Well, I tried waiting for Jon, but I wasn't getting any younger . . .
I finally figured out some of the notes Aldus was playing; now I just need to learn how to breathe life into them (and add salt, plus a few other seasonings); but if we had to wait for that, this might turn into "Tune of the Decade" instead of Tune of the Month. Even so, I have to say that I think it's hands down the second best one posted so far . . . Here goes nothing:
Way to go, Nedro! IMO, this is a relatively hard song (if you don't believe it, just ask Jon Melancon!), especially for us non-Cajuns, and especially if you haven't been playing a long time. If I'm not mistaken, aren't you somewhere around the 2-year mark? That's a short time to handle a song like this, and you should be rightfully proud of your version!
And THAT is the spirit of the tune-of-the-month: we can't all be Chris Miller; in fact, only one of us can! But we can ALL make an effort, and by making that effort, learn something. You'll be surprised at what pops out, and how it positively affects your overall playing, ESPECIALLY a song that feels "alien".
It's a cool song, but man... so foreign from what I've been working on and like Sevillana in Spain - it seems to have a whole culture built around it. I simply haven't been able to get wrapped around it. No standard version to latch onto.
We're rapidly approaching October. It'll be time for another song. A 2-step please? Maybe something relatively simple that folks can jump on board with?
Eunice 2-step.. Mamou 2-step.. Amede 2-step... Yeah.. done to death, but solid standards for sure. I'm sure somewhere that there is a reason they are played so much.
No problem, John, and I know just what you mean. But I've been having fun working on this one. My helper (I most often play in the truck at work, on the way from one job to another) says it reminds him of a chicken chasing a grasshopper around the pen. I'm almost ready to record it, but there's one more section of Aldus Roger's version that I want to explore and flesh out first.
BTW, tune of the "month" was never meant to be a literal month; some tunes, like this one, just naturally take longer. But we'll do a "normal" 2-step next month. I won't say which one it is just yet, but it rhymes with Shamu 2-Step . . .
Don't give up on ZSPS! Part of the purpose of the TOTM is to stretch yourself.
I keep chasing these songs and never quite getting set to post a video, but, you're right -- the "stretch" is what makes it all worthwhile. I've experienced some significant progress by struggling with tunes I wouldn't normally otherwise entertain. New licks and new reach makes for better play.
If I ever get "good," I'll give you credit on the trailer, albeit in small print. :-)
You're one of a kind, Nedro, and it's the good kind. And I think you already play amazingly well. Now if we can just get you into a jumpsuit . . . I would deserve major credit.
Well, even if I don't make progress on the tune of the month, it keeps me working on new stuff. This month has turned into Valse de Cherokee and Midland for me.
Gee whizz! I hear some nice vatiations! especially later on in the tune. well done, BN!
If it wasn't for my (nowadays quite bad) tinnitus, I would grab that box and go to work at it. But I think I'll have to be VERY careful, if i don't want it to go from bad to worse. Maybe I'll put some earplugs in and give it a go. Anyway, good job !!