was based on the salsa, representing a distinct shift in tonality from what they'd been playing. She moved into D minor, giving the music a much more sultry but still lively tone.
She had to admit to herself, this was fun. And for someone who grew up with very rigid ideas of how music should be formulated that was saying a lot. She peeked at Ambrose out of the corner of her eye and gave him a little smile to see what he thought of her choice in style.
Dana
14 years ago
"I am full of a great many surprises." Laughing softly, she increased the beat just a little, adding a bit of show off flair to her play. She knew it was Ysabel's turn, so she turned her attention there.
Dana look the flourish from her play, as Ysabel changed what they were playing into something completely unrecognizable. She picked up the under chords of the music and once Ysabel moved into D minor, she could make a passable base walk through the music.
Dana look the flourish from her play, as Ysabel changed what they were playing into something completely unrecognizable. She picked up the under chords of the music and once Ysabel moved into D minor, she could make a passable base walk through the music.
Dana
14 years ago
"I am full of a great many surprises." Laughing softly, she increased the beat just a little, adding a bit of show off flair to her play. She knew it was Ysabel's turn, so she turned her attention there.
Dana look the flourish from her play, as Ysabel changed what they were playing into something completely unrecognizable. She picked up the under chords of the music and once Ysabel moved into D minor, she could make a passable base walk through the music.
Dana look the flourish from her play, as Ysabel changed what they were playing into something completely unrecognizable. She picked up the under chords of the music and once Ysabel moved into D minor, she could make a passable base walk through the music.
Ambrose
14 years ago
He hadn't even thought about it but simply followed along with the salsa. Ambrose didn't interact too much with the waif, a bit here and there but she could still be shy of him, although she was getting better. One of the few things he did was play. She wasn't taking guitar lessons from him per say but now and then, if she had time he'd show her something, on occasion she would just listen. When he knew she was listening once in a while, he would slide into something like this.
So the beat wasn't too far from his mind and easy to play with. It took a second for him to realize it was Ysabel who'd taken them this way. When that idea clicked, he started a bit and out and out laughed.
"Mucho gusto senora!"Â?
There was no getting around it he was both pleased and impressed with what she was doing. He did, however, pick up that Dana was a bit hesitant with it. So he didn't change it up right away, he wanted her to have time to work with it and hear it.
"Not what you're used to? Try thinking about dancing to it."Â?
Ambrose had no idea if she danced or not. But if she were about Belle's age his guess was she did, at least a bit. And if she could relate dance, movement to the sound it should be easier.
"But none of those stuffy court dances."Â?
He cautioned after a seconds thought. How those stuffed shirts thought any of those dances were fun was beyond him.
So the beat wasn't too far from his mind and easy to play with. It took a second for him to realize it was Ysabel who'd taken them this way. When that idea clicked, he started a bit and out and out laughed.
"Mucho gusto senora!"Â?
There was no getting around it he was both pleased and impressed with what she was doing. He did, however, pick up that Dana was a bit hesitant with it. So he didn't change it up right away, he wanted her to have time to work with it and hear it.
"Not what you're used to? Try thinking about dancing to it."Â?
Ambrose had no idea if she danced or not. But if she were about Belle's age his guess was she did, at least a bit. And if she could relate dance, movement to the sound it should be easier.
"But none of those stuffy court dances."Â?
He cautioned after a seconds thought. How those stuffed shirts thought any of those dances were fun was beyond him.
Celeste
14 years ago
There was a surprising amount of information to be learned about people by their interactions. And, their choices in music it seemed. The Nights-woman couldn't help but study the trio as she listened. Several times the music had drifted into areas that made her twitch in irritation but she'd found a way to tolerate it. Celeste had made the music secondary and taken advantage of the opportunity presented instead. Free reign to openly observe her clan mates was a heady sport for someone who spent their time skulking about in the shadows invisible taking notes. No, right now she was free to be seen and still learn.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as the Latin sound began rubbing on her nerves. Unceremoniously squashing the irritation she instead listened to their quips and glanced over at Dana, wondering why she wouldn't recognize the music. 'Must be old or sheltered,' she mused. Both were interesting ideas and fleshed out the small vampire further in Cel's mental landscape. Turning her attention to Ambrose with his guitar she grinned and spoke up finally. "How about you see if they can handle some Sabbath or Metallica?" 'You know, anything from the past five decades,' she added to herself.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as the Latin sound began rubbing on her nerves. Unceremoniously squashing the irritation she instead listened to their quips and glanced over at Dana, wondering why she wouldn't recognize the music. 'Must be old or sheltered,' she mused. Both were interesting ideas and fleshed out the small vampire further in Cel's mental landscape. Turning her attention to Ambrose with his guitar she grinned and spoke up finally. "How about you see if they can handle some Sabbath or Metallica?" 'You know, anything from the past five decades,' she added to herself.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel enjoyed the salsa beat but wasn't opposed to changing it, for whoever took it over next. She noted that Dana's playing was a little less confident than it had been before but Ambrose's laughter made her feel happy.
