While Tuffy P was at the CNE last night, I was at a banjo workshop, learning from Bruce Molsky, one of the best old time banjo players, fiddle players and guitar pickers around. I heard about the workshops through the Toronto Stringband email list.

The workshop was done by ear. Bruce would show us a phrase, we’d try to play it, we’d repeat it a few times, try another phrase, put them together and so on. I found stringing all these phrases together and keeping them from draining out of my little brain – and doing it in a group setting – was both challenging and exciting.

We worked on a couple different tunes – Walking in the Parlor and more briefly, Mississippi Sawyer.  For me, Mississippi Sawyer was easier because I knew the melody well and already played a version of it. Overall it was a very worthwhile experience. It was fantastic to meet Bruce Molsky and learn from him and it was great to meet the other participants as well.

Bruce Molsky played the Summerfolk Festival up in Owen Sound on the weekend, and tonight he’s playing at Hugh’s Room here in Toronto. My brother the trout, Salvelinas Fontinalis is venturing out of farm country for this one and is joining me. He’s bringing his dog Vibe down to visit with Georgie and Memphis and Tuffy P for the evening. I’m looking forward to a rare evening out with my brother, and to the show which promises to be fantastic.