First Gig
July 22, 2010
Andy in the UK writes:
hey Patrick
good to see you in the new office!
Lovin the banjitar too.
Here’s some video of our first public gig.
Ever since I picked up the banjo a couple of years ago I’ve been playing with some old punks and slowly converted em into the original punk sound of the string band. Well after jamming around for a while we got the chance to play at a recent festival in Yorkshire – The Deer shed Festival and we were the first act on the The Busk Stop Stage. It’s not great but we sure had fun!Cheers mate,
The Folk Process At Work
July 22, 2010
I love it when students go on to teach other folks.
-Patrick
Trevor writes:
Hi Patrick,
I started playing the guitar about two years ago, about the same time I lost the rest of my eyesight. They were offering a guitar class at the Braille Institute for beginning guitar. My wife encouraged me to go, and I was very reluctant at first. I had never picked up a musical instrument before this class. I gave it a shot and fell in love playing. It was a great way to express myself and a great hobby for someone who can’t see.
I’m not going to have a record deal anytime soon, but I’m getting pretty good at the guitar, and for about the last year the class I am taking has not accepted new students, so the guitar teacher (Ron, who volunteers his time and is also visually impaired) is going to open up a new class to new beginning students. When I heard this I remembered something that I read in your books and heard on your DVDs –that the only thing the people who taught you asked you to do is pass it along to others. I volunteered after class to help Ron out with the class as it’s him with10 to 15 sstudents. So, next semester I will be helping other visually impaired people learn the guitar.
I wanted to thank you for helping me to learn the banjo and planting this seed to give music back to others. I’m really looking forward to helping others learn the craft.
Hope your moving is going well and you are healing up from your surgery.
Thanks,
Trevor
