Playing music has been an important part of my life since I received a Gene Autry guitar for Christmas when I was in 5th or 6th grade.
I taught myself, then in high school took up the 5-string banjo, using Pete Seeger's new instruction book. Banjo was my instrument of choice through the Army and early grad school, playing in the Seeger style.
Then I discovered the 12-string guitar, got a deal on one from a faculty colleague, and for decades thereafter, the instrument was an appendage, going everywhere with me. I sang for my dinner, I sang at parties, I sang in classrooms, I was as much folksinger as writer.
I stopped taking the guitar everywhere after my divorce and return to the northwest in the late 70s. But I still played regularly. I put together RAMBLIN', my appreciation of Woody Guthrie, in 1979, got great grant support through the 80s, toured everywhere from Seattle to LA, revived it with a second musician, the late Jim Wylie, and continued playing into the 21st century.
In retirement I went back to the banjo. But this time I was determined to learn clawhammer, not play in the Seeger style. I had failed to teach myself the method so now took lessons. I cam out, after taking Clawhammer I and II, a decent low end player.
When I heard gut strings on a banjo, I switched immediately. Then I heard someone play clawhammer ukulele. This was my sound in old age! I bought a decent instrument made by a classical guitar company in Portugal. I expected to play clawhammer ukulele, then, for the rest of my days.
This was not to be. Arthritis in my hands, especially the left one, brought my ukulele playing days to an end. I saw this coming and recorded my three favorite tunes while I still could.
I still wanted music in my life. I had played diatonic harmonica on a rack for years. Now I went to the chromatic, to play the great American songbook. And that's where I am today. Not learning new songs as regularly as I should but this is my instrument. Theoretically if I can breathe, I can play! We'll see ha ha.
Here are the clawhammer tunes.
I taught myself, then in high school took up the 5-string banjo, using Pete Seeger's new instruction book. Banjo was my instrument of choice through the Army and early grad school, playing in the Seeger style.
Then I discovered the 12-string guitar, got a deal on one from a faculty colleague, and for decades thereafter, the instrument was an appendage, going everywhere with me. I sang for my dinner, I sang at parties, I sang in classrooms, I was as much folksinger as writer.
I stopped taking the guitar everywhere after my divorce and return to the northwest in the late 70s. But I still played regularly. I put together RAMBLIN', my appreciation of Woody Guthrie, in 1979, got great grant support through the 80s, toured everywhere from Seattle to LA, revived it with a second musician, the late Jim Wylie, and continued playing into the 21st century.
In retirement I went back to the banjo. But this time I was determined to learn clawhammer, not play in the Seeger style. I had failed to teach myself the method so now took lessons. I cam out, after taking Clawhammer I and II, a decent low end player.
When I heard gut strings on a banjo, I switched immediately. Then I heard someone play clawhammer ukulele. This was my sound in old age! I bought a decent instrument made by a classical guitar company in Portugal. I expected to play clawhammer ukulele, then, for the rest of my days.
This was not to be. Arthritis in my hands, especially the left one, brought my ukulele playing days to an end. I saw this coming and recorded my three favorite tunes while I still could.
I still wanted music in my life. I had played diatonic harmonica on a rack for years. Now I went to the chromatic, to play the great American songbook. And that's where I am today. Not learning new songs as regularly as I should but this is my instrument. Theoretically if I can breathe, I can play! We'll see ha ha.
Here are the clawhammer tunes.
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