Re: [Harp-L] Bluegrass

[sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Michelle

Thanks for the info about bluegrass festivals. I plan on attending a few
later this year. I am a bit concerned about evening jams, cold air and
chromatic harmonica valves.

With respect to the mando chop I suspect that we are counting at different
tempos. Playing at a typical bluegrass tempo (180 bpm to 240 bpm) and
hitting all the up-beats as you suggest would be way too many chops. So
I suspect that you are counting at half speed. So you would hear my 180
bpm tune as a 90 bpm tune and your up-beats would be my down-beat on beats
2 and 4.

Cheers!



> sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx asks:
>> Hi Michelle
>>
>> Of the four up beats (8th notes) in a measure on which do you chop?
>
> If you are comfortable with it and it is appropriate to the song, all of
> 'em. Or you might want to hit every other one or play melody or
> countermelody or harmony notes on the ones you're not chopping on as
> Dave suggested. No hard and fast rule. Listen to a lot of bluegrass,
> focusing on the mandolin. Soon your ear will be your best guide.
>
> Bluegrass festivals are great. They typically follow a format of having
> the guest bands play several times through the event, so you get to see
> these great artists several times instead of just once. But there are a
> couple of other traditions that are also very cool. One is the breakout
> sessions in which especially talented musicians, headliners more often
> than not, lead seminars or classes on how to play their instrument of
> choice. You can learn so much about the instruments, their history and
> traditions and not least, how to play. You also learn much about the
> traditions and history of the genre (ans meet some cool folks).
>
> Dave and I have already mentioned the after-hours campground jams. We
> didn't mention another longstanding tradition associated with them --
> the main stage players often take part, sitting down, pickin' and
> grinnin' with the rank and file festival goers. What a treat that can
> be. I've sat down next to some very well-known players and been
> immediately accepted in spite of the fact that most any one of 'em could
> slaughter me, musically speaking. What brings everyone together at
> these  jams is their love of the genre and making music together. And,
> if you can contribute to the overall musical experience, you are more
> than welcome to join in.
>
> Many times I've attended these breakout seminars covering instruments I
> don't play (you prolly won't find a harmonica seminar at a bluegrass
> festival ;). Both teachers and "students" share their passion for their
> instruments and are very free with advice and pointers. I've learned a
> bunch from pro mandolin players for example. Some of the intricate
> rhythms that they play are things of beauty, and with a little study
> they can be mimicked on the harp with tongue articulations.
>
> Another time I was fascinated by a guy in one of the bands who was
> incredible at performing a hill-country tradition I'd never heard of
> called "hamboning," which amounts to rhythmically slapping various body
> parts. This guy was the Gene Krupa of hamboning. At an after-hours jam I
> took him aside, asked a couple of questions, and got a little
> extemporaneous verbal history of the various traditional ways hill
> country folk would keep rhythm. One of the ways he mentioned was playing
> rhythm bones. A couple of years later, I am a reasonably competent bone
> "rattler," and really enjoy playing them. They give me (and maybe the
> rest of the jammers ;) a rest from the harmonica, and as I've said any
> way to contribute to rhythm in bluegrass circles is welcomed, especially
> if it is traditional to the genre.
>
> So, Ms/Mr Speltraw, since you've expressed an interest, I'd suggest
> immersing yourself in the genre, its traditions and people. And there's
> no better way to do that than attending a festival or two. Festival
> season is coming up so it's not too soon to investigate and plan ahead.
> One I can heartily recommend is the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in
> June. All the biggies will be there and Telluride, nestled amongst bald
> Rocky Mountain peaks, is a great festival venue. Bring your harps and
> don't plan on sleeping much!
>
> Michelle
>
>
>