| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Konabob |
Posted - 10/27/2010 : 07:15:58 AM
This section of TaroPatch hasn't been getting much attention, so I got busy and made another dozen slack key tuned Walkingbasses. Yes, they are tuned G-B-D, your basic taropatch G. As we all know, taropatch tuning is really easy to get around on. And yes they only have 3 strings, so they confuse the heck out of regular bass players. However, the are REALLY EASY to learn, and have a nice rich tone.
Ledward has one, so does Raiatea Helm, and Brittni Paiva bought one for her grandpa. Hope Keawe is now learning the Walkingbass, and Kaliko Beamer has one too. Oh, yeah.. the University of St. Louis music department has two of them and the Langley Ukulele Ensemble in Vancouver has a couple of them. Many of the 'ukulele groups here in Kona use them, and there are quite a few groups in California that do too. There are at least 15 people on this forum that play one. (Hi Maggie!) I just finished making number 239. Here is a photo of the new kids:
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Konabob |
Posted - 11/02/2010 : 1:29:05 PM
Fresh from my inbox:
"Bob I got my bass about two hours ago. I was almost late for work since I was having so much fun playing it! I considered calling in sick! I didn't get a chance to plug it into an amp yet. I just used my computer monitor speakers. It plays and looks great. I have a few custom instruments but yours has got to be the most fun to play and is the most original idea.
Thanks
Chris Akin" |
| Mark |
Posted - 11/02/2010 : 04:48:26 AM
quote:
"Smoke On The Water" count for anything?
Child's play... you can play it on one string.
Heck, you can play it on the dulcimer.
Now "Dirty Water"--that's a different animal. |
| Konabob |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 2:28:21 PM
"Smoke On The Water" count for anything? |
| Mark |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 2:25:59 PM
quote:
Ha! And what happens when you ask a bass player to try a major triad tuning? Oh.... I caaaaaaan't, its diiiiiffrent from my regular tuuuuning..... whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....
Walked into that one, dint I?
OK, here's the challenge: Famous bass licks of the 60's.
If I can play "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet," "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" and "Cissy Strut" on that thing within 15 minutes, I will drink your beer. 
Bonus lick: "Lively Up Yourself."
Double bonus licks: "Gimme Some Lovin'," "Night Train," and "Sunshine of Your Love" --
which are all a piece of cake if your are tuned in Fourths. 
"Can't Hurry Love" or "Little Red Book" don't count.
Let the games begin!
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| syungen |
Posted - 10/31/2010 : 5:23:38 PM
Wow! If this were Facebook, I would so 'Like' this last comment! |
| Konabob |
Posted - 10/30/2010 : 4:37:56 PM
Ha! And what happens when you ask a bass player to try a major triad tuning? Oh.... I caaaaaaan't, its diiiiiffrent from my regular tuuuuning..... whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..... |
| Mark |
Posted - 10/30/2010 : 1:48:42 PM
quote:
…and what lengths they go to trying to avoid re tuning
Too true, sadly.
I find it funny that I teach in a half dozen different guitar tunings and nobody bats an eye.
Yet when I teach dulcimer, I get major whine-age when I ask folks to twist the knobs on one or two strings.
"I'm in the mode for love…" |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 10/29/2010 : 7:32:40 PM
What really amazes me about dulcimers is how little players understand the use of tunings and modes, and what lengths they go to trying to avoid re tuning. That's really where all the extra frets and chromatic tunings and even chromatic dulcimers comes from.A plain diatonic dulcimer will do nearly anything you can imagine for it, if you tune it to what you need. Of course, string gauge is going to put a certain amount of limit on what tunings are available, but there's more to the "limited diatonic fret board" than many realize.
Unko Paul |
| Mark |
Posted - 10/29/2010 : 1:59:29 PM
Aye now, laddie, that would be a far superior work-to-brew ratio.
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| Konabob |
Posted - 10/28/2010 : 09:43:40 AM
Ok, how about a 6 pack of some Scottish Wee Ale that I brewed? |
| Mark |
Posted - 10/28/2010 : 08:28:41 AM
quote:
Mark, try tuning one of your dulcimers to 1-3-5 for a couple days
Thanks, Paul.
This tuning's been around for ages; it is yet another attempt to get around the diatonic nature of the instrument (wherein lies its charm, IMHO).
I've tried it; too much head scratching for me. I've also played with Janita's various "chromatic" tunings. And piles of folks simply added chromatic frets to their dulcimers.
Sheesh, the things people will do to avoid learning to play a flippin' mandolin! 
15 minutes of practice for one beer? Sounds like work! |
| Konabob |
Posted - 10/27/2010 : 9:18:53 PM
Flippin genius, Paul! And with Christmas just a few months away, too! |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 10/27/2010 : 4:43:05 PM
Mark, try tuning one of your dulcimers to 1-3-5 for a couple days, then Konabob's bass will jump into your hands like a happy toddler. Go here:http://www.mountaindulcimer-1-3-5.com/
Unko Paul |
| Konabob |
Posted - 10/27/2010 : 10:38:58 AM
15 more minutes of practice and you will have it, Mark. Then I will buy you a beer... How's that for an offer?
(Sheesh, the things I have to do to get standard bass players to try slack key bass!) |
| Mark |
Posted - 10/27/2010 : 08:35:46 AM
Take it from a bass player (my first instrument): These puppies sound amazing.
After 48 years of four strings & fourths (oy!), I can't play one of Bob's basses to save my life. But I wish I could, cuz they are so cool.
What I love about them is that non-bass players seem to figure them out right away and can join in the jams after just a couple of minutes.
If you are looking for something fun to add to your kanikapila, check one out.
I have no financial connection here; though Bob has bought me a beer on occasion. Or did I buy the last round?
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