This is the third article in the How-to-Play-Pacoca Article Series that I have created, to be used as a Mandolin Lesson for Intermediate level, hoping that it will help mandolinists improve and at the same time enjoy music! In this third article I focus on the first part of the piece! Read below to find a tab for both flute and guitar parts (both arranged for mandolin), and to hear these parts played by me in order to help you play along.
The original piece was written for flute and guitar and it has some elements that excite me. It has a melody with character and personality. Just hear it once, and you end up whistling it, humming it, etc. Even my kids starting humming this tune just after they heard it on the radio. It also has a very characteristic Brazilian rythm, which is no nice and lively and is based on very interesting chord progressions, full of inversions and 7ths. You can hear the guitar bass playing a melody line by using chords voicing in an exciting way!
So, I decided to play it with my mandolin and guitar and record it here in theMandolinTuner blog for you to follow up.
The previous articles were:
Mandolin score with tabs
I have arranged the first part of Pacoca for two mandolins. The first mandolin that plays the flute part is easy, at intermediate level.
If you are brave or a more advanced mandolinist, I have created an ambitious arrangement for the second mandolin that plays the guitar part. I consider this Advanced level, especially as I have included some chords to be played even higher than the 12th fret.
For both parts, I have included mandolin tabs, hoping that this will help you understand how to play it even if you can not (yet) read a music sheet. Enjoy!
Sound-files for the mandolin and guitar first part
Here is my recording of Pacoca, arranged for mandolin and guitar and performed by Chris!
And here is the first part, of course the mandolin now plays the flute part:
Practicing
As you can hear, I am playing some parts with tremolo while others are staccato but feel free to use your own ideas once you have mastered it. Just play it slow till you are comfortable playing it at least with moderate speed. And remember, try to avoid flying fingers!
But remember, you have first to tune the mandolin, otherwise playing along other performances will sound …disturbing! You can find information on how to tune your mandolin in the following articles here at theMandolinTuner:
I have found that when playing along youtube videos, it is a good idea to use a desktop music stand such as the one on the eft. This is because I am sitting on my desk to use my computer and at the same time playing my mandolin. So, having a desktop music stand makes my life easier!
Article series
Here are all Pacoca articles for your convenience:
Love this…. I heard this tune on a CD called Mandolin Paradiso and loved it. I play in a small ensemble playing some choro and also with my wife. Did you ever tab out the second part? Thanks so much for putting the time into the sound files etc.
You are welcome Brett,
I am so glad you like the small arrangement I did. I do like the progressions of chords that I used in the 2nd mandolin, although they may be a little advanced for the beginner. Anyway, I will try to arrange also the second part soon, as I am now busy preparing for a concert with Mandolinarte, the mandolin orchestra where I play the octave mandolin (more about that here: http://www.poa-mandolinarte.com)
Best Regards,
Chris