Thursday, April 22, 2010

Two troublesome spots

Would everyone please write a note on your music to tell you to look up at these spots:
(1) La Festa measure 7, and
(2) Drigo's Serenade measure 91?

The last two Monday nights, we have not had an agreement on the tempo in those spots. I may not hit the exact tempo we used in rehearsals, but if everyone looks up at the stick, we'll be together and it will sound better. Of course, it's OK to look up at other times, too.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

HET Consort plays Palladio

This is a very nice recording. I think what I like about isn't so much the tempo but the range of dynamics and how all parts are involved in that range.

Of course, Alex Timmerman friended me on Facebook, and now I'm flooded with HET Consort and other information. That man has a lot of time on his hands, er, I mean, enthusiasm for his music!

It is very inspiring!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Better than CMA!

After playing at Crystal Care Center, we can add "We are better than the Country Music Awards" to our list of accolades!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

MMO on Linked In

Some of you are on Linked In which is like a professional Facebook. I created a group called "Mandolin Players and Enjoyers," and there are some interesting discussions posted. It just dawned on me that I should post our YouTube "Palladio" performance video there, so I did. I can't copy the link (won't paste); you might have to be "Linked In" to view it.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Pick mania

Maybe a few of you are enjoying your new Fender Extra Heavies. I like to mix it up, myself - different picks make different sounds. As they say, does Picasso only use one brush? Does Arnold Palmer only use one club?

I forgot to bring any picks to a wedding reception job a few months ago - potential disaster for the rock/pop/R&B dance-band electric guitarist. I broke a compact disc into pieces and found a few bits that I could use as picks - they worked well enough to get through the night.

I used to know somebody who would use a dime as a guitar pick.

I have a stone pick made out of polished agate.

Any other pick stories?

Sunday, April 4, 2010

MN Mandolin Clubs at the turn of the century

I ran across a very interesting article online about mandolin clubs in Minnesota.

I'm sure many of you have encountered it in your surfing....but in case you haven't, here it is!