Last week I had a some music-nights that showed some good examples of how and why I like to play. Sometimes you play for one reason, and sometimes for another. Last weekend I had a solo show scheduled for Saturday night, and I really needed to get in shape, so–
On Thursday, I went over to a place nearby where folks gather for weekly local picking. Well, local picking can vary a lot in its quality and enjoyment, and this evening was about average. When we started, there were several guitar players, including one who could hold a rhythm pretty well; a banjo player, who (unlike most banjo pickers I know) had to be persuaded to take his banjo out of its case, and remained reluctant; also one or two reluctant fiddlers; and me, on mandolin (not reluctant at all).
As often happens in local pickings, the group’s rhythm was a little out of focus. So along with playing most of the lead, I played a VERY simple “chunk”-chord rhythm behind the singers and the banjo player, doing nothing fancy in the way of backup, but just defining the rhythm as clearly as I could. This helped everyone keep the rhythm together.
Along about an hour into the session a couple of good younger pickers showed up, and they put some new vocal and instrumental energy into the music. We picked for about another hour. Getting the lead and rhythm right in that still-somewhat-cacophonous situation really put me through a workout. The session was great for the purpose I had in mind: getting in shape, vocally and instrumentally, for my Saturday night show!
The next night, Friday, I played with the Winchester Celtic Circle, a group mostly of older folks who get together and play each 3rd Friday at Borders Books. It’s always enjoyable to play music with nice folks, and this evening was no exception. I really had to concentrate, though, on getting the music right– it’s not the kind of music I play every day– and I was pretty tired after we’d played our two hours. But it was fun, and great practice too!
Saturday was my big evening musically, playing a solo show. Now, when you get used to playing solo, it can actually be less work than playing along with anyone else. That’s after you get used to it! I have only played solo a few times and am definitely NOT used to it, so I have to work extra hard to get into the musical and entertaining groove. But I played through a couple of hours of music and stories without any problem, and enjoyed it. This was in large part due to the practice I’d gotten on Thursday and Friday! Playing music sure does make it easier to play music. I guess that’s why people say what they do about practice….