Time signature & pick direction

[mandolinquent]

I'm learning a song that starts in 9/8, but then goes to 12/8. Would you use "down up down" for both of these time sigs? My guess is yes for both, however, it is possible to just use "down up down up" for 12/8 and still be on. Whaddya think? Thanks! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[MandoJon]

I'm no expert and without hearing the song it's only a guess but, I'd reckon you're right.

What's more important than pick direction here, IMHO, is the feel of the song at the point of the change. I am guessing, again, but I suspect that the intention is to keep the same "triplet" feel but help some words to scan (I play some songs in my church that do that, going from 4/4 to 6/4 for a bar or two and then back). Nobody really notices so long as you get it right! It's when you get it wrong (by worrying too much about it) that people realise something changed in the score.

DUD,DUD,DUD for 9/12 is reckoned to be better at keeping the rhythm tight both strumming and picking (at least that's what folk players say) but it is not wrong to play DUD, UDU, DUD or any other variation so long as it works for you.

I'd only switch to DUDU, DUDU, DUDU (rather than DUD,DUD,DUD,DUD) if the song changes it's feel from a folksy/bluesy triplet feel to something more like 4/4 time. If it doesn't stick with playing groups of 3. How's the music arranged on the score?

I don't know if I've confused you or helped!

[mandolinquent]

Thanks for the advice....no, you havent confused me, I get what youre saying. The song is "Robin & Marian" by Nickel Creek and it probably should be played DUD DUD DUD. Ist a pretty Irish-y sounding tune and I guess I think it does need the feel/sound of the triplets. Thanks again!

[CraigF]

I would think the picking would be the same. As I see it, the first beat of every measure is given more emphasis. So with 12/8 the first note of every fourth "triplet" would be given emphasis rather than every third in 9/8.