Posted By: brent@rowest.com on September 07, 2001 at 01:25:16:
In Reply to: Playing country rhythm... posted byRay Frady on September 01, 2001 at 22:44:45:
: Hi Brent,
: I'm currently playing rhythm in a country band, and have been trying to learn some of the technics used by the session players in Nashville. I learned to play Bluegrass growing up, and as you know bluegrass tends to be bass string heavy.
: The band I play for is pretty descent, we are trying to get a good commercial sound.
: I noticed you played some of the acoustic stuff as well as some electric stuff on Brooks & Dunns new album. When you are playing rhythm, do you tend to try and concentrate your strum on the D, G, B, & E strings?? Also do you use only down beats in sync with the snare drum or do you mix it up with upbeat type strums as well??
: Do you also know of a good instructional tape that could help with my technic??
: I'm sorry to be so long winded, but I'm trying to get over the hump musically. I want to accel at playing, not just be satisfied at being mediocre.
: Thanks Brent,
: Ray Frady
hi ray---i don't have a etched-in-stone approach to playing rythmn, i try to size up what's happening elsewhere in the band. for a seger/mellencamp sound, i would definitely play more bass strings than i would if it was a light--typical nashville-high hat with strings kind of sound. i'll try to get inside the drummer's high-hat pattern, and figure something to play that compliments his pattern, also i would never play a lot of extra strums when he's doing a fill, and i try to be aware of letting the snare speak as much as possible--thanks, brent...