[grannieannie]

Thanks, @Andrew – I didn’t know we could do that.

[grannieannie]

The site is definitely faster, @Andrew, and I really like the new sorting capabilities. One suggestion: it would be easier to navigate if every link opened in a separate window. I spend a lot of time going through previous screens, to get back to where I started.

Thanks for all the time you’ve put into redoing the website – and I hope you took some time off over the summer.

[grannieannie]

I always look forward to your submissions, @marianne, @otzepeng and @misterbones (among others), so I’m glad you posted early in the month.

@leb397 and @nat-uke, there’s nothing else for it: I have to get one of those mics! You both sounded great, and I love the gardens in the background (especially the little flying critters).

@shmu88 Thanks for the inspiration — your playing of Marianne’s lovely composition helped me decide to work on that piece next. Nice playing!

My practice time has been limited this month (and will be even more so next month), but I’ll submit a work in progress this week.

[grannieannie]

What great entries from everyone this month, and I’m continually inspired by the talent evident in this community. A couple of great whistlers, some original songs/arrangements, great information about mics, and we were introduced to a few new instruments:

The canjo by @katazumiri, complete with slide – really nice! Did you make that yourself?

@johanna2509: Thanks for showing us what lovely sounds a kalimba can make. I never knew it could be more than a toy, and now that’s another instrument to put on my wish list.

And the guitalele – @akukes73: the moment I picked up my ukulele, I developed a greater respect for those who play any stringed instrument. The thought of adding two more strings to the four I already have is more than I can think about at the moment! Beautiful playing.

And I got some real giggles watching @The_Bumble_Bard play the otamatone, an instrument I could never even have imagined! Well done on the background arrangement, and it was worth the anticipation, since you promised us something different. Sorry you’ve had another rough month, and I hope things pick up for you soon.

Thanks, everyone.

[grannieannie]

I need another month (or more) to make this smooth and unclunky, but here’s what I have so far. I’ve found it hard to play vibrato on one string when I’m playing other strings at the same time, so that’s something else to work on. My dogs provided the background sounds when they decided to plop themselves down beside me (they do seem to like being serenaded).

I hope you’ve had a good break @Andrew – thanks again for making this possible.

[grannieannie]

@leb397: You’re once again making that wonderful old banjo uke sing! Nice sounds.

[grannieannie]

Oh, @marianne, you play with such elegance and feeling! And that beautiful black uke is elegant, too.

@katazumiri: You treated us to an entire orchestra with that piece, and so fun to listen to.

@jasdel: Love the sound of that slide piece – another cool technique to put on my someday list.

[grannieannie]

@johanna2509: What a lovely little instrument! It must take a lot of focus to play a tune with the different configuration of notes – I hope we hear more from you on it.

@malku2603: Thanks for sharing your progress with this style of playing – that’s some complicated picking!

@nat-uke: You’ve made a lovely gift for your friends – I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. You obviously spent a lot of time putting it together – a good learning experience for you!

[grannieannie]

@janaq1 I got the inspiration from Matt in his most recent lesson about playing like a pro. He talks about practising and playing in different surroundings and also allowing just one recording of yourself (as it would be when playing before an audience). I found it strangely freeing – @Andrew is so supportive of whatever we do, and he’s not demanding perfection. We demand that of ourselves. I hope you’ll give it a try!

[grannieannie]

Thanks, Andrew, for another interesting challenge. I hope you’re enjoying a well-deserved break!

@The_Bumble_Bard: I can’t imagine what instrument some might consider a detestable sound that adds a layer of pain – don’t tell me you also play the bagpipes! (Which I happen to enjoy listening to, btw, if played well.)

I’ve always loved the beautiful melody of Spanish Romance, and since I’ve been wanting to add more expression to my playing, that’s a perfect piece. And I like the vibrato technique that Steven describes.

Execution: Learn and memorize the fingering.
Application: Practise every day, focusing on vibrato, rubato, and dynamics.
Evaluation: Record myself once a week.

Added personal challenge: Once I’ve practised a million times or two, it’s first take only for the final recording.

[grannieannie]

Everyone’s entries were great this month, and I can only echo @The_Bumble_Bard’s positive comments. But I do have to mention one entrant in particular:

@abster: You are a remarkable player! One day I expect to be taking lessons from you.

[grannieannie]

@The_Bumble_Bard What a lovely thing to do, taking the time to comment on each entry. You are so positive and encouraging, and that comes through every time you post on the forums. Thank you.

I understand your reluctance to sing in front of everyone – I’ve always had trouble letting my voice ring out when others are listening. Why do we feel so vulnerable that way? You have a beautiful singing voice, and I hope we’ll hear more of it. And maybe you’ve inspired others to sing as well. (Great idea to start by letting the puppets do the singing, btw.)

Sorry you’ve had so much to deal with this year, and I’m not alone in hoping that things pick up for you from now on. Take care, my dear.

[grannieannie]

I’ve been meaning to ask: are there any members who have entered all 100 challenges?

@gi_gi_ Thanks. I’m drawn to the finger picking and rhythms of the Flamenco arrangements, and when I heard someone playing La Gitanita a few months ago, I had to put it on my Someday List.

@marianne No one would know you found that piece challenging — as always, you played it easily and with elegance. That’s another piece I’m adding to my list.

@leb397 Nice, and did you find it less stressful to just go with a few takes instead of dozens of tries?

@leslieb I like how you smile throughout your submissions. I find myself scowling with concentration — never a good look!

[grannieannie]

@mickan88 Lovely performance and setting! I was going to play that beautiful piece this month, but found I couldn’t sustain all the barring enough to really practise.

@johanna2509 It’s strangely freeing to allow yourself only one take, isn’t it? But hard to do, even though we know the harsh criticism comes only from ourselves.

@The_Bumble_Bard I can just hear it: “The cop said he understood, so how come he gave me the ticket blues? Don’t he know it’s Mother’s Day?”

[grannieannie]

Thanks, Andrew — I’ll definitely check that out.

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