Calling all gospel pickers

[shiloh]

Hey all,

I did a search to see if this topic has been touched upon but didn't quite find anything. I was wondering who plays mandolin, either in a group, at church, or just pickin' at home, focusing on Gospel tunes?

(PLEASE NOTE: I've had to put a temporary "hold" on adding any more names to the separate Gospel Mandolin email List - the good news is that it is a very long list (!) but the 'bad' news is that it is so long (!) - so we are not able to add more names at the present. My deepest apologies.)

Thanks, have a great day, and blessings,
Jill

[Rocky Top]

Hi there, Gospel music is all I play (except when at festivals or jams). I don't know how much help I could be, but if you'd like my email address, just pm me and i'll be glad to give it to you. Take care.

[David Newton]

Is there a problem (board policy) with discussing gospel music things here? We had a discussion not too long ago about some of this stuff, but I'm sure it's left the building.

The title of the section does have "gospel" in the name...

[shiloh]

Hi Dave,
No, no problem posting on this board. I don't read the boards every day, though, so I figured most other people don't either. Thus, having a list of like-minded folks to email with a specific challenge or question would reach everyone on their email and be maybe faster and reach those interested in participating.

Just a thought.
Jill

[Mark Sullivan]

I play gospel almost exclusively at a storefront mission. I tried Amzing Grace last night with a different rhythm and it worked for most of the song but I goofed it up several times. Most of the people who come in are not into bluegrass or old time or country, but into hispanic or rap or hiphop or rock n roll. Amazing how many young people are homeless. So I try to play a rhythm they can tap they bongo or jembe or tamberine to. I'm maybe an advanced beginner and don't have much time to practice so I could use the help. I'm in.

[David Newton]

No problem with your email list, I just like to read about a gospel song from time to time here. Add me to your list.

[Tracy Tucker]

Me too, me too! One of these days I aim to play in church. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Until then, more practice!

Tracy

[Rick Smith]

Please include me shiloh...thanks

[narrogate]

Shiloh, Play mandolin in two different bands; both are bluegrass/ bluegrass gospel. We do play a good many churches and there is a strickly gospel jam in my area once a month. I also have a few gospel songs to my writing credit. Count me in too!

[Doug Edwards]

Count me in. I play with a BG Gospel band and in church.

http://ntbbluegrass.com

[8STRINGR]

I'm In! I currently play mandolin with two Gospel Bluegrass groups and occassionally set in on with our church's Worship Team when the theme calls for bluegrass music. Easter's coming so I'm sure there will be plenty of ideas out there, (like IIIrd Tyme Out's "The Dream"). #Drop a me line anytime! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[gnelson651]

Interesting this topic came up today. #Our church use to have a string band but when our banjo playing pastor left, it fell to the wayside. #Last night I jammed with our new pastor whose a #beginning guitar player and wants to learn to play Bluegrass gospel songs.

I tried to gave him a few pointers and we worked on "Precious Moments. Since I'm not a guitar player, I just gave him some basic stuff I know from being around BG jams.

So include me in on your list. It would be nice to have such a resource.

[Josh_Akins]

I play in a Bluegrass Gospel band.

I'm in.

[mandolin123]

me also please!

[BPV]

Add me also please! I lead a Youth Praise String Band and co-lead the Worship Team):)

[Mark Walker]

Add me. I played guitar, and then later (after I learned how) mandolin in our Parish's folk Mass for years. I'm currently the guitar player in 'For Heaven's Sake' Gospel/Bluegrass band - along with fellow Cafe' member Angelfire. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[shiloh]

Hey, great everyone! I'm collecting the email addresses and I'll send them out to everyone shortly. Maybe we can introduce ourselves and see what any needs are.

I'm personally emailing everyone, but when you get a chance please send me an email with your preferred email address.
Blessings,
Jill (Shiloh)
providenceV39@aol.com

[JeffD]

I don't mind sharing emails, but I really think this would be some very useful discussions to have right here in this section of the forum. There are many lurkers who might benefit, or, perhaps will join and contribute because "finally" there is something that is relevant to them. Taking it off line only deprives the general mando-enthusiast from seeing all the fun we are having.

I know there are many things I "bump" into on here that I hadn't considered before or did not know anything about - and perhaps the mandolin's suitability for gospel music would be something others would bump into, and then find it something new to get excited about.

Just a thought.

[Susan H.]

