Way to go! nice consistent tempo.
JH....great work there! You're movin' that tune right along!
I accidentally deleted my first 'comparison' video from Vimeo. What a loss to the world of music! Anyhow...here's another made this morning. I think I'm getting it....but there's still a big flub in the middle and a couple more spread throughout. Onward! LOL.
That is really coming along Karon! Nice clear notes. Mine....seems to be gong backwards. I have started my lessons with Don Julin and he is going to concentrate on my right hand. , making sure that I am picking the notes in the right direction and working on my timing. Since our first conversation, I am concentrating so much on timing and pick direction that I get all mixed up in the tune. Oh, well all for the betterment of my playing.
3rd day and first two in a row days of practice i've missed since I got my mando Feb. 8th and I'm really bummed. Way too busy around here this weekend!
The videos that have been posted are really good. I stumble through this, yet love playing Fishers hornpipe. I use the version from here on MC as tabbed by Scott Tichenor. I found that I learned the parts better by playing the bars in reverse order. I started with the last bar and played it to boredom I then played the next to the last bar and added the last bar. Until I made my way through the entire song backwards. Anyway it worked for me. Kinda. So here's my messed up version...http://youtu.be/BdA4QVstLfk
Good tempo Tim!
Thanks Nanaimo, I find that when I get nervous my pick wants to fly and my fret fingers want to stick, not a good combo when your trying to get through this. I see that you and upstatepicker are runners. I just finished my 6th half marathon yesterday. Just another subject for a man with OCD to get busy with LOL!
Good going with the run. I need to get motivated to get back on the road. Every morning I think that I need to get out and then I head in to the den and pick up my mandolin.
Good job on Fisher's Hornpipe there, Tim! You have some speed and clarity going there for sure And...your mandolin sounds great! What you playin'?
Thank you Karon, I'm still fumbling through the tune. I play a Fullerton, the model is a Gloucester. It was a house model several years back for Music123 before they decided to drop the line and go with Rouge Mandolins. I know hindsight is 20/20. I picked it up here on MC classifieds. I like Ark Isle version...where was that from?
Tim- I just got it from Mandozine's collection of TablEdit files. It's the version arranged by Stangeland.
oh boy Some days I can feel me making a bit of progress. And some days, like today, it's just fumble, fumble and plink, plong with the playing. Struggling today. I think on those days I might need lay the mando down and address the issue of learning to read music. I've been neglecting that. It's very hard for me. Anyone have any suggestions for books for rank beginners with musical notation? I'm working on the Greg Horne Beginner's book for Mandolin and that has 'theory' in it. But I think I need something even more basic for the reading notation bit. I'll delve into the Horne book again this morning. I'm having trouble figuring out how to memorize all this stuff. It's uphill right now....but I'm not EVEN thinking of giving up. Oh no.. Karon I think I might be expecting too much, too soon.
hi Karon, I for one know exactly how you feel - sometimes you feel that you are not making any progress or evn going backwards. I think you have to accept that, that is how learning is especially teaching yourself where you dont' have any feedback. At times like this it is imortant to remember how far you have come (just look back at your videos). Everyone will have different ways to learn, so all I can tell you is what I have done to progress over the last year. Two things have made a big difference to both my enjoyment and progress (1) - forget about learning to play from notation. TAB is just fine, so long as you understand the principles of music. I spent a long time trying to read notation and my playing ability went back-wards. Ther is so much TAB for mandolin out there and you can be a brilliant player without being able to sight read. (2) the most important change for me was realising with windows media player you can slow music down without changing the pitch and then speed it back up as your ability gets bettter. So what I do is listen to a tune I like from say the SAW group which nearly always has the music with it (abc which you can convert to TAB using free software), slow it down + play along, learning the tune all the time and slowly speed it up, then I can usually play on my own just looing at the TAB. That works for me really well so I hope it has helped you a little. I know for certain you will get over this 'down' time - Pete
Thanks so much for the feedback Pete. Appreciated!
