mandolin-george » instruments

Happy Holiday Hours with Hip Hop-Scotch

George — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:14:06 +0000

A new short clip to go with my latest track on soundcloud – see samples opposite or click on the You Tube channel button underneath the sample window. This will be developed in September / October.
Thanks to “Boogie” Bruce for helpful suggestions for further development. Best listened to through a sound system to hear the sub-bass and drums – laptop speakers do not cope well.

Brazil, Bandolims and Brains

George — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:13:52 +0000

What an interesting day

Brazil : A day of exploring Choro music and some of the great tunes composed by Ernesto Nazareth (a Brazilian contemporary of Scott Joplin). I particularly like Brejeiro played by Jacob do Bandolim. My fingers are sore!

Bandolims A fascinating sound reminiscent of a Portuguese Guitar perhaps caused by the larger, rounder and shallower body than many folk mandolins. The best maker I came across (website and reviews) seems to be a Frenchman living in Brazil www.jpcharlesluthier.com I am going to have to book an extra seat when I go to South America! (see the addition to my growing wish-list above)

Brains: After researching the neurospychology of music it seems that the left side of the brain is active when experiencing music we like and the right side more when we came across dissonant or unpleasant music. My understanding is that the left hand is controlled by the right brain. Is this why my hands refuse to co-operate when learning new tunes in new genres? Thankfully, there is overwhelming evidence that music is pleasurable and beneficial so I can justify the long hours I spend reading, listening and playing and point to the benefits when challenged!

Brian Blasts in from the Past

George — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:58:43 +0000

What a delight to hear from my friend Brian – the brains behind “FRAGILE”
A Glasgow-based duo playing a variety of instruments and material from a wide range of sources including American, Bluegrass, Scottish Folk, Jug Band, Skiffle, Singer-Songwriter etc
Influenced by such heavyweights as Mungo Jerry, Matt McGinn, Billy Connolly, Iain Mackintosh, Hamish Imlach etc
Brian taught me the subtle art of playing harmonica/kazoo along with guitar while simultaneously kicking an empty guitar case linked to a tambourine. What a sound! – perhaps not beautiful ? – but I liked it !

Thank you Brian
I hope one day in the not-too-distant-future we can create some new material somehow, somewhere – but I was thinking of something a wee bit more exotic than in your “hut”- nice as it may be……….

(see INSTRUMENTS/GUITARS/EKO 12 string - comments for further details)

Cheers

” I’m goin’ up state street – coming down main – ………..”

yes, Brian, I’m still singin’ it – never get tired – other listeners do – but not me!

Thanks for the songs…………and fond memories…..

in addition to the above, -The San Francisco Bay Blues, Goin’ to German, Iowa , Switch off that song, The Tortoise Song – etc - are all still goin’ strong

Video Channel

George — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:37:34 +0000

set up today
more to come
from September 2011 onwards
press the button ………………………………………

Edinburgh Mandolin Festival

George — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:11:16 +0000

This event is features the EMGO led by Nigel Gatherer http://www.emgo.org.uk/

Nigel (pictured right) also runs a very useful website.

Check it out http://www.nigelgatherer.com/Cheers Nigel – hope you still find time to update your interesting database of bands and performers. Stay in touch.

Good Food and Oud

George — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:03:49 +0000

As promised, there is a video of Elie and the percussionists playing last night in the Black Pearl,(Zouk/ Kaslik/Adonis)
You can find a photo and video in the media section of the menu above.
A very good (late) night!
(or early for Lebanon)
zzzz

Barcelona to Beirut – via Frankfurt

George — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:01:04 +0000

Thanks to Elham for the half size spanish guitar which made its way from Barcelona to Los Cristianos in Tenerife, then UK, Frankfurt and finally Beirut – unscathed and still in tune (well almost)

ps BMI – I need to have a word with you about my unpleasant and unhelpful experience in Frankfurt !!!

Laud Player in Santa Cruz

George — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:57:05 +0000

Visited Santa Cruz and got as far as the music shop (no surprise there then)

Met many people over the course of the afternoon including an interesting musician – Fidel. What a great way to spend an afternoon. Good shop, left me alone and gave me a seat – big mistake!!! had to buy a little something to ease my guilt

Fidel, sorry our meeting was so short – nice piano playing and at last – I met an actual spanish laud player.!

Timple in Tenerife

George — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:54:50 +0000

Thank you Pedro for pointing me in the direction of this wonderful local Canarian instrument. Keep on singing – you have a strong pleasant voice and I hope your daughter continues to enjoy her guitar.

I was very impressed with Benito Cabrera – a wonderful player and a lovely technique -thank you.

Laud found in Los Cristianos

George — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:29:33 +0000

Imagine my surprise when looking for a Timple and finding many handmade models – I found a Laud and a Bandurria side by side in the small shop in Los Cristianos. Thanks Pedro, for the perfect directions. Then tell me , why did I leave the shop with a spanish guitar – a mystery! Maybe a love-affair with nylon strings is beginning to form.?