Chris, The way I heard it, it takes 7 years to make a fiddler. Owen Saunders says it takes at least 4 years to be a "bad" fiddler. <G>
I really don't think that there is a time limit/expectancy on it. I've heard that Woody Herman was once told by a fan that it looked like playing music was easy for him, to which Herman replied something like, "You go practice 8 hours a day for the next 10 years and then come talk to me about easy". It has a lot to do with what Raymond was talking about...obsession, an all-consuming drive to learn how to make that sound you've become acquainted with. There was a time that I NEVER saw David Grier without a guitar in his lap. There really is no end to the journey as long as you're drawing breath. Monroe kept the magic for the music until the day he died. And, as Robin mentioned, your ears hear things as you go along that you didn't hear before. You have to educate yourself as you go, learn little bits and use them, learn how they fit together. You have to learn how to listen. I'm still hearing new things in the music I've listened to for 30 years. I've heard the same thing from many other devotees of the old styles. I really think that it would be nearly impossible for working adults with family obligations to reach the heights some have simply because of the amount of time required by the music. It is my opinion that starting early before there are so many obligations is the key. Whether we become Monroes or Thiles or Hermans or Bakers or Reinhardts or whatever is not the point though. The point is to bath in the sound and enjoy it. Just for your own information, you are a lot better player now than you were two years ago when we met, so you must be doing it right. Keep after it. Taterbug On Dec 21, 8:41 pm, Raymond Huffmaster <[email protected]> wrote: > Evenin;.. > Robin,if you're talking about Bluegrass Music being difficult to play > right...I fully agree with you . And,you know,I think it's because of > the > central structure of the music as Monroe heard it...rhythm and > timing . > Without these two components it all goes right to he!!... > If the rhythm and timing is there supporting the melody and you play > the > melody as simple as you can..wonderful...like gravy on a bisquit , no > need > for improvement.. > Bluegrass Music is very hard to play..but once you know you're doing > it right > It becomes easy as can be...and so satisfying,quite addictive...or it > was/is to > me... > > Loafer > > On Dec 21, 2:53 pm, Robin Gravina <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Smart words. The longer I do this, and the more I hear, I get crazy > > that I can't play two notes together that make real sense. Luckily > > though, my ear only gets trained a bit better than I can play, > > otherwise I'd get really irritated. I can't get over how difficult it > > is to get right. > > Fun though > > > 2009/12/20, Raymond Huffmaster <[email protected]>: > > > > Evenin' Chris... > > > I don't know where or who "Out There" is..but I will say > > > that , in my opinion ,if you are burning up inside to play good.. > > > if it's really important to you...you never reach a point of total > > > satisfaction . There is always another thing to learn,another > > > phrase to use,another great player that you want to play with . > > > > I always wanted to play good enough to play with my heros... > > > reached that point with some of 'em . Yet there are still things > > > I hear, a lot from T-Bug , that I want to learn,I want to play with... > > > > Holding your own....means that you need to play better..to > > > satisfy your own self...or it does to me...practice,my friend.. > > > > Loafer > > > > On Dec 20, 1:16 pm, Chris Thomas <[email protected]> wrote: > > >> I had the chance to attend the "Blue Ridge Music Makers Guild" > > >> Christmas Party (http://www.blueridgemusicmakersguild.com)theother > > >> night and enjoy some 'ol time music (in the Galax, Floyd, Woodlawn, > > >> Hillsville, Fries, Independence section of VA). > > > >> One guy was 91 years old & sharp as a tack. He could play ANYTHING on > > >> the harmonica and also played his tie on fiddle tunes (it is > > >> corrugated metal and he has picks for his fingers). He also is in > > >> their book: http://www.blueridgemusicmakersguild.com/Arcadia.htm > > > >> As the party was winding down I was picking with a nice lady who has > > >> been playing fiddle (made by a local) for 7 years. To my enjoyment we > > >> were messing with some tunes that I learned thru the TaterCam > > >> lessons. She told me that the general consensus "out there" is that > > >> it takes 12 years to make a fiddler that can hold his/her own. > > > >> What are your thoughts on the making of a mandolin player? I have > > >> been playing 'bout 6 years with no prior experience----am I really > > >> only half way there? > > > >> For me a big part was “trying” to move away from tab and learning to > > >> listen as well as focus on a particular style. > > > >> Merry Christmas, > > > >> Chris > > > > -- > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > > "Taterbugmando" group. > > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > > [email protected]. > > > For more options, visit this group at > > >http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en. > > > -- > > Enviado desde mi dispositivo móvil -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Taterbugmando" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. 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