Chuck Taylor - Posted - 04/26/2023:  11:31:10

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

gbisignani - Posted - 04/26/2023:  11:39:41

I played with a group for a little while. They played rock & roll and a small amount of folk music. I basically play clawhammer but also fingerpick. I can't play bluegrass but I can "rhythm" pick so that's what I would do. Every once in a while they would do a song where I could work in a little clawhammer.

eagleisland - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:03:47

I have a weekly gig with some folks... mostly Irish and Americana. It's a lot of fun. One learns how to fit the banjo in with other forms.

RioStat - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:13:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

Half the "Bluegrass" guitar pickers at jams can't do a decent "boom chucka" rhythm nowadays ! 

They do nothing but  "strummin'..... no bass notes (the boom in boom-chucka)

Chuck Taylor - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:33:50

thanks for the confirmation RioStat.  There is a video of Earl and sons playing with Joan Baez and some other non bluegrass people, I should review that video and see how he handled it.   It is also interesting to hear Earl talk about expanding his banjo into other forms of music.  Also,  I had no knowledge of how good a picker Randy was too.  BTW  Are you an electrical engineer? rheostat? potentiometer?

Edited by - Chuck Taylor on 04/26/2023 12:41:26

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:36:26

I make a good portion of my living playing Guitar in a rock band. I play a couple songs each gig on the banjo now but not bluegrass. Ive adapted smoke on the water and play a new version of cowboys from hell.

Ive got several other rock songs we practise but the banjo is kinda an anomoly that our audience enjoys in moderation. I only play bluegrass bymyself currently but have played acoustic Guitar bluegrass in bands.

I think it helps to understand how to play the other genre to get a feel for filling space with a jo.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:42:32

I've picked with about all genre of songs (except maybe heavy metal) and as long as I can hear a beat, whether it be the bass or a boom chuck or just a strum, strum, I can usually get the idea of the song and either just do backup or, if given the nod, manage an easy break. It's mainly just learning to hear a beat, regardless of where it comes from.

Chuck Taylor - Posted - 04/26/2023:  12:45:07

thank you Sherry. I've got some work to do.

Edited by - Chuck Taylor on 04/26/2023 12:45:42

chief3 - Posted - 04/26/2023:  13:13:29

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/26/2023:  14:03:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by chief3

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

---

When you're picking with non-bluegrass types, forget the continual rolls and work on partial rolls, vamps,  licks, whatever fits in with the music.   Learn to "roll with the punches" and if they miss a beat or add an extra beat, hear it, go with it.  That's one of the most difficult things I had to learn.   I was a stickler for playing as perfectly in time as I could and those odd beats or missed beats used to mess me up.  I did learn to quickly recover and continue on.

KCJones - Posted - 04/26/2023:  14:26:40

The biggest issue is that non-bluegrass bands don't know the Nashville Number System. It makes communicating musical ideas very difficult.

I'd bet that nowadays, most banjo players are playing with "non-bluegrass" bands. Being able to play in a "Real Bluegrass Band" has always been a dream of mine, a dream that I'm not entirely confident will ever come true.

monstertone - Posted - 04/26/2023:  15:17:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

"Oh look, a 5-string banjo" that's your first clue. Not only is there no boom chuck, those types are usually totally clueless when it comes to a Lester Flatt G run.  Sorry, not my bag.

pjfolino - Posted - 04/26/2023:  17:14:10

You can fit banjo into anything. It's quite a shift from bluegrass to some other forms. I play in a "soft rock" band. It's been a great learning curve as I've had to develop new rolls, new keys and techniques to add value. Experimentation has been key to working in with the band.

Will Frady - Posted - 04/26/2023:  17:48:13

Bernie Leadon figured it …. Huh? I’m about like everyone else. It seems people who play bluegrass can crossover easier than than those that aren’t accustomed bluegrass. Kinda always intrigued me .

Culloden - Posted - 04/26/2023:  18:48:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by RioStat

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

Half the "Bluegrass" guitar pickers at jams can't do a decent "boom chucka" rhythm nowadays ! 

