Watching Dan Crary perform his old school bluegrass wizardry at a solo gig 12(ish) years ago nudged me firmly off on the humbling, frustrating but also wonderful musical journey I am now on. I say humbling and frustrating because for a long time I didn’t understand a key thing about the study of music. I would watch other musicians and wonder to myself why I couldn’t play as fast, as spontaneously, as cleanly or as knowledgably. Or I would wish I could sing as nicely or as tunefully(!) or with as sweet a timbre. But. Now. I understand that you have to be always content with what you CAN do as a musician and appreciate that there is always a place for you in the musical world so long as every time you play you do so with passion and sincerity. However, you should of course be aware of your weaknesses and strive to conquer them and in fact this part of the journey can often be the most magical..........
I’ve had many great moments performing with my friends including playing at two music festivals abroad (Folkest in Italy and the Anchorage Folk festival in Alaska). I’ve played in many places in the UK too with my old band Dulaman who no longer perform but who are still good friends able to reminisce at a moment’s notice. Lately I have been doing quite alot as a solo entity. I have done a few gigs in this way and also quite often turn up to local folk clubs and perform guerrilla styley. Playing solo has helped me to develop more confidence as a musician. Its an exciting and challenging discipline that forces you to be completely prepared in what you plan to perform as there are no other band members to fall back on........ I’m hungry for more gigs. And would devour those gigs happily either solo, with Chill Until Blue or with the Laura Beth Salter Trio.......
I’ve been teaching the guitar for 8 years now. I teach privately and in schools as part of an organisation called music for life (www.musicforlife.org.uk) that does astounding work providing children with opportunities to learn music in school and providing fantastic support to peripatetic tutors. I’ve also taught at Sore Fingers Summer Schools a few times (www.sorefingers.co.uk). This is a great event where you can study a number of different bluegrass disciplines in a fantastic environment with great tutors. I enjoy teaching and try to take an easygoing but informative approach to lessons. I have a reasonably strong emphasis on theory coming from the belief that if you learn the theory behind something you will be able to do that thing more quickly. I do try to make the theory relevant and fun though!
I have a frown. This isn’t a conscious thing it’s just something I have. It doesn’t usually mean I’m angry. Often my mind is devoid of thought and I am just staring blankly into space and my subconscious self, for whatever reason, decides that this is the best face to pull at such a moment. Don’t be scared. I like to think I’m quite a friendly person and if you come and say hello I may even smile.
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