Keep making music!

This week, if all had gone to plan, would have been spent in Glastonbury with an excellent tunes and songs session, a concert by my enduring hero Robin Williamson, a sociable curry, and a folk club album launch gig by my friend Dora Darling.

But, as The Waterboys' Mike Scott sang in: A Long Way To The Light, “If you want to give God a laugh, tell him your plans...” Now, of course, none of us are going anywhere and, in the overall scheme of things, the cancellation of my planned jolly holiday matters not a jot.

Folkies are by nature a sociable bunch, and the sessions, dances and gigs in which our shared musical passions manifest are important - collectively and individually. Music, according to the mental health charity MIND, "releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in our brains. It may be obvious to us, but there is strong evidence for the link between music and mental wellbeing." With social isolation now a necessity rather than an option, it’s essential that we keep making music - both for our enjoyment and as an effective way of reducing stress and managing anxiety.

The good news is that more time at home means more opportunities to improve musical skills and to learn new tunes and new instruments! Thanks to social media, ‘virtual sessions’ and sharing groups are springing up almost daily. Keep Making Music With Hobgoblin  is (obviously!) a good one to investigate on Facebook,  Its creator, Nicola Rain, explains what it's all about: “The idea is to bring people together who are determined to keep making, learning and sharing music through good times and, well...less good times. I hope to see posts about how people are making and sharing music at home, recordings of tunes, fun music related content you've found elsewhere online. I'd also really like this to be a place where we can share tips for people newly teaching music online, ideas for supporting musicians and venues, and a whole lot of team spirit.”

Over on Youtube, English squeezebox maestro John Spiers has instigated The Isolation Pub Session.

For those who want to learn new tunes in the company of others, there’s probably no better Facebook group than Tunesday Tuesdays started by fiddle player Martin Clarke of Brown Boots, who says: “Every Tuesday we'll select a different tune. One tune for everyone to join in with. Share videos or recordings of yourselves playing or singing just that tune, in whatever way you like. All welcome. Bonus points for collaborations with others."

"You can schedule live video performances of the chosen tune, which we'll promote on here, and link to where people can buy more of your music or make donations to support your or others' work.

If you don't know the tune, don't worry - it's an opportunity to learn it! I'll try to post a link to the sheet music and a recording for you to use.”

Here's Newquay-based whistle player Tess Lowe's video of the first group tune, Petronella

For those professionally involved in folk music - musicians, promoters, agents, festival organisers, sound engineers, instrument retailers and more, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic are potentially catastrophic. With the UK Government dragging its heels in providing essential safeguards for the self-employed, it’s imperative that the folk music community rallies round and looks after each other. One simple way of supporting independent musicians is by purchasing CDs, LPs or downloads direct from the artists’ websites or Bandcamp pages. With summer just around the corner, you might also want to show your love for your favourites with a new t-shirt - like the stylish Sarah McQuaid and Lankum designs that Carmen and I will soon be swishing around in!

Many artists are now also performing ‘virtual gigs’ with the voluntary option of donating online. My personal favourites so far have included a sublime solo set by Alasdair Roberts, from an eerily-empty Cafe OTO, and highly-entertaining ‘at home’ performances by The Mary Wallopers and Skipper’s Alley.

Until the next time, stay safe, be well and keep making music!