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Thread: rhythm patterns

  1. #1
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    I've been really workin' on my chop and chord changes over the last couple of months. Things have been going fairly well, but I'm having a hard time grasping giving the backup some variation. I've the basic thunk, thunk, thunk down, but as far as even simple variations have been difficult for me to figure out on my own and the stuff on the music I've been listenin' to can be pretty fast and hard for me to decipher.

    Do any of you have some way to describe some good soundin' rhythms in variation? Also, any songs or video clips that you would reccomend to help with this kinda stuff would be awesome.

    Hope everyone's havin' a good day. It's raining here, so it should be a good evening of pickin'!!!

    Kelly
    Collings MT #800

  2. #2
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    IMO the only way is to copy how players vary rhythm
    on recordings.Windows Media Player will slow down mp3s
    and retain the pitch. Look for recordings which feature
    only 2 or 3 instruments ie: Skaggs and Rice, some of
    Tim O'Brien's solo recordings, Bill Monroe w/ Doc Watson etc.
    Others can give you more ideas. I find its helpful fo learn
    a rhythmic idea and then practice by using it
    on everything in a tune, then learn another & do the same...

  3. #3
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    Joel is right less instruments is easier to hear. Grisman is a rhythm master...Tone Poems I and II are duet
    based CD's. One with more traditional rhythm patterns & one that is jazzier & more complex.
    Dawgnation has duets as well, the bass/mando duet is a rhythm tour de force!.

  4. #4
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    The way you play rhythm patterns will change depending on the song and/or genre.

    I think the key is to always do what makes the song sound better. If the song is simple you have to keep it simple, take the supporting role and watch your volume. Listen to recordings and you'll probably find the rhythm mixed way down. Try to emulate that.

    If I had a dime for every time I couldn't hear the soloist at a jam because all the rhythm players weren't paying attention to anyone but themselves I'd be able to afford any mandolin I wanted.

    Good luck.




  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by
    If I had a dime for every time I couldn't hear the soloist at a jam because all the rhythm players weren't paying attention to anyone but themselves I'd be able to afford any mandolin I wanted.
    This is correct.
    I laid the tracks, never rode the train.

  6. #6
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    Listen to Chris Thile live, either via webcasts or Mark O'Connor's 30-year Retrospective album. The kid throws off polyrythmic chops and his signature super-sonic right-hand rythms like nobody's business. He does some of this stuff on CD, but really brings it out when he's jamming.

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