Instrument messaging stringed

Stringed Instrument Messaging

Provided by Icewhite

As bards, we can now control the specific instrument message that we want to play. You may still just play (instrument) to get random messaging if you like. You cannot play something that you have not yet learned (so you can’t get message 10 if you’re only skilled enough to play message 7).

To get a specific message string PLAY [instrument] [style] [number]

This newfound skill is also available to members of other professions who have advanced their skill with an instrument to its maximum. Non-bards can learn ten steps of the twenty and they can learn five of the ten messages (every odd rank is a new message) for any given instrument. They can gain the rank of a bardic apprentice on their instruments--the in-game equivalent of being a gifted amateur.

The following are the currently released (stringed) instruments: dulcimer, harp, lyre, psaltery, and zither.

NOTE: This list shows all the current messaging as of Dec 2006.

I will format the messages in the following ways:

- This is what you see.

- This is what other people see.

You are an Adept player of stringed instruments.

tune (stringed)

You carefully check the strings of your (stringed), plucking them lightly in fourths, fifths, and octaves, adjusting the tension until the sound is perfectly pitched. You then play a few short scales and arpeggios, listening carefully for the concordance.

(Name) carefully checks the strings of his (stringed), plucking them lightly in fourths, fifths, and octaves, adjusting the tension until the sound is perfectly pitched. (Name) then plays a few short scales and arpeggios, listening carefully for the concordance.

(stringed) Joyful

play (stringed) joyful

You place both hands on your (stringed) and strike the opening chords of a joyful tune in a cheery major key.

(Name) picks up his (stringed) and strikes the opening chords of a joyful tune in a cheery major key.

play (stringed) joyful 1

You pick up the pace of the song slightly, fingers modulating between chords in a delightfully optimistic major key.

(Name) picks up the pace of the song slightly, fingers modulating between chords in a delightfully optimistic major key.

play (stringed) joyful 2

Your harmony dances about the melody, fingers of both hands plucking with clean, clear sound in the higher octaves.

(Name)'s harmony dances about the melody, fingers of both hands plucking with clean clear sound in the higher octaves.

play (stringed) joyful 3

You slide your right hand up the strings of your (stringed) repeatedly in ringing glissandos while your left hand deftly plucks quick triads.

(Name) slides his right hand up the strings of his (stringed) repeatedly in ringing glissandos while his left hand deftly plucks quick triads.

play (stringed) joyful 4

Your (stringed) sings in high, clear unaffected melody, while the bass strings hum a happy counterpoint.

(Name)'s (stringed) sings in high, clear unaffected melody, while the bass strings hum a happy counterpoint.

play (stringed) joyful 5

With chiming arpeggiation and breathy glissandos, you draw wonder and joy from your (stringed), like a child blowing on a dandelion.

With gentle arpeggiation and breathy glissandos, (Name) draws wonder and joy from his (stringed), like a child blowing on a dandelion.

play (stringed) joyful 6

Bright and sparkling, you draw a joyous tune from your (stringed), full of sunshine dazzling with brilliance.

Bright and sparkling, (Name) draws a joyous tune from his (stringed), full of sunshine dazzling with brilliance.

play (stringed) joyful 7

Like lambs running and jumping across the field in the sun, your joyous invention on your (stringed) leaps and bounces with endless high spirits.

Like lambs running and jumping across the field in the sun, (Name)'s joyous invention on his (stringed) leaps and bounces with endless high spirits.

play (stringed) joyful 8

Like a riot of songbirds in full chorus, your skillful fingers lead the joyful composition over the entire range of your (stringed).

Like a riot of songbirds in full chorus, (Name)'s skillful fingers lead the joyful composition over the entire range of his (stringed).

play (stringed) joyful 9

Showing you obviously love what you are doing, you joyfully run through several lines on your (stringed), using dazzling major chords to support a cheery melody.

Showing he obviously loves what he is doing, (Name) joyfully runs through several lines on his (stringed), using dazzling major chords to support a cheery melody.

play (stringed) joyful 10

You release a series of downward arpeggios from your (stringed) in a joyous cascade, like a mountain waterfall splashing down a cliff face.

(Name) releases a series of downward arpeggios from his (stringed) in a joyous cascade, like a mountain waterfall splashing down a cliff face.

play (stringed) stop

With a final cacophony of triads and sixths, you bring your exuberant song to an end.

With a final cacophony of triads and sixths, (Name) brings his exuberant song to an end.

(stringed) Mournful

play (stringed) mournful

Carefully you place your hands on the strings of your (stringed), pause a moment in reflection, then begin the quiet, forlorn strains of a gentle ballad.

Carefully (Name) places his hands on the strings of his (stringed), pauses a moment in reflection, then begins the quiet, forlorn strains of a gentle ballad.

play (stringed) mournful 1

Your (stringed) strings sing with a poignant sweet sorrow, like a widow standing at her husband's grave.

