When Bluegrass faculty Adam Schlenker posted an online lesson to Bluegrass Unlimited, it sparked a connection and a history lesson.

Shortly after the lesson posted, Schlenker received an email from Tom Dunham, the grandson of former chair of music faculty at Denison, Karl Eschmann.

Tom noted,

I grew up in Granville and my Grandfather, Karl Eschman was the head of the Music Department for many years. My mother, Elinor, went to Denison as well and played Cello in the orchestra……but was not a music major….said her Dad would be too tough on her.

Karl was trained as a classical pianist and being the first grandson and living in Granville, I was introduced to the piano at an early age. I hated it and I think a big disappointment to parents and grandparents alike….they said I would be sorry later that I couldn’t play the piano and they were right about that…..but didn’t sway me at the time.

I bought a guitar and found out that you could play “Tom Dooley” with just 2 chords changing only one time…and I was hooked. After the folk music scene died down, I started playing Bluegrass and loved it. It took several years to go from stummin’ to Pickin’ …and I am only fair at it today…but I love it and still learning.

Just another example of how Bluegrass brings people together.

Take the lesson yourself!

January 15, 2021