 By Chris Moreton
As guitar instructor I shared a week with a class of 15 guitar students and "had a fabulous time!" I've done many guitar-player workshops over the years, but this one was different. For a start, it was a great honour to be working alongside the likes of Jody Stecher (fiddle, O.T. banjo), Kate Brislin (vocals), Lynn Morris (BG banjo), Leon Hunt (BG banjo II) and Butch Baldassari (mandolin), all of whom have world-wide reputations! I had received individual completed questionnaires so I knew in advance the hopes, abilities and style of each student, which helped enormously in my advance planning. But next time I'd make sure they all had name badges – I spent the first day or so calling them by their guitar models! This was my first whole week of tuition to one class so I had to do a lot of preparation. That provided a superb learning opportunity for myself as well as letting me give each student a bound copy of my course notes for reference. There was a wide range of styles, abilities and ages, from a very wide area – for example, classical guitarist John Watkins (who gave a delightful recital 'out of class') and, from Co.Dublin, Pat Sheeran, who could play Irish, Bluegrass and Folk styles. Both had been playing for over 30 years. Teenagers included Neil Thompson, a heavy metal guitarist from Co.Durham and E.Susex's Sam Nesbett, a Tony Rice freak who gained the 'Student of the Week' award – well done, Sam! Suzanne Lawrence was our only female member. The questionnaire results were invaluable in deciding the subject matter covered in the 'guitar camp'. For our first session we listened to records, exploring the work of the pioneers of flat- picking in a Bluegrass context. These included George Shuffler, Don Reno, Doc Watson, Clarence White, Norman Blake and Tony Rice. Mark O'Connor's World Flat-Picking Championship piece Dixie Breakdown, on his album Pickin' In The Wind, drew gasps of amazement, especially when I pointed out that it was recorded live at Winfield some 20 years ago, when he was only 13! We had to listen to it several times. We had a visit from my friend, Cheltenham-based Jazz guitarist John Vickers, who helped demonstrate the use of alternative chords & progressions, and we visited the concert hall to explore microphone & PA system techniques with John Wirtz. Other topics covered were: '1 to 1' sessions, both with and without the class looking on; right and left hand techniques; improvising up the neck; working out base runs; learning tunes from records; using tab; ear training; jam sessions; discussion groups; the sharing of ideas. The week had been structured in such a way as to encourage participants to form 'scratch bands' between classes, in preparation for a Grand Concert on Friday night (with an award for the band with the wittiest name!) On day one I found that many either didn't want the 'limelight' or were unable to keep up, and other tutors found the same. It was decided that I should provide a slow jam session while the other tutors helped supervise the scratch bands that were being formed by those who felt comfortable with the idea. I arrived at the first slow jam session to find a packed room (jam-packed?), with banjo players outnumbering the rest of us by about 3 to 1. I thought "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" and played my banjo for the first tune, but by popular demand, used the guitar for the rest of the session. I took along my trusty chords flip-chart, from which we worked. We were fortunate to have mandolinist Ray, with his 500 watt voice, as volunteer vocalist. He was the only one who could sing over 20 or so banjos!! We had such a good time that we kept the sessions and by Friday had elected a medley of songs and put a set together for the concert, starting with Duelling Banjos (me vs. everyone else!) We kicked off the concert and probably outnumbered the audience, but that only boosted confidence further. Well done, all members of the "Kingham Hill Sloe Jam Jellies Youth Ensemble Bluegrass Rig"! The concert continued most enjoyably with some very professional-sounding scratch bands. During the weeks I had the opportunity to get together with Butch Baldassari for a 'quick' session that turned into an hour-long jam, which helped boost my confidence for what was to come. Butch has a surprising liking for all the good old standards. When the tutors planned their Saturday Night Concert Jody particularly wanted us to do the bulk of the show as a band, with himself, Kate and Lynn providing vocals, plus draughtee Sam on bass (he did a great job). I was excited by the phenomenally high standard of the musicians I was teamed up with. My hands perspired so much during the 2 hours rehearsal that I knocked out the new set of strings I had put on ready for the Concert. I have to admit that I was as nervous as hell, yet high as a kite! Towards the end of the show I did a duo spot with Butch and, getting through my part, felt that I had excelled myself…. then sat on a chair which fell off the back of the stage! (Thanks again, Butch, for helping me back up!) Driving home next day I felt overwhelmingly tired. I just couldn't keep my eyes open so pulled into a lay-by and fell asleep, dreaming of being a professional Bluegrass musician… one day… Chris Moreton, Usk. Note: Chris included a 'Thanks to all' list that was too long to print in the Newsletter.
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