mwc9725e - Posted - 11/20/2009:  08:47:49

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I'd like your comments and suggestions. I know I'm playing over my head, but I don't think I'll ever get it up to speed unless I do play a bit faster than I can play. Does that make any sense at all? Probably not, it doesn't sound like it does anyway :>)

EDIT: It's played clawhammer style, and I haven't been playing that style but a few months. That might be part of the problem.

It's on my music page, and you'll need to scroll down a way. Look for "June Apple'. Here's the URL that will take you to my music page:

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango....asp?id=2935

Thanks for any comments and suggestions. I would put it on 'sound off', but I think many of the people that visit that forum probably aren't interested in OT banjo, and I need some helpful suggestions from those that do like that kind of music.

Thanks again,

Bill Martin

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Edited by - mwc9725e on 11/20/2009 08:51:31

slabounty - Posted - 11/20/2009:  10:12:50

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Sounds pretty good to me, especially for not having played CH for a while. You can always use a metronome to help get you up to speed. Practice with it at a comfortable level and then as you improve, move it slowly higher until you hit the speed you want.

ZEPP - Posted - 11/20/2009:  11:44:39

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quote:

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Originally posted by mwc9725e

I'd like your comments and suggestions. I know I'm playing over my head,

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It does sound little bright--you might try playing over your fingerboard.
That's a joke. Really. I know what he meant folks.

quote:

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I don't think I'll ever get it up to speed unless I do play a bit faster than I can play.

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You're not that far "off speed." Granted some people play it as though there is no tomorrow, but it doesn't have to be played a break-neck speed. I thought it was fine, and for someone only playing CH a few months, I thought it was really quite good!

I truly believe that if you play the tune a few thousand times more, you will find that it smooths out greatly, and will be easily played at a faster speed (though I reiterate that I don't think the latter should be your goal. Go for smooth).

You've got it--now it just needs repetition.

Cheers,
ZEPP

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Edited by - ZEPP on 11/20/2009 11:44:58

Bisbonian - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:45:28

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Like it! One of my favorite tunes to play. I think I hear some Wade Ward in there....

majikgator - Posted - 11/20/2009:  13:33:41

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coming along very nicely, it takes me far longer to get one tune down half right than you have been playing altogether (maybe 10,000 repitions) so good job.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/20/2009:  13:43:19

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That's about the speed I play it at when I play Wade Ward's version of June Apple (similar but not identical to yours. The Round Peak June Apple frequently is played faster.
If you'd like an accurate tab of Ward Ward's playing on this send m an email - I've got it around somewhere and can send it to you. It is somewhat different to the version you do but very close.

I'm told there is an orphan tab of June Apple in RSB
http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
but I've never noticed it and I don't know which style it is.

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Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 11/20/2009 13:44:56

Couchie - Posted - 11/20/2009:  13:48:37

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Sounds good Bill, that is the speed I usually play it when I'm singing the words.

RedZinger - Posted - 11/20/2009:  14:11:13

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Very nice, Bill. To my ear that sounds like a good tempo and your timing is excellent -- solid. If you want to go faster, my guess is that it will come very soon with more repetition. Might just be an issue of relaxing about the tempo. Your big full brush strokes sound good, but it might help for speed (emphasis on might) to use smaller brush strokes (like just the 1st and 2nd strings or even just the 1st). You could still hit a big hard brush occasionally, then let it ring to keep the drone going letting the vibrating head do the work -- just a thought. Personally, sometimes I enjoy burning through a tune, but more times I find it really satisfying to slow it down to appreciate more possibilities for the rhythm, dynamics, accent etc.

Thanks for sharing.
Rob

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Edited by - RedZinger on 11/20/2009 14:13:46

farmer bob - Posted - 11/20/2009:  16:16:00

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Sounds great. I play June Apple on banjo almost everyday the same speed as your version. I have heard others play it twice as fast but it doesn't sound as sweet. I like to play it slow on the dulcimer and let the drone strings fill the gaps... Bob.

mwc9725e - Posted - 11/20/2009:  16:32:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by farmer bob

Sounds great. I play June Apple on banjo almost everyday the same speed as your version. I have heard others play it twice as fast but it doesn't sound as sweet. I like to play it slow on the dulcimer and let the drone strings fill the gaps... Bob.

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The reason I wanted to play it fast is that every time I play it someone asks "shouldn't it be played fast?".

A similar thing's true with the old standard ( old cliche? ) "Cripple Creek". When I was growing up, Cripple Creek was a song first and a tune second. And the folks I lived around neither spoke nor sang in a hurry. So the slow version sounds great to me, but...

Anyway, thanks to all for the suggestions and encouragement.

majikgator - Posted - 11/20/2009:  17:56:08

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i just don't like cripple creek played fast, i used to try and play it like that because i thought you had to, thing is i didn't like it played fast by anybody let alone by me so now i just play it at a really very slow tempo and to me this sounds right, i think this is true of all tunes what sounds right to you is right, but of course that's playing solo, an agreed upon tempo when playing with others or for dancing, blackberry blossom is another tune that is often played too fast for my liking as i tend to play for all people and not just other players that's my philosophy and i would always rather hear it clean and slow than fast and sloppy.

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 11/20/2009:  18:01:29

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I liked it - but that means nowt

Whilst learning a tune I make use the BHO jukebox and the mp3 fiddle files on Mel Bays site for Dan Levensons Festival Tunes book as a measure of 'proper speed'. Once learnt, I tend to play at any speed to suit my mood; often slower just for the mellow feeling

tomberghan - Posted - 11/20/2009:  21:18:02

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I like it at that speed! I like all of your recordings. Good banjo and guitar pickin. I especially like your singing. You have a great voice and style Bill.

derwood400 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  05:06:30

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I think it sounds great too. Fast playing is highly over-rated as far as I am concerned. I thought that sounded like about the most natural tempo for it.

H Kimball - Posted - 11/24/2009:  09:45:59

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Tempo sound good to me, its about the same as I play June Apple. I've been playing CH about two years and have to agree with others here that speed is not everything. When I first started playing I was trying to play many tunes "too fast" My teacher kept slowing me down and it was a big help. Heard Cripple Creek on an old recording yesterday, played slow with vocals. It was great, so I'm slowing this one down and adding the vocals. Most folks nowdays don't even know the lyrics to Cripple Creek.