Tangier Sound

Benjamin in Utah writes:

Patrick & Dear ol’ Dad,

I am pretty friggin’ new at this music thing I like to call an adventure.  I am hooked like a hard substance to playing my instruments everyday.  I was sitting up the a couple weeks ago, after emailing you guys a couple times and I thought there has to be something that I can do to help people learn the instruments that I know.  I can play the Banjo, Guitar, Bass, Uke, Fiddle and the Harp.  I mean don’t get me wrong, I can play one better than the other but all on a very low skill level. But there is something to be said about just teaching an instrument. I guess as long as I am a head of the pupils knowledge, there’s nothing stopping me from teaching… right?

I guess you could say that I am doing this for a couple of reasons.  I would like to better myself, and I have learned that the best way to learn is to teach.  If music offers something as great as what you have taught, then why should I be stingy?  I think everyone should learn something, even if it is a kazoo.

Now, here’s the crazy part… I went and wrote an ad on a local classified site that is looked at quite a bit.  It was titled “Free Folk Music Lessons.”  I have had over 30 people call or email me wanting to learn.  Out of those people I have a Mandolinist, a Guitarist, a Fiddler and an Upright Bassist ask if they could take part in this workshop, and teach.  I had such a response that I made a blog (jaminorm.blogspot.com) where I have several people write me and wanted to get started on an instrument.

Not in a million years did I expect to hear from that many people.  I told the people willing to teach that I will get a hold of them, if I have any people willing to learn any of these instruments, but they are more than willing to sit in and add to the conversation.

Well yesterday was the first day that we had the workshop, and it was awesome!   There were 2 guys that showed up wanting learn the Banjo, and a gal wanting to learn the Fiddle.  So, I showed and had the guys practice frailing, and I think there was something in the air, because they picked up on that wicked fast!  Then I went and starting teaching the fiddle.  We practiced how to bow, and had her not focus so much on her fingers.  She too was amazing!  I had her practice Boil em cabbage down, and then I showed the guys how to barre chord the same song.  In a matter of an hour and a half we had decided to try it together.

One of the guys wife came in to see what was going on.  I grabbed my guitar, tuned it to an open G and showed her where to barre and just strum to the rhythm.  1, 2, 3… we were jamming out!  IT was unbelievable!

I mentioned that I would through a couple audios on site, and they can follow along to practice.  Any this is really turning out well.   We are planning to do it again in 2 weeks, and with a larger turnout.

I took my camera, but I found out that if the camera stays in the bag, it doesn’t take good pictures.  I will the next time, and I’ll send to you.

The other day I went and recorded me playing 3/4 time and I couldn’t remember what song I was trying to play.  Well, I liked the song, so I thought I would follow it with the fiddle and the harp improvising.  Then it dawned on me after I created a entirely new tune what song I was originally playing.  I slipped the original tune in there just to hear what it sounded like with it.  I just wanted to ask; is that metering?  Is that how I came up with this song?  What would you call this phenonium?  It’s kind of cool too because if you sing the original words to the tune I made up, it works.

Thanks for everything!
Benjamin

Mystery Song