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Thread: Mandolin Meditations

  1. #1
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Mandolin Meditations

    Hey, Everyone:

    I hope you're all hanging in there during these strange times. To help sooth your souls I'm hosting a live stream called "Mandolin Meditations" Saturday night at 8 p.m. You can find the event here:
    https://www.facebook.com/events/229843764910304/

    I'll be playing solo mandolin to candlelight. Just real simple, meditative music not designed for pizazz, speed, or anything flashy. Just slow, contemplative notes in various keys. Hope you can make it. :-)
    Hamlett Two-Point
    Eastman MD805
    Schertler DYN-M + Yellow
    http://www.youtube.com/ktbriggs
    https://www.facebook.com/kevin.briggs.1213

  2. #2
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Meditations

    Tonight's the night, everyone! Tune in for some contemplative, solo, instrumental mandolin music tonight at 8 p.m. EST. Hope to see you there. :-)
    https://www.facebook.com/events/229843764910304/
    Hamlett Two-Point
    Eastman MD805
    Schertler DYN-M + Yellow
    http://www.youtube.com/ktbriggs
    https://www.facebook.com/kevin.briggs.1213

  3. #3
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Meditations

    Was all of that spontaneous improvisation?

    Nicely done. Loved the ending.
    Last edited by ccravens; Apr-18-2020 at 8:42pm.
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  4. #4
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Meditations

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    Was all of that spontaneous improvisation?

    Nicely done. Loved the ending.
    Hey, thanks so much. :-)

    Yes, it was about 90% improvisation. The only thing I planned was the various keys I would be playing in at various segments. Otherwise, it was supposed to be atmospheric, simple, lyrical, and relaxed. Hope it was!

    Here's a link to the video for you, or for anybody who would like to check it out. I think it lasts one more week:
    https://www.facebook.com/kevin.brigg...33367240085947

    Be well!
    Hamlett Two-Point
    Eastman MD805
    Schertler DYN-M + Yellow
    http://www.youtube.com/ktbriggs
    https://www.facebook.com/kevin.briggs.1213

  5. #5
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Meditations

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Briggs View Post
    Hey, thanks so much. :-)

    Yes, it was about 90% improvisation.
    I'm not sure people realize how difficult that is: total improvization without help or direction from set chord changes and other instruments. After your broadcast, I tried it on my mando, and, predictably, kept falling back on stock phrases, licks, and tunes.

    It's a difficult thing. Kudos.
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  6. #6
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Meditations

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    I'm not sure people realize how difficult that is: total improvization without help or direction from set chord changes and other instruments. After your broadcast, I tried it on my mando, and, predictably, kept falling back on stock phrases, licks, and tunes.

    It's a difficult thing. Kudos.
    Hey, thanks man. I agree it’s a challenging way to approach a performance. Noticing the spaces between the notes, pausing to let the notes shape ideas, and just remaining open seem to help.

    Ultimately, I think listeners pick up the spirit of a performance more than the notes. Neil Young is a good example of this. He doesn’t dazzle with notes and lickety-split ideas, and sometimes he’s whammy-barred himself out of tune, but man he kills it.

    So, it’s more about what’s moving at the time. Often, it’s an emotional connection to the tone of an instrument.

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