Blues Bluegrass and Beyond

Blues Bluegrass and Beyond

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Tuning Up for Your Jam or Gig


     Howdy! Welcome to Blues, Bluegrass, and Beyond! Today I want to talk about chromatic tuners. Any professional or novice blues or bluegrass musician needs a tightly tuned instrument. In fact, no matter what genre of music one plays, and no matter the instrument, a tight tune must be achieved in order to sound good. Even professional musicians need tightly tuned instruments in order to produce their best music.
     While the tuner market is flooded with an army of smartphone apps that claim to assist you in tuning your instrument, there is no exception for the traditional chromatic tuner. A chromatic tuner is a device used by musicians to detect and display the pitch of notes played on musical instruments. Usually these tuners allow all 12 notes of the scale to be tuned. This feature is especially useful if one is trying to achieve an obscure tuning to play a certain song. I have owned a plethora of chromatic tuners, but my personal two favorites are the BOSS TU-12 Digital Processing Chromatic Tuner, and the SNARK Clip-On Guitar Tuner. Therefore, let me first introduce you to the TU-12.

Thank you for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo obtained from www.amazon.com . 

     The TU-12 is loaded with various features. This chromatic tuner is capable of tuning a wide range of instruments. Whether you play guitar, banjo, trumpet, or accordion, this tuner can handle the wide range of tones effectively. The TU-12 sits snuggly in a black leather case with open areas to allow for tuning through a condenser microphone, and a variety of other tasks, without ever removing the tuner from its case. Unlike many chromatic tuners, the Tu-12 features input and output ports. This allows a user to plug electric instruments into the input port, and plug an amplifier into the output port. Therefore, the tuner could easily distinguish different tones through the electric instrument’s pickups, and a musician would hear the note as it emanates from the amplifier. The tuner also contains an ac/dc power adapter to allow for use through an electrical outlet, or a user can operate the tuner via a 9volt battery. The TU-12 also features a condenser microphone to pick up acoustic tones from a wide range of instruments. Other features include special settings for use with a guitar or bass guitar, in order to tune these instruments to their respective standard tunings. While this is a great tuner, I believe that it does have a couple drawbacks. First, the tuner is very bulky, and will require a sizeable amount of space in an instrument case. Secondly, it can be difficult to use in a loud room due to noise interference. Third, this tuner offers so many options, that it can occasionally be confusing to use in a hurry. Lastly, this tuner does not feature any LED lighting, making the tuner difficult to read in a dark venue. The TU-12 retails from anywhere from $72-$100 depending on the vendor.

Thank you for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo is original .



Here are some of the Boss TU-12 Digital Processing Chromatic Tuner features:
    

  • Sharp/flat LED indicators, tuning meter for precise information
  • Adjustable standard pitch from 440 to 445Hz in 1Hz increments
  • Switchable between Guitar/Bass and Automatic Chromatic tuning
  • Built-in condenser microphone for acoustic instrument tuning



Thank you for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo is original .

     While the TU-12 is a fantastic chromatic tuner, my personal favorite chromatic tuner is the SNARK Clip-On Guitar Tuner. This tuner is fantastic! However, this tuner is limited for use with stringed instruments. It can successfully tune instruments ranging from guitars, to banjos, to mandolins, to basses, to bouzoukis! This handy tuners is great for busy musicians specializing in music ranging from a variety of genres, including blues, to bluegrass, to rock n’ roll, to classical.  The SNARK chromatic tuner is a small simple tuner that provides easy usage. Basically, the soft but strong rubber clips of the tuner clamp safely to the headstock of your instrument without damaging your instrument’s finish. The bright, large, full-color display is easy to read quickly, even in the darkest of rooms. The SNARK tuner’s display screen is connected to an adjustable neck, which allows for full 360 degree movement. This handy tuner also features a transposing tool. This allows players to tune their instruments normally without ever removing their capos. Lastly, this tuner features a metronome device to aid musicians in keeping time. I have used this tuner for years on a variety of instruments, and at a variety of locations, and still have no complaints. My favorite features in the SNARK are its ease of use, and its ability to live on the headstock of my instruments without causing damage. Also, this tuner works incredibly well in a loud room since it relies upon vibration from your instrument to distinguish a tone. This tuner ranges from $15-$30 depending on the vendor.


Thank you for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo obtained from www.amazon.com .

Here are some of the SNARK Clip-On Guitar Tuner features:

  • Full color display
  • Place anywhere on front or back of headstock (no dead spots!)
  • Display rotates 360 degrees (works for right or left handed players)
  • “Stay Put” clip
  • Tap Tempo Metronome
  • Capo compensating “Flat Tuning”
  • Pitch calibration (415-466 Hz)

Thank you for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo is original .



