Some truths are absolute, some are less so.. Bluegrass has some interesting customs and generally accepted truths….
Tunes are Instrumentals and Songs Have Words – in bluegrass, this is taken as gospel. I have been corrected many times when I suggested a tune called “Little Cabin Home on the Hill”, or a song called “Big Mon”. Why is the distinction so important? In most forms of music, the terms “tune” and “song” are synonyms, but in bluegrass, they exist apart, aloof from each other. I’m going to keep saying the wrong thing so people can enjoy themselves correcting me!
It’s the Quality of the Instrument That Makes It Sound So Good – well, I generally believe this too – it makes scientific sense. But how often have you heard a great player pick up an instrument of middling quality and instantly sound better than your own finely made, expensive instrument? It’s not fair, and it seems to suggest that quality of tone is greatly affected by the touch, talent and technique of the player. I’m trying to get over this, but it’s not going to stop me from coveting (and occasionally acquiring) fine instruments.
Whatever Band Name You Choose, Some Will Say They Always Hated It – and at least one of those people will be in the band. Naming a new band is fun, but kind of like voting for presidential candidates, the result will inevitably displease someone. Band members care about band names more than the people listening to music. Personally, I think any name is fine once you’ve memorized it. Well, maybe “The Manson Family Boys” isn’t too good…
The Best Jams are with the Best Players – This seems to be obvious, and it’s always a thrill to be in the hottest jam around. But, it can be a little stressful too. Thrill can be a little exhausting after a while. Often the quality of the jam is more closely related to the quality of the people in it, rather than musical skill level. The jams that stay with me, year after year, are the ones with people whose company I truly enjoyed – sometimes old friends, sometimes people I met that night. Some of those people may be amazing pickers, but it’s how they were as people that made it all memorable.
One the principles of logic I learned in school was “No generalization is worth a damn – including this one.”
