Rhythm mandolin ?

[ngzcaz]

Okay, a year and a half of playing
has convinced me of a couple of things.
1. I really like the mandolin
2. I can not nor ever will be able
to pick the lead and double stops
anything close to a recording.
3. No, I'm not giving up, just realizing
not everyone can be a Skaggs, Rice
or Bush ( not George )

I used to have a decent knack for strumming
along on a guitar plus a couple of very simple
runs. Can that same idea be transferred to the
mandolin ? I feel like a jerk when a nod is
given to take the lead on a song when I know
I'm going to screw it up. However, I like to
strum a fast one like John Hardy or Jesse
James. That doesnt seem to be a problem. : - )
Obviously, I'd like a LITTLE bit of fancy
picking thrown in every once in a while. Is there
a book or video for this ? Is everyone on the cafe
a pro or semi pro or are there just people that
want to play along in a group like me ?

[John Flynn]

Is everyone on the cafe a pro or semi pro or are there just people that want to play along in a group like me?
You are in good company. There was a thread some time back to identify those on the board that are "professional musicians." There was a fair amount of response, but it was a drop in the bucket compared to the over 5,000 registered members. Most of us are just enthusiastic amatuers, although I am sure there are some very good pickers in that category. As far as never being a Skaggs or Bush, I doubt many of the rest of us will every be that either. But you know what? Music is not a contest, so it doesn't matter. If you enjoy playing, that is all that counts. Also, when you are a beginner, that is when you can make the "leaps and bounds" in improvement that are so satisfying.

I hope this isn't off point, but I was thinking about it today. When I was a semi-pro rock guitarist in college, I wanted so much to play like Eric Clapton. Then I read an interview with him where he said that he never played the guitar just for fun anymore. He had no interest at all in playing if it was not for some kind of gig or to write a tune for an album. I kind of felt sorry for him in a way. I still wanted to play like he could, but I did not envy him his lack of joy in it. Playing music is my great escape, my refuge, no matter where I get on the proficiency scale.

[chipotle]

ngzcaz, I have been playing the mandolin for less than a year and I have only a tiny bit of experience with a stringed instrument prior to taking up the mandolin. Also, I have taken this up later in life as I am 44 years old. Plus I have a rotten attention span!

Now while I do not expect to ever achieve the proficiency of my teacher, let alone the masters, I love the instrument and the sound it makes and I really enjoy the challenge of learning. And also the satisfaction I get when that light bulb goes off when I understand or "get" something that has been hard to learn. In my case I have had a tough time moving my fingers up and down the frets while strumming ryhthm. I know this is fundamental mandolin playing but it is something I really need to work at. It does not come naturally or easily to me.

OK, so I have been told by a couple of folks that the next step in my progress is to play in a jam to get the strumming timing down and also to watch more advanced mandolin players. I am scared silly to do that, but I realize it is the next step in the progression. I think I will sit and watch a time or two before actually sitting in.

So, my original point is that I would love to sit and contribute to a band or a jam. I have to work at it, but the point is to make the music. I have read a few posts here that comment on just jamming with folks you meet while travelling or going to festivals. That sound great to me!

[mandoJeremy]

Hey Mando Johnny, who can't be a Bush?...............I resent that!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[John Flynn]

Hey Mando Johnny, who can't be a Bush?...............I resent that!
Of course, you are the exception, Jeremy! I know that Sam is probably feeling the pressure of you nipping at his heels, poor guy. He will eventually break down under the strain! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[madog99]

sounds like me . Been at it for almost 2 years , sold my first mando for a Godin electric cause it was more like a rhythm guitar and I just strum away at it . I really dig it though .I'm too lazy or stupid to take lessons so leads are like winning the lottery ( a dream) but I use it when ever I can , I have more fun with that than the guitar. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[ngzcaz]

One of the main reasons for taking up
the mando was the four guitars and nothing
else in our little Sunday session. Now I
really like it but cant seem to shake the
guitar strum. But, even strumming it plus
a bit of lead really makes a difference.
I was 57 when I took up the mando so
beating Skaggs, Bush, & Rice is probably
out of the question : - ) They dont
know how lucky they are........

