HOMEGROWN MUSIC... AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: MAKIN' MONEY WITH HOMEGROWN MUSIC

Image Gallery INSERT STAFF PHOTO PHOTO BY TOM ALLEN

by MARC BRISTOL:

Marc Bristol and other Washington State grassroots musicians wail away on a gutbucket, washboard, and jug (the axe is a gag). For Marc's original homegrown music column—which featured gutbucket, washboard, jug, kazoo, musical saw, and spoons "makin' and playin' "instructions—see MOTHER NO. 50. Inset shows gutbucket "notch and bevel "details .

Even homesteaders need to relax and enjoy themselves from time to time, right? And almost everybody these days wants to cut his or her cost of living. So how about a little do-it-yourself entertainment?

And that's what this column is all about. Down-home music that you can make . . . and the instruments (which, in some cases, you can also make!) to play that music on.

We may also publish some songs, discuss music as a potential home business, run discographies, bibliographies, and/or include whatever other do-it-yourself music topics you'd like to see.

The important thing is that this is a new column. If you like it, write to me and let me know. If you have some ideas for this feature, let me know that. I'm open to any suggestions or information you care to contribute. I'll even try to answer your questions about down-home music . . . but—both for the benefit of all MOTHER's readers and to ease my correspondence load—I'll deal with those questions, whenever possible, here in this column . . . rather than in personal letters.

Address your correspondence—for this column and this column only—to Marc Bristol, 31722 N.E. 180th Place, Duvall, Wash. 98019.

Since most anybody can use a few extra bucks every now and then, I'm going to plunge right in and tell you how you might be able to turn your music hobby into an occasional job ... to finance a pair of new strings, pay for a trip into town, or even cover the rent check once in a while.

However, before you attempt to parlay your pickin' into cold hard cash, It's best to be sure that you've reached the point in your study of music where you feel like sharing it with folks other than close friends and relatives. (Trying to play professionally before your ability is up to the task can be a mighty disheartening experience!) And, once you have enough proficiency at your chosen instrument to perform "in public", you still need to find an audience that's willing to pay to be entertained.