Hamlel

Music

A selection of songs and instrumentals by Andrew Charman-Williams or as Spiral Net. Spiral Net produces mainly electronic music either instrumental or with virtual or computer generated vocals while songs and instrumentals using my voice and/or real instruments are normally under my name.

Table of Contents

The full selection of recordings will appear below but to narrow the selection down the following categories can be used or the table of contents above.

Music by Andrew Charman-Williams

Music by Spiral Net


Lyrics

which includes most of the songs from above as well as lyrics where no recordings have been provided.

Notation

Notation. including abc notation, tab and pdf or image scores of some of my compositions.

  • Myfyrdod VIII

  • Tintinn

    Tintinn is an instrumental piece for piano by Andrew Charman-Williams that is based on a modification of the tintinnabuli compositional technique developed by Arvo Pärt.

  • Myfyrdod 6

    Myfyrdod 6 is an instrumental by Andrew Charman-Williams for classical guitar and mandolin.

  • Myfyrdod 5

    Myfyrdod 5 is an original instrumental piece played on Irish bouzouki [made by Gladstone Guitars] and mandolin [made by Peter Coombe].

  • Banjo Noodling 241024

    Banjo Noodling 241024 is a fingerstyle tenor banjo improvisation over a four chord loop. Both tenor banjo tracks were a single take so there’s things I’d probably change or fix if I planned it out fully.

  • Incessant Call

    Incessant Call is an instrumental piece with two fingerstyle tenor guitar parts. Cockatoos insisted on providing some accompaniment from their scratching on the roof and screeching. The piece was inspired by the constant monotonous calls of the Tawny Frogmouth and Bronzewing.

  • Myfyrdod 4

    Myfyrdod 4 is an instrumental for tenor guitar. It was originally on an acoustic tenor guitar tuned GDAE but here it is played finger style on electric tenor guitar in CGDA.

    Myfyrdod is just a word I like that is one of two I’m using as generic titles (instead of Untitled 4 or whatever) for instrumentals that don’t have other names but is taken from a Welsh word meaning meditation or contemplation.

  • Myfyrdod 3

    A new piece played finger style on electric tenor guitar called Myfyrdod 3. I wrote it and had been playing it on an acoustic tenor guitar in GDAE tuning but decided to give it a try in CGDA on the electric.

    The title Myfyrdod is mainly just one of two generic titles I am using for some instrumentals where I don’t have a name. Myfyrdod is from a Welsh word which seems to translate to meditation or contemplation and the other, Syniad is idea or concept but I mainly just like the way they look and sound.

  • Myfyrdod 2

    Myfyrdod 2 is a slightly dark, atmospheric electronic instrumental piece by Andrew Charman-Williams. Myfyrdod is one to the words I am using as titles when I don’t have a title for an instrumental. The word (from Welsh) means something like meditation or contemplation.

  • Myfyrdod 1

    Myfyrdod 1 is an instrumental for piano and organ (using Pianoteq 8 and Organteq 2) by Andrew Charman-Williams. Myfyrdod is one of the titles I am using for instrumentals when I don’t have a title. The word (from Welsh) means reflection or contemplation.

  • Syniad 1

    Syniad 1 is an instrumental piece by Andrew Charman-Williams. Syniad is one of the titles I am using for instrumentals when I don’t have another title. The word (from Welsh) means something like idea or concept.

  • Third Steps

    Third Steps is an instrumental for felt piano and pipe organ that has strong influences from ambient music and post-minimalism. Keyboard sounds from Pianoteq 8 and Organteq 2.

  • Minor Moves

    Minor Moves is a laid-back instrumental for felt piano and cello that has influences from minimalism, ambient, film music and other styles/genres/approaches.

  • Rosella

    Rosella (or the Rosella Waltz) is just a gentle waltz recorded with 2 tenor guitar tracks and organ (using Organteq 2).

  • Cubic Triads

    Cubic Triads is just an exploration of a curiosity. I saw a video by ‪@12tone‬ explaining the music theory concept of Cube Dance by Jack Douthett. This explores that concept using just triads to move through the 12 major, 12 minor and 4 augmented triads. Moving between triads only one note changes by one semitone. Through the layering that occurs with organ stops these three notes are fleshed out to a fuller sound. Organteq 2 is used for the organ.

  • Yes or No – Yes and No

    A song written for a ukulele forum.

    Lyrics: Yes or No – Yes and No

    They wanted Yes or No 
    as the only answers 
    but what if it’s Yes and No 
    or neither with no firm answer. 

