Coffee & Chords – A Social Way to Learn Guitar

I know many folks who say to me ‘If only I could play the guitar, but I don’t want to buy one in case it doesn’t suit me ?”

When we were looking out the instruments for my Musical Instruments Show, we found some beginners guitars.

The idea occurred to me then, that at last I could offer them to those who want to learn, but not buy.

In my life I have had so many ideas that never came to fruition. John used to call me “Pie in the sky !”

Imagine my joy when this idea actually came to fruition on November 5th.

In April this year, I walked up to The Pot and Kettle –  our local Tourist attraction Restaurant – to talk to Heidi about the idea of having a lesson followed by a cup of coffee there. She was very keen, and we agreed to put it in place when I got back from my singing tour.

My son, Sid, designed the lovely poster and we spread the news.

We had 3 bookings, which I am over the moon about.

Over the months, I had put my thinking cap on and decided on the Lesson Plan for true beginners. 2 chords would be enough to start with and we can build from there.

The morning arrived and Sid and I put the guitars into the car and journeyed to the Pot and Kettle, which lasted a whole minute. It took more time to pack the car, warm it up, then unpack it than it did to get there !!!!

Room set-up

They had kindly set up chairs in a semicircle in the room with a view. We put the guitars out on the shelf and made sure they were in tune.

4 people arrived and we had such a lovely lesson filled with learning and laughter, while Sid took some photos for the archives.

The coffee was delicious and the warm chatter finished off the hour beautifully.

Everyone agreed that the morning was a great success and Coffee and Chords Class 1 was born.

Coffee and chords Class 1

Author

  • Miriam was born in Lewes, East Sussex, in 1948. For the last 76 years her life has revolved around the gift of music. At college in the 60s, she learned the guitar and became enamoured with folk songs, which led to a 4 year career as 'Miriam Backhouse.' The First Lady of Folk”. She still tours Europe every Summer. In 1977 she married John Erasmus and moved to South Africa. Miriam and John (who died in May 2023) shared a love of music and raised a family on these talents, playing music from Opera to Rock’n’Roll and Nursery Rhymes! Her life has trodden many paths: musician, sound worker, educator, model, seamstress, puppeteer, actress, wife, mother and grandmother. Now, Miriam is a journalist, and shares her adventures in South Africa and on her travels.

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