The Secret of Mandolin Music

Led by Bryan Holden, a well-known Auckland musician, our concert will be enhanced with an interlude by LynneSue and John Flameling.  LynneSue is our concertmaster and makes the mandolin twinkle, and together with John, a virtuoso on guitar, will provide middle European tunes to delight everyone.

 The orchestra, in preparing for its international Australasian camp in Auckland 3-9 January is developing expertise and professionalism.   All the members of the mandolin family; mandolin, mandola, liuto and mandolon are supported by guitar with flute and accordion to enhance that special mandolin sound. 

It is the tremolo on the strings that imparts a prolonged note that provides the family of plucked musical instruments its unique sound.   Tremolo is a rapid even fluttering of the pick over the strings. The sound produced by this technique can evoke rippling streams, rustling leaves and the calls of birds as well as the emotions associated with nature. Single notes are plucked from the mandolin to contrast and provide sensations of stronger feelings. Other techniques of playing can also be employed to produce different timbres and effects.