BLUES WEEK 2010

[Michael Messer]

Thanks to everyone who came to my classes.

I hope you enjoyed the lessons and the other musical activities as much as I did?

I am always interested to hear from Blues Week students, getting feedback helps me to evaluate what we achieved and to improve future classes.

Apart from a couple of moments of forgetfulness on my part that were the result of severe sleep deprivation (!!!!), I thought it was a very successful week of classes. The standard of playing was exceptionally high and the performance at the student concert was excellent.

If anyone has any questions related to our lessons, please don't hesitate to ask.

Shine On
Michael.

[mynameisearl]

Given the choice Blues Week is probably the last place you would want your National Estralita cone to collapse. Well, in hindsight…..NO!
A week of intense sliding ahead and then “buzzzz” “buzzzz” I cant get a decent note out of it! It wasn’t the hangover or lack of sleep….I checked.
So time to default to a higher authority….Michael Messer. I have never dared to open her up before but with MM on the case, who better! Yep…the cone has collapsed! Oh no!
I was then informed that Bob Long from Dave King guitars was visiting Blues Week the next day. Brilliant, a phone call to Dave King confirmed he had the right cone, it could be drilled for a pick-up and would arrive with Bob that evening.
Estralita open-heart surgery started on the kitchen table at midnight. Richard, Graham and Michael, all supplied knowledge, advice, tools, soldering iron etc. Within an hour the patient was revived, immediately put to some random jamming and now sings like a bird!
Better than ever!

The point of this tale is:
A: to say thanks to Bob, Michael, Richard and Graham for their help
C: to say I was exceptionally lucky and appreciate the outstanding support from my Blues Week colleagues
B: to say well “where else could that happen but Blues Week?”

I had a great week and Blues Week just gets better and better!
Michael, the class was great as usual. I think a "lick of the day" might be a good addition to the class. Analysing top players styles and tricks maybe.
I learnt a lot from the jams this year ....or maybe I just drank more! Standby for further broadcasts regarding performers with cheese-related names!!!!!!

[ken1953clark]

Well the hour long vamping sessions certainly improved my stamina if not my accuracy

Seriously though it was great. I liked the split between beginner/intermediate and Intermediate/advanced classes and the fact that there were 3 slide tutors. Homesick Mac and yourself concentrating on technique and Rich DelGrosso on repertoire. An added bonus was sensible class sizes for slide, thanks to Kenny Sultan and John Miller's being such a huge draw, I tried a couple and it was madness

I must say that the student concerts were excellent (yes the staff one was as well) in content and performance. Some really good stuff.

So Blues Week result...
Accommodation: Adequate but the beds were awful!
Food: Good, much better than expected
Tuition: Excellent and varied
Nightlife: Well everyone seemed to have a good time. I'm getting to old for that ****, still jamming at 6 in the morning!

Hats of to EBA. A great time had by all, though I was exhausted by Friday afternoon. Brain overflow.

[Michael Messer]

Thanks Stuart & Ken. Some interesting feedback there.

A lick of the Day is a good idea. Let's put that in for next year.

I am happy to analyse a particular player's style, even look at a player a day. But I would not want to alienate anyone from coming to the classes, and I kind of like the way the classes are led by the way we feel at the time and what we are discussing.

I do think repertoire is important, but I do not think it is as important as a learning tool as technique and actually playing. I think we covered a lot of ground and everyone, including me, learnt a lot from the sessions.

I do agree about the beds, but mine was okay this year. At least we all have our own room and en suite bathrooms. Apparently many of the US music camps have dormitories and open showers. I grew out of that when I was about 12 and am not sure I could handle it.

I am pleased you enjoyed the week and Stuart, it was a pleasure to help out and get your guitar back on the road again.

Shine On
Michael.

[ken1953clark]

Those of you at Blues Week would have seen Ian Hancey videoing the staff and student concerts. These are now on-line on the following links...

Staff Concert

Student/Class concerts

Unfortunately the Picturedrome gig footage wasn't too good and so not on-line.