On a warm Saturday morning last week, National Learn To Play Day was soon within full swing! With Tanglewood repersentative Paul Newton on hand to give expert advice, The Portsmouth Music Services’ teacher Dan Franks, and professional musician/teacher Tom Kent providing free pre-booked guitar lessons throughout the day, they soon drew in the crowds with guitar lessons also available for the unsuspecting customers milling around the shop. They also had the chance to enter our free prize draw to win Musicroom vouchers!
With the guitar lessons over for the day, local 6-piece Folk band and Musicroom Acoustic 2011 winners ‘The Day Of the Rabblement’ carried on the theme with a fantastic 40 minute set of original songs. With a beautiful blend of Banjo, Mandolin, Accordion,Violin,Bass,Acoustic Guitar and not forgetting the siren-like voice of the band’s singer,they drew in the crowds of shoppers and curious passers-by. Songs from their current EP, such as ‘Servants To The Sea’, gathered thunderous applause from the growing crowd. With their jovial set coming to a close, it was heart-warming to see a large number of the crowd had stayed around to see the end of their energetic set!
The next treat in store were community Ukulele group and Musicroom Portsmouth regulars ‘The Pompey Pluckers’ who seem to have multiplied in number since their last in store appearance! As usual, they brought their cheery and enthusiastic energy to the shop with a set of sing-a-long covers such as ‘You Are My Sunshine’.
With the day coming to a close, we were all pleasantly exhausted from a brilliant day of encouraging those who perhaps were too shy to pick up the guitar in the past, the vast number of people in the shop and the fantastic live music- all in all, it was a brilliant day!
Words and Photography by Latifa Walker