It was good to be back with FYJO gain after some weeks away - can't believe it's 33 years since it all started but the buzz is still there and I'm grateful for all the support from the players and parents and Carlo and Euan musicians extraordinaire.

And a long day on Thursday - stated in Rathen swinging with the kids and their teachers who sang with me - then Sandhave before the long drive down to Cowdenbeath.

Spent yesterday doing paperwork for new CD - honestly, the playing was so much easier than the MCPS forms!

And now a break in Skye so goodbye blog  until later! 

Fit a title - I've just been in Inverallochy Primary where the signs round the building are all in the Doric - hence" Loonies Lavvies" for the Gents! Wonderful!

Carried the drums the furthest of all the schools - the Music Room was on the top floor at the opposite end of the school - but thanks to the ladies in the office who acted as roadies.

And it's just "Hale Watter" outside - pouring down. I need some sunshine 

What is with the butteries that I keep making up songs about them? Somehow, it just happens and P67 in Pitfour Primary, Mintlaw were jamming away like anything.

And I had help - Visiting  Music Teacher John Park just happens to be a cool drummer and we let fly this afternoon in a duet that let the children hear music made up on the spot by 2 players listening and responding to each other.

 Earlier, Mss Robertson discovered she has drum fever in her blood as she had a go in front of the class and with any luck will be leading them in drum lessons before long. 

 I'm staying in St Colms and the beaches here are amazing - they go on for miles with clean shiny sand. If the wind would only drop!

An exhausting day for students in the Certificate Course in Jazz at St Andrews - they had to perform to Richard Ingham, visiting examiner John Brown and myself in a public concert htis afternoon. And they rocked! Despite the nerves it was rewarding to hear the improvement made by them all throughout the year, and the friendships made on the Course.Next year sees the start of the Graduate Course - in response to students who want to continue their studies in Doric and Dorian modes.

And glad to see that my domain name has taken effect - now www.richardmichaelmusic.co.uk instead of whatever went before.

Delighted to pay tribute to one of my favourite jazz pianists on Wed night when I analysed Hampton Hawes' solo on "I Got Rhythm" - a true fingerbuster!

I nearly brought it off until, in my closing remarks I played the phrase that Hampton uses in his last chorus and.........the fingers jammed and the mess goes out on Wed 18t June. The "live" part was of Cannonball's solo on "I'm on my way" and this went off without mishap. Catch on BBC iplayer if you missed it.

 And I've been working with sound engineer supreme Don Mitchell in putting titles to our Jazz ebsite featuring 3 pieces I've written for former FYJO players. New experience to be adding text to videos but this project is going to be something! 

Back home in Kirkcaldy now after a day in Lochpots (Friday) and St Andrews Primary (yesterday).

From the "Buttery Blues" in Port Errol, I had the "Smachery Song" in Lochpots.

'Smachery" is a NEast word for all things sweet that are bad for you and I was temptedto  come off my healthy eating ways by the good ladies of the staff as Fridays are designated "Fancy Piece" days - how virtuous to sit there with an apple!

Once again the kids were so interesting to work with as they were yesterday where I found the most promising drummer called Alex. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Alex saw no reason why he couldn't play the drums like his pals. So...... we shoved the drum stool out of the way, someone held down the hi-hat and Alex let rip like wow!

And....I asked him who was his teacher? And it transpires no-one. This young lad in P7 has the most beatiful fast hands I've seen for playing drums and I really hope the school can find him a teacher because he made my day! 

In between w'shops birthday boy Jamie (1 year old) blew in for a sand party on Sunday afternoon before I left for the sunny North and what an afternoon that was. Great to have the family together in the sun!