Sooze
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Posts: 150
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Post by Sooze on May 2, 2008 21:37:28 GMT
Well, it looks a bit quiet on here tonight, so I'm going to ask everyone, out of curiosity and just for fun, (and I hope it hasn't been done to death before - I haven't had chance to read ALL the previous threads yet!): What made you decide to learn to play the banjo and is it the only instrument you play, or do you all play other instruments, too? If so, what?! It's just me being nosy!  |
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 21:53:06 GMT
Well Sooze
Mainly the soundtracks to Deliverence and Bonnie and Clyde with me. For the record I've been playing guitar maybe 8 1/2 years, strated out with heavy metal and rock n roll, and followed it back to folk music.
I also have a mandolin, but only know 4 chords on it.
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Post by craftsman on May 2, 2008 22:00:32 GMT
Great question Sooze, I have always had a 'leaning' towards the banjo, but it was never trendy or even heard of to play it where I lived. Like most of us here I guess, it has come at a later age to decide to pick it up. I just love the sound of the old time frailing style and the appalacian dulcimer too. I dont go for the scruggs style of bluegrass picking, because its just too fussy and overblown somehow.. Patrick (Costello) has somehow validated the style due to the brilliance of his playing, and this is what motivated me to try to learn properly. How about you?... Andrew  |
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:11:43 GMT
Great question Sooze, I have always had a 'leaning' towards the banjo, but it was never trendy or even heard of to play it where I lived. Like most of us here I guess, it has come at a later age to decide to pick it up. I just love the sound of the old time frailing style and the appalacian dulcimer too. I dont go for the scruggs style of bluegrass picking, because its just too fussy and overblown somehow.. Patrick (Costello) has somehow validated the style due to the brilliance of his playing, and this is what motivated me to try to learn properly. How about you?... Andrew Later age?  I'm only 26 now and I must have been fiddling for 2 years already. That woulda made me about 24 at the time. I think I'm offended |
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Post by craftsman on May 2, 2008 22:20:16 GMT
Great question Sooze, I have always had a 'leaning' towards the banjo, but it was never trendy or even heard of to play it where I lived. Like most of us here I guess, it has come at a later age to decide to pick it up. I just love the sound of the old time frailing style and the appalacian dulcimer too. I dont go for the scruggs style of bluegrass picking, because its just too fussy and overblown somehow.. Patrick (Costello) has somehow validated the style due to the brilliance of his playing, and this is what motivated me to try to learn properly. How about you?... Andrew Later age? I'm only 26 now and I must have been fiddling for 2 years already. That woulda made me about 24 at the time. I think I'm offended You have an old soul Danny and that can only be a good thing. I wish I was as balanced as you at your age. I think you have had a rough time... in your relatively few years, I still maintain my theory (!) |
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:22:22 GMT
Balanced?!?!? I'm on anti depressents and can't work, but thanks for the compliment, I'll take all I can get.
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Sooze
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Posts: 150
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Post by Sooze on May 2, 2008 22:23:39 GMT
Danny - Interesting to see how you came to enjoy folk music! I love all sorts of music, yes, even heavy metal, rock, you name it, all except for jazz and that 'orrible punk stuff, really. I find folk music soothing - lots of lovely stuff to listen to on YouTube..................! You must carry on with the mandolin if you can - but I imagine it must be quite hard to play?
Andrew - It's funny how the banjo really seems to be taking off now and becoming more popular - even with youngsters as well as the more mature folk amongst us! I'm pretty much the same as you, actually - bluegrass doesn't really do much for me - I love the sound of the old time mountain banjo. And yes, Patrick Costello's videos were what got me interested, and my sister encouraged me to get a banjo as she loves to hear them being played. I only got mine at the very end of February so am very much a beginner. I also started learning classical and a bit of folk guitar back in the late 70s and early 80s but never really got the hang of playing it well. Haven't touched the guitar for ages, though I do still have it collecting dust in a corner of the room! Funnily enough I had been considering buying a better quality guitar when I discovered the delights of the banjo, so got one of those instead! Oh to be able to play like Patrick, though!
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:28:42 GMT
The main problem I have with the mando is it's to small for my fingers to fret chords easily.
I agree with you about Jazz (sounds like a good tune falling down stairs most of the time) I like SOME punk (not all by a long way) and really dislike classical. It was forced down my neck at school and I've hated it ever since.
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Sooze
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Posts: 150
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Post by Sooze on May 2, 2008 22:39:49 GMT
Have to agree that the Mandolin does look very tiny in a man's hands and must be tricky to play for that reason. Wonder why they ARE so small?
Hmm, I'd forgotten about classical music - not too keen on much of that myself - apart from classical guitar music, that is - I do like to hear that played well, if I am in the right mood.
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:41:20 GMT
You might have a point on classical guitar, John Williams had done some nice stuff
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Post by craftsman on May 2, 2008 22:42:52 GMT
Have to agree that the Mandolin does look very tiny in a man's hands and must be tricky to play for that reason. Wonder why they ARE so small? Hmm, I'd forgotten about classical music - not too keen on much of that myself - apart from classical guitar music, that is - I do like to hear that played well, if I am in the right mood. saw this one the other day... uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iYTLrpP5n38hes quite good... |
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Sooze
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Posts: 150
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Post by Sooze on May 2, 2008 22:48:01 GMT
Yes, he has, and I like to hear Julian Bream playing, too. They are both very good.
Actually, I forgot, I have an electronic keyboard too, as I was going to use it on the 'Grand Piano' setting and learn to play piano - but I have such trouble getting my left hand to do something different to the right hand......... it's the same with the guitar and banjo really! I think my hands are dyslexic! I love music but sometimes it just doesn't like me! (Is this where I admit I also have a descant and a treble recorder from my school days hidden away upstairs?!)
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Sooze
Full Member
Posts: 150
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Post by Sooze on May 2, 2008 22:50:52 GMT
Andrew - Wow! He IS good, isn't he? Nice tone to his guitar too.
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:51:02 GMT
lol
Well I'm no recorder player, but I do have an electric keyboard (somewhere). I tried to do that same thing, I just don't like electronics in music damnit, I wana play piano not keyboard. Make any sense?
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Post by Danny on May 2, 2008 22:52:03 GMT
very nice touch indeed. My sister would feel at home their, she's a southpaw.
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