(Name)'s (stringed) strings sing with a poignant sweet sorrow, like a widow standing at her husband's grave.

play (stringed) mournful 2

You express all of your sensitivity and talent through your (stringed) as you carry the sad ballad into the next verse.

(Name) expresses all of his sensitivity and talent through his (stringed) as he carries the sad ballad into the next verse.

play (stringed) mournful 3

You perform an even more haunting and poignant rendition of the mournful ballad on your (stringed), your fingers touching the strings firmly, then softly.

(Name) performs an even more haunting and poignant rendition of the mournful ballad on his (stringed), his fingers touching the strings firmly, then softly.

play (stringed) mournful 4

Your (stringed) playing becomes spare yet sensitive as you approach the depths of the ballad's sorrow.

(Name)'s (stringed) playing becomes spare yet sensitive as he approaches the depths of the ballad's sorrow.

play (stringed) mournful 5

Bringing your own special touch to the song, you pluck a quiet, yet passionate, refrain on your (stringed), like wind whistling through the trees.

Bringing his own special touch to the song, (Name) plucks a quiet, yet passionate refrain on his (stringed), like wind whistling through the trees.

play (stringed) mournful 6

Using dynamics skillfully, you play your (stringed) with tender poetic expression -- mournfully, softly, passionately.

Using dynamics skillfully, (Name) plays his (stringed) with tender poetic expression -- mournfully, softly, passionately.

play (stringed) mournful 7

With leading tones and minor chord resolutions, the melody pouring from your (stringed) mourns like a threnody, a lamentation for the dead.

With leading tones and minor chord resolutions, the melody pouring from (Name)'s (stringed) mourns like a threnody, a lamentation for the dead.

play (stringed) mournful 8

The discordant harmony you draw quietly from your (stringed) wails, keening like a chill winter's wind across the steppes.

The discordant harmony (Name) draws quietly from his (stringed) wails, keening like a chill winter's wind across the steppes.

play (stringed) mournful 9

As you play the lament on your (stringed), the composition moans as if an intimate outpouring of grief at the death of a cherished friend.

As (Name) plays the lament on his (stringed), the composition moans as if an intimate outpouring of grief at the death of a cherished friend.

play (stringed) mournful 10

You create a deadly, crawling-on-my-belly feel as you draw a mournful dirge from the bass strings of your (stringed).

(Name) creates a deadly, crawling-on-my-belly feel as he draw a mournful dirge from the bass strings of his (stringed).

play (stringed) stop

You touch the strings of your (stringed) in one last chord, the minor resolution ringing on as you slowly drop your hands.

(Name) touches the strings of his (stringed) in one last chord, the minor resolution ringing on as he slowly drops his hands.

(stringed) Soft

play (stringed) soft

You begin playing a quiet song on your (stringed).

(Name) begins playing a quiet song on his (stringed).

play (stringed) soft 1

You brush your fingers over the strings, modulating softly from chord to chord as if playing to yourself.

(Name) brushes his fingers over the strings, modulating softly from chord to chord as if playing to himself.

play (stringed) soft 2

Appearing relaxed and confident, you place your hands on your (stringed), gliding with gentle gestures into a simple, soft ballad.

Appearing relaxed and confident, (Name) places his hands on his (stringed), gliding with gentle gestures into a simple, soft ballad.

play (stringed) soft 3

You pluck a quiet song on your (stringed) with ease and subtlety, the musical nuances appealingly intimate.

(Name) plucks a quiet song on his (stringed) with ease and subtlety; the musical nuances appealingly intimate.

play (stringed) soft 4

Your graceful shaping of the lyrical adagio is as elegant and gracious as a swan gliding across the evening pond.

(Name)'s graceful shaping of the lyrical adagio is as elegant and gracious as a swan gliding across the evening pond.

play (stringed) soft 5

As you play softly on your (stringed), each note magically appears on time and in place with a tone that is substantial and rich but never forced.

As (Name) plays softly on his (stringed), each note magically appears on time and in place with a tone that is substantial and rich but never forced.

play (stringed) soft 6

Like sparkling droplets falling in a pond, a liquid run of notes drip from your (stringed) in descending triplets.

Like sparkling droplets falling in a pond, a liquid run of notes drip from (Name)'s (stringed) in descending triplets.

play (stringed) soft 7

Your touch on your (stringed)'s strings is as soft as a lover's caress; music of a persuasively gentle, romantic nature spills forth like a cascade of golden tresses.

(Name)'s touch on his (stringed)'s strings is as soft as a lover's caress; music of a persuasively gentle, romantic nature spills forth like a cascade of golden tresses.

play (stringed) soft 8

The soft notes flow from your (stringed) ever so smoothly, and your control of the dynamics on the volatile high notes produces a gentle tinkle, barely heard.

