Saturday, November 20, 2010

Blackberry Blossom rhythm tracks

Blackberry Blossom is another tough one for me to play fast, for some reason. Maybe these rhythm tracks will help me get it down.

31 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for doing this.These are really good and a big help for me. Exactly what I need. Thanks again!

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  2. You're certainly welcome. I must confess that I'm receiving quite a bit of benefit from them myself. (I kinda started doing it just for myself to practice with, but later started sharing.)

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  3. This is a great site but is there any chance you could start a little slower. Maybe 150 bpm?

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  4. Betsy, great point. I had that thought myself, having just begun playing mandolin again after a long hiatus. It seems relatively easy to play a song 180 bpm on guitar once I have it memorized, but on mandolin it seems like more of a stretch. I think I'd begun to take for granted some of the progress I have made on guitar over the years.

    Each new tune I record will start at about 150 bpm, and I will attempt to go back and record slower tempos down to 150 bpm for tunes I've already done as time permits.

    Thanks for your valuable suggestion.

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  5. Thanks Dave, keep up the great work.

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  6. I just made it through "Blackberry Blossom" at 18o bpm with no mistakes. Thanks again Dave

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  7. Thank you Dave,this is invaluable. It must be pretty laborious for you but your efforts are very much appreciated.

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  8. Thanks for these Dave! Any way you can post the whole zip download like you have on other songs available?

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  9. I'm glad to hear you guys are finding these useful! I will go back and post zip files, slower tempos, and chords on my older posts when time permits. The next two or three weeks will be very busy for me at work, but after that I should be able to make some headway.

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  10. I know most fiddle tunes are in the key of A or D, but it would be so nice if you'd place the key right after the song title. Like you've done with Beaumont Rag (Key of C).

    These are great learning aids and I appreciate all the work it takes to keep a web page up and running.

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  11. Thanks Dave, These backing tracks are so helpful. Going to go to 185bpm tonight and see how I go :)

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  12. You're welcome, Lindsay. Good luck.

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  13. Hi Dave, Thought I would let you know how I am going. I use your backing tracks all the time when I practice, which is everyday if possible. (we have had a lot of jams) I can now play some beginner versions of the tunes smoothly (well it sounds smooth to me) at 200bpm and I am increasing the speed. Now I am learning intermediate versions of tunes at 180bpm. I would not have made the progress I have without those backing tracks. Thanks again

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  14. I'm glad to hear it, Lindsay. I'm going through that speed struggle all over again--just changed to a free floating right hand at the end of last year, and it's almost like starting over.

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  15. I curently use my pinky as an anchor. Do you think I should consider trying the free floating right hand as well? I gave it a go last night and it does not seem to be very easy to get into...

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  16. Lindsay,

    I don't think I'm qualified to advise you. Most flatpicking gurus recommend "brushing"--letting the pinky/ring finger lightly brush the top while picking. I switched to free-floating because of tension I felt when playing on the low E and A strings. I thought my short fingers might be impairing my reach to those strings.

    I'm not sure if the switch to free-floating will really work out for me or not. Right now I'm not yet back to the speed and comfort I had when playing with a "brushing" technique. Good luck, whatever you decide.

    Dave

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  17. Hi Dave

    Thanks for your thoughts. I think I will work on "brushing". It seems to be working out good for me so far. I seem to be able to hit the low E and A strings ok but I do find them more challenging to pick at speed than the other strings. More practice needed I think.
    I am going to a Bluegrass Festival in a couple of weeks (Redland Bay, Australia). It will be a great opportunity for some experienced players to see how I am going and give me some pointers on how to improve my playing technique. I know there is work to do on my left hand positioning.

    Lindsay

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  18. Thank you very much. This is a great backing track for practicing Blackberry Blossom on the banjo melodic style. I wish I had a solid rhythm player like this close by. Please feel free to post more banjo tunes. I also enjoy playing along with your Foggy Mountain Breakdown and Red Haired Boy, Salt Creek, etc.

    http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/272299

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  19. thank you so much for these. Any chance we could get a jerusalem ridge?

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  20. Can you make a zip with all backing tracks?

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  21. I probably could, but it would use up a lot of storage space in my dropbox.

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  22. Fantastic! Thank you for the great backing tracks!

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  23. These are great. I actually use them as a backup track for playing mandolin and it has greatly helped my speed and timing. Thanks!

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  24. These are great but can you do them starting at 150bpm

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  25. I noticed between yesterday and today, I can no longer see the songs. It shows them to be moved or set as private and suggests looking at "drop box" any clues as to where to find these so I can continue to practice with them?

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  26. Same! I loved these tracks too.

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  27. These backing tracks are great! Really helps my timing and accuracy as, over time, I slowly increase the bpm when I practice. Thanks for all of your hard work!

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  28. Hi Dave - A lot of the files seem to be missing. Is there any way you would be open to sharing them directly or mailing me a thumb drive? I am happy to make a donation to the site. -Jake B

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  29. Many thanks for the work you do on this. Like so many others, I practice with your backing tracks often. It is very fun and helpful. I make my own backing tracks too and it's a good exercise to do that, but yours are very clean and tight and steady rhythm wise. I can't stay in time without a metronome.

    As for the free floating right hand, I switched about two years ago. You are right it's like starting over especially after a lifetime of lazy flat picking habits to undue. I have had to really put time into drills and it's still not there. But I have the occasional breakthrough so am satisfied with my progress. Anyway I eventually settled into a modified float, letting my palm bump along the bridge and pins, resting here or there for a flurry.

    Anyway thanks again.

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