Good luck in picking which chromatic tuner is right for you! Thanks for visiting Blues, Bluegrass, and Beyond, and come back soon! 

Photos are original and retrieved from www.amazon.com. 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Bluegrass Banjo or Resonator Guitar?


Welcome back to Blues, Bluegrass, and Beyond! Today I want to talk about the ResNick 5-string banjo. The ResNick banjo is no ordinary banjo. In fact, this is not an instrument that you would be able to buy at music retailers such as Guitar Center, or your local bluegrass music store. The ResNick 5-string banjo is an odd pairing of a resonator guitar and banjo. Basically, the instrument consists of a banjo neck, five strings, a banjo headstock, and a tone ring. However, the banjo’s head is removed, and the body is equipped with a ‘hubcap’ style Dobro resonator.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo retrieved from www.banjoteacher.com
     The instrument was created by Ross Nickerson. Nickerson is a well-known bluegrass banjoist and music teacher who has had the opportunity to play alongside musicians such as Tony Trischka. Nickerson provides a variety of workshops, some of which even take place on cruise ships. He has written numerous books on the topic of bluegrass banjo, and has created acclaimed teaching methods as well as a slew of instructional CDs and DVDs to help budding musicians. Alongside resonator guitar luthiers, Mark Thibeault and Jason Friesen of Rayco Resophonics, Nickerson designed and built his resonator ResNick banjo.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Photo retrieved from www.banjoteacher.com

     This banjo is an interesting concept in the fact that it combines the best aspects of both a banjo and a resophonic guitar. The actual tone of the instrument is one of the resophonic guitar, however, the playing style used to play the instrument is unmistakably banjo. In consideration of the peculiarity of this instrument, I still believe it will stay a specialty banjo without any great acclaim. However, it is still a very nifty instrument capable of playing a variety of styles, such as slide guitar blues, country blues, Delta Blues, traditional, and bluegrass. However, a price tag of $2,569 may hold many potential buyers back from buying the instrument. 
Check out the video below to see this banjo in action! 

Visit www.banjoteacher.com to learn more about the ResNick banjo. 





Photos courtesy of www.banjoteacher.com. Video retrieved from YouTube. 

The Steeldrivers "Hammer Down"


     Welcome back to Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! About a week ago, while scanning Amazon.com, I  was elated to discover that one of my favorite bluegrass bands, The Steeldrivers, had just released a new album! So, naturally, I speedily punched my credit card into Amazon, checked expedited shipping, and waited anxiously for my new CD to arrive (I always like to have a hard copy). I must admit, that once again, The Steeldrivers have outdone themselves. Their perfect mix of gritty country blues, combined with bluegrass melodies in prevailingly minor keys leaves a listener yearning for more. The blend of the lead singer and guitarist’s, Gary Nichols’, mournful, bluesy voice, Grammy nominated Richard Bailey’s unique banjo playing, Tammy Rogers skilled fiddling, Brent Truitt’s mandolin riffs, and Mike Fleeming’s bass accompaniment come together to create original blues and bluegrass melodies. The occasional touch of steel slide guitar and harmonica add unique blues touches to their music. Their new album, Hammer Down, had my toes tapping and my head bobbing as I listened to each and every track.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond!  Picture retrieved from www.amazon.com

     “Hammer Down is the third album The Steeldrivers have produced. The Steeldrivers produced their first album, simply named “The Steeldrivers” in 2008. Since then, they have released “Reckless” in 2010, and most recently, “Hammer Down” in early 2013. The band formed when Mike Henderson and Chris Stapleton, both good friends and acclaimed artists in their own right, decided one night to play a few bluegrass numbers together. The Steeldrivers were born. Henderson and Stapleton decided to invite acquaintances Tammy Rogers and Richard Bailey to join the band. Since the band’s birth, Chris Stapleton has moved on, however, new competent members such as Brent Truitt have been inducted into The Steeldrivers.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond!  Picture retrieved from www.amazon.com
     The gritty blues and bluegrass music The Steeldrivers have created rocketed them to fame. The band’s music earned  three Grammy awards, four IBMA awards and the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award. They also were presented the International Bluegrass Music Association’s award for Emerging Artist of the Year in 2009, and their music has been often played by pop star and "Steeldrivers" fan, Adele. However, each artist in the band has ample experience in the music world. Richard Bailey, the Grammy winning bluegrass banjoist, has been featured in the book, Masters of the 5-String Banjo, and has played alongside bluegrass legend, Bill Monroe, and country stars, such as Johnny Cash and Kenny Rodgers. Fiddler Tammy Rodgers has traveled and played internationally with stars such as Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire. She has also had the opportunity to play fiddle alongside big names such as Neil Diamond, Wynonna, Bill Anderson, and Randy Scruggs. The band’s mandolinist, Brent Truitt has toured with Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, and The Dixie Chicks. Meanwhile, Truitt produces records and won Grammy awards for his work. Mike Henderson, the band’s bassist has performed bluegrass music in The Grand Ole Opry numerous times, while 30-year-old Gary Nichols boasts 20 years of experience in the music field. 
     The Steeldrivers continue to impress me with their innovative blend of bluegrass and country blues music. Their wide ranges of skills are noticeable in pure bluegrass songs, such as “If You Can’t be Good, Be Gone”, to mournful bluegrass tunes, such as “I’ll Be There”, to gritty down-dirty blues tunes such as “Ghosts of Mississippi”. I eagerly anticipate where their music will go next. Look below for links to hear samples of The Steeldrivers albums.  


