adgefan
Apr-20-2009, 5:09am
I am currently recovering from a week at Sore Fingers bluegrass camp here in sunny England. I have been six times now, but this ranks as one of the best (but then I say that every year...).
I received 5 days tuition from Mike Marshall who is, quite simply, the finest teacher I have ever had for mandolin. He is also possibly the best teacher I have had for any subject - he has such infectious enthusiasm which, when coupled with his almost infinite knowledge of music, makes for one incredible learning experience. My head is still spinning from all the information he has passed on, and if I only learn 1/10th of what he taught I will become a far better musician.
Mike was very complimentary about my mandolin, he said he wanted it but when I offered a trade for his Loar he didn't seem to take the offer seriously...
Add to the class time 6 nights of non-stop jamming and partying and you have the best week of the year. On the last night I played in a massive jam which also included Casey Driessen, Eric Thorin and Ron Block. I was too far gone to play lead but even playing back up for those chaps was quite amazing!
Anyone looking for the ultimate bluegrass fix and a week of total immersion in music should try out Sore Fingers at least once...and you'll probably get addicted like the rest of us. I took a load of photos - will try and add them to my profile asap.
I received 5 days tuition from Mike Marshall who is, quite simply, the finest teacher I have ever had for mandolin. He is also possibly the best teacher I have had for any subject - he has such infectious enthusiasm which, when coupled with his almost infinite knowledge of music, makes for one incredible learning experience. My head is still spinning from all the information he has passed on, and if I only learn 1/10th of what he taught I will become a far better musician.
Mike was very complimentary about my mandolin, he said he wanted it but when I offered a trade for his Loar he didn't seem to take the offer seriously...
Add to the class time 6 nights of non-stop jamming and partying and you have the best week of the year. On the last night I played in a massive jam which also included Casey Driessen, Eric Thorin and Ron Block. I was too far gone to play lead but even playing back up for those chaps was quite amazing!
Anyone looking for the ultimate bluegrass fix and a week of total immersion in music should try out Sore Fingers at least once...and you'll probably get addicted like the rest of us. I took a load of photos - will try and add them to my profile asap.