Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
What is Crowe Spacing?
Have you ever heard of the term “Crowe spacing”? It refers to a banjo which has strings that are equally spaced, except at the bridge where they are one eighth of an inch further apart. Each string is therefore 1/32-inch further apart than standard banjo string spacing.
There is debate as to whether Crowe spacing is better or worse than standard spacing. Some musicians argue that the wider spacing improves overall tone and is slightly easier to play. Others contend that the wider spacing slows them down and is thus more difficult to play. What do you think? Have you ever played a banjo with Crowe spacing?
The name Alan Bibey is well known to bluegrass music fans. Since the early 1980s, Alan Bibey has made a name for himself as an incredibly talented mandolinist. In fact, he has been named Mandolin Player of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
Nowadays Bibey lends his mandolin and vocal skills to the band Grasstowne. The rest of the group includes Dustin Pyrtle on guitar/vocals, Justin Jenkins on banjo, Kameron Keller on bass, and Adam Haynes on fiddle. Grasstowne’s first two projects, ‘The Road Headin’ Home’ and ‘The Other Side of Towne,’ went to number one and two on the National Bluegrass charts.
Did you know that some cultures back in early history considered being left handed was a negative thing? It’s hard to imagine the stereo types that have come into play. There is no way that I could even fathom a world were such stereotypes exist in that nature when it comes to being a “lefty” or a “righty.” I always found it fascinating when I would notice someone being able to write left handed, let alone play in instrument left handed.|
One particular instrument that has always fascinated me was the harp. To know that there are musicians that can play the harp is amazing in itself, but to find out that there are left handed harps is even more intriguing. I believe it takes a certain amount of skill to be able to learn how to work with particular instruments and just every day tools in a world that is solely based on the misconception that everyone is a “righty.”
When you think of instruments one that doesn’t come to mind is the Hammered Dulcimer. We have probably seen one but never knew what it was called. It has primarily been played by great classical composers throughout Eastern Europe. It has become even more popular and noticeable in thanks to the “Blue Man Group.”
So what is a Hammered Dulcimer? The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. Typically, the hammered dulcimer is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings. The hammer portion of its name is used because of the mallets that are used to play the instrument. Traditionally the hammers are hard but in other regions of the world the material is made a little softer.
Lee Oskar was six years of age when he was given his first harmonica. One of his biggest influences was Ray Charles growing up. When he moved to the states he would play on the streets with his harmonica for money. With the sax from another member and his harmonica they started a horn section of the band War.
Lee Oskar is known not only for his group War, but also as the manufacturer of Lee Oskar harmonica. Oskar is fundamental in the contributions of rock-funk fusion primarily for his harmonica playing. His improve with the harmonica is one that people remember to this day. It is a big part on why War is still a popular rock-funk group.
There are many types of guitars. Musicians have been playing the guitar for centuries. Not only musicians but people that just love the art of music as a whole enjoy the sound that guitars make. You can do many different sounds with a guitar.
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. As with everything else that evolves so does the guitar. You can even make an acoustic guitar into an electric sounding guitar with the right wiring connected to it. The guitar is one of the many instruments that will stand the test of time.
When you think of a travel guitar it is not what you think. It is not just the traveling with your guitar. When it comes to guitars a few come to mind. You have your acoustic guitar and then there’s the electric guitar.
A travel guitar is a small guitar with a full or nearly full scale length. It is different then the regular normally proportioned half and three quarter scale length guitars intended for children. Travel guitars are airline friendly. This makes it easier to travel with.
Banjo plating is synonymous with country, folk, Irish tradition music and blue grass. But the interesting thing is that it started manifesting in Africa. As enslaved Africans, they adapted other instruments with the same basic design. The influences that Africans had in the development of the music that we hear today are phenomenal.
Through the introduction of the banjo and other musical techniques the banjo with the fiddle is a mainstay. Banjos and fiddles have various strings and some form of drone. Banjos have evolved in style and you can even find electric banjos as well.
Who said all video games were just entertainment? While music video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band might be all that close to the real thing (with the exception of the drums), these video games have inspired kids to learn to play the real instruments. Sales of electric guitars have seen a huge spike since the release of the popular Rock Band franchise, which features both electric guitars and bass guitars as two of the instruments. These video games, in of themselves, can help kids to appreciate the complexities, and inspire them to learn more about music through experimentation with the actual instruments.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band are great guitars for kids and becoming more popular by the day, and it just might be these two video games that inspire more and more kids to start garage bands and pursue a career in music. While just playing the video games doesn’t accomplish much, one has to appreciate what video games can do to inspire and educate kids and teens!
For the last 15 years I’ve worked in customer service for the phone company-by day at least. But my true passion is music. And although I’ve conceded the fact that I will never achieve mainstream notoriety, I enjoy playing small shows at local coffeehouses, open mics and farmer’s markets.
My music centers on acoustic gallagher guitars and subtle keyboard backing, with an overarching minimalist theme. Since there is a serene, tranquil quality to my music, I like to have a small stage show to enhance the effect. I always set up a couple of glass incense burners before the show and have a couple of muted stage lights that I utilize during my nighttime gigs.