So my question is, if you played "Where the Streets Have no Name" on Mando how would you do it? Would you play chords, single notes,a combo? I am interetsed in how people adapt rock songs to mandolin. Do you play chords, just strumming away, or do you you play melody lines? Do you change in the middle? For instance, my rock repertoire is pretty limited, but I will give a couple of examples
1) Casey Jones (Greatful Dead) I play the melody, mimicing the vocal phrases while my friend plays rhythm. No vocals, strictly instrumental
2) Let my Love Open the Door (Pete Townsend) We both strum full on, with a break for each during the bridge. He sings vocals
3) Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison) I play the intro hook and just vamp little frills and filler harmony lines while he sings and plays rhythm.
4) Uncle John's Band (Greatful Dead)I play intro and we both play rhythm while he sings.
5) Distantly in Love (Jimmy Buffett)The only song we regulrly play that actually has mando in it. I pretty much mimic the mando while he playes and sings. For those of you who haven't heard that means cross-picking the chords and tremelo through the refrain and the bridge.
Northfield Artist Series F5 (2 bar, Adirondack)
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