FAQs

FAQs

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Q: Do you give private lessons or perform concerts?

A: Yes. I play regularly with the Marty Warburton band in Las Vegas.

I offer private lessons in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Mandolin, Fiddle, Dobro, Banjo, Bass and Guitar. Lessons are $30 for a full hour. If you would like to schedule a lesson, let me know on the contact page.

I also travel to several Bluegrass Festivals around the country. My current schedule is posted at www.jaybuckey.com/whats_new.htm

Q: Are the arrangements for the Fiddle the same as the Mandolin?

A: Yes, and No. It really depends on the complexity of the song. If the song is very basic, yes, they are similar. However, when an arrangement is more professional, especially when including the backup parts, these two instruments are entirely different. The approach of the Fiddle will not be the same due to the fact that a bow is used and full chords, unlike the mandolin are difficult to play.

A good song example is 'Mama Don't 'Low'. Listen how the Fiddle and Mandolin take different approaches to the solo:

Mama Don't 'Low' mp3

Although the solos and back up are not the same, the instruments all flow together as a group. This is the thrust of my arrangements; to get all of the instruments coordinated so that you and your family and friends can work on your separate parts then put it altogether as a unit. The play along recordings that come with the books will give you a good feel for the song and you can use the various mixes as backing tracks to help your group keep in time and fill in the gaps. Each book in the series that I write is like a small piece of a larger puzzle.

Q: Can I make a donation to your web?

A: Yes! I have posted a button below to accept most major credit cards.

The button below is set for the default amount of $25.00. If you wish to donate more, simply change the number in the box. '2' would be $50.00, '3' would be $75.00 and so on.

Thank you for your support!

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Q: Do you accept PayPal?

A: Yes. If you would like to place an order with PayPal, you can send the funds to my email address, jay @ jaybuckey.com

Q: How do you create your Tablature and Sheet Music?

A: I use a program called 'Cubase' by Steinberg. My current version is Cubase VST 5.0. I have not upgraded to the latest version because VST 5.0 does everything that I need. There are two ways that you can create sheet music and tablature with Cubase.

Using a mouse to input each note.
Using a midi controller to 'play' the song into the computer and have Cubase write the sheet music and tablature in real time AS THE SONG IS BEING PLAYED.

I have three instruments that I have modified to play the song into the computer. Two imported (cheapie) Fender Stratocasters and an electric mandolin that I built. Each using a Roland GK2A pickup and the G1-10 midi interface. Midi is an acronym for 'Multi Instrument Digital Interface'.

The white Strat is fitted with banjo strings with a small screw holding down the fifth string at the fifth fret. I added a Roland GK2A midi pickup at the bridge. This Strat is tuned to open G bluegrass tuning and is used for 'writing' the banjo tablatures.

The Blue Strat has regular electric guitar strings and is tuned like a standard Guitar. It is also fitted with a Roland GK2A pickup. By adjusting the tuning, I can use this instrument to create the tablature for the Guitar, Bass and Dobro.

The electric mandolin is also fitted with the same midi pickup and is tuned to a standard Mandolin. I use this instrument to create the sheet music and tablature for the Mandolin and Fiddle. So, with these three special instruments, I can create a wide variety of sheet music and tablature.

The instrument's midi pickup is connected to the Roland midi interface. The interface is connected to the Presonus Audiobox USB and that is connected to the computer via a USB cable. When I play a note on the midi guitar, the Roland midi interface makes a number out of it. The Audiobox then transmits that data to the computer and Cubase reads it as a note or a tablature. To keep in time, Cubase provides a metronome click so the notes and music don't drift. Of course, my playing is not perfect and after playing the song through, I generally need to go back to the new score and make edits.

Although you can mouse click your notes one at a time, using the midi interface will greatly speed up the process of creating sheet music and it is usually closer to the real thing. Using midi to make sheet music and tablature is not new. It has been around since the early 1980's. Cubase is not the only program that will create sheet music and tablature. There are many available. I started with Cubase and prefer not to learn a new program.

If you would like to experiment creating your own sheet music and tablature, you may want to visit www.hitsquad.com. This web site has a many free and trial programs to try out. Computers, software and peripherals constantly change. What you have today will be obsolete next week. The Roland interface and pickups that I'm using have been replaced with newer/faster products. If you want a set up like I am using, you will, of course need to purchase the latest hardware/software.