This week's topic in #openmic is "Statement". It means we have some easy choices to put into work. A statement is basically anything you say if we look it from a semantic perspective. That makes it easier for my decision. However, I took a look into my first year repertoire for mandolin and found some interesting things. There's a few love songs, baroque pieces and other Venezuelan folk songs.
Upon closer inspection, a tune caught my attention. It is a Danza Zuliana composed by Alfoso Huertas Bracho. The melody was catchy and like it happens with those, my brain got into reference-looking mode. I had heard a lot of versions, including instrumental and covers. Here are some of the one available online:
This one is my favorite version so far.
This is probably the first one I heard a lot of years ago.
This one is lovely. I always enjoy watching musicians experiment with their instruments like this.
This is a class on using cuatros with different tunings and playstyles.
To those who might get a bit confused on what's the difference between Danza Zuliana and Gaita, it's a simple thing. Themes are the difference. Speed and playing mood are also important. The latter is usually a protest song. Version of Gaitas that go off-topic are usually very fast and use a lot of percussion in the strumming pattern. The former is more romantic. It is the music that was used for serenades. So, the playing tends to be lighter in order to emphasize on the melody and the lyrics sung. The confusing thing is that both genres are written in a 6/8 measures and you could exchange rhythmical patterns in the cuatro and still be playing different things as longs as you keep Danza light in percussion and Gaita leaning heavy on this resource.
I don't think it would take me long to post it, but let's see how I do. Wish me luck!