Hi Jill, I play banjo and mandolin in a bluegrass trio at my church. #If I can help let me know. #I'm kind of new at mandolin, I've played less than a year, but I've been playing banjo for almost 6 years. #Steve Kaufman did a book called Band In A Book for gospel tunes. #Some good arrangements in there for mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, and guitar. #And it's not just for one or the other, it's for the entire group. #Add me to your group. #Susan http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Big Joe]

I play mandolin and guitar in our church...and occasionally bass. Mostly guitar, but most of the mandolin music I play is Gospel or hymns. Nothing better!

[shiloh]

Hey Big Joe,
I was thrilled to read somewhere on the Cafe that you're a Pastor. I am still very appreciative - and blessed - with my Doyle Lawson that you had set up for me when you were at Gibson Showcase. It is a sweet instrument. Plays like butter. So, another opportunity to thank you again.
God Bless,
Jill

[dmamlep]

I am in a Bluegrass Band, play mandolin, play mostly churches. even when we play festivals we play mostly gospel. add me. dmamlep@yahoo.com, but like some have said, this would be a great place for all to see. Big Joe going to Nashville soon and would like my Mandolin set up, I think I have it but would like somone to make sure I am getting all I can. who should I let do it.

[Kevin K]

I too play mandolin in a bluegrass gospel group for over 5 years now.
Feel blessed to be able to share through music.

[shiloh]

Hey everyone,
Just thought I'd throw in another thought. Hey Jeff, I completely agree with what you mentioned about "bumping into stuff" on the Cafe. I think I find the most interesting things when I'm not even looking for them! I think most of us will likely keep posting on the Cafe because it's fun and a great resource (thank you Scott) but having a smaller, offsite group provides a "small group" community effect; and provides opportunity for prayer and such that might not be completely appropriate for the Cafe boards. I'm part of a similar group for dobroists and it's nice to ask a specific person (via email) a specific question sometimes. So, that's the thinking anyway ;-)
Blessings,
Jill (aka Shiloh)

[irokcj5]

I'm for either, Cafe or sm. group....I just wanna learn!!! Especially Gospel Grass. I grew up in Virginia on BG and Southern Gospel, but left as a young teenager in 77 to south Louisiana...Can't stand cajun music. But met a guy a year ago or so and he got me listenging to BG again. I LOVE it, takes me back home...BUT I'll get to my point http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ...Nothing sounds sweeter to me than Gospel BG....I've picked up the Mandolin a couple of months ago and I'm enjoying playing some the standard fiddle tunes, but I'd rather be able to learn some gospel songs to sing. Like the Issacs and others on Bill Gaithers Bluegrass Homecoming...So, count me in.....

Jack

[chip]

add me too...

[Ted Eschliman]

Many may not know this, but the majority of my public performance is in church in a contemporary worship setting. It is the single most important music I play.

[Rick Smith]

Great Ted...do you have any sound files available...I'd be interested in hearing jazz progressions in a contemporary gospel setting

[pickinpete]

I play bluegrass at home alot, but 99% of my public playing is gospel. I play with the congregational singing in church and belong to a southern gospel group along with a keyboard, bass, electric guitar, drum machine, my wife plays acoustic guitar and I switch between mandolin and telecaster. We play on two t.v stations in tn and al, radio and internet as well as local churches. We have three video's on youtube (search "the napier singers") and I am constantly seeking gospel mandolin sources on the net. It seems most all I find is bluegrass gospel wich I love, but I dont play bluegrass gospel in public so I too Ted, would like to hear a sample.

[Ted Eschliman]

Not particularly jazzy, but It is Well (with My Soul) (http://jazzmando.com/sound/ItIsWell.mp3).

[Ken Berner]

I have had the pleasure and blessings of playing mandolin with several different groups in churches, schools, assisted-living centers, civic events, not to mention parties and jams. Gospel or more "contemporary" Christian music is always played in church settings. We do not look on this as performing, as such, but as participation or serving. Please include me in your listing; thanks for your interest.

[shiloh]

Hey Ted,
Thanks for the MP3. Very cool! I'd love to pick like that. Thanks for letting us know about your ministry!
Blessings,
Jill

[irokcj5]

Oh, that was nice piece. Can I ask a dumb question? The Mandolin is still very new to me, and I'm trying to train my ear...were you "cross-picking" this song?

Jack

[mandoplyr70]

Please add me to your list Ken Froman Christs Servants Gospel band New Albany, In. 47150 Email kfroman70@insightbb.com Thanks http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Salty Dog]

Put me in the bucket also as I am the mandolin player for a bluegrass gospel band in the Binghamton, NY area titled "On Our Way Home". #We play some instrumentals but our music otherwise is strictly gospel.

