Finding My Voice: First Banjo Song!

I’ve written my first song for the banjo! “Eliza” will make its debut at an open mic sometime in August, and I have plans to record it as well as to feature it on Youtube, so stay tuned…

Photo taken by Tian Jiang

My Love of Music Started Young

I attribute much of my initial musical appreciation and education to my dad, who has a massive collection of records and CDs. Every family meal had music playing in the background, often jazz. I played piano and absolutely loved it as a child, but something always held me back from creating music, even though it is deeply ingrained in my soul.

What if I’m no good?

I guess most people have their version of feeling inadequate when it comes to art. Art is such a personal expression that many people fear that rejection of their work equates rejection of oneself. It reminds me of Marty McFly from Back to the Future: “What if they say I’m no good? What if they say ‘Get out of here, kid. You got no future.’? I mean, I just don’t think I can take that kind of rejection.”

Abigail Washburn

My friend recently recommended a banjo artist for me, Abigail Washburn. “Saw this and thought of you,” she posted on my Facebook wall. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed to see that Abigail is 3 years my senior, also has curly hair, and has spent significant time in China, and speaks Chinese. “What?!  This is ridiculous!” I thought I was the only curly-haired, Chinese-speaking banjo player. At least I’m a lefty. I went into panic mode. “Where’s my angle now? How am I going to avoid being compared to her as I go through this process of creating, performing, and hopefully recording an album one day?”

I bought her most recent CD and fell in love with it. In fact, I’ve been listening to it non-stop since it arrived in the mail. I’m even listening to it now, as I write this. She’s incredibly talented.

Finding Your Voice

We all have our own style

And as for Abigail, she’s a mentor and an inspiration. Her love of Chinese culture and language does not take away from my passion for China and Chinese. We each have our own perspectives and both add our original “banjoprint” in the bluegrass world.

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If you want to meet my banjo teacher, Jenny, and see us perform, check out Episode 3: A Home for Music!