Getting better by the day - share the music

Hey guys, just a quick update that might encourage someone to keep at it.

I have the opportunity to play (solo) every Sunday in our worship service as I do all the music. Daily practice has made a huge difference with my guitar playing as I am constantly preparing for the next Sunday, and now I am also willing to sing solo along with my playing. This has been a big step, as I am a naturally shy person although most wouldn't notice it. The first time I sang solo a few months ago I was shaking in my boots, although it went very well. Since then, I have continued to sing solo several times and it gets easier each time, and also sounds better.

I mention this, as music rubs off on others. My wife just loves to hear me practice daily (and attend the different music festivals we go to) and I could tell she wanted to learn an instrument. So, about 4 or 5 months ago I started teaching her the Mandolin (even though I had never really played the Mandolin before - but it just seems natural for a guitar player and easy for me to play immediately).

So, yesterday she played in the service with me for the first time and we did a duet of that old 1868 song "In The Sweet By and By". I sang and did my guitar stuff, and she played the Mandolin... and did a terric job. The applause was great, and a big encouragement to her. Understand we are in our 50's (but think we in still in our 20's), and she had never played an instrument before but was able to do this within a few months is terrific.

Last week, I recored us during practice on my Handy H2 recorder doing this song in my little home studio, and she just couldn't believe herself and kept asking me "Is that Me playing the Mandolin".... and of course it was as she was the only one in the room with the Mandolin. After hearing herself, she couldn't wait to play in the service.

Last nite when we got home, she wanted to start working on our next song together... which we did.

Just thought someone might be encouraged by this.