Guitars Rule
by Jean Adamson
I recently had the opportunity of talking to Eddie Risbridger about one of our music groups based at the SHED. Eddie told me that the guitar group has been running for over a year now but its onset is an interesting one. Eddie initially encouraged newbies to take up the ukulele, because it only has four strings. This group is now running successfully, but the idea behind it didn’t really materialize. Some tried it and left. Others decided to stick it out, and that group now has an average 15 members, on a weekly basis, still building their skills. At present the group has an equal balance of male and female members strutting their stuff! Eddie decided to take a back seat as he stated “the group were by that time up and running by themselves.” Ruth Martin is currently the lead with the ukulele group, which continues to move towards greater and greater success.
The actual guitar group originally kicked off due to an Iranian refugee who presented himself to Bruce Newlands and the team at the SHED. He had an idea of creating a guitar with a view to teaching others those skills. This kicked off and he produced a guitar named ‘Caledonia’ to thank the people here for all the help he received. Javad ‘Jay’ Soltani will still be remembered by many of our current members here at the SHED and for new members, hopefully all can see that this place where we meet, make, grow and share is open to all.
The next step was Eddie’s idea to start up a bass guitar group. At first Eddie was dubious as to whether he could teach! He has been a guitar player for more than 60 years now and as he says “I am still learning.” Eddie is still there to help others in whatever way they require. He stated “I am more than willing to pass on my expertise to all those interested.” Those of us that know Eddie are aware of just how expert he is. A quiet man who plays down his considerable talent. He shared with me that he was heavily influenced by the Shadows and some of his favourite songs are FBI, Apache, and Wonderful Land. If you’ve heard Eddie play then you’ll know it’s a real treat. Look out Hank Marvin, we have our very own star right here at the SHED!
Bruce Coyle joined Eddie in delivering the bass guitar teaching and this ran for a while. Eventually the bass guitar group reached its limit. The idea then was to open it up to general guitar learning. This group is still running with two very competent leads now, Eddie and Bruce. Bruce started off in the Songwriting group, which was run by Yvonne Lyon, a well-known local folk musician. He then moved onto running the guitar group. There is a full house on Friday afternoons while the group is on. Mainly male members, with one or two females turning up some of the time. Music certainly seems to have caught the attention of SHED members.
With Eddie, Bruce, and Ruth at the helm, who can blame them.