I guess not everybody here scored a free Monday this week, but in the States (at least for me) today is the start of the work week. Hope all things banjo-related and otherwise are well with y'all. My practice goals shift, but I'm still at it. Highest priorities currently:
8 Comments |
 | laertes22 says:
9/2/2014 9:02:36 AM
Well, I've been hitting it pretty hard this week, including Monday (I was off and got in at least a couple hours practice on and off on banjo and fiddle). My goals have been to work more on figuring things out by ear, to play more musically/less rigidly, and to take songs I already know and "make them mine" by adding my own changes here and there.
I noticed that as my playing and my ear get better, I can learn songs faster. Rather than memorize tab, I play through the song to get a gist of how the arrangement sounds, and I try to "play the song"(play what I herd) as opposed to playing the tab (what is written).
Unfortunately, while I am getting much better at doing this on the banjo, I still have a long way before I'll be able to do it on fiddle. I had recently learned The Cuckoo from the "Ignoramus" Book, but this week I tried Dan Levenson's version from his book. It is a totally different arrangement (totally different sound, a bit more complicated/difficult) and the contrast between the two has taught me a lot. Also, I finally got Colored Aristocracy down to where I can play it.
On fiddle, I am still working on Angeline the Baker, Colored Aristocracy, and the Cuckoo (they are all three kind of still throwing me for a loop on fiddle. Although learning them on banjo has helped a lot).
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 | skiptomylou says:
9/3/2014 11:57:44 AM
funny enough, i've also been working on roscoe holcombe style. learned roll on john off mike seeger's dvd a while back, so have been revising that and working on a version of dylan's spanish boots of leather in that style. a version on this thread inspired me.
banjohangout.org/song/32386
would love to try hills of mexico, i love that one.
good on you for mastering The Cuckoo - i really struggle with that one, great song though,
glad to hear you are both playing lots
best
Jill
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 | Zischkale says:
9/4/2014 7:57:50 AM
Glad to hear you had the day off to put in some good practice, G! I agree with you that it's an educational experience to see familiar tunes arranged in different ways, I think there's a lot to learn there. I got my fiddle out for the first time in a week-or-so this past Tuesday, but I'm going to keep at it, and hopefully start learning more on where to put double-stops when I'm playing in A and D. If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about consciously putting your own changes in a tune, I think after enough times some of that will naturally happen. I know I'm a broken record about it, but it will probably help to post a tune to BHO when you're comfortable, I think that was a big learning experience for me.
For some motivation--a few weeks ago Dom Flemons formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops did an NPR interview that motivated my old-time pickin' -- no 5-string banjo or fiddle, but still an awesome listen, I think you'll appreciate it -- (npr.org/2014/07/30/336577946/d...time-root)
Hi, Jill! I really like that Bob Dylan cover, it's got a different emphasis in the rhythm than I expected but it's very cool, he's accompanying himself well! I'd love to see that (and other) Mike Seeger DVDs, if I had the scratch. I recently won about $250 bucks worth of bluegrass DVDs from BHO, which is awesome but I almost wish I could trade 'em off for Ken Perlman and Mike Seeger instructional stuff. There's an hour-long Mike Seeger audio-only recording on Youtube that touches Holcomb's style, you might check it out. I'm working on recording it and cutting it into manageable tracks.
You oughta try Hills of Mexico in clawhammer at least--it's just sawmill with a lowered 5th, so fDGCD. Really beautiful old-time song!
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 | VioletMoon says:
9/4/2014 5:18:13 PM
I really enjoyed reading this thread. I got to see Dom Flemons do a interview for a Wisconsin radio station a few weeks ago and I got to see him play with Jerron Paxton. That IS motivational!
I've been focused on three Wade Ward tunes that Matt Brown introduced in a workshop a while back, most recently Old Joe Clark. I got a bit of help with it from my teacher today and it's coming along. Next up, I really want to figure out how to play Eph's Got A Coon.
One of my goals was to learn to play more fiddle tunes by ear and I got a good chance to practice that last weekend at a small old-time jam at a local folk festival. Not sure how the people next to me felt : ) but I was pleased. I was able to pick out skeletal versions of what they were playing with some success.
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| Zischkale says:
9/5/2014 6:40:53 AM
Just noticed your blog, Cyndy! Some good thoughts there, I'm with you on the feeling about those "some days" where it just feels right to play. I haven't gotten to hear much of Jerron Paxton, but there's a video of him turning Mole in the Ground into a barn burner.
Hey, y'know Dan Levenson posted Wade Ward's version of "Old Joe Clark" as one of his tune of the week lessons? Not to interrupt your flow, but there might be good stuff for you to learn there. Ward's version is tricky, real unique slide (you mention it in-blog) in that A-part. I'd like to learn it. Not sure about Eph's Got a Coon, when you have it down you oughta post it.
Glad to hear you're making progress playing by ear. I'm trying to do the same, but haven't been to a jam in too long! Need to get back. Keep on pickin', Cyndy!
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| laertes22 says:
9/5/2014 9:24:31 AM
FYI, Dan and Bob Carlin did a book of "Wade Ward style" arrangements/tabs for banjo. Each song, I believe, Dan does a version and Bob does a version, but they are based on old Wade Ward recordings. The Old Joe Clark tunetorial is based on his version in the book. I haven't gotten to get into the tunetorial vid (although I did buy it), but I've messed around in the book some, and it is good stuff.
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| Zischkale says:
9/8/2014 8:04:18 AM
That book is great, I recommend it. Love the arrangement of Reuben and Mississippi Sawyer. That book brought to my attention how unique Uncle Wade's Old Joe Clark is--and difficult! I haven't spent much time with it, I'd like to see Dan teach it in that tune of the week.
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| laertes22 says:
9/8/2014 8:09:05 AM
By the way, I started finally watching some of the tunetorials I bought. Haven't finished them all but, to answer a question you asked a while ago, the tunetorials seem very similar to lessons I've had with Dan over skype.
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