The soft notes flow from (Name)'s (stringed) ever so smoothly, and his control of the dynamics on the volatile high notes produces a gentle tinkle, barely heard.

play (stringed) soft 9

You quiet your (stringed) playing to a tiny sound, the notes becoming dry and breathy like mice sleeping in the dust.

(Name) quiets his (stringed) playing to a tiny sound, the notes becoming dry and breathy like mice sleeping in the dust.

play (stringed) soft 10

As you lightly accompany the melody on your (stringed) with gentle arpeggios, the tune becomes ever more lyrical, with a captivating charm.

As (Name) lightly accompanies the melody on his (stringed) with gentle arpeggios, the tune becomes ever more lyrical, with a captivating charm.

play (stringed) soft 11

(Master instrument in the hands of a bard with Adept skill level)

Displaying your mastery of your chosen instrument, you make your (stringed) sing softly, eloquently, with a touch of almost breathy tonal quality.

Displaying (his/her) mastery of (his/her) chosen instrument, (Name) makes (his/her) soft song softly, eloquently, with a touch of almost breathy tonal quality.

play (stringed) stop You bring your quiet performance to a close with three descending harmonics; these last notes ring on, barely heard, as you let your arms fall to your sides.

(Name) brings his quiet performance to a close with three descending harmonics; these last notes ring on, barely heard, as he lets his arms fall to his sides.

(stringed) Fast

play (stringed) fast

Beginning without preamble, you start playing your (stringed) -- it rings with the speed of the notes, as you display your easy virtuosity and beautiful tone.

Beginning without preamble, (Name) starts playing his (stringed) -- it rings with the speed of the notes, as he displays his easy virtuosity and beautiful tone.

play (stringed) fast 1

Intricate double counterpoint adds interest to the composition as your fingers strike your (stringed)'s strings with rapid rhythm.

Intricate double counterpoint adds interest to the composition as (Name)'s fingers strike his (stringed)'s strings with rapid rhythm.

play (stringed) fast 2

Your (stringed) playing becomes breathless in its inexorable pace, your fingers flying faster than a hummingbird's wings.

(Name)'s (stringed) playing becomes breathless in its inexorable pace, his fingers flying faster than a hummingbird's wings.

play (stringed) fast 3

You bring a hard-hitting fresh energy to the chorus as your hands race over your (stringed), barely touching one string before attacking the next.

(Name) brings a hard-hitting fresh energy to the chorus as his hands race over his (stringed), barely touching one string before attacking the next.

play (stringed) fast 4

Your hands skip over your (stringed), mixing fourths and fifths in complex lines played at very high speeds.

(Name)'s hands skip over his (stringed), mixing fourths and fifths in complex lines played at very high speeds.

play (stringed) fast 5

Tinkling clusters of notes fall from your (stringed) like a rushing stream leaping through a crystal gorge.

Tinkling clusters of notes fall from (Name)'s (stringed) like a rushing stream leaping through a crystal gorge.

play (stringed) fast 6

Your (stringed) lights up the area as you execute several beautiful, fiery arpeggios interwoven with the driving melody.

(Name)'s (stringed) lights up the area as he executes several beautiful, fiery arpeggios interwoven with the driving melody.

play (stringed) fast 7

Your irrepressible (stringed) playing scatters and races and jumps with excitement, like school children just let out of school.

(Name)s irrepressible (stringed) playing scatters and races and jumps with excitement, like school children just let out of school.

play (stringed) fast 8

Using octaves in the right hand, you add a brilliant tremolo to the chorus, your hand spread and fingers dancing, while the left hand drives the bass line.

Using octaves in the right hand, (Name) adds a brilliant tremolo to the chorus, his hand spread and fingers dancing, while his left hand drives the bass line.

play (stringed) fast 9

With a flutter of arpeggios, you accelerate the blithe allegro to new heights, your fingers as light and swift as dragonfly wings.

With a flutter of arpeggios, (Name) accelerates the blithe allegro to new heights, his fingers as light and swift as dragonfly wings.

play (stringed) fast 10

You press forward relentlessly at a furious pace, the intricate fingering and complex accompaniment ringing like a shower of silver balls.

(Name) presses forward relentlessly at a furious pace, the intricate fingering and complex accompaniment ringing like a shower of silver balls.

play (stringed) stop

In one last show of speed, your fingers draw an intricate finale from your (stringed); the concluding phrase flutters breathlessly, then stops abruptly as you muffle the resonance with both hands.

In one last show of speed, (Name)'s fingers draw an intricate finale from his (stringed); the concluding phrase flutters breathlessly, then stops abruptly as he muffles the resonance with both hands.

