Stumbling Toward Competence

Figure that instead of posting yet ANOTHER New Year's resolution to play out with people, and then not do it, I would instead post about when I actually manage to do so...

I am currently in Berkeley on sabbatical research. For many reasons, Berkeley means music to me (at least I have a strong association between the two), so I brought my mandolin along for the trip. Checking the schedules of the 5th String music store and the Freight and Salvage, I see there are MANY opportunities to jam in town.

So last night, I headed to the weekly 5th String open jam. Rowan, our host, immediately reached out to make me feel welcome. This was very nice because I am still somewhat..terrified?...of playing in front of other people.

The place was jam packed (pun unintended), and it broke down into two separate circles mostly to fit everyone in. I just played rhythm and took no breaks--not knowing any of the tunes, and still being somewhat rusty after my latest pause in playing. But the evening went splendidly, and I fully intend to try some breaks at Sunday's F&S slow jam. More later