Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Labor Day Musings

Greetings Fellow Pickers! I really should be doing something constructive right now but here I am scrolling through the forum…

I am about to enter a extended period of string withdrawal…heading back to Italy for about 6 weeks. Better play when I can this week!

I recently attended a local “bluegrass jam class” hosted by a local music teacher. This was a very beginner level class (and even included ukelele’s…hmm…) but my objective was to find some other beginner-level types like me who want to get together and jam every once in a while. And what happened? SUCCESS! A fiddle player, bass, two banjos and the instructor (guitar, mandolin) have agreed to start jammin’ sometime in October. First one could be a trick for me since I will be coming back from Italy for a few days to drop my wife off and then heading back solo…but I’m hoping the timing works. I’m hoping we can do this a couple times a month, especially in the warm months. I have volunteered our patio; my wife says she’ll go to a hotel. (She’s not a bluegrass fan.) Anyway, the class was fun and I met my objective.

Well, best bet back to something productive. Hey, isn’t it time for some “string therapy” Yep…time for mandolin practice!

8 Likes

Where do you go to in Italy? Are you working there?
Five years ago I had a job that required me to go to Florence often. I’m pretty jealous. Start a bluegrass jam over there.

Are you familiar with The Truffle Valley Boys?

On this trip I’ve been in Puglia. Just finished a week of bicycling…was in Bari fir a week before that and am in Lecce till end of month. Going home for few days end of month to change out suitcase and return to Florence and then Sondrio till late Oct.

No work…I’m retired!

The jam is a good idea….

Have not heard of the Truffle Valley Boys…