Posted by Guy on Sunday, May 2, 2010
This year I was asked to teach the beginner's banjo course at Sore Fingers Summer School. It takes place at Easter every year, lasts a whole week and is held at Kingham Hill School in a very picturesque part of England known as the Cotswolds.
This was my seventh visit to Sore Fingers but my first as a tutor. I was very excited, it's a very rare thing, getting a whole week to share your knowledge and theories about making music in general and playing the banjo in particular with a group of people. I remember the year Noam Pikelny came over. He was just as excited and for the same reason. He explained that at the American banjo camps, you had a different class or tutor every day. He felt that given 5 days he could give us a much better understanding of his methods than he ever could in just one day. Just how right he was.
I was very lucky with my class, I had a dozen students ranging from Curtiss at just 10 years old to some who were officially retired. The class was very attentive seemed very appreciative of my efforts, including the course material I had put together for them. I like to think we all gained from the experience. I know I did. I would like to thank each and every one them for a very special week and one I will never forget.
As usual, there were many more highlights to the week. I won't list them all but to spend a week in the company of musicians like Tony Furtado, John Reischman, Brian Wicklund, Dan Crary, Eric Thorin, Mike Compton and Cathy Britell is just fantastic. When I listen to these people close up, either performing or sometimes just jamming in the bar along with the students, I feel the need to pinch myself, just in case I'm dreaming. I was also lucky with my fellow beginner tutors, Dan Norton, Eleanor Cross and Emily Cross.
Cathy Britell's husband John came along and took photos during the week including all the classes. I have posted some of them up on my homepage under the title Sore Fingers 2010.
All the best
Guy
8 comments on “More From Sore Fingers 2010. Plus some piccies...”
ragitty Says:
Sunday, May 2, 2010 @12:14:18 PM
Guy well done, you deserve the recognition for the work you do, and I don't expect that it is an easy task to teach a class of strangers all with differing abilities. :) but I am certain they would have benefitted from your experience.
Guy Says:
Monday, May 3, 2010 @5:32:39 AM
Hi Lee, thanks for your kind comments. I enjoyed every minute of it. I did a lot of work before hand to make sure that the content would suit a wide range of abilities. There was also enough in the way of handouts that people could take away and work on when they had more time. As you know, learning is an ongoing thing and I think that it is the learning that keeps us coming back for more.
All the best
Guy
TopCat Says:
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 @6:57:25 AM
Hey Guy, great blog and I'm glad that the teaching gig worked out well for you - you certainly seemed really chuffed and full of beans whenever I bumped into you on site! See you at a festival somewhere...Maria x
Guy Says:
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 @4:42:24 AM
Hi Maria,
yeah I did have the best time. Are you going to Coastline? I've been asked to teach guitar so it's a good excuse to go, I've planned to for years but never got round to it. I gather we're sharing a caravan at Cornwall. Good times!
Guy
TopCat Says:
Monday, May 10, 2010 @7:53:12 AM
Hi Guy, well hopefully we will be at Coastline but last year the weather was so cold we left on Saturday afternoon! So I will be watching the forecast first. We must be due a sunny one. It's a gorgeous spot & nice friendly vibe. Yes we will also see you at Cornwall & look fwd to van sharing and lots of good jamming! M
TopCat Says:
Monday, May 10, 2010 @7:53:13 AM
Hi Guy, well hopefully we will be at Coastline but last year the weather was so cold we left on Saturday afternoon! So I will be watching the forecast first. We must be due a sunny one. It's a gorgeous spot & nice friendly vibe. Yes we will also see you at Cornwall & look fwd to van sharing and lots of good jamming! M
TopCat Says:
Monday, May 10, 2010 @7:53:37 AM
oops, not sure how that double post happened, sorry
Guy Says:
Monday, May 10, 2010 @8:28:28 AM
I gather the weather was particularly bad last year... even for Wales. It's been pre-disastered now so we s/be alright (fingers and toes crossed!). It'll be great to see you.
Off to EWOB tomorrow! Yee haaa...
All the best
Guy
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