Bluegrass Breakdown--Figuring Out Bill's Break--Youtube Vid

[Andy Morton]

Hey folks--I am trying to figure out the break by Mr. Monroe in this youtube video...any of you have any insights--tips---tricks?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsSTd6lIrok

Note that he stays on the G (instead of going to the F) at the beginning.

One of his best....and he clearly is enjoying himself!!

Andy

[swampstomper]

No, he goes to F the first two verses (A part) and then C on the next two (B part). He implies the F in the first break mainly with the A note on the G string (3rd of the F chord = F A C). If you listen closely he's got his 2nd finger on the F note on the D string to get a two-finger F chord.

[AlanN]

Great.

At 01:30, the close-up of Butch's right hand observes some sort of ring or jewelry on his fingers. What is that? And at the end of Bill's awesome solo, he knocks wood on the mandolin. Utterly cool. And the grin he exchanges with Butch after is priceless.

This I dig.

[brent1308]

Great.

At 01:30, the close-up of Butch's right hand observes some sort of ring or jewelry on his fingers. What is that? And at the end of Bill's awesome solo, he knocks wood on the mandolin. Utterly cool. And the grin he exchanges with Butch after is priceless.

This I dig.

Looks like it might be Mickey Mouse.

[sachmo63]

Great.

At 01:30, the close-up of Butch's right hand observes some sort of ring or jewelry on his fingers. What is that? And at the end of Bill's awesome solo, he knocks wood on the mandolin. Utterly cool. And the grin he exchanges with Butch after is priceless.

This I dig.

That looks like a Mickey Mouse Ring.........what the,..........?

Also, notice how hard he's playing. He makes it look so easy but that's part of his "sound" and he played wpeven harder when he was younger.

Absolutely Cool!

[mingusb1]

Man Bill's break is wild! Loose as a goose and just right--love it! Thanks for posting!

Z

[Jordan Ramsey]

Monroe at his finest, that look that Alan mentions is priceless! Hard not to smile when you see that. Been working on transcribing this off and on for a month (busy time of year for me), and it's definitely not perfect, but here's a rough draft you can use.

It's really hard to transcribe Monroe, there are so many little nuances that are almost impossible to get into the notation. Ultimately, anyone seriously trying to learn how to sound like Monroe here would have to get away from the tabs and use their ears and eyes. Anyway, hope this helps.

[RB250]

Just buy Chris Henry's Monroe Mandolin DVD on Murphy Method. He does a great job of teaching that number and many other classic Monroe Tunes.

[AlanN]

Monroe at his finest, that look that Alan mentions is priceless! Hard not to smile when you see that. Been working on transcribing this off and on for a month (busy time of year for me), and it's definitely not perfect, but here's a rough draft you can use.

It's really hard to transcribe Monroe, there are so many little nuances that are almost impossible to get into the notation. Ultimately, anyone seriously trying to learn how to sound like Monroe here would have to get away from the tabs and use their ears and eyes. Anyway, hope this helps.

U da man, Jordan!

Another cool thing about Bill's break is that he does another go on the bridge (where the progression is I to IV), the band doesn't lose a beat, they just know where he's going.