Category: Uncategorized
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Off the mark
It seems that there are times when forty cents feels like an absolute fortune. So there I was, doing my busking thing on South King Street. It was a lovely afternoon and I had played my set reasonably well, not making too many mistakes. After I finished each piece I looked down at my guitar…
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Back on the streets
The temperatures have risen, South King Street was calling and so the time had come to restart my busking career. It was nice to be back. I’m not quite sure what it is about playing a few tunes on the streets of my home town that appeals to me so much, but it just does.…
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Nearing three quarters
Although timing and tone quality are the things that I pay most attention to in my quest to become the worlds leading Guinness guzzling lampy classical guitarist, I do pay attention also to speed. The two pieces that I work most on are ‘Cavatina’ and ‘Classical Gas’ and I am close to three quarter pace…
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Shane Warne, legend
Legend is an overused word, however it is something that is entirely appropriate when applied to the late cricketing genius that was Shane Warne. Warne had it all, and more besides. The greatest leg spin bowler in the history of cricket, a very useful batsman and an excellent slip catcher. And that was just the…
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Self acceptance
Accepting oneself sounds like a fairly straightforward affair. After all it is something that we are all automatically born with, yet it is also something that somehow seems to slip from our grasp as we progress and/or regress in life. Self criticism is a popular gig. As I continue along the path of meditation and…
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A question of memory and tone
As I wander along my path of classical guitar learning I am faced daily with four separate challenges. The first is to memorise the notes of the various tunes in my repertoire. Currently I have 21 pieces of music that I have learnt to play on my six nylon stringed friend. They all need regular…
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500 not out
The run rate has slowed to a trickle but at least I’m still at the crease. In cricketing terms it would appear that I have without doubt become the blog writing equivalent of the onetime English opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott. Although never a prolific run scorer Boycott was a hard man to get rid of.…
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A new virus
Just as the global threat of the pandemic recedes, in steps Mr. Putin to fill the void. Long term power has a tendency to corrupt and the Russian President appears to have proven this true with his recent invasion of Ukraine. The west is outraged but it’s hardly a surprise occurrence that Putin has flexed…
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The challenge of the Now.
We are all faced with daily challenges, such is life. Health and family issues, career choices, it’s a neverending gig. As I continue my wanderings down the road of meditation and mindfulness, I can honestly say there is no current challenge greater for this particular Guinness guzzling classical guitarist than the whole business of living…
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Making mistakes
So there I was, having just had my ears lowered by Vidal of Portobello, making my way down Aungier Street. I was just outside the college when I realised that my bearings had suddenly disappeared. I was at the junction of Whitefriar Street and unsure of myself. Fortunately a passer by came to my assistance…
Blind light 