View Full Version : Help with kick offs
OldSausage
Jun-07-2009, 11:43am
I wonder if anyone has any tips to help with this - I find it very challenging to kickoff a fast-paced bluegrass song, especially when on stage. I will have a nice kickoff prepared, but I find it very hard to go into it smooth and solid. If anyone has any specific advice to help with this, beyond obviously just practicing them a lot, I would greatly appreciate it.
earthsave
Jun-08-2009, 10:17am
Me too. I generally kickoff with either the entire verse or chorus of the song.
Jim Kirkland
Jun-08-2009, 11:03pm
Depending on the song, but a quick turn a round works pretty well in most cases.
mandolirius
Jun-09-2009, 12:52am
I keep it pretty simple and close to the melody.
If you have a good rhythm section behind you, it makes all the difference. Even if you flub it, if the band disregards the clam and *keeps going*, you can recover and blend in to make it right and the audience hardly knows it.
OldSausage
Jun-09-2009, 10:27am
If you have a good rhythm section behind you, it makes all the difference. Even if you flub it, if the band disregards the clam and *keeps going*, you can recover and blend in to make it right and the audience hardly knows it.
Yes, I think you may have put your finger on at least some of the problem right there.
BRaySims
Jun-09-2009, 11:15am
Part of the problem may be that old problem of nerves, playing in front of people. I started out playing banjo and like everyone else could do pretty well playing by myself. When I tried to play in a jam or with someone my fingers turned to stone and then jello...could not get them to do what I wanted.
The mando was easier, just hold the pick :), but still there were the nerves...but the more I played in front of people, now with a small band, I have gained much more confidence and look forward to the next gig.
I finally got to the point of enjoying the music when onstage and not concerned about being perfect. My right hand is now much more relaxed than 6 months ago, and I hope it continues to "stay loose". The more you can be in front of people the easier it becomes.
Just my experience :mandosmiley:
Ray
kristallyn
Jun-09-2009, 11:53am
but are there any rules as to how long a kick off should be or is "allowed"to be?
I mean sometimes it s just a variation on one line of the chorus or verse
and sometimes I hear an entire verse ( not that I am able to play ANY kickoff yet but i m practising and thinking stuff up,)
is there a kick off etiquette so to speak?
David Casal
Jun-09-2009, 12:11pm
could somebody describe me what is a kickoff?
i supose you are not talking about football:)
OldSausage
Jun-09-2009, 12:13pm
but are there any rules as to how long a kick off should be or is "allowed"to be?
I mean sometimes it s just a variation on one line of the chorus or verse
and sometimes I hear an entire verse ( not that I am able to play ANY kickoff yet but i m practising and thinking stuff up,)
is there a kick off etiquette so to speak?
There aren't any hard and fast rules. Usually people will start with either a turnaround based on the last line of the song, or sometimes a half verse, or a whole verse. Usually in a jam you would kick it off with a whole verse unless the tune has a well know turnaround-style kickoff - like "Rank Strangers" for example.
But if you are playing in a band you can kick it off however you like as long as you've rehearsed it with your bandmates first.
You would normally include a two or three note lead-in to set the time so everyone knows where the first downbeat comes.
OldSausage
Jun-09-2009, 12:14pm
could somebody describe me what is a kickoff?
i supose you are not talking about football:)
Yes, I do mean football actually. I just go all to pieces when the ref blows that whistle. Any help is much appreciated.;);
No, in fact I am speaking of the start of a bluegrass song, where one of the lead instruments will bring everyone else in by playing a short break.
OldSausage
Jun-09-2009, 12:21pm
The more you can be in front of people the easier it becomes.
Just my experience :mandosmiley:
Ray
Yes, you're quite right, it is partly down to nerves. I've been playing in front of crowds for about 5 years now, though, so I don't get especially nervous, just a little excited as I guess most people do. There's just that little bit more pressure, and I'm wondering if anyone has developed any mental or physical routines to help them prepare for or cope with it at this crucial point of kicking off a song.
My favorite kick-off is the turnaround that begins the Stanley Brothers' version of Angel Band. Simple, short, but when you hear it, you KNOW what's coming immediately. It's just the same turnaround that's used between each chorus and the verse. Might be a good reason to spend some time working on a distinctive but manageable turnaround.