Starlit Odyssey | Solo Hammered Dulcimer | Joshua Messick

[@JoshuaMessick]

I've had several inquiries about the scale/modes used in this piece. I approach this piece in two movements. The first, "East," is from 0:00 - 2:22. The second, "West," is from 2:23 - end. EAST The melodic themes introduced from 0:07 - 0:55 revolve around the double harmonic major scale: 1-b2-3-4-5-6-b7. It is similar to Phrygian dominant but has a flat 7 instead of a 7. I initially learned this scale from an Indian raga. There are alterations to this scale. A few examples: the introduction from 0:00-0:05 is 1-b2-b3, the Am chord at 0:13 does not naturally occur on the scale, and I approach the vamp at 1:17 as Phrygian. WEST For this movement, I was not thinking about a mode or scale. Instead, I was thinking about a chord cycle that evoked a sense of mystery, wonder, and enchantment. 2:23 - The triads of the second movement begin with Gm, Dm, A, E. I've spiced these up with chord extensions. 3:05 - B, C 3:35 - Chromatic scale.

[@The_Petrichor]

As a sucker for Phrygian, this was marvelous

[@JoshuaMessick]

Very glad you enjoyed it!

[@jasx3845]

Wow! Excellent. Very adventurous feel to it, reminds me slightly of the Diablo 2 soundtrack. Well done

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks so much!

[@padrecopeland955]

Awesome as always! The videography is stunning as well. Please let us know when the Kickstarter project kicks off!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Hi Padre! Thanks for listening. So glad you enjoyed it. I'll keep you in the loop, and I appreciate your support.

[@superimager3105]

Greetings Joshua. Thank you for sharing. Loved it.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zammerman9424]

I felt like I was out in the middle of some Middle Eastern desert at night. Love the vibes.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Wonderful to hear this! I was hoping this piece would create this impression. Thanks for watching!

[@DelcoWineDouche]

Absolutely enthralling. I was absorbed immediately and taken the entire time. I cannot wait for the whole album!

[@JoshuaMessick]

It is fantastic to hear this, Jeremy. Thank you!

[@GrantFredereckZen]

This is fantastic. (I'm also a big fan of Santur Music in India and Iran). I like the fact that you pulled in a lot of eastern ideas without copying completely, but rather, you made them your own, and also clearly spoke to your instrument's stengths. . The rhythmic changes are dazzling, and I like the structure very much. Incredible phrasing, and nice work with the damper pedals. I can say flat out that this is my favorite piece of all you have done. I can't help but wonder if you had a chance to meet Shivkumar Sharma (who passed away last year, I'm sad to say), or his son Rahul. Rahul has been doing some "West-East" fusion-- I'd love to hear the two of you do a remote collaboration. Also interesting that, when you described your structure, it sounds simliar in concept to "East-West" by the Butterfield Blues Band.

[@GrantFredereckZen]

Oh yes-- I love the transition as well. It seemed to have a similar vibe to Albeniz's Granada (kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJSun6atfMiNrMU) but once again, you made it all your own.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Wow, thanks, John! I'm blown away you took the time to listen and communicate this detailed feedback. So glad you enjoyed it!! I have not listened to much santur music, but I love what I've heard. I've yet to hear of Butterfield Blues Band. I was writing music as I felt it and not trying to follow any structure or concept. I only distilled the theory or form after I recorded it.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks! I'll check out Granada. Yes, the B-C chord progression of the ending could be heard as Spanish, even though my original inspiration was Indian. The piece developed over time; I just let it flow as I felt it.

[@GrantFredereckZen]

@@JoshuaMessick For what it's worth-- I think the two most accessible albums I know for Indian Santur music are "The Call of the Valley" -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/moGlimasd6uKo6M. This is closer to Indian Classical, but shorter solos being traded between three soloists. (It may be the biggest selling Indian Classical ablbum of all time. The other is crossover album Shivkumar Sharma did called "Feelings" . It is is definitely more of a crossover album. The engineering is not good, and the first half was sort of cheesy. The second half, despite all its weakeness, may be the most inspirational 20 minutes of hammered dulcimer I've ever heard. Your mileage may vary. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTMoYBrotWcack However, it is important you follow your own (amazing) path. To me, a great artist doesn't make you want to copy them, but rather to strike out and create something that is truly your own.

