Where I Am Coming From

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  1. Ron – thank you for your thoughtful piece. I don’t, in the least, disagree with your ideal of presenting more “sophisticated” musical content to performance. What you might have missed, however, is the listening public’s idea of what they expect/want to hear/see. Playing the music is only half of the equation: the listener is just as important. Maybe a slow transition (from what’s been played forever to your “ideal) would be more successful.

    While we (who play) know there are no limitations on what might be accomplished on the banjo, the public must be educated of this truth. Don’t forget that we didn’t start learning calculus in the 1st grade, so to expect the audience’s taste/expectations to change dramatically, overnight, isn’t realistic.

    A “schtick” I’ve been using for a quite a few years now is to start my show with a couple of standards, then announce, “This seems to be a very special audience. I don’t usually do this, but because you are special, I’d like to play something that you wouldn’t expect to hear on the banjo. Is that alright with you?” Depending on how the piece goes over determines whether or not I continue in that vein. Please note that just because one “special” goes over well doesn’t mean the rest of one’s show continues in that fashion… at least this time. Most folks like salt, but a few dashes go a long way.

    I’ve got more thoughts on other issues you present, but that’s enough for now. Keep stirring the pot, Ron. We may not always agree, but then… why do we have to?