                                                Click here to visit The Steeldrivers website! 

Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond!  Picture retrieved from www.steeldrivers.net  


                                Click here for samples of The Steeldriver's  album, "The Steeldrivers" 

                                Click here for samples of The Steeldriver's  album,  "Reckless

                                Click here for samples of The Steeldriver's  album, "Hammer Down"



Images courtesy of www.amazon.com and www.steeldrivers.net 

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Reuniting With My Harmonica Over An Old Blues Tune


          Welcome back to Blues, Bluegrass, and BeyondThe House of the Rising Sun has always been one of my favorite songs. The versatility in the styles and instruments used to play the traditional tune is unparalleled. The song can be played on piano, guitar, organ, banjo, and nearly any instrument one could conjure to mind, and still sound mournful and original. However, even though this song has been played in the styles of rock n’ roll, bluegrass, blues, pop, and many others, it  may carry its roots from either pre-colonial England, or Civil War era America.
     Supposedly, according to legend, the song describes a mysterious brothel that originated in Elizabethan England, and was only imported to the Americas during the 19th century, while another version of the story states the song emanated from New Orleans during the 1860’s. The song’s lyrics have also varied throughout the years. Some versions of the song are told from a woman’s perspective, such as the life of a prostitute, or a girl who married a criminal. Other versions relate the tale of a man who became a criminal, partly due to poor parenting, and partly due to a father with a penchant for gambling. The song’s legitimate history however did not begin until the early 20th century. In the 1930’s the blues man, Lead Belly produced the song’s first famous recording. Soon, other famous artists, such as Woody Guthrie, Josh White, and banjoist, Pete Seeger recorded The House of the Rising Sun in the 1940’s and 50’s. However, it wasn’t until the British band, The Animals, led by singer, Eric Burdon, recorded the song in May of 1964, in the key of A-minor, did it gain international acclaim. Since then, numerous famous, and hometown musicians alike, have put their own touch to this old classic tune.

Picture is original. My very own Hohner harmonica.
     The House of the Rising Sun is bound to make more appearances in my blog posts. I wrote my own version of the song, and enjoy playing and singing different versions of the tune in various styles, and on assorted instruments. However, today I am taking an unexpected leap.  About two months ago, in December of 2012, I was cleaning up my home, preparing for the happy holiday season, when, I came across an old friend. It was a diatonic Hohner harmonica in the key of A.  I had never learned to play harmonica, and almost as soon as I bought my instrument, I nestled it into a case for a nice, 7-year respite. Now, however, my lips were finally eager to grapple with the tiny holes of the harmonica. Therefore, for the last month and a half, I have been playing my harmonica occasionally, and I don’t believe it has returned to its case even yet. I was especially thrilled when I came across an easy version of The House of the Rising Sun, written in harmonica tablature. You can find it posted below. Alternatively, just visit harptabs directly to see the original tablature. I became even more excited when I discovered the secrets behind note bending. It’s almost an indescribable action that requires watching another human being perform it, as well as hours of practice, to master effectively. Today, I am capable of playing a few songs including The House of the Rising Sun, Ghost Riders in the Sky, and Oh Susanna. I guess that’s not too bad for only being reintroduced to an old friend, two short months ago. Check out my video below, and be sure to come back soon! Your pal – Tom Kostelac
Picture is original. My very own Hohner harmonica.

The harmonic tablature for The House of the Rising Sun, and my video giving a short background on the old tune, and playing the song on harmonica is below. I altered it slightly, however, you can still visist the original on harptabs.


4 -4   5   -5      -6   6     -4 4-4bb-8     -8  -8    7 -6 6-6bb -8   -8  -8    -8    7    -66  6 - 4  4   -4bb
There is a house in New Or-leans. They call the Rising Sun.  And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy

-4    -4    -4 4 -4bb-4bb -4  -4
 And God I- know-- I'm one



All photos are original.