View Full Version : Instrumentals or singing tunes?
<span style='color:purple'>While in a pickin session, I prefer to play mostly fiddle tunes -like 80%. Many breaks go around and it seems to keep my attention a bit more. What is your preference?</span>
Of course i go for the mandolin tunes 100% but i also love the banjo.
straight-a
Jul-22-2004, 6:44am
I like a 50/50 mix. The singing allows me to practice backup.
GTison
Jul-22-2004, 8:38am
singing in a jam is IT. if it's an open jam. I'd think you'd want to play songs everyone knew. BUT every jam is different. Singing rules over instrumentals because it's the most expressive way to communicate emotions etc. in music.
Kevin K
Jul-22-2004, 8:47am
Speaking of songs everyone knows.... what are some standards in the ole bluegrass circle for instrumentals.
Ken Sager
Jul-22-2004, 8:58am
singing in a jam is IT. #if it's an open jam. I'd think you'd want to play songs everyone knew. BUT every jam is different. #Singing rules over instrumentals because it's the most expressive way to communicate emotions etc. in music.
Yes, but singing "I'm blue" is vastly different than communicating it through your playing. I greatly prefer to hear "I'm blue" in the subtle notes of a well-tuned instrument in the hands of someone who knows how to make IT say "I'm blue" or happy, or in love, or riding a train, or in a cabin and lonesome...
Expressing emotions through music rules over hearing somebody say it, if you ask me. I'm 80/20 instrumentals/songs. Hearing somebody sing is just a nice way to take five in between playing the really fun, expressive stuff.
Just my 2 bits worth.
Joy to all,
Ken
True, but big jams are usually so noisy, its impossible to communicate the subtleties of "feeling" through playing your instrument. Moreover, there is something expressive and meaningful in several people singing a song together. If the jam has spectators, singing-songs are WAY more interesting to those listening.
Instrumentals are great, but I've always felt that there should be more emphasis on singing in the bluegrass jamming scene.
Ken Sager
Jul-22-2004, 11:31am
True, but big jams are usually so noisy, its impossible to communicate the subtleties of "feeling" through playing your instrument. #Moreover, there is something expressive and meaningful in several people singing a song together. #If the jam has spectators, singing-songs are WAY more interesting to those listening.
All the reasons I avoid large jams...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Ken
Michael H Geimer
Jul-22-2004, 11:35am
" Yes, but singing "I'm blue" is vastly different than communicating it through your playing. "
Seems to me that the whole goal of emotional playing is to imitate the expressisions of a human voice. Singing is the core melodic skill of a musician, IMHO.
Now, that doesn't mean all singing is better than all instrumental playing, but I would argue that it is a lot easier to commincate 'I'm Blue' using tone of voice, than it would be on a stringed instrument ... it's just a more direct connection to your heart and soul.
I say bring on the vocals!
[QUOTE]All the reasons I avoid large jams...
Point taken! But when there are people at the big jams who "care" about hearing the instruments and such...those are the best times I've had. So I'd say, if you completely avoid them, then they'll never change! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
patsites
Jul-22-2004, 2:59pm
For me it depends on the number if pickers and if there is an audience or not.
I prefer singing tunes in a large jam and I don't even sing.
If you have you ever gotten stuck in a marathon version of Blackberry Blossom, you'd beg for more singing tunes after chopping for 10 straight minutes!!
In a small jam without an audience, I greatly prefer instrumentals, especially dawg music with lots of changes, but good luck stumbling on this kind of jam. It's more fun to play backup if the chords are interesting than a repetitive monroe box.
Ken Sager
Jul-22-2004, 4:38pm
" Yes, but singing "I'm blue" is vastly different than communicating it through your playing. "
Seems to me that the whole goal of emotional playing is to imitate the expressisions of a human voice. Singing is the core melodic skill of a musician, IMHO.
Now, that doesn't mean all singing is better than all instrumental playing, but I would argue that it is a lot easier to commincate 'I'm Blue' using tone of voice, than it would be on a stringed instrument ... it's just a more direct connection to your heart and soul.
I say bring on the vocals!
You've just made my point. I absolutely agree that it's easier to communicate "I'm blue" by saying/singing it. It's much harder and MORE CONVINCING, however, if it is communicated by NOT saying it, or by PLAYING it musically.
I've grown weary of hearing it said/sung because those are just words. When you hear it in the music you know you're really hearing it, and then you feel it, too.
That's all I was saying.
All the best,
Ken
Ken Sager
Jul-22-2004, 4:40pm
Who am I kidding? There is no room in a jam session for feeling anything. It's all about getting in the most number of notes and words and getting out with all your body parts. It's dog-eat-dog and everyman for her/himself.
Sing and pick yer guts out!
chirorehab
Jul-22-2004, 4:46pm
Generally, I don't like vocal tunes... However, as a beginner, I find that it is a lot easier for me to learn the melody of a song and come up with a break on the spot with a vocal song...
At least, I like to think I am playing something that somewhat resembles the melody!
Eric
I like it when someone sings to keep me on the right track. I find sometimes that I tend to get a little lost when there is no voice to follow.
Michael H Geimer
Jul-22-2004, 5:11pm
Hey Ken ... I don't feel like we're contradicting each other at all. We've got a different perspective on it, and that's what we all come here to share. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Mark Normand
Jul-23-2004, 1:51pm
When I added a nice used Martin HD28V to my stable, my singing interest skyrocketed. Nothing finer that singing and harmonizing those old Flatt (!) tunes while rocking along on the booming 28, doing turnarounds, g-runs, etc. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
On the flip side, its so fun to jam gospel bluegrass at moderate speeds with my mando, one good guitarist, and a bass. Guitarist sings, I (try) to harmonize, and I get all the breaks! haha
doublestop
Jul-23-2004, 4:47pm
I like instrumentals, but I prefer singing songs. Singing songs are easier for me to improvise to.
Bruce Evans
Jul-24-2004, 5:51am
I'm a singer.
Well, yeah. I also play mandolin, and guitar, and clawhammer banjo, and ukulele, and piano, and banjolele, and penny whistle, and cavaquinho.
But I'm a singer.
Don't misunderstand, I love to pick and back up the instrumentals. If you don't sing well, I can understand that you would rather play than sing.
But I'm a singer. It's what I do best.
I am a singer as well, but fiddle tunes are where it is at for a mandolinist. Playing mandolin is about expressing yourself through the axe. However, sometimes it is hard to find more experienced players for instrumentals. Whether you are singing or playing, stick to the basics. I, IV, V intervals are most common and easiest to play along with.:D