A bit of fun: Molly Tuttle and Tommy Emmanuel

[elihu]

I've listened to both of these pickers many times and I think they're among the best in the world. But the thing that really strikes me on this video is Tommy's sense of dynamics. He really gets under Molly's soloing with his rhythm playing. His volume drops way down yet there's no loss of energy.

Masterful!

 

[netgear69]

She is brilliant watched loads of videos of her on youtube

 

[john_t]

At first, I was like 'who is that girl playing with Tommy?' I just looked up her other videos. She has an amazing voice, incredible/virtuosic guitar technique, she's absolutely beautiful, and she seems like a nice person. Wow..

 

[ndcaster]

Loved that.

The difference in their styles seems to be between a hardcore bluegrasser (Tuttle) and an early jazz/gypsyjazzer (Emmanuel). Anybody else hearing that?

Molly Tuttle is really refined, just a beautiful musician.

 

[Chunkocaster]

That was great. Had me smiling the whole way through.

 

[rjtwangs]

Molly is a super sweetheart, with virtually no ego. She's also a lot more than bluegrass. She has one hell of a future...go Molly!!!


RJ

 

[Recce]

I have watched quite a few of Molly’s videos. Wish I could play that well. I really enjoy listening to her.

 

[HappyHwy1owner]

She can play and sing!

 

[brogh]

Thanks For posting !

Great !!

 

[elihu]

Loved that.

The difference in their styles seems to be between a hardcore bluegrasser (Tuttle) and an early jazz/gypsyjazzer (Emmanuel). Anybody else hearing that?

Molly Tuttle is really refined, just a beautiful musician.

Yeah, I hear that and agree. But the rhythm playing is noteworthy too. Molly doesn't use chords up the neck here whereas Tommy uses his thumb (?) pick and palm mutes chords that makes the rhythm sounds much fuller in a two guitar jam. Maybe Molly's used to the bass guitar on the beat and a mandolin taking the place of the snare. Tommy playing provides all that. And it's not that i'm criticizing Molly, it's just something I noticed while listening to this.

And it looks like Tommy is using a thumb pick that he's able to grip with his first finger. Does anyone know?

 

[Ignatius]

Holy....

 

[GibbyTwin]

I love listening to Tommy, and I love listening to Mollie. Live acoustic....nowhere to hide.
Thanks for posting this!

 

[Cheshiergrin]

That's just good stuff

 

[Tonetele]

The difference in their styles seems to be between a hardcore bluegrasser (Tuttle) and an early jazz/gypsyjazzer (Emmanuel). Anybody else hearing that?

Yes I hear a little bit of Django in Tommy's playing.
She's great but Tommy uses a thumbpick and fingers allowing him to bring out a number of notes. As an Australian I am pretty proud of him AND he's a real gentleman to meet and greet after his shoes.

 

[Ben-Zion]

Loved that.

The difference in their styles seems to be between a hardcore bluegrasser (Tuttle) and an early jazz/gypsyjazzer (Emmanuel). Anybody else hearing that?

Molly Tuttle is really refined, just a beautiful musician.

ndcaster, when is she gonna come through and visit us here in Hoosierland?

 

[Geoff738]

She can play and sing!

Play insanely fast and spot on at that. And sing. At the same freaking time.

I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[DougM]

Can someone explain to me why players like these two (who I love) never get the criticism that's always heaped on players like JB (and others) for being too fast and flashy and playing too many notes. I don't understand the double standard. I, for one, love fast, flashy players in any style of music, whether acoustic or electric. I've never hard any jazz player either be criticized for playing too many notes. I just don't get the disparity.

 

[ndcaster]

ndcaster, when is she gonna come through and visit us here in Hoosierland?

been tryin'

 

[codamedia]

But the thing that really strikes me on this video is Tommy's sense of dynamics. He really gets under Molly's soloing with his rhythm playing. His volume drops way down yet there's no loss of energy.

It's a technique that comes easy to some, never comes to others. He's laying into a Chet Atkins/Merle Travis style backing rhythm. He isn't playing any quieter, he is just muting the strings so they don't ring over the other player. It's makes the overall sound (of his instrument) more percussive... as you say, no loss of energy.

Molly is sticking to a more traditional bluegrass style of strumming open chords while he solo's.... she might back down the volume, but it still consumes more space. It's a noticeable difference.

I met Molly in 2015 at a Bluegrass festival and got to spend a little one on one time talking and pickin. My right hand picking technique changed forever after that interaction. You will notice that her right hand is ALWAYS moving in perfect time.... even when the notes are resting. During solos she gets an 8th note up/down pattern (like a drummer would do with a hi hat) then adjusts around that, but never quits. She is so precise because of her timing. A fabulous musician.

 

[HappyHwy1owner]

Can someone explain to me why players like these two (who I love) never get the criticism that's always heaped on players like JB (and others) for being too fast and flashy and playing too many notes. I don't understand the double standard. I, for one, love fast, flashy players in any style of music, whether acoustic or electric. I've never hard any jazz player either be criticized for playing too many notes. I just don't get the disparity.

Honestly-I've seen Tommy once, and that was enough. No doubt he is an incredible player, but I myself get tired of all these "fast and flashy" players as you put it that feel the need to play somebody else's song at sub-sonic speed. If people out there are copying it, it usually means it was right the first time.