First attempts

[Fliss]

I've had a go at writing a couple of simple jigs, and I'd like to ask for some critique please. #

Although I've written a couple of songs previously, this is my first attempt at writing tunes that are intended to be just tunes #for the mandolin, and also my first attempt at writing something in a specific type of tune, so please be gentle with me #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

Here's the first jig:

Fliss

[Fliss]

Here's the second jig:

Fliss

[woodwizard]

Got any tab for them http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Fliss]

Got any tab for them http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Sorry, no - unless Finale Notepad (the free download I used in order to write the notation) can convert to tab, if someone can tell me how?

Fliss

[Chip Booth]

Let's see the chords as well as melody, though they are probaby easy enough to figure out.

Chip

[Fliss]

Okay, I now have tab for the two jigs, thanks to Tosh Marshall who was kind enough to transcribe this for me. Here's the first one:

Fliss

[Fliss]

Hmm, that didn't come out too clearly. I'm trying the second jig at a slightly higher resolution to see if this works, fingers crossed:

Fliss

[Fliss]

That seemed to work, so here's the first one again, this time at a resolution that should enable the tab to be readable

Fliss

[jaydee]

I think these are a great first effort. I prefer Aunt Mille because it's more fun to play, and I think it has a better sense of motion and momentum. The big leap from G to F# that keeps happening in the A section of Pat Rafter's (great name) breaks up the melody a little too much for me. The B section is fine though.

Nice job!

Jeremy

[JeffD]

Fun tunes!

[harwilli55]

Cool...definite promise!!! Keep at it !

Harlan

[Bruce Evans]

I agree with jaydee that the F# on the strong second beat of the first measure of the first tune is a bit disjointed. It lends a major 7th feel to the harmony which isn't necessarily bad but it is not very jig-like. (jiggy?) I played the second set of eighth notes a scale step higher (G F# E as opposed to F# E D) and it sounds better to me.

Also the leap to the E in the 4th measure seems to beg a C chord, ending the four measure phrase on the IV chord, where a V chord (D) feels better. Try replacing the E with an A or perhaps the F#. This will allow the melody to be harmonized with a D chord. This is called a semi cadence. The melody of the A part ends with a very nice full cadence. Good effort!

[Fliss]

Many thanks for all the feedback and encouragement. #

Jeremy - it's a family name, my father was Irish, and my maiden name was Rafter http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

Tocotodo, thanks for your detailed and thoughtful critique. #I've tried the changes you suggested and I can see the sense in taking that second triplet up a notch, especially as it makes that leap an octave. #However I'm not 100% sure I like the sound. #I need to play it for a while and get used to it, and see how it goes. #For the second change you suggest, I prefer the open A to the F#. #It definitely changes the feel!

I'll experiment, then hopefully post an amended version.

Thanks again everyone for all your comments, further critique will still be welcome # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

Fliss

[Fliss]

I've found a way to convert recordings to mp3 files and post them to the internet, so if this works this should be a link to the second jig, Aunt Millie

Aunt Millie (http://boomp3.com/m/b74b7bee5c3d)

Fliss

[Fliss]

It worked! Okay, here goes with Pat Rafter's. #The first version I've recorded is the original version as shown in the notation and tab above

Pat Rafter's (original version) (http://boomp3.com/m/c6882630ab26) #

The second version is changes, based on the critique above. #I experimented, and changed the second triplet of the first bar to a run down form G, G F# D, finishing on the 5th fret of the A string, which sounds better to my ears than finishing on the open E - but see what you think!

Pat Rafter's (second version) (http://boomp3.com/m/6228f21c3748)

Comments welcome http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Fliss