They do nothing but  "strummin'..... no bass notes (the boom in boom-chucka)

---

It sounds like Scott and I have played with some of the same musicians

KCJones - Posted - 04/26/2023:  19:40:51

Check these guys out for inspiration:

John Hartford
Doug Dillard (specifically his projects with John Hartford and also Gene Clark)
Rusty Gauthier
Peter Grant
Jerry Garcia
Barry Waldrep

Bill H - Posted - 04/27/2023:  02:34:05

I am a long-time claw hammer player who set out to learn three finger banjo, but I don't know anyone near me who plays bluegrass. I play regularly with a group led by a fiddler whose repertoire is mainly New England dance music. There are some traditional old time and bluegrass tunes, but mainly Celtic, Cabe Betton and Canadian dance tunes. Right now we are working on a Swedish folk song, Varvinder Friska . While I am not sharpening my Scruggs licks, I am learning the neck, practicing chords, learning to play in different keys without a capo and working on melodic playing.

phb - Posted - 04/27/2023:  07:54:22

I played with a non-bluegrass guitarist yesterday. He was at our jam and I didn't notice anything when he was just backing up others. But when he led a song and sang to it, he did some ritardando thing at the end of verses where he basically left us all without a beat to rely on. That was impossible to foresee and handle playing backup. I don't think that this was caused by coming from another musical genre but rather because he wasn't used to playing in jams but probably played a lot alone. Usually I don't have problems with non-bluegrass guitarists other than that they tend to choose unfamiliar material that has more than a couple of chords in them. 

steve davis - Posted - 04/27/2023:  12:02:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by chief3

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

---

When I play with other kinds of music than bluegrass I change the way I play to fit their style.

I played banjo to a piano bar man from the 70s to 90s.We played Dear Old Dixie and a few other bluegrass selections,but mostly played big band and popular music from the 40s 50s and 60s.Banjo,piano and snare/hi hat.

I didn't expect the piano to follow me...I was his sideman.When I play fiddletunes I try my best to fit their music and play melodically.I like lots of other music than just bluegrass.

steve davis - Posted - 04/28/2023:  17:08:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by chief3

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

---

Your time counting complaint makes no sense.

An awful lot of musicians from all walks of life and music are very comfortable counting time.If someone is playing uneven rhythm that just means they're a poor musician.Bluegrassers down have some kind of corner on good rhythm or being able to fit into any type of music.

My Dad and his Country music playing friends had impeccable timing and where I learned mine.Good banjo and music playing isn't all about "bluegrass drive".

chief3 - Posted - 04/28/2023:  18:48:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

quote:

---

Originally posted by chief3

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

---

Your time counting complaint makes no sense.

An awful lot of musicians from all walks of life and music are very comfortable counting time.If someone is playing uneven rhythm that just means they're a poor musician.Bluegrassers down have some kind of corner on good rhythm or being able to fit into any type of music.

My Dad and his Country music playing friends had impeccable timing and where I learned mine.Good banjo and music playing isn't all about "bluegrass drive".

---

You missed the point I was making.

steve davis - Posted - 04/28/2023:  20:11:13

Time is time.

steve davis - Posted - 04/29/2023:  05:46:32

Some of my most exciting playing has come from playing in a non-bluegrass setting.
I love jams that are total surprises of styles.

SandChannel - Posted - 04/29/2023:  08:35:46

I come from swing guitar so I live on the two and four. I'm learning tenor banjo and it feels a comfortable fit. Bluegrass is a different dialect, but all rhythm is the same language.

steve davis - Posted - 04/29/2023:  15:25:51

I was picking at our Kennebec Wharf one night.I usually played with Vaughn's piano bar,but that night my electric pals were there and when I took a break I sounded like a saxophone.
One of the sound guys had moved my pick-up wire to a rack of pedals and was choosing what I sounded like.
It was a hoot.

steve davis - Posted - 04/30/2023:  07:02:20

I love it when I play with a non-bluegrass person and they say "I didn't know you could play banjo to that."

Paul R - Posted - 04/30/2023:  20:26:02

I've played clawhammer with a songwriter friend. It involves following his timing and his rather unusual chord patterns. I treat it as a learning experience.

I've jammed with and backed up lots of people who don't understand Bluegrass or Old Time. Again, it's a matter of rolling with the punches. And from years in the "Bluegrass Jam", it's obvious that, apart from those who "get it" (usually the very experienced Bluegrass players), most people have little or no undestanding of BG rhythm playing - not to mention undertanding what a jam is all about (but that's another topic).

