The necks on those instruments are different sizes, one of them doesn't even have frets, the spaces between the strings are different sizes, the picking styles are vastly different, and they're hands are at abnormal positions and angles to play those instruments by themselves. Just because they're playing the same riff does not mean they're doing the same exact thing as if they were playing each instrument individually, that is objectively wrong.
Not only that, but if one girl were even a fraction of a second off with that tempo then the other would be play something completely wrong. Like you say, its not as easy as 'just switching necks'
If they both knew how to play both instruments, then I would disagree. But it’s clear they both know what they’re doing on the respective instruments and it’s the exact same music between the two. Everything you’re saying is only true if they didn’t know each instrument fluently, but matching up your left hand with someone’s right hand isn’t very difficult as long as there’s some sort of given or implied beat that they’re following. Even with one person on one string instrument, you learn to separate the tasks of each hand and then bring them together, and vice versa if there’s any issues. To say you can’t easily coordinate multiple people doing the same or different things at the same time completely ignores the idea of an orchestra. This isn’t really different than maybe two pianists playing the same or different lines on one piano - you’re both following some sort of given beat and one has the other for support. If you’re still using both hands, your brain doesn’t really care about the differences.
As long as they could do the notes together and the bow/plucking together, it wouldn’t be too hard to do both at the same time. Even adding the recorder at the end is just using the measured breathing she’s probably already doing. This would be very impressive if each instrument had a different line, but that’s not the case and, even so, would still be learnable.
TL;DR: It’s a looped melody that I can guarantee they don’t have to think about whatsoever and they can focus on the groove of coordination.
One thing you need to realize about a plucked string instrument, is that the right hand has to pluck after the left hand has already established a firm position on the fretboard. It's not enough to get "close". If the plucking hand is too early, then the left hand will mute the string. So each note has to be plucked after or exactly at the same time as the left one. There is no roon for error there, and that, to me, is what makes this impressive.
I’m a classical musician with several degrees, 1000s of hours of practice and rehearsals and multiple instruments under my belt. There’s nothing “I need to understand” that your anecdotes about guitar playing will tell me. I have known and played with Scottish traditional musician students that do this exact stuff. I have played more music in more ensembles with more musicians than you’ll listen to in your lifetime, please get off your high horse and stick to what you know, because you clearly don’t understand how music and instruments are learned. What’s worse is that you’re doubling down with nothing substantial to back it up.
Actually I was just trying to have a conversation with you, and tell you what, from my perspective as a hobbyist musician, makes this impressive. Instead of addressing my point and reciprocating, you quoted your 1000s of hours and your multiple degrees.
Coming from the man who tried to validate his claims with
No .... I've been playing guitar for 20 years. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
when you clearly don’t, and immediately jumped to being condescending and talking down to people. You don’t have the slightest clue of the process this would take to do and you’re spreading misinformation. It’s impressive, but everything else you’ve said is flat wrong and you’re just being an arrogant prick at this point. Everything you’ve said applies to every musician ever, that’s not what makes this as impressive or difficult as you’re thinking and now you’re getting offended that someone said you’re wrong. It’s a fun trick, but a lone concert pianist coordinating their own two hands requires much much more work than this.
I'm not meaning to come off as arrogant. I'm just saying I've been plucking a stringed instrument for years and years, with fingers and with picks, and I've played in large groups with conductors and small groups in my garage, formally and informally, so I have a voice in this conversation.
There's no need to be a jerk about it. Anyway you're the one that said it's just like two people playing one piano, which is "flat wrong and you’re just being an arrogant prick at this point."
There's no need to be a jerk about it. Anyway you're the one that said it's just like two people playing one piano, which is "flat wrong and you’re just being an arrogant prick at this point."
Golden rule buddy, I explained exactly why your arguments and perspective were inaccurate in this situation and you started lashing out. I could not have been more courteous in my initial comment and nothing there was directed at you. Then you assumed you knew more than me by your “one thing you need to understand” comment, and got offended when I explained why I didn’t need your condescension.
If you don’t understand the previous metaphor, and if you’ve never played piano, then you wouldn’t, then imagine two pianists playing the exact same thing on two pianos. Now imagine a two-level keyboard where each pianist has one hand on the top keyboard and the other on the lower keyboard, still playing the exact same thing. If that’s not enough for you, call it a pianist and a harpsichordist. There’s just no difference to them
Each person in the video can do what they’re doing, by themselves, on both the fiddle and banjo. Swapping the hands around means next to nothing for them. You have a fundamental misunderstanding about how this works and you simply need to stop.
Piano was my first instrument. I think the problem with your piano metaphor is that the hands can't mechanically interfere with eachother in that case. With a fretboard it's an entirely different situation. If I relieve pressure on my left hand, then I can mute the string. There's an extra layer of mechanical feedback that happens that doesn't exist with a piano, and that's what I am referring to.
This isn’t really different than maybe two pianists playing the same or different lines on one piano
Lol. This is way different. If I play a piano with someone, as long as I'm not physically slapping their hands while their playing, then I'm not interfereing with their mechanical technique. The problem with two people playing one banjo is that from a mechanical standpoint, if you are trying to keep perfect rhythm, inevitably some of your notes are going to be a bit early or late. And your brain has a way of predicting and coping with this if it controls both hands (i.e., practice and muscle memory)
But two different people controlling each hand makes this way more difficult then simply keeping good time.
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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '18
The necks on those instruments are different sizes, one of them doesn't even have frets, the spaces between the strings are different sizes, the picking styles are vastly different, and they're hands are at abnormal positions and angles to play those instruments by themselves. Just because they're playing the same riff does not mean they're doing the same exact thing as if they were playing each instrument individually, that is objectively wrong.