[zoukie]

I really loove to play bluegrass gospel on the mandolin!!!! Count me in, I'll e-mail you.

[newfs]

I play with a small group at our church and to me it is a calling and so I play to worship him. Please include me as well.

Ron Haas
newfs@atlanticbb.net

[crengr]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Please add me to your list..going for my second time playing with a small group at church next Sunday, being a nubie I can use all the help I can get.. Bless you Jill..crengr

[shiloh]

Hey Crengr,
Hey, that's great! Let us know how it goes with the small group.
Blessings,
Jill

[Ted Eschliman]

Albeit not as "worshipful" in character, I do like to have some fun with the classic hymns. This is a brief video demo of a verse of How Great Thou Art (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=28637507) on a 4-string electric. (First time I brought this to instrument to practice, the rest of the band didn't quite know what to think...)

[shiloh]

Hey Ted,
That video is so fun! I've never heard an e-mando. Great jazzy version!
Thanks,
Jill

[midmando]

Add me please - I'm a minister and a player, but, alas, our congregation doesn't use instrumental music...

[bgjunkie]

Count me in. I play with a friend of mine for the youth (K - 5th grade) at our church. I am sure I could benefit from a group such as this.

[300win]

I've played Bluegrass/Bluegrass Gospel music all my life. Me and the wife had a group about 10 years ago that played in area churches, but we did stuff that I wrote, not really what you would call Bluegrass gospel, but we had guitar, bass guitar, and mandolin with 3+4 part harmonies. A lot of young people liked some of my compositions because some of them were more modern sounding with minor chords and what not in them, and some complex harmony singing. This past Christmas I played guitar and mandolin along side of the piano player with a combined church choir cantata. That was fun, and now we are working on a Easter cantata with the same group but this one is much more difficult. I'm playing mandolin only on this one, and there are so many of the songs in the cantata that graduate in half steps. Sure is a long way from kicking off and playing in a bluegrass band something such as the Boat of Love etc. by Monroe. I've written about 50 or so Gospel songs both Bluegrass style and more contemporary. I'd like to get another 3-4 piece group together again, but it's very difficult to find musicians who are capable, and at the same time have the spare time to put into it.

[Hohner Mando Abe]

Hello folks: I'm a newbie here, & started to play mando 18 months ago. I'm wondering if some who see this post could tell of some net sites that would be a big help in playing gospel music. Many of the hymns & gospel songs lend themselves well to bluegraass style, but in some situations a more conservative approach is needed.
( especially up here in central Canada where there are very few bluegrass groups & Jams.) I have bought several CD's of Monroe, Stanley, & Baldissari. They help some, but unless you know the songs, its hard to hear the cords, riffs & harmonies in your head to be able to play along. I practice with several CD's, Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, Gaither bluegrass homecoming & The best of Don Williams. I have down loaded several chord charts etc. But I'm having difficulty understanding the mando tabs, & how to use them. Anyone bin here - done that?? Thanks # Abe.

[carpenter]

I love gospel music. Put me on the list.

Jim

[bshpmark]

Please add me to the list as well.

[Gerard Dick]

Me too. I love bringing a melody instrument to the mix. Doing chord melody is such a hoot. Amplification is necessary to keep up with the piano player.

[Gerard Dick]

Abe #Where are you in central Canada? Since the West starts in Floodipeg, does that put you in Ontario? #I'm in Kitchener Ont. #Enjoying the big snow, NOT.
Gerard

[Hohner Mando Abe]

Hi Garrymando. Sorry, I haven't been on this forum lately, (redoing our bedroom, Carpet, the whole 9 yards.) I guess you could say i'm actually out west, 125 miles west of winterpeg. Brandon. Our snow is almost all gone, but i hear we'll probably get some in the next week. I can't believe the amount you, & other points east are getting. #Make sure your roof is cleared off !!!
I just recieved an order of 3 sets of j67 addarios I had ordered on E bay. Broke 1 E string before it even got to pitch, Bummer. They sound OK, but they feel a little rough when sliding notes. I still use mostly 2 finger cords, but found some good 3 finger ones to learn. I don't think I'll ever be able to do some of the 4 finger cords i see in the charts. ( too much arthritis in the fingers.)
Do you play in a band? I hope to go to a local jam session soon & see what I can learn. They do all kinds of music, sooooo, it should be interesting. #There is very little bluegrass music in this area. South of Winnipeg, Winkler & Morden area have some groups. Blessings to you all this Easter season. #Abe