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Published: March 23rd 2023
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Other than house concerts, and one small charity event I was part of last November, I have not performed publicly in over three years. Certainly Covid was responsible for much of this, but the time away from performing was not all lost, as it allowed me to immerse myself in extensive music literacy studies which inspired me to add three more instruments to my music repertoire: electric guitar, bass guitar, and, most significantly, a wind instrument I have come to love and experience as another voice - the harmonica. The bass guitar is the latest addition, and I am excited to continue my bass instruction when I return home, as I could not bring my bass along with me on this trip. Not so with my guitar though, or my complete collection of nine harmonicas, which never get left behind. I have indeed been keeping the music alive and growing, but have not had the opportunity to share these learnings in an actual public performance. Like, in a real venue, with a sound system and stuff, you know?
Until now.
Side note: Although I have performed several times in Asia over the years, including several pre-planned concerts, I have
not yet broken into the actual music scene anywhere, booking my own gig in a designated music venue. It has been a long time aspiration, but one for which I evidently needed a bit of a push to realize. Well, this year one of the ex-pat residents living in our Koh Phangan resort community strongly encouraged me to pursue this goal after she heard me performing at a house concert which Stan and I had put together to celebrate the birthdays of two friends. She offered me names of people and places to check out, and I followed up on one of them. A week before we were scheduled to leave the island, I booked myself a gig at Hemingways - a quaint lakeside music venue with a great sound system.
I started by warming up on my harmonica to a couple backing tracks, and by 8:30 was ready to begin my first set. My commitment was to perform two forty-five minute sets. The only restriction I had was to be done by 11:00, as per the island’s sound bylaws. When Hardy, the owner, mentioned this to me, I said no problem, as I expected to wrap it up
by 10:00. But as it turned out, my second set continued much longer, as I was getting such a warm response from my small but wonderfully engaged audience, that the music simply kept on coming through. I played right to 11 bells.
Perhaps the most rewarding of all was being asked to do more of my original material, once I had shared a couple of my own songs, which I of course did.
And so the stage is set for more such performances next year, should I be so inclined. Perhaps I’ll find a way to fit that little bass ukulele I plan to purchase and put to work as soon as we return home? Certainly I’ll be packing a couple little pieces of tech equipment, and hopefully acquiring some long desired skill using my looping app. Seems I have my work cut out for me.
Once again, this is evidence of community support making such a difference. Thank you my Koh Phangan friends for helping make this dream a reality. I look forward to continued musical adventures on this beautiful island next year.
Thank you for your interest in our travel adventures 🙏
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Gail
non-member comment
House concert offering
Such a fun evening with friends, good food , beautiful tropical location and music. What more could you ask for on your birthday? Good vibes everywhere, and enhanced by your impromptu concert. 🥰 Thank you to you and Stan for your thoughtfulness in making my birthday so special.🙏❤️ With gratitude and love, Gail