The carolan guitar project

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We were delighted to link up with the University of Nottingham, Mixed Reality Lab, on this project. We feel confident in saying we were the first - and only - folk club in the UK to have a 'guitar-in-residence'!

During the 'residency' regulars at the Club were able to borrow the guitar and were encouraged to record a video for the guitar's website and the Club's YouTube channel.

After the announcement of the project on 5th June 2020, several members volunteered to borrow the guitar and recorded a piece for the Carolan website. If you are a competent guitarist and would like to try out this unique instrument, it is still possible to borrow the guitar: please email us on folkbeeston@gmail.com. and we will see what can be arranged. 

The first person to borrow the guitar (Dave McGowan) played 'Doors Open' music on Folk Beeston, Show 14 and recorded a feature for that show. Other regulars have included Mick Pearce, Elaine Chipchase, Andy Cooper and Phil Harrison. The 'residency' officially ended on December 31st 2021, after 18 months - though anyone wishing to borrow and video for the blog will still be able to do so. 

On 29th October 2021, Steve Benford, Head of the University of Nottingham's Mixed Reality Lab, brought the Carolan guitar to a club singers' night and did two segments in which he demonstrated and talked about the guitar's unique - and surprising - properties. A short video from that visit can be found as post 102 on the Carolan Blog

Or you could watch Steve Benford's video or peruse the guitar's own blog on the links below.

Steve Benford demonstrates the unique qualities of the Carolan guitar.

Carolan visits Second Time Around

The Carolan guitar's blog.

To learn more about The Mixed Reality Lab go to 

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/mixedrealitylab/people/index.aspx