Re: Strumming like guitar?
The mandolin is about as versatile as any instrument, within the capability of its physical attributes. How versatile is the player - that is the real question. Can you figure out how to make it sound the way you want it to? Or are you willing to accept the limitations others may try to impose on you?
People who say you can't play mandolin that way - any way other than their preconceived notion - is really saying they can't, or they don't believe you can, or they've been told they can't. Not true. Mandolin is a fine rhythm instrument. People are so used to hearing it played in bluegrass bands they think that's the only way. If not that, then that it's the best way. Not true. Perhaps for that style of music. But look how many styles of music there are. You can figure out what will work and how to do it.
Sorry to use guitar as an example, but since the instrument is so prevalent, examples abound. People play the blues on it, and country, and rock, and flamenco, and Brazilian samba, and jazz, and plenty more - and it's the same instrument, with some variations. There is no reason you can't do the same with mandolin.
There's a common belief that mandolin is pitched too high to provide accompaniment for vocals. Not true. Just because it sounds different from what you're used to hearing doesn't mean it doesn't work. When I'm playing a solo gig or just sitting around my place I tend to let the chords ring - just as a guitarist would - and it fills the sound just fine. I have a fairly low voice, so perhaps that fills in the part of the auditory range beyond the mandolin's capability. I think it's more important to fill in the gaps in time rather than pitch. Sam Bush does a good job with that on his "Sailing Shoes," though honestly, his approach is pretty frantic. One could do just as well at half the tempo and a quarter of the strumming by letting the chords ring. That would be much closer to Little Feat's version, too, though clearly Sam has his own interpretation. Someone mentioned Steve Earle's "Galway Girl." That's a great example of how to make strumming work.
BTW, all this talk about someone being on stage and playing this way or that so who are you to say otherwise - please. Do you have any idea how much more is involved in getting to be on stage than being able to play an instrument? Hanging around the kitchen enjoying making music the way you like to hear it is every bit as valid as what they're doing. That ain't no part of nothin'.
Don't let naysayers have their way. Figure out how you want to play. Don't sell yourself short by hewing to convention. Conventional wisdom isn't wise, but it sure is conventional.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
Bookmarks