I was just trying to get clear what you meant by "old time", as opposed to "african". &....that's the trad way: play bell first, and learn the music, before you get on the drum, which talks. Cool!
@SuleDrum Yeah, both are terms I've come to have questions with. Old Time? In a country barely learning to use its feet? African? As if the whole continent is one nation. Once I'm good enough, I hope to always represent my culture and family line in my music. I'm following TT's suggestion: Learn to play the banjo first THEN.... Learn to play the bell first THEN... btw, the bell "talks," too. My friend grew up in rural Togo among the vodou. Bell ensembles only. No drums. Know: I appreciate you.
Now, I'll get "off your case", and get back to working on playing Woyaya on the ukulele...you know, they always say the uke came from that one Portuguese maker that got off the boat. That didn't make no sense--no one can be that influential. Then I read about all the Puerto Rican & other Caribbeans coming to the Islands to be cowboys--folks with vihuelas and cuartros--then it made sense.....
@SuleDrum I appreciate your words and suggestions. No one is tougher than my dad, no one. No video that I've ever posted has done me much credit, except to stand as example that black people still play banjo. Where magic has occurred, there wasn't any camera, no audience, just a few folks singing and dancing behind closed doors in the wee hours of the morning. the white and black recordings have contributed to my development - but mostly my ancestors. My efforts to learn are in honor of them.
@SuleDrum I don't know how un-recorded black folks sounded like. But I can imagine. I know what I sound like when getting down with my kin. I love when my American brethern and sistren venture into Caribbean sounds. Some grasp the movement of the music, others not quite. But it all still feels good. Johnny Nash's solo album "I Can See Clearly Now" exemplifies the beauty of Caribbean music in a Soul Brother's care. Beautiful. Yes, I can imagine what they sounded like. When I learn to play, then..
Does that mean that your sound is less "white" = less "old timey"? "More African" is what the folks that did not get recorded sound like....Isn't that what you're there to invoke? As the ads used to admonish: "What do you want: good grammar, or good taste?"...
@SuleDrum I don't know (regarding this opening question). Music has been traveling long before "white" and "black" were considerations. As much a surprise to me, as any, I happen to really enjoy the playing of the white musicians. I'm really enjoying the influences and how they combine to create something new. It deserves it's own attention and respect. I can't help but be funky - but there is a difference between creating and faking the funk. I played bell for years before hitting a drum.
When I recorded Lamba for my cd, The Drummer's Path and the engineer messed up the session and I had to go back in and do it all over with tracks instead of the live group that I had assembled for the recording session, I sat--no; stood--in front of the mics and visualized people dancing to what I was playing...But then, again, I'd already seen it and done it many, many times. So, do you Buck or Tap? I'll have to post my dancing/playing Jump, Jim Crow....
@SuleDrum I don't do either.. but I am a dancer first and I know what you mean. I suspect that my ability on the instrument is not yet at the level to accomplish the subtleties that you're suggesting (that I consider). I'm still tryin' to play the darn thing! LOL. But I understand what you mean... when I think "dance" my sound is less "old timey" and more African. Especially now that I'm starting to up pick. But I don't want to lose my way and depart from developing good technique... thank you.
When we get together, we'll dance & play...... We'll call it DC Buck.......
Play that song again and think about trying to make someone dance to it--make those fills yr doin count to push the dancer/listener. visualize 'em in front of you.... More funk, less speed...
Did you hear the recording of Mike Seeger & me doing this at the Black Banjo Gathering?
@SuleDrum Thank you. Playing banjo has big similarities to playing drums. I haven't played for a dance as yet, but when I've played with fiddlers it's always a nicer experience. I've also come to enjoy the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between European playing styles and more African-influenced styles. I hear ya... bring on da dancers!
I was just trying to get clear what you meant by "old time", as opposed to "african". &....that's the trad way: play bell first, and learn the music, before you get on the drum, which talks. Cool!