(stringed) Slow

play (stringed) slow

You quiet your thoughts and still your body as you prepare to play a slow tune on your (stringed). You take a quiet breath, then begin the introduction with gentle ease.

(Name) stills his body as he prepares to play a slow tune on his (stringed). He takes a quiet breath, then begins the introduction with gentle ease.

play (stringed) slow 1

You place your fingers deliberately on the strings of your (stringed), ensuring that each sonorous chord rings clear and true.

(Name) places his fingers deliberately on the strings of his (stringed), ensuring that each sonorous chord rings clear and true.

play (stringed) slow 2

It is clear that you harbor the soul of a dancer as you draw a languorous tune from your (stringed), your body swaying with each measure, your arms as graceful as the wings of a swan.

It is clear that (Name) harbors the soul of a dancer as he draws a languorous tune from his (stringed), his body swaying with each measure, his arms as graceful as the wings of a swan.

play (stringed) slow 3

You exploit the warmth in the piece as your hands caress the strings of your (stringed) in luscious melody and harmony.

(Name) exploits the warmth in the piece as his hands caress the strings of his (stringed) in luscious melody and harmony.

play (stringed) slow 4

Your slow rendition on your (stringed) is at once both authentic and original as you add ornamentation in keeping with the piece's natural style.

(Name)'s slow rendition on his (stringed) is at once both authentic and original as he adds ornamentation in keeping with the piece's natural style.

play (stringed) slow 5

The melody takes on a sweet languor as your fingers easily caress the strings of your (stringed).

The melody takes on a sweet languor as (Name)'s fingers easily caress the strings of his (stringed).

play (stringed) slow 6

Playing a piece with a number of accidentals, your languorous composition takes on the guise of a dance as you smoothly change the levers with your left hand while playing on with the right.

Playing a piece with a number of accidentals, (Name)'s languorous composition takes on the guise of a dance as he smoothly change the levers with his left hand while playing on with the right.

play (stringed) slow 7

You gradually increase the intensity but not the speed of the tune you play on your (stringed), using fluid arpeggiation in Mixolydian mode.

(Name) gradually increases the intensity but not the speed of the tune he plays on his (stringed), using fluid arpeggiation in Mixolydian mode.

play (stringed) slow 8

The languid composition falling from your gentle fingers as they caress your (stringed) bestows a musical blessing upon your surroundings.

The languid composition falling from (Name)'s gentle fingers as they caress his (stringed) bestows a musical blessing upon his surroundings.

play (stringed) slow 9

The slow paced pastorale you coax from your (stringed) is very expressive with contrapuntal bass line and contrasting fortissimo passages.

The slow paced pastorale (Name) coaxes from his (stringed) is very expressive with contrapuntal bass line and contrasting fortissimo passages.

play (stringed) slow 10

The leisurely pace of the melody you draw from your (stringed) allows you to play with nuance and vibrancy and give the piece new life.

The leisurely pace of the melody (Name) draws from his (stringed) allows him to play with nuance and vibrancy and give the piece new life.

play (stringed) stop

The strings of your (stringed) resonate long after the last sonorous chord is struck, your fingers lingering in the air. Finally you take a deep breath and drop your hands as you look up.

The strings of (Name)'s (stringed) resonate long after the last sonorous chord is struck, his fingers lingering in the air. Finally (Name) takes a deep breath and drops his hands as he looks up.

(stringed) Intense

play (stringed) intense

With consummate care, you place your hands on your (stringed) and strike an introduction to a martial pibroch.

With consummate care, (Name) places his hands on his (stringed) and strikes an introduction to a martial pibroch.

play (stringed) intense 1

Using thirds in the right hand and simple dominant chords in the left, you partner with your (stringed) to sing with clean, clear sound and strong rhythm.

Using thirds in the right hand and simple dominant chords in the left, (Name) partners with his (stringed) to sing with clean, clear sound and strong rhythm.

play (stringed) intense 2

With a marvelous display of the sublime, you strike your (stringed) with intense energy, giving profound voice to the composition.

With a marvelous display of the sublime, (Name) strikes his (stringed) with intense energy, giving profound voice to the composition.

play (stringed) intense 3

With a thoroughpaced drone in the bass, you pluck the melody on your (stringed) with measured vigor.

With a thoroughpaced drone in the bass, (Name) plucks the melody on his (stringed) with measured vigor.

play (stringed) intense 4

With lots of great chord work, you vary the rhythm, contour, and intervals as you pull the tune from your (stringed), bringing an intensity to the air that is all your own.

With lots of great chord work, (Name) varies the rhythm, contour, and intervals as he pulls the tune from his (stringed), bringing an intensity to the air that is all his own.

play (stringed) intense 5

The clean phrasing and perfect timing you bring to your (stringed) composition intensifies the virulence and pungency of the piece.

