Pittsburgh Local Groups
The classical and jazz guitar community is not growing like pop and rock guitar communities around the nation. We see this in lack of attendance in guitar related events around the area. This needs to be combated. I just read an article in the current Soundboard magazine about this very subject and disagree with the proposed solution.
The author makes two points of contention. The first is that there needs to be another torch bearer like Segovia of the past century. It is ridiculous to assume that such torch bearers do not exist. Take David Russell, the Romeros, David Tannenbaum, John Williams, Ricardo Cobo, etc., etc. These players are in fact carrying the torch very well and bringing greater performances and levels of performance across the board. The second point is that the public middle and high schools need to have successful programs. I am a guitar teacher and I personally think this is a far stretch for success. I would never be able to make a living if I taught in a public school because the funding, like it or not, is not there. Also, as a teacher, I have to teach multiple styles of music and, let’s be honest, most middle and high school age students are not into the classical or jazz guitar.
My proposed solution is cell groups around cities that encourage performing. We already see this in “jam sessions” for bluegrass players. As classical players they would be more like “performance sessions” of solo and ensemble playing. These groups would be held in homes or public places like libraries (coffee shops have too many other things going on). All that would be needed is a host of each group that could act as a contact and a place to meet. We already know of one group that meets every third Sunday of the month here in Pittsburgh. It has been very rewarding for those attending to play and hear others play for at least six months now.
Just like a good education begins at home, so does the love of music and the guitar. It is up to the local communities to keep this instrument growing in its participants. If you are interested in forming a group and beginning your participation, then contact me and let’s see if we can get some movement to this guitar thing.
