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Thread: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

  1. #1
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    Default My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Hi all. I have recently had some free time and I thought I would finally try to write my own piece of music for mandolin.

    It is based on a cross picking pattern (down up down - down up down) that creates a continuous sort of circular sound (hence the name). I also experimented a little bit with some harmonics in one of the sections (devillishly tricky to get clean).

    I hope you enjoy.

    "Maelstrom"
    Last edited by Auhkden; Aug-14-2017 at 11:18pm.

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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Very good! Nice playing and nice sounding mandolin too.
    If I was to suggest anything it would be to add a bit of variety to the harmonics rather than sticking to the same note, but that's just personal preference, and not meant to be a criticism
    Rob

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    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Interesting piece and fine picking. I like how you vary the tempo in places and manage to hit the harmonics cleanly each time.
    Perhaps "Maelstrom" is too strong a title for this piece. It suggests more peace than maelstrom as I listen to it?
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Thank you very much Rob.

    The harmonics section wasn't actually supposed to be that long, but I really liked it so I ended up extending it. The idea of it was supposed to be that the bottom notes would change the harmony while the harmonics remained constant, but I will take it into account in the future. Thanks for the feedback.

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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Thank you John!

    The name Maelstrom came from the cross picking pattern, but I see what you mean about it being a little to ferocious for the piece.

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    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Nice, what kind of mando is that?
    Bill
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    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Nice tune and playing! I really enjoyed that!

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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Quote Originally Posted by billhay4 View Post
    Nice, what kind of mando is that?
    Bill
    Thanks Bill, the mandolin was custom made for me by Lawrence K Smith, a Luthier here in Australia. It is made completely from native Australian woods which is a really nice touch.

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    Registered User David Beavers's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    I really enjoyed this! That is some great playing and some really cool ideas! I personally like the name "Maelstrom," there's a lot of passion in this piece.
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Your piece demonstrates the power of those cross picking techniques, where you can get into a groove with the right hand, and the shapes you do with the left hand shine out as arpeggios and phrases. Good job.
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    Registered User Cochiti Don's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Reminds me of a Fernando Sor etude for guitar
    Nice piece
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    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: My first composition for solo mandolin: "Maelstrom"

    Very Nice!!

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