[@GrantFredereckZen]

Oops- link for the second album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTMoYBrotWcack

[@peggentle6882]

A very interesting piece! Loved the transition at 2:23! I find it beyond amazing that you compose such intricate and complex compositions and can remember every part and execute every part so smoothly with such clarity! Thank you for sharing your music on KZbin. It's a blessing to my spirit!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Wow! Thanks, Peg! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. It is always a treat to hear from you.

[@katinka4547]

That’s amazing, love it!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thank you! It is great to hear from you again.

[@cwharton3]

A beautiful composition. I truly believe a statement you made years ago, that you were born for this.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Wow, thank you!

[@mrice3274]

Well done, Joshua! Greetings from Greenville SC. I'm not an expert on Eastern tuning, but I love what you've done with this.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Awesome, thank you! It is great to hear from you, Maurice.

[@jacksonvandyke]

Beautiful and vibrant!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks Jackson !

[@oheysk]

A captivating piece, thank you for sharing! It has such an amazing acoustic flavor.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Many thanks! Very glad you enjoy it!

[@elizabethkrause1500]

What a great reworking of this song! Those middle eastern scales sound awesome on the dulcimer, but they aren't easy! I was waiting for the awesome chomatic scale. Wonderful work as always!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks, Elizabeth! Yes, this piece is a workout to play. I am glad you enjoyed the rework. I appreciate that you comment on all of my videos.

[@WildWyatts]

Wow. That was beautiful.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thank you very much!

[@hiw9528]

So amazing!! Like a dialogue. I heard that the East does not stay pure -- which is very interesting -- the East needs the West! The West starts searching, maybe longing. Then seems to come to conclusions, maybe adopting small parts of the East. Which leads to determination and a feast. (Just my idea.) I first listened to this, then to Andrah and then to this again. Wonderful! I will like your new CD.

[@JoshuaMessick]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Michael65429]

Bravo Mr Messick and greetings from WNC! What an amazing journey this piece took me on. The transition at 2:25 was incredible to my ears. Thanks for sharing your gift, it never ceases to amaze me...

[@JoshuaMessick]

Wow, thank you, Michael. I hope to return to WNC next year. We sure do miss it! It would be great to see you there. Please keep an eye on my mailing list for concert notifications: joshuamessick.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=903889767817dd1fa46c0e5e2&id=79351007cd

[@TheMightyPika]

STUNNING!!!!!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks, Pika!! It's always great to hear from you.

[@orchestratesound]

Love it!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks, JM!

[@jasonnealreed]

Bravo!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks, J R!

[@baothiletran-ef8zn]

thank you!

[@JoshuaMessick]

You're welcome!

[@circa9599]

Love it! Do you perhaps have plans to do a solo Woodland Dance? I’m a big fan of your solo live performance of that one. 😊

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks so much! A solo studio version of Woodland Dance is in the works 🙂

[@ABWEndon]

That is a truly wonderful composition and sounds fantastic, thanks. Is the dulcimer tuned differently for that composition?

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thank you, Andrew! I did not alternate-tune my hammered dulcimer, but this piece goes against the natural ebb and flow of the configuration. It is awkward to play but also super fun.

[@spineloccio5394]

Very nice!

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thank you!

[@dgecse]

Excellent - I love your work! When is the new album due to be released?

[@JoshuaMessick]

Thanks!! I very much appreciate that. I am aiming for the first half of 2024. Soon, I will publish a single from the new album. I'm finishing up the video right now.

[@jimycarey4751]

😊

[@marcserraa]

Just realized... Isn't this like an Andrah 2.0?

[@JoshuaMessick]

It's lovely to hear from you again, Marc. Yes, the piece has evolved over the years. I've reimagined several parts using my DulciForte and given it a new title to better reflect its current form. While I haven't included it in any albums yet, it will be included in my upcoming album.

[@marcserraa]

@@JoshuaMessick i'll wait for that new album!