I have two to tell about..When I first moved to town I'd sit on my porch and play OT/Irish fiddle tunes.. A lady from the local library often walked by and would say, "I LOVE folk music.. You should come to the Library's tunes night and join the jam".. So.. I did. When I got there I was introduced to four people who had played together a lot and they welcomed me.. We immediately went on stage and played Peter, Paul and Mary tunes.. Fortunately, I was able (sort of ) to play along.. It was Then that I realized that one person's definition of FOLK music can be different than that of another..!!!
Another time a friend who had heard me play said that he was having a cook-out and some other folk musicians would be attending and that my fiddle would be welcomed.. I went..(glutton for punishment... but hey, he was a friend)...When I got there I was the only musician so I played a few tunes solo.. Then, a guy shows up with his music stand, amplifier and Country guitar style vocals and begins to play without any regard for my presence.... He was talented, but I didn't fit into his style of playing.. I went home..a little wiser..
PS not all of my mixed genre experiences were bad.. For a while the only place I could play my fiddle was with a Sing Out America group.. I enjoyed that in that it helped me learn to play by ear and I met many, now, life long friends.. including the guy whose home we play an old time jam at for over 20 years..!
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 05/19/2022 14:48:03
BTW, Pete-fiddle, if you read this.. the one friend is the guy who gave me my first burned out bee hive supers..and without him I would never have gotten to try making my own mead! (See? one post and we are off topic.. such is life.)
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 05/19/2022 14:55:55
I've found pretty much everywhere I've gone, folks are thankful for at least trying to "speak the language." But every so often one finds a growly purist/dogmatic. Sometimes I can win them over, some not. Most folks, the desire to collaborate and make music with others is much stronger than their prejudices. I mean it. I know 2 guys that probably wouldn't be in the same room. But if they have their instruments they get along for hours. Just happened a couple weeks ago. Heard about it. Wasn't there to witness or mediate.
Edited by - farmerjones on 05/19/2022 16:54:31
quote:
Originally posted by farmerjonesI've found pretty much everywhere I've gone, folks are thankful for at least trying to "speak the language." But every so often one finds a growly purist/dogmatic. Sometimes I can win them over, some not. Most folks, the desire to collaborate and make music with others is much stronger than their prejudices. I mean it. I know 2 guys that probably wouldn't be in the same room. But if they have their instruments they get along for hours. Just happened a couple weeks ago. Heard about it. Wasn't there to witness or mediate.
How true that is.. There people who have nothing in common but the music, and they'll set all differences aside to jam.. Yep..
If me and my fellow party goers/shotgun marriage jam mates don't share any common musical ground I'll just hang out and be a civilian party goer. I no longer have any ego tied up in these types of situations.
If it don't trip my trigger, I step aside.
To me, the term "folk music" has always meant exactly what you experienced, Lee - PP&M, Kingston Trio, early Dylan, Joan Biaz, coffeehouses and hootinannies.
quote:
Originally posted by ChickenManIf it don't trip my trigger, I step aside.
To me, the term "folk music" has always meant exactly what you experienced, Lee - PP&M, Kingston Trio, early Dylan, Joan Biaz, coffeehouses and hootinannies.
Yes, all those guys, BUT I was naive!!! Not well versed in various styles.. THe lady assured me that I'd fit in.. and I trusted her.. From then on, I was more cautious!!! ( Hey, I'm still playing Indians Over The Hill...and loving it)
