While I was at Middle School I got my first electric guitar. It was quite a spontaneous act. I was 12 and on holiday with my parents in Bournemouth and was passing a music shop. I originally went in to buy some sheet music, but on the wall was a Tele-type Japanese copy in glorious sunburst. It played like a dream. It was new and cost £23. This was 1972. A great guitar, but one slight problem... I didn't have an amplifier! The solution was a 15watt, second hand, valve amp with tremolo. It was very portable and had an integrated 10" speaker. So for just under £50, I had a fairly decent electric guitar and amplifier. The guitar survived until the early 1990's when it was sold at a car boot sale. The amp was given away to a friend when I purchased a Yamaha JX40 amp in the early 1980's - a decision I have resented ever since. It had an amazing tone. I really didn't appreciate how lucky I was.
It was at this point I realised that you could also make up songs. Ok, I know that this seems a little obvious, but up to then I played the songs that I had heard on Top of the Pops or the Old Grey Whistle Test. So, with a guitar, pen and paper I started scribbling tunes and words down. The main problem was a lack of musical knowledge (I had played recorder for a few years so could read music, a little). I could string three or four chords together, but didn't realise why a certain chord went with another. The theory would have to wait. I was going to High School.
But soon I would form a band...
Monday, 27 May 2013
Windsor Arms
Firstly, thanks to Trudie and the Windsor Arms for a lovely open mic (Saturday, 25th).
So, what else has been happening?
The North Devon Publishing Project appears to be gaining momentum. Also, there should be an initial meeting of the North Devon Songwriters very soon. For more information on this look at the blog.
So, what else has been happening?
The North Devon Publishing Project appears to be gaining momentum. Also, there should be an initial meeting of the North Devon Songwriters very soon. For more information on this look at the blog.
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Songwriting Workshop
29th April 2013 - Song Writing Workshop
My thanks to Tom and Barbara at the Shammick Music Club (Combe Martin) for arranging an amazing song writing workshop, hosted by Mike Silver (http://mikesilver.jigsy.com/gig-guide). It covered why write songs, where do we get inspiration from and song structure and performance. There was a lot of conversation between the attendees too. A real treat was to meet Dave Goulder (songwriter and performer), writer of one of my favourite songs that June Tabor sings. The Easter Tree.
My thanks to Tom and Barbara at the Shammick Music Club (Combe Martin) for arranging an amazing song writing workshop, hosted by Mike Silver (http://mikesilver.jigsy.com/gig-guide). It covered why write songs, where do we get inspiration from and song structure and performance. There was a lot of conversation between the attendees too. A real treat was to meet Dave Goulder (songwriter and performer), writer of one of my favourite songs that June Tabor sings. The Easter Tree.
Friday, 12 April 2013
Playing in public for the first time
After mastering three or four chords and being able to put them together, I was ready to take on the world! I was in possession of a classical guitar and for my birthday I was fortunate to receive a 12 string guitar (I did choose it). I would have liked an EKO 12 string but these were way beyond my birthday budget. I had this 12 string for many years, and in that time it served me well. It was resprayed several times and had a pickup added, as well as being use as a 6 string on several occasions.
Just as I obtained this new instrument, the guitar group was asked to play a couple of songs in a concert at the school. This would have been in 1972. I can't remember the actual repertoire we performed, other than it included 'My Sweet Lord', by George Harrision. Ok, I know that he ripped it off from 'He's So Fine', but that is another story. To this day I cannot listen to this song without remembering the event and the chords! A minor to D, then G ro E minor. As we were all pretty shy nobody would get up and sing the lyrics, so three of us played the main rhythm and Steve, who happened to own a 'Galaxie' electric guitar, played the lead part. It went well and most of the time we were playing the correct chords in time with each other.
It would not be until high school that I would take to the stage again.
After the minor success of this performance, I was keen to learn more songs and expand my playing ability. I carried on having guitar lessons at school, but realised that I needed to play and study more at home. At this time I also got into playing drums. I was fortunate to have a basic drum set, purchased by my parents, to encourage me, consisting of a bass drum, snare, hi-hat, tom-tom and cymbal). The practicing must have really annoyed my parents. One thing I can tell you is that I am definately not a kit drummer. Hand drums yes, but kits, no.
