mandolin superbowl

[keymandoplyr]

Just wondering where you would call the superbowl of mandolin players ? Where the largest amount of big name mandolin players would be gathered together? Sure would love to be there.

[John Flynn]

I don't know of such an event, but I would not want to go to it if there was one. The Super Bowl analogy implies a common, unfortunate misconception that the pinnacle of achievement in music is some sort of contest, where the "best" gather to show off thier "best stuff." Yes, there are competitions, but for the most part music is an art, not a sport. My experience is that top players do thier best with thier own band, playing what they want to play, in front an audience who has come to hear them as the main event.

There is also this implied idea that I see a lot here, that if one could only be in the presence of great players, some of that talent would "rub off." It is like saying that if you were able to attend the actual Super Bowl in person this afternoon, you come away better at touch football played in your backyard. If you want to hear great players at thier best, buy thier CDs and attend thier concerts and workshops. If you want to improve, get lessons, practice and play out. IMHO, the Super Bowl of mandolin playing not only does not exist, but if it did, it wouldn't be as satisying as you would expect.

[luckylarue]

Sounds like the place to be is/was Supergrass/LoarFest. Great updates in the photos section.

[kyblue]

IBMA in Nashville.

[JEStanek]

My thought on the Mandolin Superbowl is like MandoJohnny's. Not a competition. That's too subjective when you're talking about players at that level. You would just hear about the bad refereeing (to extend an analogy).

For me, my personnal mandolin "Superbowls" would be like The Mandolin Symposium, Mando Fest, or the Loar Fests (between seeing and learning/hanging with great players and instruments and their builders, if living ).

Shoot, I feel like I go to the "playoffs" when I get to sit and watch (and even better join in with)guys jamming informally at the Philly folk festival.

Jamie

[luckylarue]

I think hanging out w/ great players does make you better. I certainly get inspired and try to learn as much as I can at these festivals. Unlike the real superbowl, in the mandolin world, you really can get up close and bend the ear of your musical "hero" for info and inspiration. If you want to be good at anything, hang out w/ people who are good at it - whatever it is.