Home in Aberdeen

I’ve been in Aberdeen just about a month now and I am really settling in. The flat feels like my home, the streets seem familiar, and the people here have made it easy for me.

I can still remember that first walk down High Street to the University and seeing the King’s Chapel on Campus. What a sight! And in the days to come, I wandered to the city centre, to the beach, to parks, and to various open mics, folks clubs and sessions.

The people at the Aberdeen Folk Club gave me a warm welcome my first visit, letting me borrow a mandolin and play a few tunes. Since then I’ve been back every week with my violin and feel as though I’ve been accepted as a musician and friend. The folk club is different than a session where everyone jams at once… a folk club is when everyone sits in a circle and each individual plays or sings one by one. I was in awe of this set up my first time, Irish ballads, funny stories in Doric (local dialect), and all kinds of instrumentalists. There’s a mutual respect and appreciation, no matter the skill or talent. Through this folk club I am now a member of a traditional trio (sometimes quartet) and have some performances coming up!

I have played solo at two open mics-  a bit of tango, jazz and folky things – and have met people that way as well. Next week I’ll be playing in a pop duo with someone I met at an open mic, and in 2 weeks I’ll be playing jazz standards with another chap. The music and people I’ve experienced here in Aberdeen are diverse, entertaining and genuine.

I am looking forward to classes starting next week. Induction and registration to the graduate program in Ethnology and Folklore begins Tuesday. My first classes will delve into ethnology and folklore concepts, specifically in Scottish contexts. Not only will there be lectures and tons of research and reading, but fieldtrips to browse through archives and museums.

Tarland session

I think the experiences I’ve had here so far- meeting people, asking a lot of questions, learning about local music curriculum in the schools, hearing and participating in a variety of traditional and non-traditional music experiences have been a great start to a year in Aberdeen, Scotland!