h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's an odd thing really that although I'm actually a pretty decent classical guitar player, it's the fun little 4 string uke that more people have heard me play. Even with that it's the strumming singalong approach that usually gets heard outside my own house, not the complicated finger-picking that I practice more within the safety of my own house. This is particularly true when it comes to performing solo. For whatever reason, I just don't enjoy playing solo in public - in spite of the encouragement, cajoling and bullying employed by those around me. The more the merrier though and the biggest musical collaberation this year was joining in a huge guitar orchestra, performing a specially written piece with the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet in no less venue than the main stage at Manchester's fantastic Bridgewater Hall. Great fun, great sound, great performance space. A real musical highlight of 2013.

[SQ]

Despite 40 years of playing and, like you, praise, adulation, encouragement etc. I'm the same. Better with others being around. Also, despite having a possible musical catalogue of 4,000 folk tunes stored away, can I ever think of a tune?

Yet as soon as I hear a tune, I can pick it up immediately.

And with the guitar and ukelele playing. I'll stick with the fiddle.

MMF

[Amy P]