The Harmony of Amateur Hour

« previous episode | next episode »

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Enlarge

(kevinthoule/flickr)

For adults, finding time to learn a musical instrument is tough enough. Finding a forgiving partner can be terrifying. Today on Soundcheck: a reporter and a bestselling detective novelist reveal how they joined "piano parties" and something called The Really Terrible Orchestra. And later: we bite into "Golden Delicious," the latest solo album from former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty. He performs live in our studio.

Poll: How do you get your music fix?: Tell us how you spend your money on songs, albums and concerts in a Soundcheck poll.

Guests:

Mike Doughty

Musical Late Bloomers Shed Anxiety

For adults who set out to learn (or re-learn) a musical instrument, private lessons and excruciating recitals are simply not an option. Today, two writers share how they connected with groups of like-minded amateurs. Environmental policy reporter (and pianist) Perri Knize talks about the nationwide network of "piano parties." And ...

Comments [19]

Mike Doughty

The '90s alternative group Soul Coughing was a counterpoint to the grunge era, with lyrics inspired by Beat poetry and hip hop rhymes. Frontman Mike Doughty's second solo album, "Golden Delicious," lends that style to songs about the war in Iraq and explorations of '80s culture. He joins us for ...

Comments [1]

John Schaefer, Radio Host ... and Guitarist

By John Schaefer

I first picked up the guitar when I was 12. Unfortunately, I picked it up left-handed. Unable to figure out how to follow the guitar lessons on public tv (we couldn’t afford real lessons), I had to let the instrument go. But I always wanted to play, and when I ...

Comment