The clean phrasing and perfect timing (Name) brings to his (stringed) composition intensifies the virulence and pungency of the piece.

play (stringed) intense 6

Your expression is one of concentration as your hands find strings on your (stringed) and you proudly produce an august and dignified rendition of the piece.

(Name)'s expression one of concentration as his hands find strings on his (stringed) and he proudly produces an august and dignified rendition of the piece.

play (stringed) intense 7

Your bold rendition of the intense andante passages covers an exhausting amount of emotional ground, producing an antiphony of yearning and grandeur.

(Name)'s bold rendition of the intense andante passages covers an exhausting amount of emotional ground, producing an antiphony of yearning and grandeur.

play (stringed) intense 8

The intensity mounts as you move through a fortissimo passage, followed by notes so soft the listener must strain to hear them.

The intensity mounts as (Name) moves through a fortissimo passage, followed by notes so soft the listener must strain to hear them.

play (stringed) intense 9

The strength of the composition you play on your (stringed) is guaranteed by your fluent and elegant fingering, as well as your intense concentration.

The strength of the composition (Name) plays on his (stringed) is guaranteed by his fluent and elegant fingering, as well as his intense concentration.

play (stringed) intense 10

With splendid use of augmented sixth chords and harmony in thirds, you carry the composition forward with vigor and determination.

With splendid use of augmented sixth chords and harmony in thirds, (Name) carries the composition forward with vigor and determination.

play (stringed) stop

Your final forceful chord progression produces a unique and strong close to an excellent (stringed) performance. You still the reverberations with both hands and look up, a satisfied look on your face.

(Name)'s final forceful chord progression produces a unique and strong close to an excellent (stringed) performance. (Name) stills the reverberations with both hands and looks up, a satisfied look on his face.

(stringed) Jaunty

play (stringed) jaunty

With a toss of your head, you place your hands on your (stringed). Then, with a wink and a grin, you leap gaily into a jaunty, lighthearted tune.

With a toss of his head, (Name) places his hands on his (stringed). Then, with a wink and a grin, he leaps gaily into a jaunty, lighthearted tune.

play (stringed) jaunty 1

With a merry grin, you pluck an irreverent, puckish, musical thumb-to-the nose statement on your (stringed).

With a merry grin, (Name) plucks an irreverent, puckish, musical thumb-to-the nose statement on his (stringed).

play (stringed) jaunty 2

You tap the fingers of your right hand on the soundboard of your (stringed), sounding like so many finger snaps while the beat goes on below.

(Name) taps the fingers of his right hand on the soundboard of his (stringed), sounding like so many finger snaps while the beat goes on below.

play (stringed) jaunty 3

With the melody continuing in the right hand with very melodic single note lines, you deftly change the (stringed)'s levers with the left and modulate into a new key.

With the melody continuing in the right hand with very melodic single note lines, (Name) deftly changes the (stringed)'s levers with the left and modulates into a new key.

play (stringed) jaunty 4

Using syncopated passages and unconventional chords, you smile impishly as you improvise on the jaunty tune.

Using syncopated passages and unconventional chords, (Name) smiles impishly as he improvises on the jaunty tune.

play (stringed) jaunty 5

You pluck staccato notes in the treble then toss off fleeting notes tumbling down the octaves, sounding like frogs leaping into the pond.

(Name) plucks staccato notes in the treble then tosses off fleeting notes tumbling down the octaves, sounding like frogs leaping into the pond.

play (stringed) jaunty 6

Your phrasing brilliant and different, you jaunt your way through several verses, showing off your considerable talent and virtuosity.

His phrasing brilliant and different, (Name) jaunts his way through several verses, showing off his considerable talent and virtuosity.

play (stringed) jaunty 7

With an arch expression playing about your face, you perform with obvious delight the intricate little quavers and syncopations that brighten the piece.

With an arch expression playing about his face, (Name) performs with obvious delight the intricate little quavers and syncopations that brighten the piece.

play (stringed) jaunty 8

Using thirds and delightfully dissonant fourths, you pluck out a whimsical rendition on your (stringed), then go back and do it again with sixths.

Using thirds and delightfully dissonant fourths, (Name) plucks out a whimsical rendition on his (stringed), then goes back and does it again with sixths.

play (stringed) jaunty 9

High spirits and sunshine flow from your (stringed) as you lightly run your hands over the strings with jaunty confidence.

High spirits and sunshine flow from (Name)'s (stringed) as he lightly runs his hands over the strings with jaunty confidence.

play (stringed) jaunty 10

Impulsive and impetuous, you use delightfully quirky chord-progressions to make your (stringed) nearly dance as well as sing its way through the blithe little air.

