maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Nov 14, 2016 17:56:41 GMT
I play a few short dance tunes on guitar and uke that I learned from tabs. I want to add more interest when I play but I haven't the skill yet to add much ornament or variations. I thought that one way of extending what I play and keep it interesting is to play sets of two or three tunes.
My question is, how to choose which go together well? Is it 'feeling', which ones sound good together? Or, could aspects such as key, tempo, rhythm or even where the tunes originate from inform the choice, to complement or contrast the tunes?
The more I think about it, the more confused I get! I would be interested to hear what you think. Thanks!
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Andy P
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My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
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Post by Andy P on Nov 14, 2016 20:39:25 GMT
When I used to play Irish tunes on mandolin or tenor banjo I used to match them by key progression, e.g. a medley of three particular favourites would be in D, G then A. It kind of had an effect like changing through the gears in a car.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 14, 2016 23:36:07 GMT
It can be really effective to follow a jig with a reel, ie 6/8 to 4/4. Works well the other way round too. Although different time sigs, there's still two strong beats in the bar, hence the beat eg for dancing, foot-tapping etc stays the same but the choons have a different feel. Minor key tunes can go well after major ones eg Em tunes can follow on nicely from tunes in D major or G major. But probably best advice is just to experiment and you'll soon see what works for you. And, if you haven't already come across it, The Session is a great resource for tunes and lots of discussion/advice/nonsense. Keith
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Nov 15, 2016 11:13:48 GMT
Thanks, I'll try those. I think I play uke more like mandolin or banjo, so the different keys should work. I had a feeling the experiment and see what works approach might be best, I don't think I trust my own ears enough at the moment.
And thank you for the pointer to the session. It's already one of my favourite sites, I like the layout of tabs/music, ABC, sound files, different settings and often very interesting discussion of tunes. It's a site I've learned a lot from.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 15, 2016 12:45:05 GMT
If there are any tune sessions near you why not sneak in and have a listen. Especially if there are as few guitars as poss. Maybe you might recognise some of the tunes/sets and see how those folk use them.
Each session tends to v different though - what is thought really cool in one place will be a definite no-no in another.
There are some weird people (as well as lovely ones) who frequent tune sessions (I used to run one...) - if any don't look too fierce you could maybe chat to them about their tune combinations when they go to the bar and blag some titles/ideas....?
Keith
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Nov 16, 2016 19:25:34 GMT
Great idea! There's one about a mile from here tomorrow. I've been before but never played, it's very traditional, lots of sqeezeboxes and unaccompanied singing. I hate to think how an amplified uke would go down! But listening to what they do and maybe a chat to find out more should be quite illuminating.
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 10, 2016 10:44:36 GMT
Medleys are — in my view — a wonderful thing.
Many tradition tunes are really songs. They were the soap operas of their day. Some do indeed have lovely tunes but often there is not much variety to them. A story carries things along verse after verse but try playing it as a tune. Think Tam Lin. Or even the damn Blackwaterside — I spent hours trying to create an arrangement that kept my interest through all of the song verses and then simply realised that it only rally works as a song!
I often find myself playing bits of traditional tunes. I them look for another or two to make a medley. I've some in the Duck that are two or three tunes but are still only 3 mins long.
This also works for new compositions. Often I think I have come up with a strong melody and then spend ages trying to find a 'chorus' or 'middle 8'. Often I abandon this and just pair it with a very new tune or arrangement.
Medleys are cool.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Dec 10, 2016 11:00:04 GMT
Medleys are — in my view — a wonderful thing....................Medleys are cool. It's the Joy of Sets... Keith
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maninashed
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medleys?
Jan 3, 2017 8:00:31 GMT
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Post by maninashed on Jan 3, 2017 8:00:31 GMT
Thanks Andy, I think that's what I'm looking for. Even though they're tunes with no words, I should be thinking of putting them together to tell a story. It's probably more of a feeling than any kind of technical links.
What you said reminds me of Drive-by Truckers recording an album with Booker T. Cooley and Hood are excellent songwriters and the rhythm section is rock solid but when they first tried recording it just wasn't happening. Booker T explained to them, 'you tell stories in your songs and you're trying to play my tunes like that. Well I tell stories in my tunes as well, it's just that there are no words, you've got play like you're telling a story.' When they had understood the idea, they went on to make a fine album and even toured as Booker T's backing band for a while.
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