It's an interesting study. I like Tarantellas, they are the ancestor of some parts of our joropos in this side of the country. It certainly helps to have something interesting to achieve. That's why when I look for studies, I tend to go for those that are related to skills I'm still missing. That's how I can manage with boring things. Somethings I watch someone playing something that sounds cool and it is a study with a big sense of rhythm of musicality, then I go for it and learn it. Get it as a part of my practice to dissect. Deconstructing stuff works even better for my mood.
About progress in my studies, I think I can listen to more legato when I play than before. That's an improvement. There's also a better sound. I'm not even close to done with basic mandolin techniques, but I'm onto something here. For the first time in my life, I'm working a repertoire of pieces I like. About time, I tend to work in short periods to prevent boredom, but the instruments are always near for those times when the crave for playing kicks in.
Tarantella are interesting, indeed. The fast tempo, the energy you have to give into it makes them "desirable" to study and perform afterwards. Hence, so many studies in tarantella form, at least I came across many.
Hm, yes, listening to the others can help us build a repertoire as we can hear already if we are going to like it be motivated to study it. Sometimes it is backwards, I choose something and then listen to other performances, to hear the different approaches, or what I am missing still, or to hear the style the biggest ones perform a piece. Although, they can do whatever they want, so it doesn't count :D
I am happy you are making progress too. Legato, a big work is needed to achieve it on the piano also, as the instrument itself is the combination of percussion, keyboard and string... Oh, and I am happy for you that you are choosing works to play you like! More motivation for sure :)
I was working on a Tarantella. I should get it into Venezuelan Danza setting. It could be nice.
What I like about listening to others is the kind of exercises they do. Some are pretty interesting and sound cool. So copy them in that regard seems nice if you know what is the purpose of the exercise. About studies, I have never gotten into study territory with mandolin. Actually, what people use for studies are violin things. Very difficult to perform sometimes in an instrument that has 1 speed against a bow instrument that has like all the figures in one bow sweep.
I bet it is. But I also wonder it has to be the same thing as with all instruments. I mean not getting your fingers off the notes for the duration and until you hit another key. Or something similar.
I think that the bowed string instruments have a bit of advantage with the legato, and the wind instruments too (I think). After I played a key on the piano, I can not change afterwards the intensity of the note (neither you in mandolin) but they can (did it sound like a rant? ;D )
It sounds like a thorough comment of the limitation of instruments. Bowed instruments require a lot of technique to use the bow properly. I played Double Bass for a time and understand a bit of it. For winds, well, the placement or shape of the lips to blow air is a lot of the way of making sound. Once, a friend taught a scale on the Oboe, another taught me some flute things and the placement of lips to do those things were totally different. Also the pressure you need to apply. Ha, ha, ha. There's a lot to say about it. 😅
So we are back to the technique, and practicing! Btw, what we are doing here?? :D We should go and study our scores.... (hey, I will have one performance with a choir somewhere in June, I got the score but I have not started to study it... and it is not easy 😬 First rehearsal next Friday 🤐
All roads lead to Rome. We can't escape technique. Ha, ha, ha. Hey, I need a to see a video of that! Well, you should be checking it out.
I should be working out, but my wrists are in pain from a lot of woodwork and study. So I'm resting this day off.
Better then just rest for one day or until you see you can play ! :)