Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/10/2016:  08:19:34

Would somebody with more experience than me in ITM like to take charge of a TOTM Tune Of The Month posting? 

I'd like to see two such things: one for beginners or less advanced players, and one for experienced players. 

Tips and guidance could be given, and there should be a complete absence of competition. 

Paul Roberts - Posted - 02/10/2016:  09:21:50

I nominate Rob MacNeil. 

robobanjo - Posted - 02/10/2016:  09:29:05

I'm still primarily a closet player at home, but thanks.  I nominate Michael Keyes - if he would be so inclined.

Edited by - robobanjo on 02/10/2016 09:32:45

DSmoke - Posted - 02/10/2016:  09:38:52

Well, as I posted in my intro my wife and I host a monthly slow session.  We have a tune of the month with that.  If you would like that could be the "easier" tune.  However, with our session we do not give out the name.  We send out a recording of the tune and encourage people to listen to the tune enough to hum it before they attempt to play it, or simply just be able to hum it before coming to our session.  So that is a little different scenario.

aintbrokejustbadlybent - Posted - 02/10/2016:  11:48:27

Dan,
As my wife used to say "Knowing the name of the tune is important, how else are you able to tell one tune apart from the other"?
mike

DSmoke - Posted - 02/10/2016:  12:13:57

We send the tune out 3 weeks before the session, at the session we tell them the name.  We do this to simply promote the "learning by ear" technique which is important to our session.  By the way, this is met with much resistance from anybody who learned to play music by reading it.  

I wasn't implying that would work for a tune of the month.  Rather that I have a selected tune of the month for another group which I could offer up here as well.

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/10/2016:  12:50:20

Sounds good to me. Why not learn by ear? If Dan could upload a soundfile and some commentary, I think that would be a good start. 

That would get the beginners/non-advanced players up and running. Now for the advanced TOTM...

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/10/2016:  13:06:03

I think that's a fantastic idea, Dan and Rob!  The first person who knew the tune would likely add the title to their upload, "spoiling" the effect a bit, but learners could simply avoid reading such spoiler posts if they're so inclined.

DSmoke - Posted - 02/10/2016:  13:41:05

Well, I have one more thought regarding this.  Because our session involves multiple different instruments the recording doesn't necessarily include a banjo.  It might be easiest for beginners to pick up the tune listening to a banjo recording.  Thoughts?

captbanjo - Posted - 02/10/2016:  13:55:04

I like the fiddle a lot for determining melody. Also, flutes and accordions work well too. The problem with listening to a banjo player is, I might want to copy the player and I would rather have my own take on it.  Although I do admit to stealing hot banjo licks from everyone I can!

Wayne

Edited by - captbanjo on 02/10/2016 13:57:08

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/10/2016:  14:22:03

But beginners need guidance on how to play the banjo in this style, not just "here's the tune". So if there was a sound file of someone playing the tune slowly, maybe playing difficult parts even slower, then they would be hearing the tune, but also picking up tips on banjo playing. Mind you, we are at present small in numbers, and even smaller in beginners-level numbers. 

Dan, I think it's down to you. You have experience in this, and you know how much time you have to devote to it. 

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/10/2016:  15:11:02

Any takers yet for the "Advanced Tune" thread of tune-of-the-months?  I'm curious about what constitutes an advanced tune.  Factors like a lot of accidentals, or a melody goes all over the fretboard?  Or are you thinking of specific arrangements of tunes that use a lot of ornamentation techniques?

captbanjo - Posted - 02/10/2016:  15:44:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by benhockenberry

 

Any takers yet for the "Advanced Tune" thread of tune-of-the-months?  I'm curious about what constitutes an advanced tune.  Factors like a lot of accidentals, or a melody goes all over the fretboard?  Or are you thinking of specific arrangements of tunes that use a lot of ornamentation techniques?

---

To me, advanced arrangements would feature some things such as double stops, triplets, syncopations, chromatic (in between) notes and harmony notes.

Check out this recording from O'Flaherty's Retreat for one example. Very advanced for sure:

youtu.be/cXEz6aSdbRA

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/10/2016:  15:53:18

Well, I just meant anyone more advanced than a beginner/less advanced player. No point in making the advanced too advanced. 

DSmoke - Posted - 02/10/2016:  16:32:09

Out of curiosity do we need two separate tunes?  How about this....we select a tune, upload a sound file of a basic version of the tune, which will be our baseline.  The more advanced players can put their twist on it which will be uploaded giving all players from basic to advance the opportunity to hear many different versions of the same tune.  Thoughts?

prooftheory - Posted - 02/10/2016:  17:33:56

That sounds more sensible to me. There isn't really much point to having the advanced guys try to copy a particular arrangement, is there?

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/10/2016:  18:45:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by DSmoke

Out of curiosity do we need two separate tunes?  How about this....we select a tune, upload a sound file of a basic version of the tune, which will be our baseline.  The more advanced players can put their twist on it which will be uploaded giving all players from basic to advance the opportunity to hear many different versions of the same tune.  Thoughts?