Impulsive and impetuous, (Name) uses delightfully quirky chord-progressions progressions to make his (stringed) nearly dance as well as sing its way through the blithe little air.

play (stringed) stop

With nimble fingers and a flick of the wrist, you pluck the last rollicking chords on your (stringed), then still the strings suddenly with both hands.

With nimble fingers and a flick of the wrist, (Name) plucks the last rollicking chords on his (stringed), then stills the strings suddenly with both hands.

(stringed) Flamboyant

play (stringed) flamboyant

Smiling in anticipation, you bring your eager fingers to your (stringed), then strike up a difficult tune emblazoned immediately with an ostentatious display of added grace-notes and snaps.

Smiling in anticipation, (Name) brings his eager fingers to his (stringed), then strikes up a difficult tune emblazoned immediately with an ostentatious display of added grace-notes and snaps.

play (stringed) flamboyant 1

With flamboyant gestures, you alternate octaves in the melody while you strike the base chords on your (stringed) like a tiger rolling rocks in a mountain stream.

With flamboyant gestures, (Name) alternates octaves in the melody while he strikes the base chords on his (stringed) like a tiger rolling rocks in a mountain stream.

play (stringed) flamboyant 2

You pause dramatically in your exuberant (stringed) performance, only to pounce and charge into the next phrases with a bright steely tone.

(Name) pauses dramatically in his exuberant (stringed) performance, only to pounce and charge into the next phrases with a bright steely tone.

play (stringed) flamboyant 3

You thump your (stringed)'s soundboard with both hands, then return to plucking strings, only to start tapping the soundboard again with the left hand while the right hand races up and down the strings with wild abandon.

(Name) thumps his (stringed)'s soundboard with both hands, then returns to plucking strings, only to start tapping the soundboard again with the left hand while the right hand races up and down the strings with wild abandon.

play (stringed) flamboyant 4

You produce a boisterous downward progression on your (stringed), like an avalanche of notes, all rumbling over each other and piling in a tumble at the bottom.

(Name) produces a boisterous downward progression on his (stringed), like an avalanche of notes, all rumbling over each other and piling in a tumble at the bottom.

play (stringed) flamboyant 5

Your fingers sweep over your (stringed), producing an absolutely boisterous rendition of a flamboyant reel, emblazoned with wild ornamentation.

(Name)'s fingers sweep over his (stringed), producing an absolutely boisterous rendition of a flamboyant reel, emblazoned with wild ornamentation.

play (stringed) flamboyant 6

In an audacious display of raw talent, using tremolo and wild octave work, you play an impulsive rendition of the chorus on your (stringed).

In an audacious display of raw talent, using tremolo and wild octave work, (Name) plays an impulsive rendition of the chorus on his (stringed).

play (stringed) flamboyant 7

Impulsive and impetuous, your sparkling and quirky galumphing on the (stringed) increases in wildness as you add bass-arpeggiation.

Impulsive and impetuous, (Name)'s sparkling and quirky galumphing on the (stringed) increases in wildness as he adds bass-arpeggiation.

play (stringed) flamboyant 8

With sparkling virtuosity and showmanship, you bring all your talent to bear as you embroider the (stringed) composition with modal-modulation coupled with silvery contrapuntal harmony.

With sparkling virtuosity and showmanship, (Name) brings all his talent to bear as he embroiders the (stringed) composition with modal-modulation coupled with silvery contrapuntal harmony.

play (stringed) flamboyant 9

Starting with a slight stuttering attack, your impetuous rendition continues with wild syncopation and boisterous dynamics overlaying the basic melody and rhythm.

Starting with a slight stuttering attack, (Name)'s impetuous rendition continues with wild syncopation and boisterous dynamics overlaying the basic melody and rhythm.

play (stringed) flamboyant 10

Richly and brilliantly colorful, your (stringed) playing becomes dazzling as you bespangle the passages with glittering grace-notes and snaps, rolled chords and runs.

Richly and brilliantly colorful, (Name)'s (stringed) playing becomes dazzling as he bespangles the passages with glittering grace-notes and snaps, rolled chords and runs.

play (stringed) stop

With a final flash of fingers and show of gestures, you dash off one last flurry of syncopated chord progressions on your (stringed), ending with a clatter of fortissimo resolutions.

With a final flash of fingers and show of gestures, (Name) dashes off one last flurry of syncopated chord progressions on his (stringed), ending with a clatter of fortissimo resolutions.

(stringed) Aimless

play (stringed) aimless

You place your hands on your (stringed), then, seemingly without a thought, you begin to play, your fingers beginning a little ditty almost of their own volition.

(Name) places his hands on his (stringed), then, seemingly without a thought, begins to play, his fingers beginning a little ditty almost of their own volition.

play (stringed) aimless 1

Barely paying attention, you noodle through a lightweight improvisation on your (stringed), capriciously using random chord-progressions and simple melodic lines.