Hi Karon! You can rest assured that we ALL have moments as you describe. When I uploaded my video earlier in the month, I mentioned that this song had a pretty advanced technique, cross picking. I really believe that this tune is not a beginner level tune. So, anything we can do at our level as beginners with this tune is a big accomplishment. I have an advantage in that I can read standard music notation. Not as well as I did when I learned in high school, but well enough to be able to play any basic tune I have seen here. My issue is that I am still learning where the notes are located on the fretboard. I have the first position down pretty well, but once I move up the neck, I have to stop and think before I know where the notes are. I am not too concerned about that because at my level, I am just playing the mandolin for myself and with friends. There are many websites that you can go to to learn reading music and are free. Keep working on it and you will do fine!
Justkaron - There is nothing wrong with, and sometimes something very beneficial, in putting an instrument down for a few days in a row here and there. There have been times when I've been in a rut and stopped for up to a week. When I come back and go at it for a day or so, suddenly my playing leaps ahead. I think sometimes I shift up from focused to obsessed and need to grind a few gears to get back on track.
Good morning all! I know the feeling of going two steps forward and four back! I have put this tune aside for awhile, as I concentrate on 'pick direction' and 'counting' (timing). It seems that the more I think about timing and direction, the less progress I make with Fisher's. I know that in the all is helping me more effective, but.... I am reading notation as best as I can based on what very little experience i had over 25 years ago. Tab seems Greek to me. I also find that putting a piece, that is causing great frustration, aside for a while and working on something else, is a good thing. For me, I am working on Bach's Minuet in G. It is interesting how a break can allow me to approach the frustrations in a new light. Hang in there!
Really good advice, which I echo - sometimes I can bang my head trying to play a small note combo, and get nowhere, only to come back to the tune a day or two later and it flows naturally as if I've been doing it forever. In regards to reading standard notation, I think this is a good thing to do, and is something I am trying to do, too. I went to my local library at the weekend and picked up 'Music theory for Dummies', I like the 'for Dummies' range, the language is generally at my level, and tends not to assume anything, most everything gets explained quite clearly. I also picked up Learning to Read Music, by Peter Nickol, and Time To Play a Musical Instrument, by Ruth Seodi. The second book is an encouragement to take up learning an instrument in later life; given I'm heading towards middle age, it seems appropriate! I've only just started with the Music Theory for Dummies today, and already it has cleared up some pointers I wasn't sure on. The book uses American and British terms for notes in the early chapters, although I prefer the American, to be honest, seems much more logical than Crotchets, Quavers and demisemiquavers! What I want to do with Music Theory is eventually learn to be able to 'hear' a tune in my head, by looking at the music notation, so I can have an idea of how a tune should be before trying to play it. Overall the best thing is to keep at it, keep practicing.
Hello all, you have all said thoughts I have had. Thank you, I know I am not alone now. I struggle with trying to read notation past a very beginner level. So I came to the conclusion the other day. Who cares if I care read music? Me, I'm the only one at this point in my experience that would or would not benefit. So if it's tab, which I seem to do well with then it's tab. All I want to do is play music on the mandolin and have a good time cranking out the tunes. My only gripe? I can't seem to learn them fast enough, there are so many good songs I don't have enough hours in the day. Keep on pickin' and pluckin' Karon. It'll happen for you. You guys and gals are all wonderful support. Have a great day!
I agree with Tim. Keep on pickin'. You tabs, play by ear. What does it matter. Your playing a musical instrument and your making yourself happy. Your also able to share a gift that not everyone in this world has. If it's not perfect that don't matter either. No one, not even the pros are. If you spend to much time and concentration on therory you'll never learn to play. Go to a local jam and just play and have fun!
My personal experience was that I learned to read music as a child and I'm reasonably well up on music theory (at least enough to meet my needs). I'm happy with the situation. If I post on a subject, I'll use those systems in an effort to share my journey. Some folks find it helpful, some don't. My advice is to work on the methods that put you in a happy situation. Tab and standard notation can both lead you to make great music and have a ball doing it. Don't choose one based on what someone else insists is the "best" way to go. Share your journey with us.