So back to the nylon string and 12 string guitars. Even to this day I love the sound of a 12 string and a few years ago purchased a Vintage one. First thing I played... yes My Sweet Lord, then the opening to Hotel California. A bit of a cliche, but that sound!
Just as I obtained this new instrument, the guitar group was asked to play a couple of songs in a concert at the school. This would have been in 1972. I can't remember the actual repertoire we performed, other than it included 'My Sweet Lord', by George Harrision. Ok, I know that he ripped it off from 'He's So Fine', but that is another story. To this day I cannot listen to this song without remembering the event and the chords! A minor to D, then G ro E minor. As we were all pretty shy nobody would get up and sing the lyrics, so three of us played the main rhythm and Steve, who happened to own a 'Galaxie' electric guitar, played the lead part. It went well and most of the time we were playing the correct chords in time with each other.
It would not be until high school that I would take to the stage again.
After the minor success of this performance, I was keen to learn more songs and expand my playing ability. I carried on having guitar lessons at school, but realised that I needed to play and study more at home. At this time I also got into playing drums. I was fortunate to have a basic drum set, purchased by my parents, to encourage me, consisting of a bass drum, snare, hi-hat, tom-tom and cymbal). The practicing must have really annoyed my parents. One thing I can tell you is that I am definately not a kit drummer. Hand drums yes, but kits, no.
So back to the nylon string and 12 string guitars. Even to this day I love the sound of a 12 string and a few years ago purchased a Vintage one. First thing I played... yes My Sweet Lord, then the opening to Hotel California. A bit of a cliche, but that sound!
Sunday, 18 November 2012
So, where did it all start?
Having moved from London to the Isle of Wight when I was 11, I joined the new throng that entered the Comprehensive schooling system. New town, new school, new education system. Hmm.
There was quite a difference between the primary school that I was used to in London and the middle school of Bembridge. For the first year I was there, we only had a single years worth of children, about 60 or so in total. It was a brand new school and was all very relaxed. We had a progressive headmaster that encouraged children to follow their artistic and sporting pastimes and introduced us all to the exciting option of Thursday afternoon 'clubs'. We all got the opportunity to further our crafts and hobbies, or try new ones. So I started Sailing, something I was to go on and do for the next thirty years and learn to play the Guitar!
I had a lovely teacher called Ron Cahill, who played in local folk clubs and he was to be my inspiration. First thing to do was buy a guitar. I had £10, and one Saturday took the bus to Newport (Teagues, the Island's music shop). They had several nylon string guitars, starting at about £8 and going upwards from there. I was advised to try a £13 guitar. Slight problem, I couldn't play one. So I relied on the salesman to let me hear it. I got to know that assistant (can't recall his name now) really well over the years and he gave me lots of advice on buying guitars and types of strings to suit my playing style, but more of that later. £3 was borrowed from my mother and I went home with a new guitar and a tutor book. A guitar case would have to wait, along with spare strings. I was 11. It was the start of a passion for playing music that has continued all my life.
There was quite a difference between the primary school that I was used to in London and the middle school of Bembridge. For the first year I was there, we only had a single years worth of children, about 60 or so in total. It was a brand new school and was all very relaxed. We had a progressive headmaster that encouraged children to follow their artistic and sporting pastimes and introduced us all to the exciting option of Thursday afternoon 'clubs'. We all got the opportunity to further our crafts and hobbies, or try new ones. So I started Sailing, something I was to go on and do for the next thirty years and learn to play the Guitar!
I had a lovely teacher called Ron Cahill, who played in local folk clubs and he was to be my inspiration. First thing to do was buy a guitar. I had £10, and one Saturday took the bus to Newport (Teagues, the Island's music shop). They had several nylon string guitars, starting at about £8 and going upwards from there. I was advised to try a £13 guitar. Slight problem, I couldn't play one. So I relied on the salesman to let me hear it. I got to know that assistant (can't recall his name now) really well over the years and he gave me lots of advice on buying guitars and types of strings to suit my playing style, but more of that later. £3 was borrowed from my mother and I went home with a new guitar and a tutor book. A guitar case would have to wait, along with spare strings. I was 11. It was the start of a passion for playing music that has continued all my life.
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