Norfolk Grit - Posted - 05/01/2023:  02:11:54

Here in the UK there really aren't any bluegrass people so you have to pick with non bluegrass players - i treat it all as a learning process and some of the songs you wind up playing really surprise - i never though George Michaels 'Faith' would lend it self to full BG treatment but it does and it sounds awesome!

steve davis - Posted - 05/01/2023:  18:07:31

And maybe create a bluegrass convert or two along the way.

fish1963 - Posted - 05/02/2023:  11:46:40

About 3 years ago .. I started playing with a mostly honky tonk/rock and roll band. It took a tremendous amount of effort to fit the banjo in ... and I am still just ok at it.



Often most Scruggs rolls won't work, but the backwards roll works some of the time. Single string playing will be your friend as well as just learning some new rhythms on the banjo .



It's been interesting to go from a lead to instrument to a backup instrument secondary to the Stratocaster.



Interesting enough, when we play a few Bluegrass songs, most of my bandmates - and they are good musicians - are not very good at providing at a good bluegrass rhythm and we struggle to find a good solid boom chuck beat and bringing in a solid bluegrass song gives them issues.



Braedon Lewis got me really far into fitting in with other styles. If you are interested in learning to play non-bluegrass ... check him out at jamalong.org

Edited by - fish1963 on 05/02/2023 11:47:21

steve davis - Posted - 05/02/2023:  15:28:07

Some of the C&W I learned (before anything bluegrass) were:
Crazy Arms
Fraulein
Overlooked an Orchid
Steel Guitar Rag and You're in the Jailhouse Now.

I enjoy old Country as much as Bluegrass.I've been playing Country about 10 years longer than Bluegrass.

banjoak - Posted - 05/02/2023:  15:43:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

Yep experienced this, I've played with lots of musicians from different music backgrounds. My perspective (as mostly a rhythm player), it's not unique to BG, and importantly has less to do with non-bluegrass players vs from other genre More about being actual rhythm player; understanding rhythm, feel, groove (and listening); much transcends genre (basic BG backup concept is not particularly unique or complex).

The folks described it's more that they are not really much experienced as rhythm players. Background is not part of rhythm section; or perhaps playing strong rhythmic music. They don't practice just playing rhythm, rhythmic groove, nor think about it, nor perhaps really listen for it. Their accompaniment for singing, was generally not much about rhythm, providing a strong tight rhythmic groove or beat... rather more about the fuller sound, filling up space, mostly focused on chords harmony. Simple fairly undistinguished, ambiguous, loose or passive pattern or shuffle, they like lots of full ringing; simply to fill meter with some sense of timing. 

That accompaniment is not particularly solid rhythm playing for any genre (that requires solid rhythmic feel); and weak rhythm is harder to play with than solid. That said, some genre/style or context might perhaps more accommodate generic loose filling (esp gentle slower/moderate rhythm tempo); and/or where others are doing work providing strong rhythm section backup, like bass, piano or drums, or backing track; and their loose chord fill sort of works (possibly give illusion).  Other genre/styles less accommodating; the rhythm has to pump out a solid rhythmic groove/feel (other stuff distracts, weakens).

Playing with other people, have to consider their strengths and weakness, and pick materiel that can accommodate those. Regardless of genre background; solid rhythm players (who listen) are more flexible, wider range, easier to play with. But weaker players can be fun too, just need to keep in mind their limits; try adapt to them.

steve davis - Posted - 05/03/2023:  06:20:48

I love playing with French-Canadian fiddle players.They are also fine bluegrass fiddlers.
They can chew gum and walk at the same time.
I love the challenge of fitting in with other styles.Talent is found everywhere.

Tatersoup - Posted - 05/10/2023:  14:38:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

Not a bluegrass picker, but you don't seem to understand music very well. I can only assume you're speaking about guitar players. How can one strum excessively? And embarrassingly, if you are indeed talking about guitar, I find you incredibly naive to not hear the bum-ditty.

Adversely, it is almost impossible to hear a boom-chick or bum ditty from an obnoxious bluegrass picker; nothing but noise in my estimation. Ever try to sing along with a bluegrass picker, ffs?

Edited by - Tatersoup on 05/10/2023 14:40:33

mr clean - Posted - 05/11/2023:  04:11:24

I play with an electric rock/jam band occasionally over the years. The first challenge is being heard. I added a humbucker pickup and some pedals. At first they would always ask can you play in (any key except G). I always answer,”I think I have that on here”.
You learn to make it fit. It works most of the time. Sometimes not so much.

Ybanjo - Posted - 05/11/2023:  09:16:45

My last band played almost no bluegrass. Several of my regular jam sessions play almost no bluegrass. I don't see where there can be any issue. Maybe I just don't understand. My arthritis in my hands pretty much keep me from playing fast enough for much bluegrass. And I really love to play blues, folk, and early rock & roll.

