BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 12:50 PM

Jon, your post leads me to wonder about "Why Jonnie DOES Sing" - or play. We have a couple of kids who are regulars at our session. As far as I know, someone had to introduce them to the music, but their pursuit of it is their own accomplishment. I think these kids, and others I've known, have to be very self-confident to put up with peer disapproval. I have enormous respect for them, because when I was 13 or 14 years old, I doubt I would have had the strength to take the road less travelled. They all seem to have parents who, although they may not understand the child's love of the music, support and encourage it. And all the kid folkies I've met get along well with us older farts.

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: A nonny mouse
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 01:08 PM

Having found the Mudcat for a reason not directly connected with singing, this person felt it was time to sing again, so went to the local folk club. There there were excellent guest singers, who did not often sing songs with choruses. There, also, were excellent, frighteningly skilled local musicians who played a variety of instruments with panache. It was not like the folk club this person had gone to when young, with plenty of opportunity to join in, and sometimes, the opportunity to perform. So singing is still confined to the car.

As for instruments, the terminally clumsy can practice all the hours available, but can still hit a wall at a very basic level. Some of us are not wired up correctly.

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 01:15 PM

Jeri, that is an interesting twist - Why Johnnie Does play. Like yourself, I have tremendous respect for those that do and (as I would suspect that many others have) I have always been willing to give up hours, lend books, instruments or anything to help others get started and agree that it takes their effort to carry them through (and some as I believe is the case with one of your youngsters can put some of us older ones to shame - have you chopped his fingers off for me yet? ;-))

It seems a funny thing with folk music, a lot of us "old farts" really want the younger ones to be joining in and let's face it, recognise that they are the future of the music but most of the discouragement comes from their own generation.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 02:57 PM

Jon, I decided not to chop off his fingers. He keeps giving me good tunes to learn. He brings new stuff to the session and forces us old dogs to learn new tricks, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

I guess the self confidence and individualism these kids have is demonstrated by the fact they've learned they get to pick their peer groups instead of being forced into them.

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 05:55 PM

Moonchild, I sometimes despair of my colleagues. If the principal had doubts about the song (I didn't know it, have looked it up, and can see why someone might not want it in a school context), why on earth not offer the chance to sing something else? Disqualifying is just beyond belief. What a terrible effect that sort of thing can have on a young person.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Why Johnnie Can't Sing
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 06:50 PM

Jeri, (and hopefully others will agree) I find comments like your last ones very refreshing!

Jon