How Do You Play Bela Fleck Riffs?
The goal of making your music sound like the music of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is a tall order. This band, a leader in the mid-atlantic music scene, has been amazing crowds for years with a style that you can’t quite put your finger on. Using traditional Appalachian methodology (elements of folk and blue-grass from the region), the Flecktones bring to life an unmistakable musical presence that can bring tears to your eyes. You may not ever be able to match Fleck’s style, but paying attention to it and using it as an influence can make you a much stronger musician. Use interesting instrumentation. Flecktones songs use instruments like the banjo, mandolin, and fiddle to create a distinct sound. You also want some percussion (ideally a full drum set played by a professional, jazz-savvy drummer). Get quick fingers. Your music won’t stand a chance of sounding like Fleck unless you can develop an agility that makes the notes seem to flow out of the instrument. Experiment with chromatic