I don't like to play with a bunch of guitars that cannot provide some sort of downbeat. It seems that it's awfully difficult to find really good rhythm guitarists. If there's a bass then I have no problem.

NJBanjoDr - Posted - 05/12/2023:  13:45:17

I played with an eclectic band for several years--folk, pop, country ,etc, not much bluegrass. A most enjoyable--and challenging--time, but I learned a lot and my playing improved significantly. Audiences enjoyed that we weren't like "every other band", with 3 guitars, keyboard and percussion . . . and a banjo! None of the other band members were at all steeped--or proficient--bluegrass musicians. I still play on my own at open mics and have continued to play (and sing) a wide variety of songs. It is unfortunate that the banjo has been pigeon-holed into the bluegrass genre, since it is capable of so much more, and audiences seem to appreciate the variety of songs I play and sing.

bosborne - Posted - 05/12/2023:  14:03:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

So, no. None of the people I play with are bluegrass-types. Could be Irish, could be old time, could be folk, could be blues, could be "standards", could be country, etc. The banjo fits in well with most of these. But I join these groups to sing too, so I can usually find something enjoyable to do.

I think you're hanging around with people who aren't particularly good at leading a song, I think that's the issue, not the type of music. The leader has to be able to start with a strong measure or two, keep a solid beat throughout, signal the chorus, breaks, and end clearly. It's an art in and of itself. 

banjoak - Posted - 05/12/2023:  15:19:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tatersoup

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chuck Taylor

Anyone experience this? It is difficult to pick banjo with non bluegrass people, typically they play and sing by them selves and they compensate for lack of accompaniment with excessive strumming. There is no boom-chick to latch onto.

---

Not a bluegrass picker, but you don't seem to understand music very well. I can only assume you're speaking about guitar players. How can one strum excessively? And embarrassingly, if you are indeed talking about guitar, I find you incredibly naive to not hear the bum-ditty.

Adversely, it is almost impossible to hear a boom-chick or bum ditty from an obnoxious bluegrass picker; nothing but noise in my estimation. Ever try to sing along with a bluegrass picker, ffs?

---

Not all guitar players go boom-chick (nor bum-ditty). Not difficult for guitar, in any genre, to strum excessively, or without significant rhythmic accent. I've certainly encountered those folks.

That said, if assuming/needing to hear obvious boom-chick (or bum ditty); agree maybe points to someone who is naive and doesn't understand music very well.

Good banjo bluegrass banjo players can punch out a solid rhythm, beat, meter... where ONE is. If understand music... easy to hear that, and sing along to. (lot's of folks demonstrate that).  Similar other instruments, like good fiddlers; doesn't have to be limited to bum-ditty playing; can incorporate other rhythmic aspect, even syncopation; yet maintains idea of beat and meter.

Edited by - banjoak on 05/12/2023 15:21:23

steve davis - Posted - 05/13/2023:  13:18:11

I like to play with good musicians from any style of music.A great challenge!

The original poster seems to be saying there aren't any good musicians outside of bluegrass.

What a limited outlook on music.

Not all music needs a solid,punchy rhythm.

Sometimes that's done in poor taste and is very limiting to what a banjo player can do.Playing a good break to "A Baby to Cry" doesn't have anything to do with punchy drive.

Edited by - steve davis on 05/13/2023 13:21:34

TN Time - Posted - 05/13/2023:  13:58:29

I can play bluegrass and I have a few bluegrass tunes in my repertoire, but I play many non-bluegrass songs too. I believe the banjo is much more versatile than we often give it credit for. When I play alone (just me and my banjo) at open mics, I play mostly folk type songs and a few real country songs. Listen to players like Dave Gourd and George Grove (both formerly with The Kingston Trio at different times) and Pete Seeger. They could, but rarely did play in a bluegrass style. They all played in a style that is hard (at least for me) to describe; kind of a combination of frailing, Scruggs style, and possibly a few other styles thrown in. That's how I play and I have developed my own George Grove style that fits in well with various circle jams and when playing in groups. When I play a break, I switch to Scruggs 3-finger style (I am always wearing finger picks no matter how I am playing) and it seems to work out fine. The banjo can be a great background/back up instrument and doesn't always have to play the lead.
Robert

steve davis - Posted - 05/13/2023:  14:44:53

The first time I played with Vaughn Meader and his piano bar he played stuff from Vaughn Monroe and Sarah Vaughn.
I had to learn quick.

