Last night we played a sit down gig in small pub in Skowhegan.
Sitting seems to bring out the "haven't played that one in a while" stuff like
Rooster Chews Tobacco
Mornin Blues
Song To Woody
Home With the Armadillo
Dear Old Dixie(for Vaughn)
Charlie Dunn

Henry(goin fast,fast,fast.)

I never know what we're going to do next or how long it's been since we played it.
I love surprises and no set way of arrangements.

Edited by - steve davis on 01/22/2012 07:09:21

I read in a book today-Everyone uses the same set of notes, style is how you get from one note to the next. I liked that.

I also think style can be as simple as touch. Everyone has a different touch to the banjo, some play harder or louder. That's an equal component to style. That's first thing I notice about someones style, how do they play the strings.

I heartily agree with you Jody. I have heard the same song played by two different players and there is a "touch" that can make a world of difference. In the last few months I have discovered the same thing, quite by accident. I was in a very relaxed/ mellow mood one evening and it translated to my playing. You can pluck,... and you can pick,... and you can also massage a note,....(notice I didn't say string?)

Having that certain touch is a necessity, yet I would take it into a more spiritual/mystical realm wherein the ancient tones (to quote Bill Monroe) resonate differently between us.  I think that we develop our own style in large part due to the elements, and characteristics of our personality.  For example, most of the soft spoken, gentle, easy going people I know (mainly men), who play guitar, mandolin, or banjo, etc, tend to play in accord to their personality type.  Soft, easy, gentle touch.  Most of the more agressive people I know play harder. 

My ex-father-in-law is a very gentle, soft man, and he sings in a gentle, soft, Irish tenor voice, and uses a paper thin guitar pick, with soft strumming.  This is not always the case (softer people playing softer), but for it has been my experience . 

Edited by - Westvon on 01/26/2012 06:40:15

I think style comes from where you've been in life.

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

I think style comes from where you've been in life.

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 I totally agree, and should have added that same point to my last point.

I agree with ya Steve,.. but I'll take it a step further. I notice that, on days when I have to deal with a lot of...adversity,... my playing is more aggressive. I have found that I notice it more now and have to give myself an attitude adjustment. I prefer NOT to play that way and mentally re-adjust. On days where everything goes according to Hoyle,.... no adjustment necessary....

quote:

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Originally posted by Frebazak

I agree with ya Steve,.. but I'll take it a step further. I notice that, on days when I have to deal with a lot of...adversity,... my playing is more aggressive. I have found that I notice it more now and have to give myself an attitude adjustment. I prefer NOT to play that way and mentally re-adjust. On days where everything goes according to Hoyle,.... no adjustment necessary....

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I think this is an important point about "developing your own style" ... my feeling is that your own style evolves from where technique, your personality, and the mood you're feeling in the moment, all meet. As Frebazak points out, when you're to the point where your mood and attitude merge, well ... that is your style. You are your style. You come through you.

Hope that makes sense.

Edited by - banjoy on 01/29/2012 09:13:15

That makes sense,Robes.I've felt the affects of other important things distracting from my creativity.

More like where you've been along with where you're at,today.

.quote:

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Originally posted by Frebazak

I agree with ya Steve,.. but I'll take it a step further. I notice that, on days when I have to deal with a lot of...adversity,... my playing is more aggressive. I have found that I notice it more now and have to give myself an attitude adjustment. I prefer NOT to play that way and mentally re-adjust. On days where everything goes according to Hoyle,.... no adjustment necessary....

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every one has his own style and you must create your own style ...