Tunes we're working on today

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

.

For some reason Hallelujah is a challenge to fingerpick AND sing, but I'm getting there.

It's a difficult song to cover. 6/8 doesn't lend itself to being easy - I think that it does place a separation between vocals and accompaniment. And somehow you need to make that particular song your own, as it is so often covered.

The Seth Lakeman sea shanty The Brave Volunteers that I posted near the beginning of this thread is in 6/8. I can tap out the same rhythm for both songs!

[MovingtoMontanaSoon]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

In my duo, we Americana-ize it. I play mandolin while my buddy Buddy sings and strums.

Naturally, we don't try to sound like Thompson. We're not Thompson! (I do play the hook, but that's it.)

I’ll bet that sounds interesting with the mandolin, it’s a great song,I don’t sing it myself- it’s challenging enough trying to learn the guitar part.

[Laughingboy68]

Right Before Your Eyes - Ian Thomas
Lady Stardust - Bowie
We're All Alone - Boz Scaggs
May you Never - John Martyn

Stuck in the 70s (what great tunes) this week...

[Dave Hicks]

Originally Posted by Laughingboy68

Right Before Your Eyes - Ian Thomas
Lady Stardust - Bowie
We're All Alone - Boz Scaggs
May you Never - John Martyn

Stuck in the 70s (what great tunes) this week...

Another vote for May you Never.

D.H.

[rollypolly]

I've been learning about 5-6 Big Bill Broonzy songs. Not with the intention of copying him, but they seem like a great way to build finger style chops. They can be pretty challenging.

I'm also regularly practicing a few jazz standards like All of Me, Autumn Leaves, Fly me to the Moon, to work on my jazz chording, melody, and improv chops. (I'd be up for some recommendations for other must-know jazz tunes)

I also have intentions to work on simpler music like traditional folk songs, but sometimes I feel like I'm trying to do too much. Songs like Will the Circle be Unbroken, I'll Fly Away, and a few Dylan and Beatles tunes. I transposed "Let it Be" into E and it's much easier to sing to with my voice.

[A Scot in Otley]

Originally Posted by jontewright

Just had a look on YouTube, that's an interesting interpretation

I've now dug it out again. Love it even more than when I last did it around 4/5 years ago. I've been in a bit of slough and not playing out for the last two months (needed a musical reset, I think). Been working on a couple of my own new songs. But the Tom Joad / Doh ray me mash up has given me a boost. I can now see an end to my self imposed abstinence. Funny how it sometimes goes ...Just needed an inspirational prod from a chance comment. AGF is good like that.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I'm also regularly practicing a few jazz standards like All of Me, Autumn Leaves, Fly me to the Moon, to work on my jazz chording, melody, and improv chops. (I'd be up for some recommendations for other must-know jazz tunes)

I've also been working on some jazz standards over the last 18 months or so. In addition to the ones you mention, you might want to look at:

Ain't Misbehavin'
Blue Bossa
C-Jam Blues
Moonglow
Nature Boy
A Smooth One
Sweet Georgia Brown

I've found Jazz Guitar Online to be a great resource for both chords and melody for several of these. He also has a few chord-melody arrangements, including What a Wonderful World, which I'm close to nailing

[Tahitijack]

I always have a number of songs on my music stand and usually run though them each day before moving on to new music.

These are my favorite songs to open with:

As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
I'll Remember You - Don Ho
Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
Moon River - Henry Mancini
Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson
Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
Smile - Charlie Chaplin

[fpuhan]

After adding a number of new (to me) pieces to my repertoire, I'm taking a step back and re-familiarizing myself with some of my old favorite "standards." Stuff from the 60s and 70s, like music from America, Love, Jorma Kaukonen and Quicksilver Messenger Service.

You know, it's amazing how many songs some of these folks recorded on electric guitars were actually acoustic pieces to begin with.

[k_russell]

I'm always tweaking my own compositions searching for the ideal way to perform them. A local cafe will hold an open mic tonight. I'll test a few ideas.

On the classical guitar, I'm working on "Mazurka en Sol" by Francisco Tarrega and a double from a Bach violin sonata.

"Dill Pickle Rag" has worked its way to my hands and ears. I should be able to flat pick a suitable rendition, up to a brisk tempo, in a few weeks.

On the mandolin, I'm nearly ready to perform up to tempo renditions of "Fanny Hill" (David Grisman), "New Camptown Races" (Frank Wakefield), and a Bach Minuet in G. My friend is working on guitar parts to accompany these.

Another friend sent me some lyrics. I have ruffled out a melody for them. She should should have a coherent song from me in a few days.

Yep, I really should cut the grass, shop for groceries, get my haircut, and wash the car. First, I'll pick out a few tunes to practice for the year end, holidays.

[MovingtoMontanaSoon]

Had a nice session with a friend yesterday, playing and singing Crossroads, Nobody Wants to Know You When Your Down and Out, Copperhead Road, Norwegian Wood, Black Water ( Doobies version, wish we had a fiddle player for that one) working on an arrangement for Bruce Hornsby's The Way It Is,and others,all good fun.

[Dave Hicks]