Re: The State of Irish Traditional Mandolin Playing
I've actually played with a harp (and a hammered dulcimer) in session and those things can get pretty loud. Maybe the problem isn't necessarily the competition from the other instruments (although I'd rather NOT sit next to the pipes) as it is with the ambient noise of where the session itself is held. We do our session in the back room of the Gaelic American Club and it's just us, and my mandolin is hear-able even when I'm doing straight melody (and it's wild to play "solo" with, say, five whistles, which happened last week for a tune or two); however, when we move to the bar and with the echo of the room and the competition from the drinkers (at least they turn the sound off the TV's), I can barely hear myself or even the fiddler across the circle from me.
Playing out, of course, means we're miked, and they usually put a mike on my mandolin even if some of the other instruments go without. I've got a church ground-breaking gig with my-husband-the-guitar-player and a flute player next Sunday and that's a nice combination, too. There's no question smaller is better control and balance, but, as has been mentioned, I do enjoy being part of a raucous session even if I can't hear myself (or my screwups!).
This discussion has shaken me up from the haze of simple melody playing, though; I occasionally do a chord or two if I have the time and inclination during our tunes. I see I need to up the game!
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1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
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