Sometime around 1966 or 67 (?), Edinburgh Festival time, I was sitting (aged about 16 or 17) in a late night coffee bar in Edinburgh. I'd just managed to remember all three chords for the Wild Rover and to celebrate I decide to try to fingerpick something bluesy. What the tune was I can't remember now. Anyway I was making some headway and decided enough was enough for the night.

There were only about 6 or 7 people in that night and as one of them left he told me to keep practising and I'd get there. He tore off a piece of a beer mat and wrote down something. He said "try this" and left.

I no longer have the piece of paper but it went something like this

Finger                                String
Thumb                                6th
Thumb & middle                       3rd 1st (together)
Thumb                                5th
Middle                                1st
Thumb                                3rd
Index                                2nd

OR

Thumb & middle                       6th & 1st (together)
Thumb                                5th
Index                                2nd
Thumb                                6th
Middle                                1st
Thumb                                3rd

A couple of days later I saw a poster advertising Davy Graham at the Festival and realised who my mentor had been.

I know it's a bit late but "Thanks Davy"