Newbies and Lurkers - Start Here

[andyl]

Ok. I am a bit of a LURKER. I think all musicians "would be" are little lurkers. The wonderfull thing about music is, you can be who the hell you like.
Ok, i'm Andy, I live in Derby UK. The first seven years of my life was spent in Canada. I'm 52 and am a deputy team leader at a local print firm, bin there 20 years. I have played the Sax in the past but have always loved the accoustic sound of strings. About three weeks ago i got a bee in my bonnet about that banjo i fell in love with as a boy, so on impulse i went to my local music store and got me one, a Ozark 2106G (I know) it plays. I tend to work on impulse lol. I am about to go to work on converting it to being an open back, thanks to the link Dougie gave me with Patrick showing how it's done, very informative. Any way before i end up writing my bio, thats me. I'm not a lurker anymore haha.
All the best to you all.
Andy.

[ned]

Good to get to know you Andy.
Ex lurkers make the best members,and now get on and enjoy that banjo.
Don't forget to share the journey with us.
Good luck!
Pete

[andyl]

Thanks Pete. Its realy good to know you to. Being an Ex lurker lol i hope to be a good member. As for keeping updated with the journey - how long have i got lol. Realy looking forward tho. Thanks for the welcome. The nicest and best people on the planet are musical.
Thanks.
Andy.

[johnhop]

Just joined the forum today.
Play guitar and mandolin and waiting to take delivery of a new octave mandola.
Have not played seriously for about 35 years but really looking forward to the new challenge of an octave.
I live in rural East Sussex and am involved in the hop / brewing industry. Dirty job but has to be done!

[ned]

WOW A true folk hero at last!
Welcome John, and I hope you will let us all in on the mysteries of Fuggles, and Goldings Etc.
Don't forget to give us a listen to your music as well.
Good luck with the Octave wrestling, should be fun!
Pete

[Danny]

Welcome aboard John,

I'd love an octave mandola, but this beauty has captured my heart of late (er, can't link directly, it's the bazouki available here www.moonguitars.co.uk/moonhome.html)

A genuine honest to god English, beer brewing folk musician, I think you're my new hero John!

Welcome to my humble little website, pull up a chair, you can get the beer ;D

Danny

[johnhop]

Just wanted to say thank you for the kind words of welcome.
If any members want any advice on brewing or would like some hops for that "special" brew, just let me know as I will do my best to help.
Still waiting for the Octave Mandola by the way....should be with me in the next couple of days.
Had a look at the Moon 'zouk...looks wonderful.

[ned]

Waiting for the new baby is always a difficult time John. Enjoy her when she arrives, and give us the pleasure of hearing her if you feel brave enough!
I would like to tap into your day job memory in a P M if you don't mind.
Best wishes
Pete

[Danny]

Hi John

Hope the latest addition arrives soon and is everything you're hoping for. I'm saving up for the Bazouki, i'm only £745 short

[reels]

Hi John, welcome. I've been brewing in the last couple of years myself, made some cider type brews with pears and apples from the garden and they turned very suprisingly nice. Would like to try beer at some point, is it much more difficult?

[johnhop]

Good Morning Reels,
It is not difficult to brew a decent beer.
Cider and beer have much in common...but unfortunately, it is not hops!
Having said that, I used to supply a cider maker in Canada with hop extract and his cider was fantastic.
Let me know in a PM what you would like to know and I would be pleased to help.
Cheers,
John

[johnhop]

The new baby has arrived!
Strung completley wrongly...but new strings are to hand.
The long journey starts this evening.
John

[lilfolkdup]

Well, I got a very kind invite to come and join in the UK folkies. And I am here and I am very excited to start rubbing elbows with some pretty fine musicians. I don't have a clue where to start. I was going to reply to a couple submits and I noticed that the dates were a year ago. I have really enjoyed the great sense of humor and sense of comradeship. I think I am going to enjoy this!

Any advise on where to start...?

Thanks guys!

Benjamin

[phil]

Hiya everybody. I'm Phil and I live near Hinckley in Leicestershire. Tried playing acoustic guitar as a kid, but got fed up after playing "Row, row, row your boat" solidly for three months and still sounding total rubbish. S I gave up on playing music until a couple of years ago when I heard that ukuleles are fun and easy to play. It turns out that they are, and after getting a nice little Mahalo uke from the guy down the local music shop I had a nice time playing my uke to myself late at night. Got a bit better than totally useless and also got a few more ukes. But there just don't seem to be any teachers locally for the uke and few other players locally. Then I had to go and see the Costello's lessons on Youtube and I had to go get a cheap banjo didn't I.

Hooked!

So now I have been playing for about 4 -5 months, and am having lessons from the same guy down the local music shop - Paul Tebbut of Fiddlers Green - who, it turns out is not only a terrific player of clawhammer banjo, but an excellent teacher too.

This board looks like just the right place to hang out in, the other banjo ones are great but not very local.

Cheers!

Phil

[Danny]

Welcome aboard Phil, your story is similar to many others I've heard here and hereabouts

Everyones real friendly so come on in

Danny