An Interview With KURT HUGET
What influenced you to work with prisoners?
Because of my work with Bread & Roses, I had been to San Quentin several times, presenting music workshops. When Steve Emrick told me that the arts program wanted to start a weekly guitar class, it sounded like an interesting challenge to me, so I accepted his offer to teach it. I had only taught sporadically before, so I had to prepare for teaching a group, particularly one with varying degrees of musical experience among the students.
I knew that the students had a genuine interest in learning to become better at playing music. And I wanted the opportunity to further my teaching practice, so I figured that it would be a good experience for all of us, and that’s what it’s turned out to be.
What are your expectations for the guitar class?
First and foremost, I wanted everyone to have some fun and be creative. I’m trying to pass along, in a quick and easy way, the things that I’ve learned over many years of playing. I teach the basics (chords, strumming patterns, etcetera) to the first-time players, and advanced techniques to the more experienced pickers. I want playing the guitar to be enjoyable and satisfying every time you pick one up. And I always encourage players to experiment, not to be afraid to make mistakes. Sometimes mistakes turn out to be brilliant ideas.
What are your musical roots?
I started off playing classical piano when I was eight, but like many guys my age, as soon as The Beatles came along, I switched to the guitar. I’ve always been interested in listening to, and trying to play, different kinds of music: rock, blues, folk, jazz, country, reggae, Irish music, etcetera. For me, listening to one kind of music would be like eating the same thing every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Also, since I’m a songwriter too, I’ve paid a lot of attention to the great American songwriters, going back to the 1920s.
How can new students enroll in your class?
New students can just show up for the class, on Thursday nights from 6 to 8. If they want to get a loaner guitar, they’ll to need to ask Steve, and also demonstrate that they’re committed to staying in the class for the long run.
What would you like to say to the prison population about music?
Playing music is just about the most therapeutic thing I know to do. It makes me feel better when times are tough, it makes me feel like I’m creating something and expressing myself in a way words can’t do, and when I play with others, it makes me feel connected in a brotherly way. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this class, as well as the other activities in the Arts In Corrections programs.
