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rustyj
02-22-2008 17:29:37
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Re: AMPLIFY???? in reply to ScottyHOMEy, 02-22-2008 11:36:53
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Yep, you have a good point there. As for amplify? We don't usually amplify our Bluegrass, except when on stage. My reference to amplify was for the few who think they have to get inside the listener's head, with their amplified sounds! And, an amplifier won't teach them how to play--NOT AT ALL!! Granted, playing on stage is desired if you are an accomplished musician, and for the sound to be heard past the second row, it must be amplified! Everybody must take their turn at advancing to the mike to be heard above the rest, then dropping back when finished with their part, to continue playing with the group! What i said about amplifiers was this: Some folks think playing into a microphone and an amp will make them better players, which it won't! I can't think of anybody i have known in my lifetime who got to be a really accomplished player by playing into a mike with a really big amplifier! It takes hard work, lots of nights practicing upstairs in yer room, or down in the cellar game room! Without an amp! And also, it takes lots of practice playing the music with like-minded friends, learning the give-and take of stage protocol, taking yer turn in the breaks, and learning not to play louder than the others! This, except when its yer turn at the mike. Beginners must learn the scales, the notes, timing, how to tune the instrument without an electronic tuner, the different keys and how they relate to the song being sung. Speaking of electronic tuners--i don't use one! I can tune my banjo "by ear"! Many years ago, i played a gig at a Boy Scout dinner. My group was the entertainment. There were 3 of us-guitar, bass, and banjo. We told jokes, sang some songs, and generally put on a nice show for the Scouts. After the show, a young feller came up to me and asked if he could learn how to play the banjo. I told him-if he could whistle a tune, sing, keep time to music on the radio or wherever, he could learn the banjo, or any musical instrument, but it would take work and practice. He asked me if he'd need an amp. I told him no, just learn how to play the instrument of your choice! An amp won't do it for you! Fast forward 30 years or so. I was at a weekend bluegrass festival, and this red-haired fellow came over and asked for me, said he'd learned 5-string banjo! Told me his name--it was the young Boy Scout from long ago! And now, he's a featured player at the Bluegrass do-ins in this area! He thanked me for my advice long ago! And, i still see him most every summer, at the shows! So, as i said before--an amplifier never made anybody into a musician! It takes long, hard work, with lots of practice. And, you should try to get a good instrument, not one of the cheap kind. A cheap instrument will make a novice get really discouraged at trying to learn how to play it! And, if you buy a really good instrument, that alone will inspire you to learn how to play it--you don't want yer folks to think you're a dummy! And, if ya give it up, later on, when you want a car, they'll think long and hard about spendidng money on one, when that high priced instrument is sitting in a corner, with flowers growing out of it! So, remember--sing, whistle,clap yer hands to music, or play an instrument--you will be able to learn something, but be prepared to spend long hours practicing to get it right! HTH: Rusty Jones, the Banjo player.
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