Celeste's suggestion had her wrinkling her nose in distaste. She wasn't a fan of heavy metal. Fortunately, Amber didn't play a lot of it, being mostly a jazz and blues man. She let him respond, however, as the question hadn't been addressed to her.
She kept the beat the same but modulated into A minor using a harmonic tonality that suited the music quite well, leaving their progress up to whoever was next.
Celeste's suggestion had her wrinkling her nose in distaste. She wasn't a fan of heavy metal. Fortunately, Amber didn't play a lot of it, being mostly a jazz and blues man. She let him respond, however, as the question hadn't been addressed to her.
She kept the beat the same but modulated into A minor using a harmonic tonality that suited the music quite well, leaving their progress up to whoever was next.
Dana
14 years ago
She took a moment to feel the music in her body, that made it easier to find the beat and add flourish to her base walk. "That does help, thank you Ambrose."
She had absolutely no idea what a Metallica was, and the only Sabbath she knew was a holy day. She could be certain however, that this was not what Celeste was talking about. Though she was happy to have the young woman contribute and she would follow along as best she could.
At Ysabel's chord change, she slid up her guitar and opened up the chords, picking through the notes of an A minor scale with a base thumbed in between. It was up to Ambrose to lead them on from here.
She had absolutely no idea what a Metallica was, and the only Sabbath she knew was a holy day. She could be certain however, that this was not what Celeste was talking about. Though she was happy to have the young woman contribute and she would follow along as best she could.
At Ysabel's chord change, she slid up her guitar and opened up the chords, picking through the notes of an A minor scale with a base thumbed in between. It was up to Ambrose to lead them on from here.
Ambrose
14 years ago
Some day he was going to learn to back down from a challenge, he really was. OK he was at least going to learn not to hear on where there wasn't one. Maybe not. As it was Ambrose considered the request. He didn't play much metal around home, at least not around Belle. More to the point, he didn't have one of his electric guitars with him, only the acoustic.
While he thought this through, he started in on the opening to Fade to Black. It was pretty, it was mellow and it wouldn't totally alienate either of the other two musicians. While he played that, he covertly studied Celeste. She could undoubtedly handle something harder and faster. OK... OK... why not. He switched abruptly and hit Fuel as hard and as fast as he could on an acoustic, it still sounded like he knew what he was doing. Felt good too, but he caught himself wanting to sing.
As he was suppressing the urge to go into the vocals, an idea hit him and he changed gears again and settled into Whiskey in the Jar. It was Metallica's arrangement, but it was essentially a cover of a traditional Irish Ballad. The ladies shouldn't have too much trouble with it.
While he thought this through, he started in on the opening to Fade to Black. It was pretty, it was mellow and it wouldn't totally alienate either of the other two musicians. While he played that, he covertly studied Celeste. She could undoubtedly handle something harder and faster. OK... OK... why not. He switched abruptly and hit Fuel as hard and as fast as he could on an acoustic, it still sounded like he knew what he was doing. Felt good too, but he caught himself wanting to sing.
As he was suppressing the urge to go into the vocals, an idea hit him and he changed gears again and settled into Whiskey in the Jar. It was Metallica's arrangement, but it was essentially a cover of a traditional Irish Ballad. The ladies shouldn't have too much trouble with it.
Celeste
14 years ago
Her teeth were an uncharacteristic white slash against her pale skin as she grinned. Looks like the cowboy had decided to tackle her request slash challenge. Now they were playing something she related to and she could judge that they were indeed skilled. Especially Ambrose, Cel conceeded, as the cowboy shifted into a rendition of Fuel. Asking for Metallica acoustically was not an unfair request in her mind. Squirrled away amidst all of her CDs were several of covers done by string quartets and other "softer" versions of the band's work. Their songs' lyrics had a storytelling quality and the compositions were distinctive enough that even without the modern instruments they were recognizable.
