A place for former and current students of Fiddlin Al to post videos of their progress, share comments and ask questions.

51 Members, Created 2/18/2013 -

Administrators: MiG-19 (owner)

New member

From Quatsino on 4/13/2013 11:20:17 PM

Hi all;

     I got my first banjo at age 1 month short of 69, which I realize was a little dumb on my part - I should have done this about 60 years earlier!  I've been picking for 4 1/2 years now, and I started lessons with Al 1 year ago (Al's oldest student?)  I live in the Great White North (well not really - Victoria, BC).  A year and a half ago, my wife and I made a trip across the USA to the east coast, and I visited 6 different banjo makers on our journey.  I ended up buying a Frank Neat mahogany Kentucky banjo.  What a "Neat"  banjo, and what great guys were Frank and Ricky Neat!  This is the same banjo that Sean Ray, (who is prominent on the Banjo Hangout) has.  Also the same as Al's student "caloscalzo".   I've learned an amazing amount of stuff from Al.  Of course, at my age, I learn one thing and forget a good deal of what I had learned previously.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I seem to be able to remember a hand full of tunes at one time (although, given a half hour or so, I may  be able to mostly relearn them - forgetting some other tune in the meantime!)  Lately, Al has been teaching me stuff in the key of C.  My latest song is one of my favourites - "Wild Indian" a Bill Emerson tune - I can play it about half as fast as Bill who is just on fire on this tune!  Backup in C is really fun too, and a challenge.

     We just got back from a trip in our small motor home down to Arizona and Southern California.  At Lake Havasu, Arizona, we literally stumbled across a bluegrass festival, featuring The Boxcars, and the Lonesome River Band.  What a great experience for us to see these great bands.  Not living in bluegrass country, it was exciting for us to see Ron Stewart and Sammy Shelor perform!

Robert

6 Comments
	MiG-19 says: 4/14/2013 3:14:05 AM Welcome Robert, and I can sympathize with you on forgetting things! I'm going to have to ask Al about Wild Indian, it's a great song.
	loukiii says: 4/14/2013 6:20:57 AM Great to have you. I just started doing key of C stuff myself. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself and that is what it's all about.
	G says: 4/14/2013 10:11:38 AM Welcome Robert ... from another Canadian Robert (wayy over in Newfoundland). Sounds like you're having fun, which - as loukii said - is the important thing!
	Quatsino says: 4/14/2013 1:31:47 PM Hey Rob: Newfoundland is the only province I haven't visited. Love to get there sometime soon! Robert
	thelongcarabine says: 4/14/2013 3:49:22 PM Hi Robert, Echoing your thoughts on remembering songs, glad to know its not just me. I'm not at a different key yet, does that help? C
	rogerped says: 4/16/2013 3:36:18 AM Hello Robert. I'm happy to learn that Al has a student older than I am. Like you I started to play at 69, two years ago. Like you, the song I learn today is hard to remember tomorrow. When Al says do the roll, sometimes he has to repeat before my brain can get my fingers to move. Anyway, I am enjoying the trip. Stay in touch.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

Page: 1  2  3  Last