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busking, guitar, learning, music, street life

Don’t wait ’til you’re ready

louisehartcom

Ive been busking today in the glorious sunshine. I’ve been out a few times since the shops opened it’s still a bit quiet but the overall response has been positive. Locals have been coming up and saying it’s nice to hear ne again so that’s encouraging.

I’ve tried out my lockdown arrangements. I’m enjoying playing Death on Two Legs, Only You and 9-5.. Famous Last Words is in the wrong key for the High st as the lower vocals get lost in the general rumblings and noise of the street so I’ll have to revisit that one… not giving up on it yet. The Pretender, I’ve done once or twice but I’m not that comfortable yet and I’ve not yet played Rio on the street.

Then, at the end of lockdown I thought I’d have a go at The Greatest Show. It’s such a big song so I didn’t take it very seriously, just fiddled around with it. Then it started taking shape and I decided this week I’d go for it. I sang it today for the first time. It was a bit ragged if I’m honest, there’s a lot of words and the energy of the song just drags you along but I did it and I loved playing it.

The thing is, I never feel ready to play a new song , it’s always a leap of faith. Sometimes it works , sometimes not so much… I’m pleased with how today went.

So anyway I’m back home having a cup of tea… mmmmmm tea….

busking, guitar, music, Uncategorized

The weekend we should’ve been at Glastonbury

louisehartcom

Well this weekend we hoped to be playing at Glastonbury at Crooners Corner. That was before lockdown. So here are some clips of me, standing on the tail lift of our converted truck, singing some of the songs I would have sung….

Fingers crossed for next year and hoping there still is a ‘Creative industry’ following lockdown….. 😘

busking, learning, music, WIP

Work in progress – Famous Last Words

louisehartcom

I’ve got to be honest, when ever I take on a version of a song like this, Doris from Gavin and Stacey comes to mind singing Girlfriend in a coma…🤣😂. I wonder if I’ll play this on the street, if we ever get to play on the street again!

I think I’ll enjoy performing it., even if I do look like some old lady singing with a guitar!

So anyway, this is my work in progress, recorded flat in our horse truck.

guitar, learning, music

Work in progress – Rio

louisehartcom

So, we’re in week whatever of the lockdown. It’s a blur. I feel honoured and lucky to have all this time to spend with my daughter, I’m also acutely aware primary school teaching is something I should NEVER consider once all this is done, unless it’s all sewing, art and music……

In between that I’ve been working on some new stuff. It’s an act of faith that one day us musicians will be able to earn a living again. So here I am, in our ‘secret getaway’ working on Rio by Duran Duran.

I love the energy of the original but am going for a more laid back approach. At school one of my friends loved Duran Duran… I pretended I didn’t as I liked Spandau Ballet…. We had some common ground with Japan…. thinking about doing a cover of Swing but that’s another story.

So, it’s a bit rough and the guitar needs its intonation looking at, oh and I need a hair cut, but don’t we all!!😂🤣

guitar, learning, music

How to play – Gold

louisehartcom

Growing up I loved Spandau Ballet. My friend liked Duran Duran and never the twain met (although Rio is one of my favourite albums of the 80’s). I love performing this, it feels so liberating.

I’ve recorded this tutorial which shows how I play it; it’s not particularly polished but it shows you all the shapes you’ll need. If you want a more faithful version I daresay that there are others. See below for the chord diagrams. As I say on the video, I’m using a capo and the chords can move up or down the neck depending on your vocal range.

I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I do.