Last night I joined my good friend and fantastic blues player Dave for a short concert at an outdoor picnic organized by a local institution for the handicapped. For me it was only the third time that I have face a public with my washboard so I was considerably stressed. And although I wish I could say otherwise, I don’t think I did a very good job of it. After clapping for the first few songs, the crowd seemed more interested in their own discussions and food.
I have been playing for a year now and am far from good, to say the least, but it is so much fun to be playing music with other people – instead of the usual solitary confinement of my studio – that I am willing brave all embarrassments.
When I first started it seemed easier, for me that is since I don’t know how anyone else put up with my racket. But now, that I’ve done my best to learn about basic rhythms and stuff it is a lot of work since I can hear how I mess them up, turn ‘em around or simply get lost.
I mention this because I wanted to post a picture of my washboard today, instead of the usual t-shirt design.
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