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

[madog99]

One of the main reasons for taking up
the mando was the four guitars and nothing
else in our little Sunday session. Now I
really like it but cant seem to shake the
guitar strum. But, even strumming it plus
a bit of lead really makes a difference.
I was 57 when I took up the mando so
beating Skaggs, Bush, & Rice is probably
out of the question : - ) They dont
know how lucky they are........

That's hitting the nail on the head !! Same for me(47) , really juices up the sound and as long as there is not a real mandolin PLAYER in the room then the jig is up.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[fatt-dad]

When I'm alone I play as good as all the famous. When I'm with others, I become a rank amature - ha.

f-d

[ira]

its all about a good time....
hey johnny- i saw that interview with clapton years ago, and not only did i feel sad. it took away something when i next saw him live.

[mandoJeremy]

You actually don't know me then Johnny. Tony Rice used to call me Bush Jr. and that is why that is included in my profile.

[mandoJeremy]

Strain...NO! Nipping at his heels....No, but I have studied and I can play you anything he ever recorded rhythm and all!

[jim_n_virginia]

Hey Chip the solution to your problem is to learn how to "cross-pick" it is not all that hard and it sounds fantastic if you practice a little and get it down.

So when you are in the jam, you can hit chop chords until you get the nod then cross pick the same chords you were playin. It;s fairly easy and sounds fantastic.

If you want to hear an excellent exaple, find some Jesse McReynolds cross picking.

[mandocrucian]

While Sam Bush has his own fine particular, and individual, take on mandolin rhythm playing, it's not by any means the whole picture. #

There are a numerous other examples, starting with some folks that have played a substantial amount of mandolin: Jethro Burns, Johnny Gimble, Andy Irvine (Planxty), Johnny Young (blues), Yank Rachell (blues), Dave Swarbrick (Fairport Convention, Whippersnaper, etc.), Richard Thompson, Terry Woods (Steeleye Span, The Woods Band, Pogues), Ry Cooder, Ray Jackson(Lindisfarne). #Everything from swing to blues, to folk-rock.

Then there are guitarists who also play mando and have a different approach to the instrument: Martin Carthy, #Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), David Lindley, John Paul Jones (Led Zep), Rory Gallagher, Albert Lee, Richie Blackmore, Johnny Winter, Eric Bazilian (The Hooters), Peter Buck (REM).... Or how about (drummer) Levon Helm (The Band)? #I love listening to guys that really don't know much about "traditional mandolin" because they just approach it as an extension of their primary instrument and come up with really interesting stuff in the process.

But why stop there? #What about transferring guitar vocabulary onto the instrument? i.e.: Hendrix, SRV, Santana, Angus Young, Jerry Donahue, Danny Gatton, Roy Nichols, Lennon/Harrison, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Link Wray, James Burton, Knopfler, Robin Trower, Keith Richards, Eric Johnson, electric Garcia/Weir, Steve Cropper, Curtis Mayfield, Don Rich, and the list could go on and on and on..... #Or the fingerpickers: John Renbourn, Mississippi John Hurt??? Fingerpicked mando opens up a whole different realms of possibilities.

Or piano and organ stuff: Prof Longhair and Dr John?

And I'm not really talking about grassed up versions of any that stuff either, but rather mando or mandola having a similar feel and function to the original sources.

The instrument is capable of a whole lot more than most folks realize or imagine.

Niles H

[Darren]

Not to highjack ngzcaz's thread but I was wondering what was out there for playing rhythm on the mando. I know that beyond the chop and crosspicking there are, as Niles mentioned, may ways to approach rhythm but I am looking for some specifics. Any suggestions/resources?

[pklima]

Niles has, as always, some excellent advice. I'll just add my two cents.

When playing mando rhythm I often tend to borrow rhythms and ideas from military drumming. I can do a pretty good imitation of various rolls by flailing away at all four courses with my fingernails. My approach to rhythm guitar is also similar, even though my main instrument is the bass and I don't play drums of any sort. Not sure where I got the idea...