Strumming????!!!!****

[ardcarp]

I was appalled by Ms Mann on Essential Classics this morning when in her introduction to a piece for mandolin she referred to its being being 'strummed'. The piece she introduced was in fact a reworking of a Bach violin partita by mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital. After he'd finished a superb performance of this basically single line melodic piece, she said 'well-strummed'. Oh dear. Did she know what was being played? Did she know the mandolin is tuned to GDAE like a violin? It may in other contexts be plucked in lute-fashion, but strummed?

This isn't the same piece or performer, but judge for yourselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL8XhxMLqbs

[Bella Kemp]

She has many who delight in her style, but I do hope that Scala Radio will offer her a barrowload of money and she will find happy employment elsewhere.

[LMcD]

There seem to be plenty of online tutorials dedicated to mandolin strumming and strum patterns. Apparently strumming produces a chopped chord rhythm. This suggests that mandolin strumming is being practised, even if it meets with disapproval in some quarters, and makes the proposal to banish poor Hannah appear even harsher.

[Sir Velo]

William Yeoman in The Gramophone seems to be labouring under a similar misapprehension. In his review of Avital's collection of arrangements of Vivaldi for the mandolin, Yeoman describes the playing thus: "Avital’s astonishingly smooth legato playing is broken up by rapid détaché passages and propulsive strums..."

Yeoman has been an authoritative critic on the guitar and other stringed instruments of the lute family for over 20 years but clearly needs to learn a thing or two about the mandolin.

[Sir Velo]

William Yeoman in The Gramophone seems to be labouring under a similar misapprehension. In his review of Avital's collection of arrangements of Vivaldi for the mandolin, Yeoman describes the playing thus: "Avital’s astonishingly smooth legato playing is broken up by rapid détaché passages and propulsive strums..."

Yeoman has been an authoritative critic on the guitar and other stringed instruments of the lute family for over 20 years but clearly needs to learn a thing or two about the mandolin.

None of which prevents me from saying that Ms Mann's departure from R3 is a consummation devoutly to be wished.

[LMcD]

None of which prevents me from saying that Ms Mann's departure from R3 is a consummation devoutly to be wished.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uPkl_o3LTEA

[oddoneout]

None of which prevents me from saying that Ms Mann's departure from R3 is a consummation devoutly to be wished.

I would prefer a less destructive approach - a gentle word to correct the mistake and encouragement to continue learning. Given the way management have been tinkering with presenters, and their seeming views on who/what is considered suitable for R3, means that I would be doubtful about removal being a solution - who would be the replacement? And what guarantees that mistakes would never be made? It is the response to mistakes that matters(SK I'm looking at you), not the fact that they may occasionally be made. Wanting GM's departure because of general dislike is a different matter.

[french frank]

makes the proposal to banish poor Hannah appear even harsher.

Point of information: who are we discussing? Hannah Mann? Georgia French?

[LMcD]

Point of information: who are we discussing? Hannah Mann? Georgia French?

My mistake - Georgia Mann! I'm amazed that her use of the word 'strumming' has provoked such a strong negative reaction.
Hannah played a Vivaldi mandolin concerto this morning, which may or may not have been a demonstration of female solidarity.
I wouldn't like to see either of them moved from their present slots.

[french frank]

I'm amazed that her use of the word 'strumming' has provoked such a strong negative reaction.

I suppose people hadn't kept up with the new meaning of to strum, perhaps? The usual meaning isn't very complimentary. It doesn't suggest a highly skilled performance: "To play carelessly or unskilfully on a stringed instrument. "

OED examoles:

a1816 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (rev. ed.) ii. i, in Wks. (1821) II. 39 To be stuck down to an old spinet to strum my father to sleep after a fox-chase.
1847 A. Brontë Agnes Grey vii. 117 The short half-hour of practising was horribly strummed through.

[LMcD]

I wonder if the co-founder of The Clash ever tried his hand at the mandolin.

[french frank]

I wonder if the co-founder of The Clash ever tried his hand at the mandolin.

You mean Mr JG Mellor, I assume? "The surname "Strummer" apparently referred to his role as rhythm guitarist in a self-deprecating way. " [Wiki]

I suspect there might have been an element of jocularity in Ms Mann's use of the term. Some will retort 'misplaced': I really have no idea to what depths the programme has now fallen

[LMcD]

You mean Mr JG Mellor, I assume? "The surname "Strummer" apparently referred to his role as rhythm guitarist in a self-deprecating way. " [Wiki]

I suspect there might have been an element of jocularity in Ms Mann's use of the term. Some will retort 'misplaced': I really have no idea to what depths the programme has now fallen

I suspect you're right! Are Radio 3 presenters not allowed the occasional jocular remark?

[Padraig]

I suspect you're right! Are Radio 3 presenters not allowed the occasional jocular remark?

. . . or the use of irony?

[Serial_Apologist]

I suspect you're right! Are Radio 3 presenters not allowed the occasional jocular remark?

That would be slumming...