SOUTH WEST SHADOWS CLUB (EXETER) 28th July 2013

[Garystrat]

Hi Everyone

A reminder that our next SWSC meeting is on the 28th July at THE EXETER COURT HOTEL, there is easy access on the outskirts of EXETER from either direction at Kennford near the Southern end of the M5 off the A38.

South West Shadows Club is for those who enjoy playing or listening to Shadows/style music with some 50's/60's music and "Rock n' Roll" for good measure!

We form mix and match band sets on the day from members who are able and comfortable with playing as part of a group. There is no formal band member structure, which allows players of mixed ability to gain experience and comfortably fit in without feeling out of place.

Experienced player or novice, we have a friendly atmosphere and all that is required to get you up and playing to backing tracks or with the band.

SEE THE VIDEO SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE!

http://www.southwestshadows.org.uk/memb ... ofilc.html

Please click our ShadowMusic Club page link below for more information:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=8995

Gary

South West Shadows Club - Administrator

[cheese_chaser]

Hi All - I'm new to this forum, new to (attempting to) playing Shads music and as of this afternoon the newest member of the South West Shadows Club.
I just wanted to put virtual pen to paper to thank Gary and everyone else I met (forgive me there were so many names and faces I just can't commit them to memory - probably due to the fact my head is full of thoughts about where I should be on the fretboard!), for such a fantastic welcome and introduction to the club.
I have been a Shadows fan since a young teen (I'm now 37) and playing guitar since around the same time. Although loving the Shads, Hank's lead always seemed way beyond me so my playing has pretty much been limited to acoustic strumming around the camp fire (when people are at an acceptable level of inebriation to think I sound respectable). I haven't played any sort of guitar really since the birth of my twin sons 4 years ago but decided a month or so ago to get myself a 'strat' and see if I had it in me to learn a bit of Hank. I found the South West Shadows Club website and decided to go along today to hopefully get some pointers and let the experts have a look over my newly acquired guitar to see if it was any good. From the moment I walked in Gary made me feel really welcome and introduced me to the other members. Absolutely everyone was more than happy to answer my inane newbie questions and give me really valuable pointers and advice. An extremely accomplished player by the name of Martin even played my guitar and gave it his approval. If the day had ended there I'd have been more than happy but then Gary invited me to play the 2 songs I've been learning along to a backing track before the full band started. It was a nerve-racking experience and my playing was truly shocking (so different to being on my own in the bedroom!) but the members gave me great support and encouragement. Then to top it all later in the afternoon Gary invited me up to play with the full band. For some reason I played a little better with the band and slowly the nerves started to fade and my playing improved. Adrian the technical genius worked his magic and on the few notes I hit properly I was amazed at how good the 'Hank Sound' was via the clubs own very high standard of amps and effects units. The whole afternoon was run superbly and everyone that wanted to play had their time on the stage. This club genuinely welcomes players of all abilities and treats them all the same. I thought it may be somewhat intimidating being in the company of so many superb musicians but it seems the club has a fantastic ethos of 'bring your instrument but leave your ego at home'!
So I'm hooked now and even more encouraged to put in the practice and cannot wait to go to the next meeting. If anyone in the South West has thought about attending this club but been unsure what to expect I wholeheartedly encourage you to go to the next meeting. If you like great music (which today included a short set from an outstanding professional guitarist on a nylon strung spanish guitar and some top class blues jamming on a strat), great company and an overdose of trem wobbling twang then this is the place to go!
Thanks again Gary, I had a cracking afternoon and am looking forward to seeing you all again at the next meeting.

[Garystrat]

Hi Neil

Those extremely kind words are very much appreciated by all concerned, we very much look forward to you joining us next month.

You have been extremely modest regarding you playing skills, what you omitted to say was that you played three numbers with the band pretty much note perfect, which is no mean achievement when playing for the first time in front of people who know the tunes so well!

Congratulations are in order!

Best regards

Gary