tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post5376473905337054559..comments2023-07-08T05:36:54.653-06:00Comments on The Bluegrass Shack: Timing, Tone & TechniqueChris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-51355849292706183632011-01-15T23:31:16.207-06:002011-01-15T23:31:16.207-06:00Wow, lots a good info here and as usual, you do a ...Wow, lots a good info here and as usual, you do a great job of telling us the "how to". Just the simple act of playing in a group even if you don't know squat, is one that will pay off. I play in groups once a week (you talked about this in your New Year's article). I've been playing rhythm guitar all my life but I'm new to bluegrass music (6 months). I don't know the songs well but I try singing and playing when it's my turn to play. You know, people in bluegrass are the nicest people you will ever meet. They always help me out when I'm stumbling over the timing of a verse or messing up a chord run, etc. You know, no body is holding up score cards!!! Bluegrass playing has differences in the way you play guitar. You need special bluegrass strings which are stiffer than I like but I'm used to them now. You're strumming and picking firmer which requires a thicker pick. People want to hear the guitar's boom chuck along with the upright bass player. I think timing is everything, too!<br /><br />Thanks again, Chris, for your awesome coverage of this important topic! P.S. My IPod is loaded with bluegrass songs and I'm looking forward to your sixth CD to add to my collection.Mary Hebertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-58444697376214009902011-01-15T15:08:37.885-06:002011-01-15T15:08:37.885-06:00Chris, Wow what a good article and long. I did no...Chris, Wow what a good article and long. I did not make it all the way to the end because I do not play fiddle. I thought that was interesting about how the banjo pick attacks the string. Just several days ago I looked at the wear pattern on my thumb pick (I thought the sound I was getting was a little "scratchy") and it was on one side. I guess that indicates that I was not hitting the strings perpendicular as I should. I have since been concentrating on the thumb position and noticed the wear pattern looks more square on and the sound is different.<br /><br />Steve DSteve Dibbertnoreply@blogger.com