Barely paying attention, (Name) noodles through a lightweight improvisation on his (stringed), capriciously using random chord-progressions and simple melodic lines.

play (stringed) aimless 2

You pluck one (stringed) string, pause, then pluck another, then produce a sprinkling of cascading notes like sparkling droplets falling in a pond.

(Name) plucks one (stringed) string, pauses, then plucks another, then produces a sprinkling of cascading notes like sparkling droplets falling in a pond.

play (stringed) aimless 3

You thoughtlessly wander through an improvisation, using fifths in the bass -- little melody snippets issue from your (stringed) through happenstance and spontaneous invention.

(Name) thoughtlessly wanders through an improvisation, using fifths in the bass -- little melody snippets issue from his (stringed) through happenstance and spontaneous invention.

play (stringed) aimless 4

You aimlessly pluck at your (stringed), first trying one tune, then another, then playing a continuous set of phrases packed with familiar song fragments.

(Name) aimlessly plucks at his (stringed), first trying one tune, then another, then playing a continuous set of phrases packed with familiar song fragments.

play (stringed) aimless 5

Using moving fifths and inverted chord structures under an unknown melodic line, you create a musical potpourri, using whimsy as your guide.

Using moving fifths and inverted chord structures under an unknown melodic line, (Name) creates a musical potpourri, using whimsy as his guide.

play (stringed) aimless 6

Like a light arabesque, the limpid notes fall from your (stringed) as your hands traverse the octaves in gentle caprice.

Like a light arabesque, the limpid notes fall from (Name)'s (stringed) as his hands traverse the octaves in gentle caprice.

play (stringed) aimless 7

With very melodic single note lines, you wander through a number of phrases taken from different songs, turning to whatever strikes your fancy.

With very melodic single note lines, (Name) wanders through a number of phrases taken from different songs, turning to whatever strikes his fancy.

play (stringed) aimless 8

Inventing as you go, your hands wandering across the (stringed)'s strings seemingly at random, you create an appealing capriccio that lilts and changes at every moment.

Inventing as he goes, his hands wandering across the (stringed)'s strings seemingly at random, (Name) creates an appealing capriccio that lilts and changes at every moment.

play (stringed) aimless 9

Your tranquil improvisation first seems stuck in the doldrums, then flits forward with a new breath of energy, with effortless little trills and ornamentation.

(Name)'s tranquil improvisation first seems stuck in the doldrums, then flits forward with a new breath of energy, with effortless little trills and ornamentation.

play (stringed) aimless 10

Your aimless wanderings on your (stringed) touches on a melancholy pavane, then with a charming vagary moves on to a cheerful little jig.

(Name)'s aimless wanderings on his (stringed) touches on a melancholy pavane, then with a charming vagary moves on to a cheerful little jig.

play (stringed) stop

With as much whimsy as when you began, you end your capricious playing by plucking several harmonics, giving the (stringed)'s soundboard a tap, and striking a last quiet chord in the bass.

With as much whimsy as when he began, (Name) ends his capricious playing by plucking several harmonics, giving the (stringed)'s soundboard a tap, and striking a last quiet chord in the bass

(stringed) Somber

play (stringed) somber

With a pensive expression, you place your fingers on your (stringed), somberly beginning a solemn lament.

With a pensive expression, (Name) places his fingers on his (stringed), somberly beginning a solemn lament.

play (stringed) somber 1

The dynamic shadings you pull from your (stringed) as your hands move carefully across the strings bring a pensive texture to the composition.

The dynamic shadings (Name) pulls from his (stringed) as his hands move carefully across the strings bring a pensive texture to the composition.

play (stringed) somber 2

Through your delicate, pointed playing, you draw out a wan pavane on your (stringed), evoking images of sunsets and lowering clouds.

Through his delicate, pointed playing, (Name) draws out a wan pavane on his (stringed), evoking images of sunsets and lowering clouds.

play (stringed) somber 3

As you intertwine the lines of a solemn fugue on your (stringed), you produce lingering, moving lines that are neither miserable nor depressing but intriguing.

As (Name) intertwines the lines of a solemn fugue on his (stringed), he produces lingering, moving lines that are neither miserable nor depressing but intriguing.

play (stringed) somber 4

Producing a variation on the somber theme, you use a series of repeated notes in the left hand, basso ostinato, while your right hand wanders the upper strings.

Producing a variation on the somber theme, (Name) uses a series of repeated notes in the left hand, basso ostinato, while his right hand wanders the upper strings.

play (stringed) somber 5

Using careful motions and placing your fingers precisely on the strings of your (stringed), you produce a sound that is at once big, subtle, and full of a thoughtful spirit.

