Four years ago, I bought a five-string banjo. I had discovered the joy of bluegrass music and loved the sound of the banjo in it. I’ve been playing the guitar most of my life and finger-pick quite a lot, so I thought, How hard could it be to learn the banjo? I started with someContinue reading “Giving up”
Tag Archives: music
Banjo
This is my new year resolution.There are many worthwhile issues in my life and my behaviour that I could address and maybe, by so doing, make a little positive difference to the world. But, as Rose Schneiderman put it, “The worker must have bread, but she must have roses too.” So I’m going to learnContinue reading “Banjo”
Why don’t I get out into the countryside more often?
On Monday, it was my day off. My older son (just back from university for Easter) and I set out on our bikes. We went down to the sea-front, along the eastern arm of Shoreham Harbour and crossed at the lock gates. At Shoreham, we turned up the old railway line, now a trackway, andContinue reading “Why don’t I get out into the countryside more often?”
Spring
Spring is springing in the Mabbsonsea garden. Click on the link to see some photos … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUb1SLHMF50
In praise of cassette tape
This weekend marks 50 years of the humble cassette tape. These days, we only have one cassette machine. iTunes has changed my life, but it always feels, somehow, a little grey and flat. In the olden days, I made a lot of cassette recordings. To begin with, I used our battery-powered portable recorder, and placedContinue reading “In praise of cassette tape”
Greenbelt
We all went to the Greenbelt festival last weekend and had a great time. Highlights for me were hearing Graham Kendrick singing – on our wedding anniversary – one of the songs we had in our wedding service; night prayer under the night sky, accompanied by a celtic harp; doing some Sacred Harp singing (beautiful!);Continue reading “Greenbelt”
With my little ukulele in my hand
I bought my little ukulele about two years ago, with some money left to me by my late father-in-law. If I’d known how much pleasure it would bring me, I’d have bought one years ago. I don’t know what it is about a ukulele that makes you feel good, but it works. I have enjoyedContinue reading “With my little ukulele in my hand”
The sound of drums
The garden is an oasis of peace and quiet. As I walk down it, often I can feel the stress falling away. When I had my little breakdown three years ago, the garden was a great source of healing. My habit most mornings is to sit down at the end of the garden with aContinue reading “The sound of drums”
Out with the old, in with the new
This past week I had to say goodbye to two faithful old companions. The first was my fault. At Easter, I took my lovely 6-string guitar out into the driving rain to play at an early morning outdoor service. It’s never been the same since, and in particular, won’t keep tune. So, after 25 yearsContinue reading “Out with the old, in with the new”
Alex Mabbs 