OK, Sir Tater told me to post this here, so here goes. ... I recently had an epiphany -- like a flash, like a vision written across the night sky! -- that everything I'd been doing visa vis the mandolin was 100 percent certified bass ackward. Realizing the error of my ways, I have written my Mandolin Player's Manifesto, which follows. Selah.
EL MANDOLIN MANIFESTO 1. LISTEN: The place to start learning any tune is listening to a recorded version of it. Lots. Notation and tab are a useful adjunct to working out fingering and difficult passages, but shouldn’t be used as the primary source. 2. LEARN THE DAMN CHORDS: When you start playing a tune, the first thing to do is learn the chord progression. If you haven’t internalized the chord structure, you don’t really know the tune. 3. NOW, FINALLY, LEARN THE MELODY: Once you know the chords, work up the melody line. Do not overly rely on a written arrangement. These tunes generally are not intended to be played exactly the same every time. Refer back to recorded versions for reference and ideas about variations. 4. REGARDING SOLOS: As a general rule, solos should stick close to the melody. There’s nothing wrong with just playing the tune when your turn come around. The next step is to work up some variations. It is advisable to stick close to the melody and the chord progression. A solo is not a collection of fast notes, scales and riffs; it is an exposition of the basic melody. * (see footnote) 5. PLAY NICELY WITH OTHERS: Bluegrass is not a solo endeavor. You practice in the living room in order to get good enough to play with other musicians in public, whether it’s a backyard jam or a paying gig. If you and your mandolin never get off the family room couch, you're missing the boat. * Solos footnote: Players should avoid coming at bluegrass solos from a rock/blues lead guitar perspective. Many rock songs have a simple I- IV-V chord structure and minimalist melody. For example, “Johnny B. Good” is basically a one-note melody following a three-chord progression. Rock/blues guitar solos generally do not stay close to the melody to avoid being repetitious. Only Syd Barrett played one- note solos -- and he went insane and Pink Floyd kicked him out. -- 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.
