YES!!! The "I'm So Happy!" thread - 2011

[Lesley Cox]

Well done Rosie and Ben, and congratulations Martin. And celebrations.

[Martin Baxendale]

Thanks for all the congratulations, and special thanks to Maggi for the e-card (I'll forward the link to Rosie and Ben). 

Here's Rosie with baby Barney:

[Paddy Tobin]

Congratulations, Martin, and to the happy parents and new arrival.

Paddy

[Casalima]

Congratulations, Martin!!

[fermi de Sousa]

Congrats, Martin,
and you haven't even lost your figure
cheers
fermi

[Martin Baxendale]

Thanks. They say he looks a bit like me, but I think that's just down to our mutual hair shortage.

[Kristl Walek]

another amazing video....if you haven't seen it already.

North Korean kindergarten girl on guitar.


http://www.tvkim.com/watch/326/kims-picks-north-korean-girl-guitarist

which reminded me of a recent Bill Maher interview about the scholastic discipline of Chinese vs. American children....short and worth looking at.

("American kids have high self esteem for no good reason")

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for that Kristl, she is amazing.  I'm flabbergasted.

[alpines]

OMG Kristl......never mind her wonderful playing just look at that left hand technique. Her fingers never leave the fretboard. You can't teach that!!!!!
Anyone want to buy a Martin D28?

[Maggi Young]

I've just been showing this little genious to Ian... he's sloped off to bed looking rather crestfallen.

I can't believe the reach and power she has in that tiny left hand. 

One nagging thought.... if infant gymnasts suffer badly with arthritis from a young age because of the excessive strain put on growing joints etc. will this little beauty have trouble with her hands too soon? 

[Kristl Walek]

and....more amazing talented kids....this time 3 teenage boys...
i say: il piu bravo!!!!!

http://www.wimp.com/threetenors/

[alpines]

OK, I just sold the guitar. Now does anyone want to buy a microphone?
There is no substitute for pure talent. Thanks for sharing Kristl

[Lesley Cox]

A brilliant child indeed. Great to see a classical guitar played properly instead of the incessant and utterly boring boom, boom, boom ad infinitum of the pop stuff. This child plays real music. A classical guitarist never or rarely reaches the thumb of the left hand up and over the back of the neck, to be visible from the front. Played as she does, there is much more control over the fingering and a hugely wider range available to the player.

[Darren]

I don't particularly object to the thumb being visible resting atop the fingerboard Lesley but cringe when I see it used to fret the top E string......

Mind you, as I still struggle with barre chords I can see the temptation. Sadly my thumb isn't flexible enough to cheat anyway!

[Paul T]

Martin,

A belated congratulations on the grandfatherhood!!