Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with the Punch Brothers lately, and “Another New World” is just… wow. I decided I needed to figure out at least part of it on my mandolin. Here’s how that went down.
Starting Out
First, I just listened. Like, a lot. I put the song on repeat and just let it wash over me. I tried to pick out the main melody, humming along, getting a feel for the overall vibe.
Then, I grabbed my mandolin and started messing around. No tabs, no nothing, just trying to find those first few notes by ear. It was rough, I’m not gonna lie. Lots of wrong notes, lots of frustration.
Finding the Groove
I focused on the intro section first. It’s relatively slow and repetitive, which made it a bit easier to decipher. I realized pretty quickly that it’s mostly in D major, so I stuck to that scale and started to piece things together.
- Figured out the basic chord progression – mostly D, G, and A.
- Started to get a handle on the rhythm. It’s not straightforward, lots of syncopation, but that’s what makes it so cool.
- Slowly, painfully, matched the notes I was hearing to the fretboard.
The Struggle is Real
I’m no Chris Thile, that is for sure and certain.
Some of those arpeggios are insanely fast. I had to slow the song down – way down – using a YouTube playback speed controller to even begin to understand what was happening. Even then, my fingers felt like clumsy sausages.
Small Victories
But, after a few hours (okay, maybe more than a few), I could play a simplified version of the intro! It wasn’t perfect, not even close, but it was recognizable. That feeling of finally “getting” a piece of music, even a tiny bit, is just the best.
Next Steps
I’m definitely not done with this song. My next goal is to tackle the verse melody. It’s more complex, with some tricky chord changes, but I’m feeling motivated. This whole process is a reminder that learning music is a journey, not a race. It’s about patience, persistence, and celebrating those small victories along the way.
I hope I can share what I have learned with you guys.
