LIN

     Thanks again for a really enjoyable weekend.  I felt that I learned a huge amount last week - and that was down to you and Malcolm of course; but also to everyone else in a really likeable group of people.  The stuff we did on basic improvisation around the major scale was really good for me - and has prompted me to move outside of the pentatonic licks that had become routine.   I now feel more equipped to try the Blues weekend again.  Maybe you'll develop Struggler's 3 at some point - if you and Malcolm can get around to fitting another weekend into what I know is a busy schedule anyway???

      The "band" that I'm in did our gig this last Friday as part of a charity event - 400 people in the audience, which was a bit daunting for us really. (I can remember thinking for expletive sake don't do  a girly G in front of all of this lot !!) Anyway we did about an hour and three quarters and actually had everyone up and dancing right through the set.  We got people asking to book us for other gigs - and got a huge response at the end.   Old hat for you guys - but I can tell you that it was an amazing feeling for a bunch of middle-aged wannabee / wouldneverbees, who get together once a week to escape managing airports!!  We even got one of the guys from the Eastenders cast who was at the evening asking to join us on stage for a couple of songs - because he thought we were a "tight" little band.  (I think he must have been well p****d!!).

Thanks again.

Ian  LF2 Nov 07

Hi Malcolm and Lin,

A slightly belated but sincere note of thanks for another smashing weekend! I really did feel out of my depth on Friday evening and the start of Saturday, but thankfully things came together a bit more as the day went on and I felt more comfortable. I promise I shall try to get to know the fretboard a lot more and come back for Strugglers Two next year with a bit more to contribute. Besides, as you say Lin, I need to try and keep ahead of my son! I have no doubt you will be seeing him in the near future.

Take care.

Dale     LF2 Nov 07

Dear Malcolm,

Just a few words to say how much I enjoyed the Blues 1Weekend!

The beautiful tranquil venue, the warm welcome, the excellent accommodation food and  hospitality,  the stimulating company,  and  perhaps most importantly the nature and quality of the teaching all made for an extremely enjoyable and stimulating experience which I look forward to repeating  when you have a date for the next Blues 2 weekend!

Many thanks to all concerned.

Cheers,

Tom Bateman                          Blues Oct 07

Hi Malcolm,
 
The weekend was great thanks it really gave me a kick start back into playing and I will be booking another, maybe even a bass weekend too as I loved messing about with the bass last weekend.
 
All the best,
 
Martin   GD Rock Nov 07

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Im sure  like everyone else i had a great time at the weekend and just the chance to do nowt but play for a couple of  days was brilliant enough, aside from the superb hospitality of yourselves at Beckfoot.....( thanks to your staff too, they were all top notch!!) You've got all the professional bits blended in really well with the casual laid back approach off to perfection, I would say...Gary was a sound bloke and good teacher and like they say .... "knows his s**t". Your not a bad teacher yourself aswell Malcolm...........cheers to everyone for an interesting weekend.Will try to keep in touch, sure i will be back for another,

 Darren.                                      GD Rock Nov 07

Hi All,
          Let me also add my thanks to Chris and Malcolm for a great weekend, I feel that I really benefited a lot from the experience. It was also a great experience meeting the rest of you and learning from the different perspectives and approaches you provided. Enjoyed the short jam on Saturday night too.

I took the Tele to band rehearsal last night and as I thought might happen, I've picked up a couple of setup projects; a bass and an acoustic.(it's amazing what people will ask for if they think it's free)  I may practice on them before I tackle any more of my own guitars.

Like Brian, I've already made a foray onto the internet and ordered up a fret profiling tool. I'm still trawling through websites looking for a suitable set of nut files to complete my set of "major tools". A visit to my local hardware store will provide the remainder of the important items (I hope!)       Maintenance  Oct 07

Hi Malcolm / Rod

Thanks for a great weekend. Accommodation, Food, Company and Tuition were all excellent. It has certainly turbo-charged my playing, especially the slide stuff

I purchased the heaviest brass slide I could find and put a set of really heavy strings on an 80's humbucker equipped jap strat. The tone is absolutely awesome and I'm really enjoying it.

I am trying to hold the pick as suggested and although it still feels awkward and I mess up a bit I think I can already see/hear the difference. I think I can actually pick faster than before

I have attached a spreadsheet "scale finder" that works as an excel spreadsheet that I thought you might find useful.( Obviously you need to have a copy of Excel)  Allows you to print out very clear scale patterns and also works for altered tunings !All the best    

 Robin                    Blues Oct 07

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