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quote:
Originally posted by techmanWhich is the harder Bela Fleck tune to learn, "Whitewater" or "Big Country"?
Whitewater is Scruggs style, = Scruggs
Big Country is Bela style, = Scruggs, melodic, jazz
Robert,
I just put both of them in the Newest Tab Archive. Bela is a little bit of everything. Don't analyze too much--just play them and enjoy them....Jack Baker
Originally posted by techmanWhich is the harder Bela Fleck tune to learn, "Whitewater" or "Big Country"?
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/05/2025 07:30:56
The basics of the song, or note for note reproduction? Two different things.
If we're talking general progression, to me, Big Country is way easier. Mainly because it's a slower tempo and fewer notes. And Whitewater has quite a few of those syncopated Scruggs licks with counterintuitive timing, where Big Country is pretty "square" with its rhythm. Also the core melody of Big Country is so intuitive that many people accidentally learn how to play it without even trying. It's basically a scale exercise, great for a beginner learning the fretboard.
Proof of the pudding is in the tasting. Look how many videos there are of beginners covering Big Country with reasonable success, then try to find the same for Whitewater. You'll see quickly that beginners can figure one out but don't even approach the other.
Edited by - KCJones on 02/05/2025 08:36:59
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesProof of the pudding is in the tasting. Look how many videos there are of beginners covering Big Country with reasonable success, then try to find the same for Whitewater. You'll see quickly that beginners can figure one out but don't even approach the other.
Big country is a better tune, so I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from just that.
Thank you kindly.
Both are within reach of intermediate players.
But each has tricky moments that -- for me, at least -- can run counter to one's habits, expectations, and tendencies.
I don't have tab in front of me, so I can't be specific. Doesn't matter. He's Bela, I'm me. You're you. Bela's sound and style is based on his having lots of habits and tendencies that vary from the typical picker's. Phrases last longer or shorter than you expect. Moves happen at different times. Changes come where not expected. Notes anticipate changes to follow. These are types of syncopation.
I think Big Country has instances of extra-beat measures.
KCJones asks an important question: Is the OP asking about learning these as played by Bela or learning the structure for improvisation or one's own version? Both are doable. I've spent a little time on both, never "learned" either one all the way through.
Whitewater is worth mining for some licks and general "noise" to play against G. Big Country, as written, is good as an etude in melody on a single string within a roll. Again, not looking at tab, but I believe Bela does the up-the-neck melody on first string. This is something outside my typical inclination which would be second string.
If I had anyone to play these with, I'd probably have learned them.
Have fun.
When it comes to Bela tunes, for me, they're either attainable, or they're not.
These two tunes are in my opinion, for me, attainable, and both fun to play. I'm partial to Big Country, love that low-E tuned banjo. It's almost haunting and I agree it's very musical, tasteful. Whitewater is full steam ahead but has some very cool licks and fingerings that you won't encounter if not for Bela.
Finding someone to jam or pick with on these tunes, is another thing entirely though...
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