    So many things aren’t simply black or white, 
    wrong or right. 
    Left or right
    day or night

    Yes or No
    Yes and No
    Yes or No
    Yes and No

    Where are the shades of grey and the central ground
    Why expect a simple answer to a complex question
    Why is the complex answer never found
    What if it’s both, what if it’s none

    Yes or No
    Yes and No
    Yes or No
    Yes and No
    or neither

  • I Thought of You

    I Thought of You is a song recorded with vocals and Irish Bouzouki.

    Lyrics: I Thought of You

    I still hear your laughter, soft as the breeze  
    It whispers through the trees, brings me to my knees  
    The way we used to dance, under starlit skies  
    Now the echoes of your voice are where my heart lies  
     
    I thought of you yesterday  
    I thought of you today  
    I’ll think of you tomorrow  
    The memories never fade  

    I see your shadow in the morning light  
    It lingers in the silence of the quiet night  
    Though time moves forward, leaving us behind  
    In every passing moment, you’re still on my mind  

    I thought of you yesterday  
    I thought of you today  
    I’ll think of you tomorrow  
    The memories never fade  

    And I hold on to every piece of you  
    The moments we shared, the things we knew  
    They live on forever, deep in my soul  
    Your memory’s a fire, it keeps me whole  

    I thought of you yesterday  
    I thought of you today  
    I’ll think of you tomorrow  
    The memories never fade  

  • Skid Road

    A song written for a ukulele forum. This plays on one of the origin stories of the term Skid Row.

    Lyrics: Skid Road

    Maynardtown
    Down on the Sawdust
    Yesler’s Mill in the Sag
    Tenderloin

    Skid Road
    where dreams go to die

    Lava Beds
    White Chapel
    Great Restricted District
    Wappyville

    Skid Road
    where dreams go to die

    Mill Street
    Yesler Way
    The Deadline
    Pioneer Square

    Skid Road
    where dreams go to die
    Skid Road
    where dreams go to die

  • Nothing At All

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Nothing At All

    nowhere to go
    noone to see
    nothing to do
    nothing at all

    so i can just relax
    and do nothing much at all

    no expectations
    no obligations
    no confrontations
    nothing at all

    so i can just relax
    and do nothing much at all

  • White Dove

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: White Dove


    Under skies of blue, where troubles end,
    A symbol of peace, a dove ascends.
    Its feathers, a canvas, pure and white, 
    Glide through the skies, a beacon of light.

    Oh, white dove, take me away, 
    To a place where dreams don’t fade, 
    with strong intent take to the sky, 
    Oh, white dove, away you fly.

    In times of trouble, when hearts grow weary, 
    The white dove whispers, soft and airy. 
    It carries hopes on gentle wings, 
    And to a troubled world, some hope it brings.

    Oh, white dove, take me away, 
    To a place where dreams don’t fade, 
    with strong intent take to the sky, 
    Oh, white dove, away you fly.

    In lands divided, by walls of fear, 
    The white dove’s call, so crystal clear. 
    It seeks no borders, nor lines drawn deep, 
    But a world united, where all may sleep.

    Oh, white dove, take me away, 
    To a place where dreams don’t fade, 
    with strong intent take to the sky, 
    Oh, white dove, away you fly.

    oh white dove you still remain
    a symbol of hope amidst the pain
    with every beat of your gentle wing
    a dream of peace you bring

  • Bittersweet

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Bittersweet

    tears of joy 
    a sorrow laced smile
    bittersweet moments 
    from a bittersweet life

    light and shade
    pleasure and pain
    without contrast there is no meaning

    tears of joy 
    a sorrow laced smile
    bittersweet moments 
    from a bittersweet life

    joy and sorrow
    bittersweet
    i just want the balance right

    tears of joy 
    a sorrow laced smile
    bittersweet moments 
    from a bittersweet life

    i want more pleasure than pain
    more up than down
    more joy than sorrow

    tears of joy 
    a sorrow laced smile
    bittersweet moments 
    from a bittersweet life

  • Castle Ruins

    A song written for a ukulele forum. A second version not featuring the ukulele was made more recently. The second version in particular is possibly more a soundscape or poem set to music than a song.

    Lyrics: Castle Ruins

    In shadows cast by stones of old
    whispers rise from depths untold 
    for though the castle may decay
    its spirit lingers bright as day
    In the ruins memories unfold

  • Yelling Into the Void

    A song written for a ukulele forum.

