Parking lot picking

[MOP]

Just to know what you think about,if you know etc... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandopete]

It's all good! #I remember the little line from the Bluegrass Mandolin Extravanganza where Sam Bush talks about heading down to one of his first bluegrass festivals in Virginia. He said they couldn't wait to get the instruments out and pick.

Here's a nice little photo of a couple of parking-lot pickers....

[fatt-dad]

Hey, I may have been there. Saw the Newgrass Revival at the Culpeper-Warrenton Bluegrass festival in 1972 (or was it 1973). Love the photo.

f-d

[duuuude]

It's where Garcia & Grisman met. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[MOP]

I can consider that "parking lot picking" is a natural
maner to play music.Really,you are lucky to the states! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Rich]

Parking lot picking is my favorite- especially in the morning right after a big cup of coffee, the baccon still fresh in my breath, and the sun only starting to burn off the dew from the night. #I'm gettin' chills just dreaming about it. #I can hear the notes of Blackberry Bloosom played much slower than the night before hanging in the air. #It's that part of the festival morning, after breakfast and before I begin planning for the days activies, where time really slows down for an hour, nothing much matters, except squeeking out a perfect tone with already sore fingers. #

This stir up memories for anyone?

[Frankmc]

Yes Rich! I do the same thing.For some reason even after playing really late, at a festival I wake early and do " the breakfast stroll". Usually find someone with some sausages still left and we pick, eat a little, pick.... I can smell summer comin'

Frank

[KYGirl]

That is a huge factor in the choices of festival's we attend. #We pick the ones who have good parking lot pickin'! #I've met some of the best folks there over the years.

Michelle

[TonyP.]

It's the only reason I go to festivals. If I end up seeing any bands I know the pickin' wasn't good and I usually don't go back. I live for "Festival Consciousness" That blissful state that happens from being away from the grind, no worries,mixed with lack of sleep, with only the happy prospect of, well do we pick? or do we eat? or another beer or some coffee?

[Michael H Geimer]

" This stir up memories for anyone? "

Well ... I have yet to pick in an actual parking lot, but your post reminded me of my first morning, at my first festival.

I'm an early-bird, and I was strolling down the road to find some Java - still reeling from all the events of that first day! I heard some wonderful dobro. Well, it turned out I had met Craig the day before. He invited me to sit down and pick some at his campsite. I hardly knew anything, and it seemed he knew about everything. But that didn't matter. Didn't say to much, we just sipped our coffee and played through some fiddle tunes ... nice and easy and simple and pure ... ahhhhh.

BTW: I have to heartily thank Duuude for holding me that spot in line last fall - without his introduction to the whole festival way of things, my Perfect Moment wouldn't have happened! Oh yeah, did I mention that ... the festival itself wasn't even starting for another two days? LOL! This was all part of waiting in line. Thanks, Duuude.

- Benig

[mandopete]

Yeah, come to think of it I don't believe I've ever actually played in the parking-lot per se. #It's really just the notion of informal jamming that usually occurs at a bluegrass festival and many times is with musicians you've never met before.

My general take on this is that it's good to know all of the standard fiddle tunes and a good number of bluegrass "standard" vocal tunes. #Make sure your ears are tuned in and ready, steady, go!

In the past few years my ability to play fiddle tunes has gone into the proverbial toilet (not that I was all that good to start). #I find I prefer to find a couple of good singers that will let a gently-used (but well cared-for) mandolin picker sit in with them.

Maybe this summer I will venture up to the parking lot and see what is really happening.......

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Clamdigger]

Quite a while ago, I went to the Berkshire Mountain Festival (now Grey Fox) in western Massachusetts. I didn't play an instrument but loved the music. #I stayed in a tent and when I got up at daybreak, I heard music. #I wandered over and there was a jam going. #I stood listening for about an hour and said to a guy "they sure get up early". He looked at me and kind of laughed and told me they hadn't been to bed. #That is when I realized what festivals were all about. #Clamdigger

[Clyde Clevenger]

I just love those "get up early" festival picking times. I get a cup of coffee, and mandolin or guitar, no one else is up, some nice quiet picking time.......then comes the F*&^#%$$@&*$^^%#&^#&**$*$^#^%#%$&$&*ing neighbors generator.

[MOP]

hI just love those "get up early" festival picking times. #I get a cup of coffee, and mandolin or guitar, no one else is up, some nice quiet picking time.......then comes the F*&^#%$$@&*$^^%#&^#&**$*$^#^%#%$&$&*ing neighbors generator.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif The "ç8ù**µµ¨£*£¨ùm%µ11&& Etc ... IS VERY REPRESENTATIVE
Ah ah ah aha !!!!!

[jim simpson]

When a friend of mine went to his first festival he reported to me about the pickin'. I was astonished that strangers would just get together so casually. Boy was I in for an education. Flash forward 30 some years and I can't imagine life without it. I met a player a couple of years ago at a festival and really enjoyed his singing, playing and material. Recently started playing with him in a gigging band. If you are interest in playing in a band, it's a great way to find folks that you're compatible with.

[duuuude]

Gee, thanks, Benig, but just wait'll this year, there'll be more of us & we'll all actually know how to play. That and I'll have coffee next time!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

But on subject, the only actual parking lot I picked in was at the Millpond Fest, after one jam broke up about 1 or 2am, me & stanley were told about another in the parking lot. No cars, just a half-dozen people standin in the gravel under the only light in the middle of the night grinnin' & sharin', don't get much better. Can't hardly wait for the 'Berry streetlight jams now!

[mandofiddle]

Weren't you once in a band called The 'Berry Streetlight Jam?

[duuuude]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

There ya go givin' me ideas ......