I first learned to play much the way RiB describes, including the Lomax "Black Book" as we called it. The Carter Family scratch was wonderful not the least because I love/d Carter Family songs. Pete Seeger's "Folksinger's Guitar Guide" on Folkways was another one. The public library had it and I kept it checked out all the time. Then my brother and some friends and I used to spend long hours listening to recordings of Rev. Gary Davis, Brownie McGhee, Etta Baker, Elizabeth Cotton and a whole bunch of other people until we could figure out more or less what they were doing.

The biggest help early on was probably hootenanys. Keep in mind that it was 1959-60. A whole bunch of us used to gather at private homes each week and sing and play up every song we knew long into the night. It was constantly playing with other people and being challenged to learn new songs for the next "hoot" that really kept us going. We just sat on the floor and no matter who called the tune, everyone sang and played along. I don't think there are opportunities like that today. People in jam sessions now (probably including myself) are not as tolerant of beginners as we were back then. Most people want to make more polished music now and expect people to be able to keep time and tune their instruments and stuff.

I have successfully taught the (very) occasional eager student to play (free of charge) but no one has enough money to get me to teach the casual or lazy student. One of the things I have done with students is to pick up a banjo or fiddle and insist that the student accompany me in proper time. Playing with others just can't be over emphasized, IMHO. Besides, musicians are usually good company.

- Mark