Week 2: Pack your Bags! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the second week of the "Guitar Music of the World" practice challenge!
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
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Down by the Salley Gardens -
This will probably be my last recording of this piece. I don't know if I will get it any better for this challenge. I just can't seem to get through the entire piece without screwing something up!
I like this performance best of all the countless takes I've done, though I did mess up something at the very end. Fortunately it's hardly noticeable. What IS noticeable, which I'm having a difficult time controlling, is some of the string squeaking. A lot of the voicing takes place on the lower strings, which is where the squeaking is happening.
You'll notice I'm using a capo at the second fret. This is mainly because I have some string buzz at the second fret on the fifth string. The capo makes it a bit easier to play and takes care of that buzz.
Enjoy!
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Steve Pederson Like everyone here, I am quite appalled at all the mistakes. And the string squeaks were just like nails on a chalkboard. It’s actually quite embarrassing that such a mistake-riddled and squeak-laden performance is in the same thread as my flawless videos.
(Okay, I’ll stop now.)
It was beautiful, Steve! I hope you’re able to step back and appreciate the beauty of the music and the ability you have to to bring that beauty out of the instrument. Great work!
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Marilyn Blodget Thank you Marilyn!
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Steve Price Thank you Steve, and I'm with you on that - so much great music to learn!
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Eric Phillips Thank you Eric! Yes, after a day to sit back and then watch it again afresh does wonders for your perspective. It's just...you know...after what seems like hundreds of takes you finally get one you're really happy with - only to screw it up right at the very end...it's just a little frustrating. I probably could've learned an entire new song in the time it took to get this take, and would you believe I kept doing more takes after this one?!
The mistake was so insignificant as well. -
Steve Pederson Yikes! I fear our collective 'best before' date is fast approaching!
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Steve Pederson Wow, Steve, it was really beautiful! I have loved every string squeaking you did, in a magnificent way.
Thank you so much for sharing with us.
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This Scottish Air, Neil Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife, was arranged by David Russell. Strings 5 & 6 are tuned G and C. I love the melody and the occasional low basses.
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Marilyn Blodget That is so beautiful, Marilyn! The melody sings so sweetly!
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Marilyn Blodget Such a beautiful piece and really well played. Message of the Sea was my first real exposure to genre and this was always one of my favorites. So heartfelt. Brava.
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Marilyn Blodget Beautiful, Marilyn! Very fine playing indeed - and David Russell's arrangements are never easy. Like, you, I love the resonance of those deep basses.
(On an unrelated note, I can't help but wonder, was there no elegy for Mr. Gow's first wife!?)
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric!
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Steve Price Thank you Steve! So many beautiful pieces arranged by David!
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David Krupka Thanks David! Yes— we have real questions about the first Mrs. Gow. She has no tune that we know of.
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Marilyn Blodget Wow Marilyn! I guess I'm not surprised - this is really magnificent! So beautiful and elegant, and some of those left-hand stretches - wow! I really love your whole vibe with the setting of your videos as well - so classy!
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Marilyn Blodget The cynic in me wonders whether the occasion of her passing wasn't commemorated with a reel ...
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Marilyn Blodget This a beautiful piece, Marilyn. And your performance really brings it out. Your phrasing and tone are beautiful,
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Marilyn Blodget Such a great performance! As said Jack, you bring the beauty of this piece out. Your phrasing, dinamics and colors are clear and profound. Thank you for sharing!
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Moyses Lopes Thank you so much, Moyses
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Steve Pederson Thanks Steve! I’ve had a lot of fun with this one!
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David Krupka That’s possible! I am understand they often are.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
