Great to see you, Butch, and an excellent explanation. Personally, I hear a lot of bluegrass uptempo as being ahead of the beat (in England we say 'on top of the beat' meaning ahead, not right on - for that we say 'on the beat'), and that seems like where the drive comes from - people think it's speeding up, but it isn't. There's no doubt that the Foggy Mountain boys were always right on top of the beat (ahead). What is really odd is when the whole band falls in and plays on top! Why doesn't that just become on the beat? Also nice to see Peter and Tony's book on your shelf - it's a gem, and anyone interested in banjo should get it. Thanks again.
i played banjo since the 60s. i put it up for a time, and when i started playing again i noticed something odd. i still tapped my foot on the one and three, but everyone else tapped on the two and the four. my pace ALWAYS suffered because i played slightly ahead of the beat and as a result moved the pace ahead. unfortunately, it's all gone to hell these days.😁
I’ve asked many to explain playing on or off the beat. I’ve never had it illustrated so understandably.
Thank you
Great to see you, Butch, and an excellent explanation. Personally, I hear a lot of bluegrass uptempo as being ahead of the beat (in England we say 'on top of the beat' meaning ahead, not right on - for that we say 'on the beat'), and that seems like where the drive comes from - people think it's speeding up, but it isn't. There's no doubt that the Foggy Mountain boys were always right on top of the beat (ahead). What is really odd is when the whole band falls in and plays on top! Why doesn't that just become on the beat? Also nice to see Peter and Tony's book on your shelf - it's a gem, and anyone interested in banjo should get it. Thanks again.
Great explanation. Thanks from the UK
Butch this is awesome. I hope you do so more bluegrass timing lessons! Cheers from Knoxville!
Brilliant advice and information from an internationally acknowledged expert banjo player 🥰
i played banjo since the 60s. i put it up for a time, and when i started playing again i noticed something odd. i still tapped my foot on the one and three, but everyone else tapped on the two and the four. my pace ALWAYS suffered because i played slightly ahead of the beat and as a result moved the pace ahead. unfortunately, it's all gone to hell these days.😁
Or if you’re Willie Nelson, you sing way off the beat.. but it works. 😜
Lost me with golf analogy. Golf is a good walk, spoiled. 😅