Jig time

Subject: Jig time
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:57 AM

Hey kids,

My mandolin teacher has me learning Bill Hart's Jig, this week. This is my first jig, so I'm a little unsure of the timing. When I play it, it sounds very straight, with no real swing to it, kind of like a kid counting to six over and over.

QUESTION: How'n hell do I make this thing sound like a jig?

Thanks.

Paul

Subject: RE: Jig time
From:
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:57 AM

If it is a folk jig then there MUST be ties in the tune - see a fiddle or wind setting. There are many ways to express ties 1 hammer/pulls 2 play all the otherr notes a bit harder and the tied softer.

If it is a calssical piece then probably has comments over the stave if not, then play it with even emphasis.

If you want to create generic swing it is very easy, assuming 6 notes to a bar. Emphasise the first BEAT of each grouping of three. Yeilds two strong beats to a bar. The accompanyment should follow those beats the first is the Bass the second the cord.

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 07:42 AM

G'day Paul,

You learn mandolin by listening to your mandolin teacher. You learn jigs by listening to folk players. There is a lot not written down and a classical player sight-reading a folk tune, particularly a jig, sounds very flat and boring.

There are all sorts of understood emphases and you will absorb them from players ao recordings. Sometimes the dots are little more than a "mud-map".

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 09:25 AM

Paul, It looks like Bob has said it all but as soon as you can, get out and join in with other players even if you can only play a couple of the tunes in a session (and it can seem intimidating at times) it is worth it.

Jon

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: Charcloth
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 10:17 AM

when I work on jigs I use a metronome set slow like 60 beats per min. counting "ONE and a TWO and a" I accent the one two counts. Counting 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 just does not give it the same feel. I also try to make down pick strokes one 1,2 which gives you a two down strokes together.goodluck

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: Rosebrook
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 11:58 AM

Someone once shared with me a helpful hint that worked for him.

When learning jig time, your emphasis in on the 1 and 4 of the 1-2-3-4-5-6 beats. My friend was taught to think of it in terms of accents and use the phrase "apples and oranges" in counting out the beats. You would naturally emphasize the first syllable "a" in the words "apples and" then emphasize the first syllable "or" in the word "oranges". This will get you away from just counting up to 1-2-3-4-5-6 over and over without any clearly defined pattern.

Incidently, reel time could be counted using the word "watermelon".

Just shining a bit of fruit on the subject!

Rose

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: harpgirl
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 11:45 PM

...gee Paul, that is a very difficult jig to learn jig time on...I suggest something more recognizably jiggish like "Lark in the Morning"...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Jig time
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 12:46 AM

Try your count to Liverpool Liverpool(works for me)

Regards Ted