Her eyes drifted closed and she swayed to the song, her foot and fingertips tapping to the music as they switched into one of her favorites. The urge to sing along was strong. But, considering she was not a trained vocalist she refrained. Celeste had lessons when she was younger since Gustav had considered it mandatory that every female be able to passably play an instrument and sing well enough to entertain visitors. A hold over from days long gone by when ladies were set decoration for the home but what else could you expect from the pretentious bastard? So, while she could carry a tune enough to make her somewhat popular on karaoke night Celeste wasn't feeling like competing with real musical talent. Instead she showed her approval by giving Ambrose a nod and another smile when the song finished.
"That was really good... thanks."
Her eyes drifted closed and she swayed to the song, her foot and fingertips tapping to the music as they switched into one of her favorites. The urge to sing along was strong. But, considering she was not a trained vocalist she refrained. Celeste had lessons when she was younger since Gustav had considered it mandatory that every female be able to passably play an instrument and sing well enough to entertain visitors. A hold over from days long gone by when ladies were set decoration for the home but what else could you expect from the pretentious bastard? So, while she could carry a tune enough to make her somewhat popular on karaoke night Celeste wasn't feeling like competing with real musical talent. Instead she showed her approval by giving Ambrose a nod and another smile when the song finished.
"That was really good... thanks."
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel disapproved of the song progression, but she couldn't say she was surprised. There was no way Amber was going to back off of that one. She followed along as best she could, well aware that the piano was not exactly a common heavy metal instrument, contenting herself with sticking to basic chords supplemented with arpeggios. It softened the music considerably, but it couldn't really be helped. Thumping out each chord with wild metal-like abandon might have brought the books down from their shelves.
She smiled wryly at Celeste's thanks, chuckling to herself. Not a very good showing by the pianist, but the guitarists seemed to be doing just fine. When they'd finished, she took her hands away from the keys and let the last notes fade away into the normally quiet library.
"That was fun." Ysabel had a look of contentment upon her face; regardless of the genre they'd started or ended with, or what they'd hit between, it was always good to share music with friends and family. Not being a natural band leader, she looked expectantly back and forth between Ambrose and Dana, waiting to see what either of them would come up next. She was tempted to offset the metal with something ridiculously meticulous, classical, and technically complex, but it would have been out of place in this setting. Instead she allowed her fingers to tap idly on the ivory keys, not pressing for a sound but just bouncing them slightly.
She smiled wryly at Celeste's thanks, chuckling to herself. Not a very good showing by the pianist, but the guitarists seemed to be doing just fine. When they'd finished, she took her hands away from the keys and let the last notes fade away into the normally quiet library.
"That was fun." Ysabel had a look of contentment upon her face; regardless of the genre they'd started or ended with, or what they'd hit between, it was always good to share music with friends and family. Not being a natural band leader, she looked expectantly back and forth between Ambrose and Dana, waiting to see what either of them would come up next. She was tempted to offset the metal with something ridiculously meticulous, classical, and technically complex, but it would have been out of place in this setting. Instead she allowed her fingers to tap idly on the ivory keys, not pressing for a sound but just bouncing them slightly.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana was a bit surprised by the music. She'd heard its like before, and while it was not to her liking she could see it's value. It was easy to pick up the chord progression of the songs and she could keep up fairly well. Whiskey in the Jar was an old favorite of hers and while she did not know this version she could add her flair to it easily on the lovely instrument in her hands.
When it was all over, Dana was breathing just a little harder than when they'd begun, and that made her laugh. Music as work always did. "That was...different."
Still chuckling, she set the guitar in its stand and stood, stretching well used arms over her head.
"So shall we learn a bit about instruments or would you like to teach us your song Ambrose?" Her heels dropped back to the floor, as her hands fell back to her sides, the smile still firmly on her lips.
When it was all over, Dana was breathing just a little harder than when they'd begun, and that made her laugh. Music as work always did. "That was...different."
Still chuckling, she set the guitar in its stand and stood, stretching well used arms over her head.
"So shall we learn a bit about instruments or would you like to teach us your song Ambrose?" Her heels dropped back to the floor, as her hands fell back to her sides, the smile still firmly on her lips.