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I'm Irish and I play Old time American music, What is the American view on this? by duke_dreaverin oldtimemusic

[–]Mastertone 8 points9 points ago

i feel like it's about friggin' time. We've been stealing music from y'all for two centuries already.

The music matters more than the marketing. My experience using reddit as a promotional tool. Let's get meta. by Astrixtcin bandmembers

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

Yup. That's the name we tour under. :) Hit me up.

Ben

The music matters more than the marketing. My experience using reddit as a promotional tool. Let's get meta. by Astrixtcin bandmembers

[–]Mastertone 1 point2 points ago

I post in the city sub reddits of the towns we tour to. I offer a couple list spots for redditors...and I've made new fans and friends. Got some people out even in Brussels, BE...which was awesome.

Fellow Chicagoan here as well. Come out to the Abbey Pub on a Tuesday and I'll throw you on the list. :) Just drop me a PM. Sexfist

Clawhammer player who wants to learn to pick by AFCartoonistin banjo

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

The Janet Davis book, "Splitting the Licks" really effectively shows how to do this. Each song has about 5 different versions, slowly ramping up the difficulty. It starts with the forward roll, making sure to hit the melody...then adds different rolls, then left hand embellishments. I use the book with all of my students of all levels. I feel that it teaches you how to create your own solos, rather than just handing you advanced tab where it isn't clear how you got to that level.

Best touring vehicle set-up? by mountainsmountainsin TouringMusicians

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

Been touring with a 15 passenger van for 6 years now. It's been a real hoss for us, but I'm ready to upgrade. We got it for $10k with 50k miles on it. Never had too many problems with it. It's almost at 300k miles now.

Next step up is a Sprinter. Better mileage. Room to stand up...and bunks.

I also advise against trailers. I've seen too many horror stories about them being stolen and broken into.

Chicago Photographer Looking to Photograph Live Shows by LeZygoin chicagomusicscene

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

www.sexfist.net www.facebook.com/sexfist

Bluegrass. We play every Tuesday at the Abbey Pub. Between 80- and 120 people. All dancers. Next week is a hula-hoop promotion.

PM me and I'll put you on the list.

What do you do to stave off boredom? by My_Public_Profilein TouringMusicians

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

A mifi card goes a long way. You can get work done when you're not in the mountains. (US here, with lots of time spent in CO and UT)

A 3DS if you're into gaming.

Books.

Songwriting.

Journal.

The Monads rock the St. Louis city museum by StarkOnein Bluegrass

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

Love those guys.

Bandago? by TreebeardLennonin TouringMusicians

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

It's really pricey. You'd be better off figuring out what it would cost for the tour and putting that money ahead of time into the van you already have. Also, I talked to a band that rented one of their sprinters and they said the heat didn't work as well as the electrical plugs. Granted, that's one experience, but $100 a day is a lot on top of gas.

If you're doing well in these regions and pulling in a lot of cash, you could consider it...but I'm just a not a believer in renting for touring. It's just throwing away money.

Again, my opinion.

Ugh. Brought my US 3ds to Europe. It won't charge with voltage converters. Anyone? by Mastertonein 3DS

[–]Mastertone[S] 0 points1 point ago

Ha! Nice. Come see me and introduce yourself if you're ever nearby one of my shows. Just met a redditor at my show in Brussels tonight.

What is the worst criticism or jerk thing someone has said about your music? How did you react? by Dubwellin WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]Mastertone 5 points6 points ago

There's probably worse ones, but the one I remember the most is a guy at a show that told me one of musicians in my band just wasn't cutting it. He was drunk AND a good friend with the person who previously played that same instrument in the band...but it still rang in my ears like a church bell.

Funny how those things resonate no matter how baseless you might know they are. The guy he was complaining about is actually really talented and it was at a show with about 300 people in attendance. Still, it took the wind out of my sails.

Someone told me a long time ago that you shouldn't listen to the worst and best stuff people say about your music. Solid advice if I've ever heard it. Too bad it's not easy to do.

Tips on "transforming" pop songs into bluegrass by aaktorin banjo

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

You can change the keys of the tunes to more banjo friendly ones. Also , don't feel like you need to throw a bunch of fancy licks into them If you're playing with other people, a solid driving roll over the progression will give it plenty of bluegrass sound.

Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations) at Hot Doug's by jimmy_ringoin chicago

[–]Mastertone 1 point2 points ago

Is that a special Hot Doug's sausage?

;)

Cornmeal "Midnight" by jinksyin Bluegrass

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

Yup. It's a Turbo Pod.

Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations) at Hot Doug's by jimmy_ringoin chicago

[–]Mastertone 2 points3 points ago

My band's poster is in the background there when he's talking outside. We still get people dropping that on our FB page from time to time. :)

To click or not to click. by Drizzt396in bandmembers

[–]Mastertone 1 point2 points ago

Professional bluegrass musician here. We always use a click for studio albums. If you want to go without, record everyone in one room and settle on mistakes.

My 2 cents.

Where can I exchange Euro coins for cash without an account? by Mastertonein belgium

[–]Mastertone[S] 1 point2 points ago

I like the cut of your jib!

Where can I exchange Euro coins for cash without an account? by Mastertonein belgium

[–]Mastertone[S] 1 point2 points ago

Nope. Stupid Peeters Govers. They do have cheap Duvel, though.

Where can I exchange Euro coins for cash without an account? by Mastertonein belgium

[–]Mastertone[S] 0 points1 point ago

Because it's like 100 Euro in small change. Mostly 50's, 20's, 5's and 1's.

Where can I exchange Euro coins for cash without an account? by Mastertonein belgium

[–]Mastertone[S] 0 points1 point ago

I mean trading coins for paper bills. Still Euros.

Where can I exchange Euro coins for cash without an account? by Mastertonein belgium

[–]Mastertone[S] 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, I mean bills. Still Euros...just paper.

Good guitar cases for flying? by ofnaturalhistoryin TouringMusicians

[–]Mastertone 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, don't count on that. Different airlines have different policies and they're all screwy about it. Air Canada told me that I should have brought mine in a soft case, , then another employee told me 5 minutes later that I should only travel with a hard case with them.

Honestly, if you're flying much at all you should get a good flight case. I don't know about electric guitars but for anything acoustic you should go with something like a Calton case.

I'm in Belgium right now and had I brought my banjo in a soft case like they recommended, I'd be with a broken instrument in a country that hardly sells them at all, let alone good quality ones.

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