SmallFry
May-02-2004, 12:47pm
All right....so i'm 14, i've been playing mando for 2 years and violin for 7 years before that. And i think i'm decent but i have no way of telling if i've surpassed the beginner level or not being the only freshmen in a suburb of Boston who plays the mandolin.
What do you think seperates a beginning mando player from and intermediate mando player?
John Flynn
May-02-2004, 1:31pm
There are different ways to think about that question. Right off, I would say that it is not a distinction I would worry too much about. The real deal is for you to be happy with your playing, not fitting into a category. Also, most of us are in different categories depending on the situation. For instance, I would rate myself as being in the high end of the intermediate category in old-time and religious music, but on the borderline between beginner and intermediate in bluegrass. I would definitely be a complete beginner if I jumped into classical or jazz.
Here is just MHO: I would call an intermediate player someone who could competently play a full set of common tunes in his genre or music, either on his own or with a group, whether in a practice, jam or performance. He could also teach those tunes to another player. I would also say that an intermediate player would have developed a distinct style of his own that works.
A beginner would be someone who is still working on being able to do that. An advanced player would be someone who could hold his own playing with the top players in his genre, in any situation, knows most all of the common tunes in his genre, can consistently not just perform in his genre, but can innovate. He could successfully teach intermediate players. An advanced player would have a style of his own that not only works very well, but also sets a standard for excellence.
smilnJackB
May-03-2004, 11:01am
That is a good response, Johnny! It's best not to focus too much on whether we are beginners, intermediate or expert. It's best to play, have fun -- and learn too.
And your description 'intermediate' sounds about right. Darn it, After playing mando for 2 years, I am not quite intermediate yet!~ But I am pleased to share what I can.
Smiling Jack