SuleDrum 2 months ago
@SuleDrum Yeah, both are terms I've come to have questions with. Old Time? In a country barely learning to use its feet? African? As if the whole continent is one nation. Once I'm good enough, I hope to always represent my culture and family line in my music. I'm following TT's suggestion: Learn to play the banjo first THEN.... Learn to play the bell first THEN... btw, the bell "talks," too. My friend grew up in rural Togo among the vodou. Bell ensembles only. No drums. Know: I appreciate you.
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago
Now, I'll get "off your case", and get back to working on playing Woyaya on the ukulele...you know, they always say the uke came from that one Portuguese maker that got off the boat. That didn't make no sense--no one can be that influential. Then I read about all the Puerto Rican & other Caribbeans coming to the Islands to be cowboys--folks with vihuelas and cuartros--then it made sense.....
SuleDrum 2 months ago
@SuleDrum I appreciate your words and suggestions. No one is tougher than my dad, no one. No video that I've ever posted has done me much credit, except to stand as example that black people still play banjo. Where magic has occurred, there wasn't any camera, no audience, just a few folks singing and dancing behind closed doors in the wee hours of the morning. the white and black recordings have contributed to my development - but mostly my ancestors. My efforts to learn are in honor of them.
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago
@SuleDrum I don't know how un-recorded black folks sounded like. But I can imagine. I know what I sound like when getting down with my kin. I love when my American brethern and sistren venture into Caribbean sounds. Some grasp the movement of the music, others not quite. But it all still feels good. Johnny Nash's solo album "I Can See Clearly Now" exemplifies the beauty of Caribbean music in a Soul Brother's care. Beautiful. Yes, I can imagine what they sounded like. When I learn to play, then..
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago
Does that mean that your sound is less "white" = less "old timey"? "More African" is what the folks that did not get recorded sound like....Isn't that what you're there to invoke? As the ads used to admonish: "What do you want: good grammar, or good taste?"...
SuleDrum 2 months ago
@SuleDrum I don't know (regarding this opening question). Music has been traveling long before "white" and "black" were considerations. As much a surprise to me, as any, I happen to really enjoy the playing of the white musicians. I'm really enjoying the influences and how they combine to create something new. It deserves it's own attention and respect. I can't help but be funky - but there is a difference between creating and faking the funk. I played bell for years before hitting a drum.
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago
I'm just talking 'bout the energy, the approach.... As I say in the book, "If you know how to sway it, you know just how to play it."
SuleDrum 2 months ago
When I recorded Lamba for my cd, The Drummer's Path and the engineer messed up the session and I had to go back in and do it all over with tracks instead of the live group that I had assembled for the recording session, I sat--no; stood--in front of the mics and visualized people dancing to what I was playing...But then, again, I'd already seen it and done it many, many times. So, do you Buck or Tap? I'll have to post my dancing/playing Jump, Jim Crow....
SuleDrum 2 months ago
@SuleDrum I don't do either.. but I am a dancer first and I know what you mean. I suspect that my ability on the instrument is not yet at the level to accomplish the subtleties that you're suggesting (that I consider). I'm still tryin' to play the darn thing! LOL. But I understand what you mean... when I think "dance" my sound is less "old timey" and more African. Especially now that I'm starting to up pick. But I don't want to lose my way and depart from developing good technique... thank you.
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago
When we get together, we'll dance & play...... We'll call it DC Buck.......
Play that song again and think about trying to make someone dance to it--make those fills yr doin count to push the dancer/listener. visualize 'em in front of you.... More funk, less speed...
Did you hear the recording of Mike Seeger & me doing this at the Black Banjo Gathering?
SuleDrum 2 months ago
@SuleDrum Thank you. Playing banjo has big similarities to playing drums. I haven't played for a dance as yet, but when I've played with fiddlers it's always a nicer experience. I've also come to enjoy the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between European playing styles and more African-influenced styles. I hear ya... bring on da dancers!
Blkbanjoman 2 months ago