Wednesday Music Moment: The Night The Master Comes
March 31, 2010
Dougie in Scotland sent a whole list of potential videos this week, but this one featuring Ulrich Roth just stood out as a near-perfect Wednesday Music Moment.
Clownhammer
March 31, 2010
Carlos in Spain demonstrates clownhammer banjo technique.
He also has some updates on the ukekids at his web site: http://miukelele.com/
Cigar Box Slide
March 31, 2010
Anthony in the UK writes:
Hi Patrick and dear old dad,
My name is Anthony and I live over here in the UK. I just wanted to write to you and say thanks. I started learning frailing off you guys a while back. Since then I’ve been out busking in Sheffield city and had a ball. You guys also turned me on to cigar box instruments (you got a Papa’s boxes cigar box banjo and showed it in a workshop ages ago). Because of this, I have built a whole load of these fun guitars (a banjo, a uke, three stringers, tenor guitars) and been introduced to a great community of people at cigarboxnation. We had the first ever UK cigar box guitar festival in Birmingham last October, and had a fantastic time of sharing and playing, where I made a load of new friends. Its become a new addiction! The only problem is, I play my banjo less!
You guys also got a mention on cigarboxnation from a guy pointing people in the direction of your workshops to learn chords and that to transfer the skills over onto a cigar box guitar. Its funny how things come full circle isn’t it?
hope you guys are well, just wanted to say thanks for your generosity.
A bird in the hand . . .
March 31, 2010
I had to get a wisdom tooth pulled yesterday. I was dreading it so I stopped at Brick Kiln with my camera and some bread for the seagulls. While I was there not one but two birds of prey – a bald eagle and an osprey (and the osprey was clutching a huge fish!) – flew by close enough to touch and both times my camera wouldn’t focus fast enough to get a good shot.
It was a little disappointing, but in spite of not getting the picture it was wonderful to see those majestic birds flying over the Chesapeake!
Marissa
March 31, 2010
Marissa has posted a few new podcasts including some news about the recent five-day power outage in her neighborhood.
Postcard from Alaska
March 31, 2010
Orin in Petersburg, Alaska writes:
I’ve been frailing away now for around two years, and throughout the first year your videos and books were my main source of instruction and knowledge. I’ve got many years of enjoying learning to play ahead of me. Thanks to the quick progress i’ve made because of your help in getting some of the basics down every day its more fun to play.
Here’s a little video made this morning as a message of my gratitude.
John Henry
March 31, 2010
Steven writes:
Hi Patrick,
Glad you had a great weekend. Ours was fun as well. Out in the farm towns of nothern Illinois it feels like the long winter hibernation has come to an end. I Thought I’d pass along a quick clip of me playing “John Henry” this morning. It’s one of those songs that I’ve wanted to learn for a while and I’m just getting smooth.
Digitech for folk singers…
March 31, 2010
Steve in Ohio writes:
Hi Patrick,
Hope your 40th was a fine one. Glad you and Pat are resting up and taking time to take it easy. Lookin’ forward to my copy of Songs for Sunday. There’s a lotta songs in there that bring me back to my youth.
I wanted to share this (yeah, I know, I say that too often these days): My wife picked up one of those Digitech JamMan looping deals for me and finally, FINALLY, I can jam along with the banjo the way I always wanted. I’m still rough as rough, but out of the gate it’s crazy fun. I can’t recommend this enough for ever’one who plays folk music.
It’s really forcing me to work around the neck more on the banjo, believe it or not!
Life begins
March 30, 2010
I spent a wonderful weekend with my sweetheart. We made a quick run to Washington DC to visit the Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It seemed right to take time on my birthday to remember the men and women who made it possible for me to live in such a wonderful country.
It was also really nice seeing the cherry blossoms with my sweetheart 
Dear Old Dad is feeling a lot better. The doctor says his back is starting to heal. We are going to be busy all week getting ready to ship Songs For Sunday. Life is good.
40
March 25, 2010
It’s amazing. On my 40th birthday I can hear the birds singing in the pecan tree out back.
This is the first birthday with birdsong I have experienced in a long time.
It’s also Maryland’s Birthday. That just tickles me to no end.
To properly celebrate Maryland Day I would suggest watching The Wire with a calico cat on your lap. Maybe get your true love some black-eyed susans. Smith Island Cake is appropriate, but chocolate mayonnaise cake is still my favorite.
I don’t have anything deep or meaningful to say about turning 40 except that between my hearing and my sweetheart I think life truly does begin at this age.
I’m hitting the road in a couple of hours to spend the weekend with my sweetheart (her birthday is on Sunday – how cool is that?) (and she made me a chocolate mayonnaise cake – joy!). Dear Old Dad is still having trouble with his back so there won’t be any posts or comments uploaded until Monday or Tuesday.
Happy Maryland Day, everybody!
-Patrick
Keepsakes
March 24, 2010
I decided not to renew my Flickr Pro account. It’s a good service, but I want to change how I archive and display my pictures.
Anyway, closing my account means 90% of my old pictures are now unavailable for viewing.
I thought it would be fun to post a handful of my favorite shots here. No need for all of them to go offline. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday Music Moment: Bollywood Superman
March 24, 2010
Not to be confused with Turkish Superman.
Fanfare for the Uncommon Man (Happy Birthday)
March 23, 2010
Chris in the UK writes:
Hi Patrick,
Happy Birthday!
Here’s an Old Master painting of the Young Maestro at work, currently on show at the Louvre in Paree. The likeness is extraordinary, don’t you think?
Also, the Kings of Perfection have gone all orchestral and bring you this fanfare to celebrate the day.Have a great time,
Chris
ps
Best wishes to DOD
pps. Useless Information Newsflash:
The title “Orchestral for a Knave” is from a book that’s quite famous over here, called “A Kestral for a Knave”.
Geddit?
Orchestral For A Knave
Boil ‘em Creek
March 23, 2010
Two ukulele tunes from Joel in Canada.
Joel writes:
I’ve been playing ukulele for about 6 months and have just discovered the idea of trying to adopt clawhammer to the ukulele and I have fallen completely in love with the concept.
Superstars
March 23, 2010
Peter in the UK writes:
Hi mate
Just been watching all the recent posts,and normally I just comment on each: However I am so impressed with the wealth of talent that your site attracts that I thought ; why not say ,that all the music and players that you have encouraged mean so much more to me than any (produced ) music that is financially driven.
We see a variety of styles ,which all seem to blend and compliment each other, with no androgenous dross — Just an obvious love of music, and the willingness to share it.
Keep at it young Sir cos it seems to be just right.
Love to all.
PetePS If Our Cedric disagrees I’ll eat his hat.
