Re: OT guitar backup

paul@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> 
> 
> On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:03:54 -0800 (PST), Kellie Allen
> <kaallen@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 
>> Who are the "they" in that sentence? The rhythm players or the
>> fiddlers?
>>
> I meant the guitar. 

That makes the sentence: "I think it's the rhythm players job to hold 
tempo and if the fiddle is out front, then the guitar is ahead of the 
beat."  I admit I'm a bit tired, but I can't make sense of it at the 
moment even with the additional explanation that follows.  If the fiddle 
is out front, doesn't that make it ahead of the guitar?  If the guitar 
player's job is to hold the tempo and the guitar is ahead of the beat, 
what defines the beat?

> The fiddle is considered a melody instrument.
> Obviously one needs to play the fiddle rhythmically and you can saw
> away at chords or play offbeat chops ala bluegrass, but essentially
> fiddle is the lead melody. The guitar can play melody or  include it
> in the voicing of the chords while fingerpicking, but it's role in
> oldtimey is basically rhythm.
> 
>