KYSLOWFINGERS - Posted - 04/17/2019:  07:00:24

Graduated from my first Wernick Method Jam class last night. I'm primarily a banjo player and that was my instrument for most of the classes. However, the last few classes they separate everyone into groups, to come up with songs for the final night, which is when the groups perform for everyone else. So, by chance, the night we were separated, I took along my mandolin to lead my rendition of Handsome Molly. I'm not a closet picker, how sad for those people, no, I'm a proud GARAGE picker, where I can perform for my dogs or the occasional family member who comes to the garage for a drink from our garage fridge or a trash bag, etc. LOL So, I play banjo, mandolin, guitar even, and sound like I should be in Nashville (yeah, right). In reality, I'm not a very sophisticated player on any instruments, but I can play simple tunes some. In the garage, I can nail Handsome Molly, but I've only played with one or two other people in my journey, never played an instrument till age 42, now 53. So, playing with 10 strangers was intimidating to say the least. I sang Molly okay, don't think I missed any words that is, but when I tried to take the simplest of breaks, it was like I had never touched a mandolin. So, when they separated us, they put me with a lot better banjo player. He said he would play guitar or mandolin, I said no, your breaks on the banjo sound a lot better than mine, and I can chop chords on the mandolin. I worked diligently on the chop for two weeks. I had only been a two finger chord player to that point. We did Shady Grove and High on a Mountain, and in the two weeks was able to learn a simple break to both. Shady Grove went well, I sang lead and my break was okay, the chord progression is super easy. High on a Mountain went okay, I flubbed up the break a little at the start, but recovered. It has a fairly challenging chord pattern, when played up to speed, which we were close. G-F-G-C-G-D-G, two beats each, I used three finger chop chords, no E string. I struggled, but first time playing in front of an audience, I give myself a C+. LOL Anyway, I highly recommend the class, actually starting same class with different instructor at the end of this month in Morehead, KY. I'll keep you posted.

Edited by - KYSLOWFINGERS on 04/17/2019 07:08:01

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 04/17/2019:  07:42:26

Congratulations.... First time out it is as much about just doing it as it is doing it well. We are at different ends of the scale musically but I still remember the first time I played guitar and sang in public like it was yesterday..... and it was fifty years ago. Play on sir ... and let your music out into the world ... R/

KYSLOWFINGERS - Posted - 04/17/2019:  08:01:25

Thanks Richard, I appreciate the kind words. It has definitely amped up my practice time, the need/want to get better is burning again. When I began my journey, I thought if I only could sit on the porch and pick Cripple Creek, I would be satisfied. And yes, I look back on that as an achievement, but I now see the music journey never ends, and I love it. I'll never get to your level, but as the old saying goes, I can do more than play the radio LOL Thanks man!