sethb - Posted - 12/25/2024:  18:23:22

I'm usually in the 4-string section of BH and have always played with lead sheets, but am now exploring using charts (scores) instead.  I've obtained a score and was looking at one page of the banjo part (see the attached PDF) which consists of chord changes, but I can't figure out the notation. 

This tune is in 4/4, and most of the measures consist of four equally spaced slash marks ( / / / / ).  I'm guessing this means four equal beats/strokes per measure (such as in the last four measures with the Bb and F7 chords), and it's probably all downstrokes.  But the F7 measure before those four chords has a different pattern of  /  //  /, the F7 measure before that one has a different pattern of /  ///, and the fourth measure with the C7 chord has a /  /   // pattern. 

How do I interpret and play these different patterns?  Do the closer- or further-spaced slash marks indicate upstrokes, pauses or something else?  Thanks in advance for your advice; I'm a stranger in a strange land at this point!  SETH

Edited by - sethb on 12/25/2024 18:26:55

banjo chart 1

 

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 12/25/2024:  19:45:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by sethb

I'm usually in the 4-string section of BH and have always played with lead sheets, but am now exploring using charts (scores) instead.  I've obtained a score and was looking at one page of the banjo part (see the attached PDF) which consists of chord changes, but I can't figure out the notation. 

This tune is in 4/4, and most of the measures consist of four equally spaced slash marks ( / / / / ).  I'm guessing this means four equal beats/strokes per measure (such as in the last four measures with the Bb and F7 chords), and it's probably all downstrokes.  But the F7 measure before those four chords has a different pattern of  /  //  /, the F7 measure before that one has a different pattern of /  ///, and the fourth measure with the C7 chord has a /  /   // pattern. 

How do I interpret and play these different patterns?  Do the closer- or further-spaced slash marks indicate upstrokes, pauses or something else?  Thanks in advance for your advice; I'm a stranger in a strange land at this point!  SETH

---

The spacing of the slashes mean nothing, this seems to be a flawed notation program

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/25/2024:  20:59:16

I agree with Rick. The slashes line up with the quarter notes of other instruments, which themselves are spaced unevenly in some measures. Since quarter note spacing means nothing, I assume slash spacing also means nothing.

And for what it's worth, I don't take the slashes to indicate literal strums. I believe they indicate beats or during which you play vs rests that would indicate play nothing. I think the score is leaving it to the banjo player to decide how  to play the chords.

When I played electric guitar in junior high dance band, my guitar charts usually did not indicate strumming pattern.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 12/25/2024:  21:06:48

It kind of makes sense that the beats would correspond with the time values of the notes above in the score, as you set it up for the trumpet solo. So the 2 close slashes would be a down up, the first slash would be a beat followed by a rest etc.

Edited by - Laurence Diehl on 12/25/2024 21:10:42

trapdoor2 - Posted - 12/26/2024:  05:20:17

It is just the music software trying to fill the expanded space with slashes...and not doing an orthographic spacing. I'm with the others above, means nothing apart from 4 beats.

I'd cheat and listen to a version of the tune online...and then make sure your section lead/conductor is happy!

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/26/2024:  06:14:31

The measures with irregularly spaced slash marks are all narrow measures that also have irregularly spaced quarter notes or quarter rests. As I said above, the slashes all line up with quarter notes or rests.

All downstrokes on the quarter notes sounds right to me.

sethb - Posted - 12/26/2024:  07:27:41

You know, I was also going to include in my original post the alternative theory that the different sized spaces between the slash marks was just the result of sloppy notation!  But then I thought, that couldn't possibly be the case -- could it? 

I've occasionally purchased lead sheets with one or two mistaken chord changes, and I also have a few old fake books that are full of mistakes, but I figured a chart wouldn't fall into that category.  Oh well . . . . 

So for now, I'll just assume that everything is straight 4/4 downstrokes, and I'll let my right hand also do whatever else it wants to do if it seems appropriate (maybe a gliss here or there, etc.)  Thanks again for all the input!   SETH

250gibson - Posted - 12/27/2024:  21:43:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by sethb

You know, I was also going to include in my original post the alternative theory that the different sized spaces between the slash marks was just the result of sloppy notation!  But then I thought, that couldn't possibly be the case -- could it? 

I've occasionally purchased lead sheets with one or two mistaken chord changes, and I also have a few old fake books that are full of mistakes, but I figured a chart wouldn't fall into that category.  Oh well . . . . 

So for now, I'll just assume that everything is straight 4/4 downstrokes, and I'll let my right hand also do whatever else it wants to do if it seems appropriate (maybe a gliss here or there, etc.)  Thanks again for all the input!   SETH

 

 

---

Those slashes indicate beats that are played. Beats that are not played are indicated with rests. Charts use slashes when the composer and or arranger is leaving it up to the player to comp appropriately. If a specific rhythm is intended, then durations are indicated and the slashes appear at the appropriate beat or part thereof. Specific melody or specific chord voicing is written in standard notation