I’m not sure I know what to ask for or whether I know what I’m asking for, but…
I’m primarily an acoustic guitar player with some mandolin and banjo on the side. I have a 2011 Weber Gallatin A octave mandolin; D-hole, spruce/mahogany. Great instrument, but it’s just been languishing in its case. Because of guitar, I really haven’t looked for ways to fit in the octave since, tonally, they’re pretty similar. It’s quite probable that I’m not realizing the octave’s potential, but I look to the mandolin when adding musical depth and color to a song within a group setting where there’s another guitar or two.
I’d like to use the octave more.
Just as background, for over 50 years my musical focus has been country-folk/Americana and Laurel Canyon. Lately, though, I’ve been dabbling more in American folk – the type of music that’s found in Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music.
All that said, I guess it’s important for me to first state that my approach to using the octave is much as I would the mandolin: providing fills, some lead, and rhythm (usually open chord on octave instead of closed/three-finger on mandolin). So, I guess here are my questions. What do I do/what can I do to maximize the octave? Am I able to use the octave as a solo instrument that supports vocals without it being a “novelty?” How can I use the octave to add color and depth in a group setting? Some American folk songs don’t seem to have the same flavor when using the octave as a solo instrument; is that just my ear or should I look at a different approach? Do I need to explore other musical genres such as Scottish or Irish folk? What else should I be considering and/or trying?
Thanks for any guidance.
Bookmarks