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Hey Charley, how are you doing? Interesting thread here. I learned a version (by ear, and memory!) from a clawhammer player friend that grew up in the Durham area and now lives in western NC. I'm...

Hello FatBear,

I think this melody is a good one for mandolin. I remember playing it at some bluegrass jams here and hearing a good mandolin player do some nice straightforward melody parts on...

I know this as a Bill Monroe singing number. Is that what you are talking about?

If you skip the modulations this is basically the version:
...

I learned this a while back from a recording in the key of A. But recently I went looking on youtube and all of the versions I checked are in G. While I liked my version OK I am re-learning in G. ...

Welcome to MC! Good luck getting going on the mandolin. A bit of advice I can offer is to take the time to tune the instrument and develop your ear so as not to always rely on an electronic tuner....

Oh man sounds like a good time!

Z

OK, Dude, what did you do?! Did you get a new mandolin yet?

If you are having trouble deciding send me the money and I'll make a selection for you!

Z

Of course most that have listened to Monroe know that he did a whole lot more than the basic chop. Take a look at his right hand in this clip of Bluegrass Breakdown during the intro banjo lead:
...

I have an MT and so think that would be a fine choice. But if I had 2K to spend right now I'd be on this right here:

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-6131.htm

Or, give Bill a call and see...

I'll second what Allen recommended about the mic clip for a boom stand. That works well. If and when you do want to try the "single mic" approach there are a few things that it typically requires:...

It's also used in classic country music (Hank Williams, for example) and cajun rhythm. You can hear the sock beat in this cut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruhnrcviTZA

Z

Whoops, of course, how did that dang "ph" get in there?!

Here is one of my favorite youtube clips of Rafe and Clelia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcdOIa2FzmU

Z

Of course some variety is good. You can shuffle with the chop chord shape. That's fun.

Just go easy on that scratchy stuff. Don't make it sound like your at the dang dentist!

Z

PS--Alan...

Well now that's some bluegrass! Nice fiddlin.

Z

Lots of good recommendations already but I'll add a few that haven't been suggested. NFI but they are friends of mine:

--Carl Jones (with Beverly Smith, James Bryan):...

Chop it, and give it some tone! Scratching doesn't have any tone.

Scratching is for poison ivy and mosquito bites!

Z

Killer!

A sick kid prevented me from being part of the record.

Maybe next time...

Z

Really good stuff, thanks for posting! Here is the set-list best I can tell:

--Instrumental (nice one I've heard a bunch but can't recall the name)
--Uncle Pen
--Good Bye Old Pal (always loved...

Nice version, I like it!

Z

Thanks John! At 6 bucks I'll have enough for a dog and a coke, too!

I hope to be there!

Z

A good question. I play a lot of both bluegrass and oldtime mandolin and here are a few things I've considered at the jams I attend:

--In general I think passing the break around to every player...

Hello Onassis, to be clear I am not registered for any of the contests. I missed the deadline and so won't be playing in the band or mandolin contests.

But, I'm hoping I could still go in the...

Hey guys, I wasn't planning to do Galax this year but this sounds like it could be fun (or complete torture!)!

Can mando pickers join-in even if they missed the contest registration deadline (July...

Bill, that is great photo! And I like your tie. Looks like you are sheriff of that there outfit!

Z

Oh that is sweet. Thanks!

Z