I'm really good at practicing stuff that I know.
I not really good at putting new stuff into my head to practice.
So, I've decided to head off on a new adventure. I'll link the blog post that explains it.
I'll also link my most recent recording. It isn't perfect, but I'm happy with it because it does a really good job of capturing how I really play at this point in time.
11 Comments |
 | Zischkale says:
10/27/2014 8:02:18 AM
Important to keep the stuff you know sharp. It's the sign of a good musician to be able to perform their best tunes on cue. Like you did at that banjo contest at the park! I'm getting better at that--took my 'jo on a recent family trip to Broken Bow, OK and was able to dish out a solid repertoire.
Great job on the Rambling Hobo! Double C tuning, and what 'jo is that? Has a bit of ring to it, which I like, not too plunky. Nice drive to it. Big undertaking on the 55 tunes, but you can definitely do it! Great idea to get familiar with those--I'd really like to learn Elk River Blues myself. I might only recommend to listen to some fiddle melodies for the ones that are fiddle tunes--get real acquainted with the melody so you can decide how much or how little of it to play.
I might also recommend to give Black Banjo Songsters of North Carolina and Virginia a listen--it's been my Clawhammer Banjo, Vol. 4 the past few weeks! Keep up the good work, Cyndy!
|
 | VioletMoon says:
10/27/2014 8:11:35 AM
I review tunes quite a bit -- porch sitting -- so most of the ones I've really learned stay pretty strong. I was playing in a laundromat Saturday (quilt washing) and someone stopped to listen. Did okay!
It's the RK-O25 banjo with a fiberskyn head and medium strings and absolutely no finger nail. : )
One advantage I have is that I know a lot of fiddle tunes in my head so a lot of the banjo tunes are familiar. So far, I haven't had too hard of a time figuring out the basics of what I'm hearing. It's the subtle points that are tough. Am I really hearing what I think I'm hearing or am I hearing something new as something familiar?
I'll have to put Black Banjo Songsters on my birthday list. Altamont -- Black Stringband Music from the Library of Congress is DEFINITELY on my list of things I want to study. Ah, to play the banjo like that!
C
|
| Zischkale says:
10/27/2014 8:25:51 AM
Cool idea to take it to the laundromat, I like the idea of taking the banjo out like that--I'm thinking I need to find some place to busk some time for my own practice. I don't feel quite up to doing an open mic night or something similar yet.
Surprised about no finger-nail, I'll have to listen closer when I'm not at work.
You're in a good position to learn the tunes from banjo, then--I'm coming from another place, I was listening to those County compilations before I even cared much for fiddle music (this was only a couple years ago, I'm a newbie), so I'm having to be more mindful of seeking out the fiddle tune.
I don't think your translation should be exact, it'll be the things you add/subtract that make the interpretation yours and that will make it interesting. It's why the old-timers are interesting to listen to -- I imagine they would walk away from hearing a tune at a dance, and not get to play their 'jo at home for a few hours--they weren't sitting next to a turntable playing a record at half-speed and copying note-for-note. Heard a Radiolab podcast over the weekend where they interviewed a modern composer (radiolab.org/story/john-luther-adams/). He composed a piece based on songbird calls, but notes that he wasn't interested in copying them exactly. I like the way he explains it.
I was underwhelmed with the Songsters CD when I first got it--mostly 'cause some of the tracks are so short! But after a few spins it hasn't left my car. Dink Roberts is a great player, it's rhythm above melody, but some of the bluesy phrases he does I could listen to all day. I'll have to check out the Stringband CD--probably has Odell Thompson on it, he's great too.
|
| VioletMoon says:
10/27/2014 8:35:45 AM
I subscribe to the idea of trying to "slavishly imitate!" I think that phrase maybe came from Dan Gellert? And yes, I worship the banjo ground he walks on! : )
There's no danger in me ever sounding like the masters, but it seems like I can learn a heck of a lot trying.
I'm more creative with banjo than I am with fiddle, so I'm pretty sure, I'll just end up sounding like myself anyway.
|
| Zischkale says:
10/27/2014 11:46:29 AM
I suppose that's a fair goal, since you'll not copy 'em exactly, which will put your own spin on it! Good choice of model too, Dan Gellert, that Black-Eyed Susie video they always pass around BHO was a game-changer for me!
|
| VioletMoon says:
10/27/2014 11:56:04 AM
Just clicking the virtual "Like" button. : )
I don't play Black-Eyed Susie on banjo but I play around with it on fiddle. Awesome tune!
|
 | skiptomylou says:
10/28/2014 4:03:03 PM
I like that Cyndi 'let's keep at it!' - thanks for the encouragement.
i have the opposite 'problem' from you in that i love learning new material - the newer and more unfamiliar something is the more energised and focused i seem to be. then i go through a period of feeling a bit bored and less focused. i always wish i could keep that initial excitement and energy going. sometimes having a break from the tune, trying something else, then going back to the tune after a period, helps. lately have been trying to just keep going and spend longer on a tune.
i enjoyed your recording - you have a beautiful style,
best
Jill
|
| VioletMoon says:
10/28/2014 4:18:08 PM
It's fascinating that we should have the opposite challenges. I don't get bored playing the same tunes over and over but have a finite amount of mental energy for focusing on and figuring out new things.
Whatever style I have I owe to a wonderful bit of good fortune. From the beginning, it's felt like my teacher approaches the music in a way that perfectly matches the way I would naturally play and choose to play if I had the skills to do it. I feel very, very lucky to have that kind of guidance.
Cyndy
|
| Zischkale says:
10/29/2014 8:09:03 AM
I'm with Jill to some degree, I'm always itching to learn something new and it sometimes detracts from me perfecting something old. I'd recommend m-skips 'til the sun goes down. That tune you know and you're sick of? Syncopate it like mad. Play it real slow but keep that groove and only play the melody notes, or play it at your absolute high-speed limit. Get crazy with it, that's not only the way I continue to enjoy learned songs, I also feel it helps me individualize a song.
Another great thing to do is record yourself playing a "set," doesn't have to be something you make public, but just the act of trying to make a good recording can get you on point and in a performing mood.
|
| VioletMoon says:
10/29/2014 8:14:54 AM
Both good points. Thanks!
|
| skiptomylou says:
10/29/2014 1:59:04 PM
that's wonderful indeed - to find teacher who matches you so well
i know i said it a while back and didn't get round to doing it, but i am hoping to get some recording, maybe even another video, done soon. hopefully this weekend i'll get some time to get on with it,
very best to you both - thanks so much for your input and encouragement
ps I wish i had called the group: "Let's keep at it"
|
Post a Comment
|
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.
|
