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My real name is Stephanie. I'm 33 and AS. I was pretty normal as a kid but always a little in my own world and a tomboy. My whole life changed one day when I was 10 years old and brought up my parents' record albums from the basement.. the Beatles, Beach Boys, Young Rascals, Four Tops.. lots of early 60s classic, and therein began my music obsession. By the time I was in high school, I figured out on my own how much I loved history and politics, and that became my second obsession. Some of my friends would periodically try to "fix me" and make me more feminine. It never worked.

I went to Suffolk University in Boston, majored in government, and got great grades and went overseas to do an independent study project. I became a great writer as well. I worked on a lot of campaigns but eventually got burned out by that type of work.. long story.

I worked as a paralegal for several years and then moved to Florida to be near my family. I couldn't really afford Boston on my own. I'm out of work now and trying to get a government job. I've tried working in other professions including music, but it didn't really work out. I couldn't fit it with most people outside my interests and that's what let me to realize I had AS, which explained my quirks. I get really ostracized in Florida because it's so extroverted and edgy but fit in better back home in New England where life is much more conservative.

I'm teaching myself bluegrass banjo and many different styles on guitar as well. I wish I had a 60s style country rock band but I can't find anyone around here who plays that type of music.

greetings ^^

Hi Stephanie,
I don't play Bluegrass style banjo. I play Chawhammer banjo and some of my fiddle and mandolin teachers play in Bluegrass bands.

I'm fortunate that the school I study at has ensemble classes, workshops, and lots of casual jamming opportunities for Bluegrass, Country, Early Country and what I like, Old Time and Jug Band in addition to lots of group classes on individual instruments.

For the ensemble classes all a person who already plays an instrument needs to do is sign up, pay money or get a scholarship, and boom! they're in a band for the next 8 weeks.

Have you heard about the various Banjo Camps? There's one down in Florida. If funds are short they usually offer at least partial scholarships or work for tuition barters.

Every year my husband and I attend a Banjo Camp in Michigan. Try to imagine a couple hundred people with banjos taking over a college campus for a weekend and being taught banjo by the best banjo teachers money can buy.

Hi!

Hi! Yes, I've read about all of them. Bill Keith taught here in Florida last year and if he comes back this year I might go. I've only been at it two years so I'm just getting comfortable with Scruggs and melodic styles at full breakdown speed. I did take a bluegrass jamming class this year though the local adult education and took some private lessons. That was great but a few of us broke away and just jam at each others house now. I'm starting to feel limited because I'm getting way ahead of most of the other pickers. I want to move on to playing gigs. Someday I'd like to live in South Carolina where I'd be around much better pickers.

Yeah, I know that feeling. I've been dragging my husband through this music thing. He likes to play but he's not as talented at it as I'd like him to be by now.

You could see if any open jam sessions are listed for your area over at http://www.folkjam.org/
http://www.banjohangout.org/
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/
or
http://www.mandolincafe.com/

Welcome!

The banjo is such a happy instrument.

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to the Wrong Planet community, Stephanie.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Welcome!

...Now go away...

Hello there OutlawSteph