Checking In: Goals and a Tune Recording

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Old-time practice group 1

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a group who encourage and motivate one another to stick to, and get the most out of, our practice time

14 Members, Created 5/7/2014 -

Administrators: skiptomylou (owner)

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From VioletMoon on 5/12/2014 9:17:33 AM

I've been jotting down practice notes in blog format both here and on Fiddle Hangout for a while (it's both enjoyable and informative to be able to look back in that way) and so I think I'll continue to use that as a way of recording my adventure.

My goals for practice time between now and the end of June (Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering) are pretty simple:

1) Spend time listening each evening, picking out new things to try with old tunes, so that I'm stretching, rather than just playing the same things over and over (although there is something to be said for doing that with new tunes).

2) Spend time playing fiddle tunes on the banjo by ear to be better prepared in case I have a chance to play banjo with friends at Battle Ground.

I worked on Roustabout last week (a lesson tune) and I'm in love with playing it. I've got the notes of a basic version down (see the recording link in my blog post) but I don't think I've quite captured the right rhythm and groove. Next step is to listen to some versions to try to figure out how I can find that extra something that would make it as enjoyable to listen to as it is to play. : )

Cyndy

6 Comments
	laertes22 says: 5/12/2014 9:23:00 AM Can't wait to check out your recording, Cyndi! I just saw the picture on your blog-is that a Boucher style minstrel banjo? I have one, too, although I haven't worked on any minstrel/early banjo stuff in a long time. Looking forward to your blog entries, too!.
	VioletMoon says: 5/12/2014 9:43:37 AM It's a Prust banjo--really fun to play.
	laertes22 says: 5/12/2014 10:25:40 AM Very nice!
	Zischkale says: 5/12/2014 11:08:53 AM Was just listening to Cockerham's Roustabout on one of the Clawhammer Banjo CD's. Good choice of tune. I think I've said it 50 times in this group, but I love that Old Time Jam machine. The folks who started that thing are real saints--practice with that really builds the confidence for a jam setting. Keep up the good work!
	VioletMoon says: 5/18/2014 5:46:46 PM I've worked very hard on Roustabout the last couple of weeks -- I've been traveling and it's been my go-to piece for the down times -- and I think it's improved in some subtle ways. It hasn't been easy to do a lot of listening, though. This week!
	VioletMoon says: 5/18/2014 5:52:37 PM Oh, and thinking about my #2 goal, I spent some time Friday trying to play along with C tunes in a rather fast jam. THAT was an experience! But, there WERE some bright moments--like the one where I realized the tune was doing something a lot like a phrase in Soldier's Joy. It was a bit jarring for my fiddle brain to hear something in C sound like something I know to be in D and then realize that if I played what I play in D it would work out because the banjo was tuned in C, but it was also cool to figure it out. : )
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	Roscoe Holcomb pt 1 Linked by laertes22 11 years ago
MP3: Whiskey Before Breakfast Linked by banjo50 11 years ago
	What Child Is This? Linked by VioletMoon 12 years ago: I worked hard on this one! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday -- full of lots of time to practice. : )
	The Cuckoo Linked by laertes22 12 years ago: "The Cuckoo" This is my second attempt at recording a vid. Apologies in advance for the wrong notes and the rhythm/tempo issues.
	Cluck Old Hen Linked by laertes22 12 years ago: Kowtowing to peer pressure (after hearing myself play for the first time in my engagement vid), I have decided to bite the bullet and record/post some vids. Be gentle, it's my first time. :)
	banjo engagement Linked by laertes22 12 years ago
MP3: Rambling Hobo Linked by VioletMoon 12 years ago: I'm trying to keep a record of my banjo adventure. This is the latest slice-of-banjo-life recording. Cyndy
Blog Entry: The Project: 55 Tunes for 55 Years, Plus One Linked by VioletMoon 12 years ago: This will be the focus of my practice time at least through the end of the year. Cyndy
Tablature: I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open Linked by Ted Heath 12 years ago