Here it is…another Sam Bush treat for my mandolin friends. In this installment, Sam spends a good amount of time talking about his mandolin named Hoss.
I hope you learn a lot of interesting things about Hoss, I know I did. For instance, it is really interesting to hear how Hoss reacts to the weather. I also didn’t realize that Hoss started out as such an ugly duckling. Didn’t know that the back has been replaced. And I would love to hear the recording of John Hartford and Norman Blake scraping off the finish…that’s right…a play by play recording of John Hartford and Norman Blake scraping off the finish…
I have a little treat that I have been wanting to share with my fellow mandolin playing friends. I have below excerpts from the Sam Bush mandolin workshop at the July 19, 2008, Greyfox festival.
This is a really classic piece. The crowd is very, very lively. I think it is raining outside, and everyone has huddled into the workshop tent.
Sam Bush gives great workshops. It seems that lately he has been starting his workshops of with a brief intro to Bill Monroe, and then demonstrates different styles with “Patty On The Turnpike”.
But this workshop is different – this is Greyfox. Check out the seamless transition between Patty and White Rabbit. I won’t tease anyone…the masked rabbit man is Jerry Douglas. Mr. Douglas must be quite the character.
My only question – was this whole thing rehearsed? Sam does a phenomenal job with White Rabbit…the chords, the lyrics, everything! I just have to think that it was rehearsed. Take a listen – what do you think?
I had some fairly good practice sessions over the weekend.
BUTN is difficult to get through. The main problem is the lack of backing tracks to jam over. I hung out on the country licks lesson, and I really like that lick. I also focused on the closed position and the blues notes in them.
Question: What is the difference in utility between the 3rd blues note and the 7th?
I really want to chew on each of these lessons very well before I move on to the next.
I think that I have got the break for LBV down pretty well…the singing is another matter.
