Banjo Jammin'

I am ecstatic. For the first time in my life, I had the privilege of fiddlin' around with a banjo player (banjoist? banjoer? -never mind)! I had brought my violin to a graduation party, hoping to be able to offer some music by way of congratulations. Well, it turns out the esteemed fellow is also an accomplished musician with considerable skill at playing various instruments. He disappeared for a short while and reappeared with that glorious moon-shaped drum of the steel strings, and we set to making some bluegrass happen.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I have always loved listening to down-home hoe-downs or foot-stomping fiddle tunes, and have watched those talented fiddlers' fingers fly on numerous occasions, but as yet I have not had the opportunity of studying this fascinating genre for the violin.  I know from whom I'd like to learn, though. He's a local master of the instrument, and his fiddling gives off sparks - and that's what I'm talking about.  The ability to sound like a train whistle. Well, to be fair, not only that. Also the ability to play incredibly complex runs of eighth notes on two strings at the same time!

So can you imagine my elation upon the offer to jam with a banjo? My friend plucked away at some great melodies, re-tuning his banjo a few times to switch songs, and we lost track of the hour as we threw in a few tricks here and there, a few discordant notes that made it interesting, and raised our eyebrows in appreciation. Other folks at the party stopped by to listen, clap along, possibly jig a bit - and one picked up a guitar to join us, easily following the simple chord patterns. If there is one thing I love about improvisation, it's this: I get to play whatever I feel! I can start and stop playing whenever I want, and generally goof around while the accompaniment instruments duke it out with their complex arpeggiated chords and inversions.

The icing on the cake was that one of the guys remarked, "I would pay to see you if you ever have a show," as we were winding down. Hello out there? That means I might have a future in bluegrass! ...a face-splitting smile and a shake of the head for that one. Oh, and profound thanks. Music is such a wonderful gift!
Life is far too short to die.