harvey - Posted - 03/14/2008:  19:44:31

How many of you use this technique? It is difficult to describe in words. Ken Perlman calls it the "M-Skip". You play your "bump" note, leave out the "dit-" (by 'brushing' across empty air above the strings - i.e. playing nothing but keeping the frailing motion intact) and then sound the 5th-string note -- the "ty".

It is one technique that I have not yet used at all. I can do it, physically, but do not employ it.

I'd be interested to hear why or when you use this technique.

thanks as always

Yopparai - Posted - 03/14/2008:  19:54:24

I find it slipping in tunes quite often, usually in connection with a dotted quarter/eight pattern. I think Mike Iverson's tab site has a lesson on it and he uses it some. I have also heard it called a skip brush.

ZEPP - Posted - 03/14/2008:  20:11:31

I frequently skip beats in most everything I play--I like the syncopations it provides.

Cheers,
ZEPP

Bluesage - Posted - 03/14/2008:  20:15:11

I use this technique a lot, especially when playing songs that require a "softer" touch or songs with syncopation. I have a "lesson" sheet and MP3 file that might help you get the hang of this technique:

http://bluesageband.com/Tabs.html

Hope it helps...

Mike Iverson - www.bluesageband.com

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 03/14/2008:  20:17:03

I use it sometimes to add syncopation or to hit and emphasize a note that is either too difficult to get, or doesn't have enough "umph," with a pull off, hammeron, or slide.

Instead of hitting the fifth string on the "ty," I usually drop the thumb and really pop one of the inner strings, including the first string.

Isaac

"There's more to think of than y'all's thought of, ain't it?"
-Paul Sutphin

haiku - Posted - 03/14/2008:  20:39:23

I do use it a lot too, with a dotted pattern, but I usually follow it with a "skiped bum" and a droped-thumb "pa":



I really dig the 5th string bounce with this pattern, as it plays a quarter note every other time.
it works really well on songs, as a backup when I sing (well, when I try to sing ) - I actually use it on whole songs.
But it's really more "folky" than old-time

It works on tunes too, as a variation here and there.

-----
Hats Off to the Zebras
http://www.myspace.com/hobohaiku

J-Walk - Posted - 03/14/2008:  20:57:04

Can somebody provide a link to a recording that uses this technique? I have no idea what this is all about.

Maybe I'm odd, but I have never thought of playing banjo in terms of bump-ditty. Just a simple audio example would be helpful. Knowing Zepp, he'll have a video on Youtube in about 3 minutes. And that's why I like Zepp so much.

haiku - Posted - 03/14/2008:  21:22:34

there you go:

Just a basic struming using "skiped brush", followed by the pattern I usually use:
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...musicid=7574

-----
Hats Off to the Zebras
http://www.myspace.com/hobohaiku

J-Walk - Posted - 03/14/2008:  22:10:00

Thanks haiku. I've done,it (and do it) but hadn't thought about what I was doing.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/14/2008:  22:21:43

It isn't just leaving out the "Did" stroke. An M Skip can be done any time you wish to leave a gap in the stream of frailed notes. It is particularly effective in rags or raggy tunes but it is handy for assing rhythmic variety to straight tunes too.
Chapter 4.2 of Rocket Science Banjo covers the M Skip, The Galax Lick and Clarence Ashley's 4 Four Finger Roll, with examples that you can play on your computer and on your banjo. Just send an email with "M Skip" or "RSB" or something similar in the subject line, to:
oldwoodchuckb@yahoo.com
Rocket Science Banjo is free and I neither keep your email address nor use it from any other purpose - it is deleted immediatly after sending out the ebook.

Rocket Science Banjo, Chapters 1 - 4.1 REVISED is ready now
oldwoodchuckb@yahoo.com
You can watch the videos for some Rocket Science Banjo subjects starting here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRuf4X0X7g

maxmax - Posted - 03/15/2008:  03:37:13

I do it all the time. Usually to emphasise the note right before, letting it ring a bit longer. But sometimes to land in a dropthumb where the "Ty" would take place. And I think I do it every now and then just to give a bit of air to a tune so it doesn't sound to monotoneous, but that happens pretty naturally.

Best,
Max

harvey - Posted - 03/15/2008:  08:35:06

Thanks for your comments, folks. Evidently many of you use this technique. I'll have to spend some time experimenting with it.

ZEPP - Posted - 03/15/2008:  10:47:14

quote:

---

Knowing Zepp, he'll have a video on Youtube in about 3 minutes.

---

Uh-oh. The pressure is on. And it's the weekend and my wife doesn't let me work!
Check ca. 5 seconds into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prq6h9YgbNw There are several skipped right hand beats there.

As I said, I do it often, but have no idea where, specifically... It just sorta happens.

Cheers,
ZEPP