We will try our best to make the atmosphere "picker-friendly." That is to say, so people actually listen to you. A small PA setup will be available, and a jam pickup for those who do not have electronics built into their guitar. An expensive microphone will also be available for the same purpose. The featured artist will usually perform near the beginning of the day, but that's not carved in stone. It is best to come early so you don't miss a thing. Many fine guitar players come out to play and to watch others play, and each month we see some performances that no one expects but everybody loves.

The Earl of Whitchurch Pub is a new pub which has just opened in Stouffville, and already is quickly developing a reputation for some good "live" music with patio performer Wavey Dave Haines (every Sunday in the summer months) Owner Scott Roskar has graciously allowed us to have our YRFG Open Stages there once a month. Great pub-like atmosphere!

Come on out and let's make the open stage a memorable occassion. We will take pictures and post them here under the Photo Gallery link. The open stages have been very positive and well excepted. Please make sure to send us your email address so we can keep you informed of any updates for the actual dates and times. Your addresses stay with us and are not sent to any other organizations or service vendors, nor are they block sent with other addresses.

Fingerstyle guitar shows up in many different areas or styles of guitar playing. Most people think of Classical guitar as the ultimate fingerstyle guitar. But there is many applications in just about every style of music including Jazz, Blues, Country, Ragtime, Tradition and Modern Folk Music and Rock. There are many pick style players that use the pick with fingers...that is a form of fingerstyle. Have a peak at Wendel Ferguson sometime to see what I mean.

Hmmmm...good question...and tricky too! When you think of it, all guitar playing involves fingers (I've noticed that's what holds the pick!) A vocalist who uses a fingerstyle pattern for the accompaniment, or a duo with singer and fingerstyle player. Add a lead guitarist...that should be OK.

I guess we want to go beyond the player who strums the chords and sings a song. That doesn't mean that same strummer couldn't find a fingerpicker to add a second guitar part, and now have a blend of strum and fingerstyle. Now, throw in a lead guitarist in the mix...that should be OK, as long as there's the element involving fingerstyle guitar playing.

In short, we really don't want to discourage anyone. So if you are a strummer/songwriter for instance, try to get a fingerstylist into your arrangement and get in here! You could contact us and we could connect you with a fsguitarist for your performance. There is also the objective to come out and network wth other players, and check out fingerstyle approaches and ideas that you could add to your own music.

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