Songs for competition

[sandcastlefaith]

Hi. I have an important competition coming up in June, and I want to choose one song to practice to perfection. It needs to be something thats quite difficult right now, so that it will be impressive when I perfect it. Right now I was thinking of maybe "When Mandolins Dream" by Chris Thile, although I would have to play it at a slower tempo. Is that a bad thing, to play a song slower than it was originally written? I just need some help with what judges like, dislike and what to look out for. This is a bluegrass festival, by the way, but does that mean I have to play a bluegrass song in the competition? I need help, bad . . .

[Dru Lee Parsec]

At the Julian Bluegrass Festival I noticed that several people were playing Chris Thile tunes. I guess that's OK, but for me it would have been too much pressure since at that particular festival John Moore was one of the judges and he was Chris's mandolin teacher.

I'm also looking for tunes to learn for a competition. I think the Mel Bay book "Mel Bay's Master Anthology of Mandolin Solos, Volume 1" is a good resource. It has classical, some jazz, some bluegrass, and it's all written out, most of it in tab as well.

Do you compose at all? Have you thought about composing your own bluegrass tune?

[Bobbie Dier]

Some competitions won't let you play copy written material. Did you check the rules?

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

Just choose something you like, feel comfortable playing, and can play with assuredness. Note for note, or even some room for a verse (or chorus) du jour. Probably better in a competition to stay on script.
I don't do competitions, but am coming at this from a solo gig perspective, where one has to keep it together (all of it) all the time. No place to hide.
Are you solo for this, or with a backup?
One suggestion - 'I Am a Pilgrim'. Everyone has done it. All do it slightly differently. It has some great opportunity for innovation. I've heard some versions that I could listen to endlessly.
But choose a tune that speaks to you and make it yer own. Or as was suggested, write your own.
Good luck, break a leg, and all that. In spite of the stress of having to compete, I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

rasa

[sandcastlefaith]

Hey, thanks for the suggestions! Do you know where I can find that I Am A Pilgrim in tab? Another song I was thinking of maybe doing was Big Mon. I could do it in kind of an intricate style. Another question: How long should the songs you play be expected to be?

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

A lot of times it is good to do standards. Big Mon, Bill Cheatum, El Cumenchero(SP), Alabama Jubilee, Salt Creek, etc... For many contests you need more than one. One fast, one slow, some even want a waltz. Check out the Winfield national mandolin championships rules, I think they are on th websight-do a google search.

[Nik-chick]

If you don't have the exact rules, contact the festival and get them. Not only do some forbid copyrighted material like Imapickin' said, but many have more requirements than that. For example, there might be a time limit (I've done old-time singing competitions where you're not supposed to go over 3 minutes.) I know a lot of them forbid electrical instruments and extreme purists forbid even electro-acoustics.

As for the tempo-change, you're pushing it. You're also running a risk by doing a Chris Thile song. The reason I say this is:

A. If they're judging a mandolin competition, they might be Chris Thile fans and know the song. If so they will know you had to slow it down. It's human nature to compare a cover to a well-known recording, whether we mean to or not.

B. If they aren't Chris Thile fans they might be purists and not give you a high score because they think you've come to a bluegrass festival and played some other kind of music.

C. Chris Thile is pretty popular; is that a common tune of his? If so, the judges may have heard it a million times and be sick of it. Or, they may have even judged so many people playing Chris Thile songs they may be sick of that. Same thing goes for playing any song that's too common.

Think of going to a bluegrass festival and picking a slowed-down Chris Thile tune like someone going to a Country Music festival and singing a Martina McBride song w/out holding the notes out. If you did REALLY well, it might not matter. But, the performance would have to be really special.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I always liked what I heard Johnny Gimble said about fiddle contests, and I suppose you could apply it to just about any instrument contest. He said he didn't understand why all these kids were playing against each other, they should be playing with each other.

[aimee]

Wow, if you are gonna play at Mayville, my family & I will show up to cheer you on.

[sandcastlefaith]

Yeah, that's what I kind of planned on doing. I haven't signed up yet, but it sounds like a good experience and opportunity, being as close to home as it is. I really want to do my best though, since probably a lot of my friends and girlfriend will find out about it through my music teacher who reveals all my secrets to everyone. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif But, I think I might be able to do pretty well at this competition. I'm not saying I'll win, but you never know. By the way, aimee . . . do you know what kind of competition shows up there. If I'm correct, this is the first time they've had this competition. I know the winner of the guitar contest from last year was from Warren, PA. Oh well, who knows . . .

[John Zimm]

I am not sure if classical music appeals to you, but maybe you'd liek to try playing a little Bach. You can find many violin scores here: http://icking-music-archive.org/ByComposer/J.S.Bach.html Or, if you have a decent music library near you, you could try to get the score to the violin concerto BWV 1042. In my humble opinion, nothing sounds better on the mandolin than Bach. Oh, there are also some fine pieces by Vivaldi that could sound very nice. Just a suggestion. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

-John.

[Nik-chick]

Ooops, I missed a question earlier:

"This is a bluegrass festival, by the way, but does that mean I have to play a bluegrass song in the competition?"

90% chance the answer to that question is "yes", but the rules will tell ya.

[aimee]

This is the first year for the mando contest, sandcastle. I know it's nationally advertised, not to try to scare you! I will most certainly be there...safely tucked in my lawn chair, in the audience.

[Kevin K]

I looked for some rules out on the net, but didn't come across any. A couple that I went to last year, but didn't participate in, didn't really have any rules other than for the instrumental contest, the players was not supposed to say anything at all and have two songs ready to play.

[sandcastlefaith]

I had heard that it was nationally advertised, and that didn't worry me too bad, but unfortunately, it turns out that the New York state track meet weekend coincides with the competition, and I probably won't be able to enter. Oh well, you never know . . . there's still a small chance . . . http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Pete Martin]

Get a copy of the rules and read them. It should remove any questions about what is and not allowed.

Having judged many fiddle and mando contests over the years, for many judges it is not the piece that is played, it is how well it is played. Make sure it sounds musical. I hear a LOT of players today try difficult material. It often sounds very stiff and not musical, resulting in low scores.

An easier piece played well will always score better than a difficult piece where the player struggles.