Comment by thereallyniceman on August 23, 2010 at 7:08

Hi Marc S,
Your quote:
"Ian produces changes in dynamics primarily by altering the strength of his attack. Harder=louder. He rarely moves his R/H along the strings, sticking that pinky hard into the vellum right next to the bridge. Compare this with Rob's method which is a composite of both changes in strength and changes in position. His hand moves between bridge and neck (closer to bridge = louder, sharper. Closer to neck, softer, silkier) and at the same time, he changes the strength of picking."

You are so right here. This is where Rob's musicianship is perfectly demonstrated. I do "occasionally" move closer and further from the bridge, but usually end up migrating nearer to it! I think this is because I tend to chose fast dynamic pieces to play and they lend themselves to the attack I get near the bridge. I realise that I do, indeed, sacrifice tone doing this and that I will try to correct it as I know that it is poor practice and a habit I have got into. I will try a few slower pieces and try to get some of the Legato and Rubato on which Rob is an expert.

Having checked out the dirty finger marks on my banjo vellums I do seem to have two distinct regions where I pick... Thanks Marc for pointing it out. We can all learn a thing or two on this site :-)

Regarding finger nails. I have to cut my fingernails VERY short on my picking fingers, and almost daily trimming too! If they are a micron too long they get caught up and hook the string. So no fingernails on the strings at all for me.

and

p.s. Yes, you do talk too much. We should charge you extra for using up page space :-)

your chum

Ian

Comment by Trapdoor2 on August 23, 2010 at 15:40

Am doing penance. Short sentences only.

Moving R/H along strings is hard. Worth studying masters of all styles.

End transmission.

Comment by thereallyniceman on August 23, 2010 at 15:52

Hey . Urgent message for Marc S...

Marc, it looks like someone must have hacked your account and is now posting to the group using short sentences and without long rambling paragraphs.

I hope you get your account back and resume normal service soon :-)

Ian

Comment by Trapdoor2 on August 23, 2010 at 16:04

ning high priest sez gods offended. Must write short, use thimble and read in A. Drive out evil Falknerian spirits.

Comment by Adam on August 23, 2010 at 16:25

Suggested titles for Marc's autobiography:

As I Lay Picking

or (and no change required!)

The Sound and the Fury

:)

Comment by Trapdoor2 on August 23, 2010 at 17:39

You know me too well...except for the "heard no more" part. ;-)

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

Comment by marc dalmasso on August 24, 2010 at 17:56

very interesting , Ian ; what you say 'bout éric économic playing is true , and valuable ( not sure of the word ) for bluegrass & some others instruments , too .
I would like to tell you a recent story ( about the importance to have a powerful hand and a powerful .... banjo ) ; if you look at the recent vidéo with éric & pat where we are wearing the French flag teeshirts ; when playing " Skeleton dance " , i just started to play on my Weymann style 20 ( 10 1/2 inches ) ; why ? because i played cello on the others vidéos and the weymann , hanging on the wall , was the easier to take ; we started to play , and pretty soon , i said " stop " because i couldn ' t hear myself , i couldn ' t get out of the mix .. éric ' s 12 inches Van Eps is a " machine sound " , & Pats ' s too ; i finally had to take my 12 inches CE pro out of the case to hear me , not a joke ; god bless UK

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