Helix - Posted - 05/13/2023:  20:37:56

Once in Portland, Oregon the lead on lady for Hoyt Axton was playing guitar mostly. Her last song was clawhammer "Pinball Wizard!"

I am not ever fond of "Bluegrass or else." Case in Point is "Orphan Girl" by Gillian Welch. Crooked Still just rocks that into legible frequencies, but she plays it way too somber for my ears. So at the Bluegrass jam no one had ever heard the song and they had trouble with the Standard Nashville "Pop" progression of say G,D, Em, C , I know there's a real music name for 1,5 etc. But it just threw them.



I learned a bunch of pinch chords or two finger harmony chords, too. Like for Grandfather's Clock.



A band called the New Phoenix Strugglers (there are no old ones, it's a tribute NLCR) played 5 sold out Woody Guthrie benefit concerts for Fisher House and borrowed bluegrass to do so for many if not all of the songs. No one either didn't notice or they were magically transported in time. Help , I'm Floating and I can't get down. It sounds darn good, too.



I am very fond of Bob Wills and the Texas playboys. Over here we all try to get next to anything that has words and music like "Don't Fence Me In. and Home on the Range in 4/4 time, people seem to really like that.

Really dislike Seeger's tremolo on Old Riley, but Jon Stewart's fast version is just brilliant in my opinion, so is any Monkee bidness.



Still play Steve Gillette's 2:10 train about Texas' conjugal visits and the afternoon train back to Houston. Progressive penal legislation.

It's probably just cheaper. But it's an historically written song from the '60's

Any 1,4,5 song because of Do Re Mi. Like Xmas carols and the Beatles

Bluegrassers are too narrow at times. No railroad runs on one track.

Hey Paul

Edited by - Helix on 05/13/2023 20:39:22

steve davis - Posted - 05/14/2023:  06:33:06

Today and every Sunday year 'round we have an "anything goes" jam at our Sail Power and Steam Museum in Rockland.
15-20 musicians sitting around the perimeter of the room with an audience of 20-30 in the middle.
Nobody has a clue what is going to be played next and nobody judges anyone's choice.
One of my favorite jams.

TN Time - Posted - 05/14/2023:  13:47:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by TN Time

I can play bluegrass and I have a few bluegrass tunes in my repertoire, but I play many non-bluegrass songs too. I believe the banjo is much more versatile than we often give it credit for. When I play alone (just me and my banjo) at open mics, I play mostly folk type songs and a few real country songs. Listen to players like Dave Gourd and George Grove (both formerly with The Kingston Trio at different times) and Pete Seeger. They could, but rarely did play in a bluegrass style. They all played in a style that is hard (at least for me) to describe; kind of a combination of frailing, Scruggs style, and possibly a few other styles thrown in. That's how I play and I have developed my own George Grove style that fits in well with various circle jams and when playing in groups. When I play a break, I switch to Scruggs 3-finger style (I am always wearing finger picks no matter how I am playing) and it seems to work out fine. The banjo can be a great background/back up instrument and doesn't always have to play the lead.

Robert

---

Sorry for the misspelling. I meant Dave Guard.

Robert

Grunlee - Posted - 05/14/2023:  14:37:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by chief3

From my experience, non bluegrass musicians typically don't count time as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & and so they don't fully appreciate how the uneven downbeats and upbeats in their rhythm playing can really mess with the banjo player's rolls and sense of bluegrass rhythm. Basically, drive assassination.

---

You're not talking about musicians.You're talking about hobbyists.

steve davis - Posted - 05/15/2023:  05:52:50

I learned to count time as a percussionist in my school band.
Snare drum notation is all about reading time.
Tab shows reading time very clearly.

I find it hilarious to read that only bluegrass musicians understand time.

bookemdano - Posted - 05/16/2023:  09:52:48

I watch the guitar player's fretting hand and add in a modified roll to accompany him or her but not to over power a single guitar strummer, which the banjo can do. If he or she plays rhythm which is usually the case, than the pluncking of a banjo roll adds a lot to the song. Singing is always good, for me, its where the fun is, to sing with the other person or people and the banjo adds foot-tapping, hence, timing for the group.... just musing!

steve davis - Posted - 05/16/2023:  14:47:26

When you play with other kinds of music and musicians it's up to you to modify your playing to fit in with them.
Whatever it takes to make something good with the people there.
I find new people give me new ideas and surprises.I look forward to that.