---

That sounds great!  If it needs to split off into two threads in time, that may be, but we can start with one tune and let it grow naturally.

Chadbanjo - Posted - 02/10/2016:  19:31:11

Great idea, someone needs to pick up their banjo, have drop of the pure, record a tune and give some advice. ha

Recording of basic melody would be ideal...and one for fun. I'll be awhile before I can participate. Good stuff.

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/10/2016:  23:34:10

OK. Let's do it!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 02/11/2016:  12:27:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by DSmoke

 

Out of curiosity do we need two separate tunes?  How about this....we select a tune, upload a sound file of a basic version of the tune, which will be our baseline.  The more advanced players can put their twist on it which will be uploaded giving all players from basic to advance the opportunity to hear many different versions of the same tune.  Thoughts?

 

---

Yes, I like your idea, but opening it up for players of all levels to upload their renditions.

We could also link each tune to the same tune on thesession.org/, the state-of-the-art ITM site, which has billions of tunes with different versions and midi sound files, a monster resource for anyone interested in ITM. 

DSmoke - Posted - 02/11/2016:  13:38:52

Yes, one tune open to all.  It has the potential to be a great opportunity for players of all levels.  I think we need a volunteer willing to upload the base version of the tune at a modest tempo.  I am not quiet consistent enough yet to provide such a recording.  

Is there a way to create a poll on this site?  We could offer up a couple tunes,open the poll for a few days, and let the members vote.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 02/11/2016:  14:27:52

A round-robin. Sounds like a great format for sharing, while developing a sense of community. An easy approach might be to get ideas of tunes, at least to start, from Popular tunes on thesession.org. Hopefully, it will provide a unifying impetus for the new 4-string forum. 

LakeMonster - Posted - 02/11/2016:  14:31:38

Sounds great! Lets choose a tune and get pickin'!

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/11/2016:  14:55:40

I can rig up a quick poll based on the top 10.  And if there are no other eager volunteers, I am happy to record a slow and consistent (hopefully) audio version of the selected one.

Edited by - benhockenberry on 02/11/2016 15:04:06

Paul Roberts - Posted - 02/11/2016:  15:02:52

Why bother, bro, just plow one out there...

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/11/2016:  15:07:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul Roberts

Why bother, bro, just plow one out there...

---

Heading home from work now.  If votes are slim to none when I get home to my banjo, then so it shall be!

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/11/2016:  16:31:05

Votes came in for Butterfly, Drowsy Maggie, and Maid Behind the Bar.  I'll start with the Butterfly on another thread header.

captbanjo - Posted - 02/11/2016:  16:38:56

So, what are we supposed to do again?

Wayne

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/11/2016:  16:56:00

Record how you play the tune, if you know it already; otherwise, learn it and post your version.  I blew the "surprise" by naming the tune.  ;)  Feel free to add comments about how you play it, tips you learned in how to play this tune or tunes like it.  Does that make sense?

captbanjo - Posted - 02/11/2016:  17:13:32

OK, yes. Thanks.

Wayne

DSmoke - Posted - 02/11/2016:  18:01:03

I voted and typed the following but never sent it, anyway here it is a little late.

Thanks for stepping up Ben, sounds like the Tune of the Month is ready to go!  I would like to offer another suggestion regarding the uploads.  My wife belongs to a group that has a rule stating that constructive criticism is only offered if the person posting asks for it.  Do you think this would be beneficial?

I know half the list above, so it will put the pressure on me to clean one up, or learn a new tune, either is great!

benhockenberry - Posted - 02/12/2016:  04:45:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by DSmoke

Thanks for stepping up Ben, sounds like the Tune of the Month is ready to go!  I would like to offer another suggestion regarding the uploads.  My wife belongs to a group that has a rule stating that constructive criticism is only offered if the person posting asks for it.  Do you think this would be beneficial?

I know half the list above, so it will put the pressure on me to clean one up, or learn a new tune, either is great!

---

I understand that.  The internet has a tendency to make people say things they wouldn't in person!

Laffinloon - Posted - 02/13/2016:  08:28:45

So Delighted to see this forum come up. I have a limited knowledge of tunes, but enjoy all of them.  I like the Tune of the month idea. There's lots to choose from. Let's have fun.

I voting for The Banshee just to start things off

Laffinloon - Posted - 02/13/2016:  08:39:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by captbanjo

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by benhockenberry

 

Any takers yet for the "Advanced Tune" thread of tune-of-the-months?  I'm curious about what constitutes an advanced tune.  Factors like a lot of accidentals, or a melody goes all over the fretboard?  Or are you thinking of specific arrangements of tunes that use a lot of ornamentation techniques?

---

 

To me, advanced arrangements would feature some things such as double stops, triplets, syncopations, chromatic (in between) notes and harmony notes.

Check out this recording from O'Flaherty's Retreat for one example. Very advanced for sure:

youtu.be/cXEz6aSdbRA

 

---

Edna is a very professional and advanced player. Like so many different styles of music, the actual tune is not all that complicated, but the player can play some very advanced techniques to make a tune more advanced. Edna's playing is fabulous! but the tunes are still fun for the rest of us.