I've loved reading all of the responses on this topic. I really enjoy playing using TAB. I'm a huge fan of all kinds of music and it's hard to find TAB for some of the stuff I want. I'll figure out how to get it all done. I'm guilty of always wanting to be able to do EVERY dang thing right NOW! LOL I'm truly enjoying my mandolin journey. I'm 66 years old....a little old granny....and have no big aspirations with my music expect to ENJOY it. For now I'm not running out of TAB to keep me busy. But I think I still want to try to learn to read music. I can pick out tunes by ear....fairly easily actually....so that's a big help if I want to do something and just can't find the TAB. Karon
Not giving up yet! And...yes...I know the 'ups/downs' are all messed up. Sure would like to see some 'progress' videos from other Newbies! Misery loves company kinda thing.
Way to Go KARON! There is definite improvement. "A mind once stretched by a new idea will never return to it's original size." I don't remember whose quote that is Karon, I do believe your stretching your mind by doing something your find difficult for now. Just think in two months Fishers Hornpipe will be a finger exercise for you. Congratulations!
I have a video to upload, except for some reason it recorded upside down!! Not sure I know how to get it the right way round... I may just upload it as it is!
Thanks Karon, I think that's just what I needed to get me over the hump! I had the first part down fairly fast, but just hit a wall on the second part and I think you showed me the light! On another note just started a new job this week after working from home for twenty years, welcome back to the real world boy! Downside, my practice time has suffered and I'm going to have to figure out how to find the energy and time to work it into my schedule. Not a tough trade off for a steady paycheck! Also, on a down note, the primo Eastman MD-515 I've been eyeballing for a few weeks on ebay looks to have worked it's way out of my price range, back to plan A The Loar LM-500-VS or better yet another Eastman comes up on ebay! Happy playing!
Here is my attempt at Fisher's Hornpipe. It's a big step for me as it's my first time behind the camera and my first submitted video. It's not perfect. Please be gentle. I'll keep on trying.......
Way to go! Nice even tempo.
Wow...'theoldman'...this is great work here! I'm impressed with the timing and no flubs that I could detect! I'm so glad you've joined in with making the videos. I do believe it will help up to grow with our skills and 'presentation' ... so to speak. LOL. This was a great Sunday morning treat to find your video waiting this morning. Karon Let's all keep pickin' ....and more of us posting videos of our progress!
I have been on and off trying to learn the mandolin for about a year - so hopefully now I will really get a bit better ... So here is my attempt at Fisher's hornepipe. No video yet, and I tried to cover up any errors by also playing some equally bad guitar. Tab from Mel Bay's Celtic Mandolin Encyclopedia (at about 96bpm), mandolin Breedlove KO, guitar Martin 000-28, recorded with a zoom R16 recorder & Studio Electronics SE X1 microphone. Joris MP3 is here: http://soundcloud.com/klaus-mulheim/fishers-hornepipe (I will try to see how I can embed this)
Wow! What a nice sound. I loved the backing track. I am going to have to figure out how to do that, or at least find a place to get some as I can't play anything else!. I liked the tempo. I think that I am trying to go too quickly, at least for my skill level, and am starting to get frustrated with my play.
If you get a USB studiomicrophone and a multitrack recording program (there are some free ones around), you can easily do this on a computer (if you find a guitar player of course !).By playing the backing track I commited myself to this fairly slow tempo, which I think is good for learning. Actually by learning to play the chords, you learn the song also better. You can also do the backing on mandolin (I added some backing mando at the second way through) - but the lower sound of the guitar is nicer as backing track. I'll try to speed it up for the rest of the month ... Joris
Joris...very nice job indeed! I like the embellishments and the backing tracks. You're doing VERY well in my opinion. Karon
Two more great submissions. Thanks Wayne and Joris.
Well here is my latest attempt at Fisher's. As it says, it took too many attempts and still filled with mistakes. I don't know if I can see much difference between this one and the one I did one week in.
