Advice for playing with a twin brother....

[Mandolin-wolf]

See, for the past couple months, Ive been trying to get my brother to play some music with me (really simple tunes, like Dueling Banjos, I saw the light, etc.), but he won't listen. So, what are some way to convince him that playing bluegrass and Irish trad won't kill him?

[dang]

get him some crossover stuff, like Tim O'brien and make him listen. The new album with Darrel Scott would be a good place to start, but his album "the crossing" has a very irish feel.

[Mandolin-wolf]

Well, I forgot to mention the fact that he is a metalhead. Most of the songs he listens to are by Pearl Jam, Metallica, Soundgarden, Pantera, and the like......

[TheArimathean]

Maybe introduce him to folk-metal? I can't attest for all of their work, but Nightwish has some good songs in that genre, and I know there are other good folk-metal bands out there as well.

[Mandolin-wolf]

Well, I listen to a little folk-metal, and have tried to get my brother into it before.... With little success........

[FodForThoought]

[FodForThoought]

here's link to KDubs grunge show: http://archive.org/details/kw2008-11-12.flac16

and here's a video...

[Mandolin-wolf]

............. Ok.................

Not quite sure if that would work....

[catmandu2]

See, for the past couple months, Ive been trying to get my brother to play some music with me (really simple tunes, like Dueling Banjos, I saw the light, etc.), but he won't listen. So, what are some way to convince him that playing bluegrass and Irish trad won't kill him?

Don't expect him to like any of it. However, if you were to arrange some of HIS stuff on mandolin and start playing it for him, you might find him playing along rather immediately (I assume he plays guitar then?)

[JeffD]

Music like you describe your brother prefers has that component of "angry" to it. That makes crossing over, in either direction, sometimes problematical. It works both ways I think. I am not a fan because I am just not that angry. And my friends who are into it heavily don't care for music that isn't at least a little angry, and art that isn't at least a little disturbing.

Sometimes the music is more than the music.

[Mandolin-wolf]

.....

[Mandolin-wolf]

Music like you describe your brother prefers has that component of "angry" to it. That makes crossing over, in either direction, sometimes problematical. It works both ways I think. I am not a fan because I am just not that angry. And my friends who are into it heavily don't care for music that isn't at least a little angry, and art that isn't at least a little disturbing.

Sometimes the music is more than the music.

I like my fair share of heavy metal, but it's not my absolute favorite. But, at the same time, my brother also likes a lot of the blues. Of course, though, I'm not very familiar with either heavy metal, or the blues in terms of how each style works....

[dang]

Work on some of those blues licks that put the blue in bluegrass. When he hears you get it, he will get it.

[dang]

Thile and Daves maybe?

[Marty Jacobson]

Check out some of Jim Richter's blues mandolin videos!

[teleman73]

This is a really cool crossover video that you might be able to show him the ability for adaptation of the mandolin to different genres.

[Justin Carvitto]

Does he dig the Into the Wild soundtrack? Eddie plays mandolin on that and there is banjo. I listen to a lot of the music your brother listens too as well. Bluegrass is the heavy metal of acoustic. I agree, play familiar tunes on the mandolin and acoustic guitar and go from there. Who knows, you might get into his stuff too? Have fun.

[Paul Busman]

Look up Hayseed Dixie on Youtube and let him watch. They do bluegrass covers of AC/DC (and other) bands. They're really terrific.

[Eric C.]

I can't view the youtube links since I'm at work, but has anyone mentioned Ironhorse? They're a fun time listening to them. I believe they covered Metallica's "The Black Album" and some Guns & Roses stuff.

[rb3868]

Is it an evil twin?

[Randi Gormley]

You mean, you haven't told him that girls flock to bluegrass players?

[PJ Doland]

I think you have to offer to play some Zeppelin and Spinal Tap "Stonehenge" with him.

[allenhopkins]

You and your bro should peruse the Hayseed Dixie oeuvre and see if there's anything about country/'grass versions of metal tunes that strikes a (G) chord with you.

Seriously, though, have a serious honest discussion about your mutual musical tastes, goals and compatibility. There's nothing more positive than having close relatives playing harmoniously (Monroes, Louvins, McReynoldses, Bolicks, Osbornes et. al.).

On the other hand, there's nothing more disappointing than trying to force a musical closeness that really doesn't exist. Relationship with your brother is the most important thing, and if attempting a partnership that frustrates both of you poses any threat to that relationship, not worth doing.

And, as one who's been in bands with both my brothers at different times, I really know whereof I speak...

[jim simpson]

Not twins exactly but they seemed to have worked things out!

[Phil Goodson]

Tell him that Rock players just aren't up to the difficulty of Bluegrass and that he should just forget that you asked.

In a couple weeks, he'll probably have learned 2 or 3 tunes.