I’m working with my grandson to teach him to be a sound technician and roadie for my bands. So I sent his this classic ‘Far Side’ cartoon. :o)

So far he has schlepped heavy equipment using a cart, set up speakers, set up the saxes and stands. Next on the to-do list is to setup and run the mixer board. Running the mixer board requires a deft touch and a good set of ears.

To develop a good set of ears he’s been playing clarinet, sax, and bass clarinet. He’s also been listening to me practice and perform for going on 8 years. Now he is in a garage band playing drums and all this at the tender age of 13.

My challenge will be learning the ends and outs of the use of a mixing board myself. I’ve eschewed mic’ing the band unless there’s a tech to do it for us. But it is really something I’d like to learn about.

So far I’ve bought the instrument, piano, vocal and bass mic’s and amps. I’ve played with portable and stationary mic’s and stands. But introducing an amplification system really changes the sound of the bands. And if you don’t have a huge space, it really doesn’t make sense.

Ah, so many projects and so much to learn. Isn’t life grand.