Using careful motions and placing his fingers precisely on the strings of his (stringed), (Name) produces a sound that is at once big, subtle, and full of a thoughtful spirit.

play (stringed) somber 6

Your body swaying as you touch the strings of your (stringed), you draw forth songs that evoke forlorn memories and pensive retrospection.

His body swaying as he touches the strings of his (stringed), (Name) draws forth songs that evoke forlorn memories and pensive retrospection.

play (stringed) somber 7

Moving to a solemn passacaglia, with passages that seem to ebb and flow, you release a sound on your (stringed) like a plague of sighing and grief.

Moving to a solemn passacaglia, with passages that seem to ebb and flow, (Name) releases a sound on his (stringed) like a plague of sighing and grief.

play (stringed) somber 8

Adding diminished seventh chords in the bass and careful appoggiaturas in the treble, you produce a rueful and wan rendition of the somber tune on your (stringed).

Adding diminished seventh chords in the bass and careful appoggiaturas in the treble, (Name) produces a rueful and wan rendition of the somber tune on his (stringed).

play (stringed) somber 9

Like a lover gazing at his absent beloved's portrait, your bittersweet composition falls tenderly from your fingers.

Like a lover gazing at his absent beloved's portrait, (Name)'s bittersweet composition falls tenderly from his fingers.

play (stringed) somber 10

The cheerless pavane you play on your (stringed) gives way to a gentle pastoral scene in Aeolian mode.

The cheerless pavane (Name) plays on his (stringed) gives way to a gentle pastoral scene in Aeolian mode.

play (stringed) stop

The last chord of your solemn lament reverberates on as you allow your hands to drop from your (stringed).

The last chord of (Name)'s solemn lament reverberates on as he allows his hands to drop from his (stringed).

(stringed) Inspiring

play (stringed) inspiring

With a posture straight and confident, you place your hands on your (stringed) and without preamble begin a rousing march.

With a posture straight and confident, (Name) places his hands on his (stringed) and without preamble begins a rousing march.

play (stringed) inspiring 1

As you perform a strident march on your (stringed), you increase the intensity, showing clearly that you have cultivated a fine fingering technique, which you bring to bear with confidence.

As he performs a strident march on his (stringed), (Name) increases the intensity, showing clearly that he has cultivated a fine fingering technique, which he brings to bear with confidence.

play (stringed) inspiring 2

Your dynamic and thrilling interpretation of the inspirational march does justice to a knotty but superbly engaging work.

(Name)'s dynamic and thrilling interpretation of an inspirational march does justice to a knotty but superbly engaging work.

play (stringed) inspiring 3

Like a hero standing in defiance of grievous injustice, you use a military style to make the sound bigger, fuller and more grandiose.

Like a hero standing in defiance of grievous injustice, (Name) uses a military style to make the sound bigger, fuller and more grandiose.

play (stringed) inspiring 4

With a big tone and fluid, driving lines, you draw forth a heroic, rousing chorus.

With a big tone and fluid, driving lines, (Name) draws forth a heroic, rousing chorus.

play (stringed) inspiring 5

Like a wizard, robes whipping, at the top of his mountain in a storm, your broad gestures strike booming thunder in the bass, the descending sixths in the upper registers clattering like lightning.

Like a wizard, robes whipping, at the top of his mountain in a storm, (Name)'s broad gestures strike booming thunder in the bass, the descending sixths in the upper registers clattering like lightning.

play (stringed) inspiring 6

Your posture upright, your (stringed) held close to your body, you play with careful phrasing and intricate fingerwork.

His posture upright, his (stringed) held close to his body, (Name) plays with careful phrasing and intricate fingerwork.

play (stringed) inspiring 7

Unflappable in your intensity, you strike your (stringed) proudly, like the Empire's troops on display.

Unflappable in his intensity, (Name) strikes his (stringed) proudly, like the Empire's troops on display.

play (stringed) inspiring 8

With purpose and inspirational intention and good solid playing, you bring your march to new heights -- each note rings true and clear.

With purpose and inspirational intention and good solid playing, (Name) brings his march to new heights -- each note rings true and clear.

play (stringed) inspiring 9

The stirring music rises to new heights as you add glissandos and forceful arpeggios to the piece.

The stirring music rises to new heights as (Name) adds glissandos and forceful arpeggios to the piece.

play (stringed) inspiring 10

With even more vigor and animation, you strike the recapitulation of the main theme, stimulating your (stringed) to ring out with clarion call.

With even more vigor and animation, (Name) strikes the recapitulation of the main theme, stimulating his (stringed) to ring out with clarion call.

play (stringed) stop

After one last rousing run through the chorus, you drop your hands from your (stringed), allowing the final ringing notes to linger on.

After one last rousing run through the chorus, (Name) drops his hands from his (stringed), allowing the final ringing notes to linger on.