Sound perfectly fine to me. Would sound probably better with a better microphone or maybe a lower recording volume - sounds rather distorted now. And reminds me I should practice now (will leave the dishes for tomorrow) ! Joris
Yes it does sound like I am under water. Maybe that is better! I have been considering a external mike (I am using the one in my laptop) after seeing many of those used on Song of the Week. As for settings.. I am so technologically illiterate that I don't know where to start.
Kelly...I can see/hear a difference in consistant tempo. Have you been practicing with a metronome? And I'm betting your 'ups/downs' are getting more accurate. Probably (actually no doubt) all that will be of enormous benefit for your development as a player. I'm going through maybe some of the same feeling you're displaying. When we're brand spankin' new at this each time we pick up the mando there has to be improvement. We're just so raw at first. Then...the rate of development has to slow. I'm thinking when folks get to be pretty good pickers they have to work an incrementally much longer period to see any changes. I'm impatient and want to be a good player like RIGHT NOW!!!!!! I was listening to Dawg and my Bill Monroe Anthology today and getting so jazzed up. Then I picked up my little mando and tried to play 'fischer's'... ........good grief........ shock and dismay! I'm trying to get back to thinking....this is FOR FUN Karon!
That is right Karon. Fun in the main point. I have been practicing both 'rythmic divisions' ( tempo drills) and right hand exercises with a metronome. Also, i think that my concentration on pick direction has helped with both tempo and sound. I did go out and get a new microphone for my laptop - a blue snowball. It is supposed to be good for recording and did not break the bank.
Kelly, I'm very interested in how things go with the new microphone. I'm thinking I'll need to go there since the sound on my videos is abominal being just my pc mike. I think I'm really leery cause I have no technical aptitude. I know that as I pursue this learning to play that I'll want to produce better videos. I will TRY to keep up with the group here and hopefully someday graduate to the SAW thread. I'm thinking it will take a year or two of hard work before I can play much at all that anyone would want to hear. Not daunted by the hard work aspect...just impatient for better sounds to come out of the mando. It's been right at 4 and a half months since I started with NO musical experience of any kind before. It keeps me workin' hard! Karon
Kelly & Karon - I believe Barbara Schults who moderates the SOW thread has been using one of those microphones for some time now. Her videos always sound good, so perhaps you could PM her for help/advice? Tony...
I have been playing around with the new microphone this morning and it seems to work really. Too many attempts at Minuet in G with nothing to send on. Sound is good but the playing...more practice with this piece is necessary.
Here is a version using my new microphone I think it will be my last as I am getting tired of this one. Looking forward to something new!
Sounds great Kelly and there's definite consistant improvement. That's really all we need...to continue to improve. I sure do hear you about being tired of 'fisher's'....this might just be my last attempt too. I'm listening to the sound quality difference between your post and mine...the new mike really helps!! I gotta 'go there. This isn't good by any means but I have to remember how new I am to this and not expect my skill level to be on the par with the good folks over on SAW or Ya'll here on Newbies. I'm gradually improving, I believe. That will work for me. I just have to keep on working hard at it and another four months will bring rewards I know. By the way...be sure and note that I've put up a tread for suggestions for our May tune! I know we're all ready to get ready to move on!!
Thanks Karon. I, too, notice a change for you in both tempo and tone. Also more skip to the tune. In a few months time, I am sure we look back and be wowed by the improvement we will have made.
Great job on those video's everyone. I would say that this month's song of the month "Fisher's Hornpipe" has been the most popular song on the month so far judging be the number of great video's submitted. As this month is drawing to a close I'd like to say good work everyone. But all the talk about "Minuet in G" has me curious. Anyone have a tab link?
Here is the version I will try if it turns out to be the song for next month. http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_prin...piano-solo.htm
Ok, here's my attempt at this - I recorded it a week ago, it is a slow pace, I've tried to keep it even. Even so, there are quite a few errors, some as I lose my place following the music! I would say 'enjoy', but maybe 'endure' is a better word!
Great job Jay! I like the sound of your mandolin. What type is it?
