Re: Playing with others of different skill levels
I play with a beginner group once a week - most of them are "permanent" beginners who only seem to pick up their instruments when we get together, and as time has gone on, I've become the "go to" for how to start a tune, how to switch tunes and to give a pattern to those just trying to hold on by their fingernails. My biggest problem is the mandolin just isn't loud enough to drive the arhythmic into a proper groove, which can be frustrating. But being with the group does help me polish my triplets or tremolo or counter-melody. The downside is sometimes it's just -- well, boring. And frustrating. but we do get the occasional musician who brings new tunes, and that helps a lot. I don't plan on giving up the beginners because I do get to hang with some great people, and that's generally enough if the music is less than spectacular, and it's fun to encourage people.
OTOH, I do play with three other groups of much more accomplished musicians, and i have tons of fun doing that. Playing with better musicians with new tunes has improved my own playing and my repertoire and helped me become more comfortable playing in public. If I screw up, which happens way more than I'd prefer (last week someone said 'let's play St. Patrick's Day but I can't remember how it starts' and I said "no problem" and then launched into Christmas Eve (!)) we all get a laugh. Each group (and yes, there is some crossover) has its own dynamics and i get different things out of them.
At some point, you can always invite a couple of players nearer your comfort level to a private picking party at your home. Music isn't an either/or. It's both.
--------------------------------
1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
Bookmarks