Post by vinman on May 20, 2024 11:15:13 GMT
I'd always felt the Mandolin wouldn't really cut the mustard when it came to playing at a Bal Folk. My observations and from what I'd been told* was they were a bit too quiet and shy.
Well, I'm pleased to say "The Loar" 600 F style certainly did cut the mustard and managed to compete, with two melodeons, two larger recorders, a flute and a trumpet of all things. I only used it for simple rhythm and not melody as it would have been lost in the general row of the other instruments, but it held it's own with assertive strums. Fortuneatly, most of the tunes were in G and Em with one venture into D, which suites my limited chord ability very well. This was with the house band.
How well a mandolin would compete with pipes and 'gurdies is anybodies guess. Not well probably.
A little later on we played a decent set in the break, best beloved with melodeons and myself with me small piano accordion. No mandolin this time, when I'm up to speed I'll start to use my guitar.
Generally a good afternoon, but a little low on numbers. The main turn was "Shivelight" from Oxford and very good they were too. www.lesbatons.org
!
* I'd been told that mandolins are a bit quiet and weren't really up to it.. Clearly more BS from some in the Bal Folk world.
Well, I'm pleased to say "The Loar" 600 F style certainly did cut the mustard and managed to compete, with two melodeons, two larger recorders, a flute and a trumpet of all things. I only used it for simple rhythm and not melody as it would have been lost in the general row of the other instruments, but it held it's own with assertive strums. Fortuneatly, most of the tunes were in G and Em with one venture into D, which suites my limited chord ability very well. This was with the house band.
How well a mandolin would compete with pipes and 'gurdies is anybodies guess. Not well probably.
A little later on we played a decent set in the break, best beloved with melodeons and myself with me small piano accordion. No mandolin this time, when I'm up to speed I'll start to use my guitar.
Generally a good afternoon, but a little low on numbers. The main turn was "Shivelight" from Oxford and very good they were too. www.lesbatons.org
!* I'd been told that mandolins are a bit quiet and weren't really up to it.. Clearly more BS from some in the Bal Folk world.