    Lyrics: Yelling Into the Void

    I shout my anguish my fear my pain 
    but noone listens yet again
    I’ll shout it out let the words take flight
    I’ll shout it out with all my might

    Yelling into the void but there’s no reply
    Met with silence I scream, I cry
    Yelling into the void for all these years
    shouting and screaming till someone hears

    Though my cries may fade away
    I’ll keep yelling come what may
    In the void I’ll make my stand
    A lone voice heard across the land

    So let me scream let me roar
    Until my voice is heard once more

    Yelling into the void but there’s no reply
    Met with silence I scream, I cry
    Yelling into the void for all these years
    shouting and screaming till someone hears

    Yelling into the void I won’t give in
    I’ll keep shouting, until I win
    Yelling into the void until I’m hoarse
    No regrets no remorse

  • Time is Passing

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Time is Passing

    time is passing so slow today
    oh yeah time is passing so slow today
    I may be wrong to sing my song
    and let the time just pass away

    nothing I need to do today
    no there’s nothing I need to do today
    so it may be wrong to sing some songs
    but I’ll just let time pass away

    nowhere I need to be today
    no there’s nowhere I need to be today
    so it may be wrong to sing my songs
    as I just let time pass away
    so I may be wrong to sing my songs
    while I just let time pass away

  • Sleep Softly Now

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Sleep Softly Now

    let the worries fade away
    in the stillness of the night
    sleep softly now 
    until the morning light

    close your weary eyes
    let your troubles go
    in the silence of the night
    let your spirit flow

    let the gentle breeze
    lull you to your rest
    in the cradle of the night
    feel sleep’s caress

    sleep softly now
    let the darkness embrace
    find comfort in its arms
    find peace in its space

    with gentle whispers
    the night unfolds its tale
    as darkness blankets all
    like a comforting veil

    let the gentle rhythms
    carry you away
    to a place of quiet
    where you’ll gently sway

    let the worries fade away
    in the stillness of the night
    sleep softly now
    dream until the morning light
    sleep softly now

  • Walking in my Sleep

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Walking in my Sleep

    In the depths of night
    I start to roam
    alone I stride
    far from home

    moonlight guides
    my silent strides
    secrets hide
    on every side

    walking in my sleep
    lots of things I find
    some I’d like to keep
    some to leave behind
    walking in my sleep

    fields of gold
    rivers of sighs
    dark and cold 
    under midnight skies

    let me wander
    let me ponder
    let me roam 
    far from home

    walking in my sleep
    lots of things I find
    some I’d like to keep
    some to leave behind
    walking in my sleep

  • Waiting in the Rain

    A song written for a ukulele forum

    Lyrics: Waiting in the Rain

    Waiting in the rain for you,
    I should leave but still I stay
    In case you arrive I remain ,
    Waiting in the rain for you.

    Huddled on this corner soaked to the bone
    Broken umbrella heart filled with ache
    Time ticks slowly waiting on my own
    Realising our mistakes 

    I watch the world pass in shades of grey
    Time passes and still no sign
    No glimpse of you coming back to stay

    Memories dance in the misty air
    While I stand in the pouring rain
    Promises broken lies laid bare
    So much hurt so much pain

  • Abandoned Home

    An initial ukulele based version written in response to a ukulele forum.

    Lyrics: Abandoned Home

    quiet corner, shadows play,
    ivy creeps, memories lay,
    there’s a house, all alone,
    stories etched, every stone.

    windows stare, longing gaze,
    distant echoes, bygone days,
    through doors ajar, the breeze,
    flows through the memories.

    abandoned home, full of memories,
    whispers linger in the autumn breeze,
    floors that creak with the weight of years,
    yet in the silence, love still appears.

    the fireplace emits no light,
    cold embers in the night,
    in its ashes, the stories remain,
    echoing laughter, echoing pain.

    rooms a canvas, life’s design,
    faded colours of heart and mind,
    furniture draped, sheets of white,
    waiting for one last night.

    abandoned home, full of memories,
    whispers linger in the autumn breeze,
    nature reclaims, with vines entwined,
    yet in the ruins, love you’ll find.

    abandoned home, full of memories,
    whispers linger in the autumn breeze,
    guarding secrets, tales untold,
    in this home, now still and cold.

  • Blackwood Gully

    A first rough recording of a tune called Blackwood Gully played finger style on tenor guitar in GDAE. I haven’t transcribed it yet so a recording was a good way of documenting it. Probably still a work in progress.

  • Gentle Breeze

    Gentle Breeze is an instrumental for tenor guitar in GDAE.

  • 5 4 3 5 3 4 5

    This is a first rough recording of 5 4 3 5 3 4 5 which is an instrumental composition for a plucked string ensemble of mandolins, acoustic lap steel guitar, tenor guitar and Irish bouzouki. I couldn’t think of a title so I went with a simplification of the time signature structure (the 4 is actually probably 8 made up of 3, 3 2).

  • Winter’s Touch

    Winter’s Touch is an instrumental piece by Andrew Charman-Williams played on a tenor guitar by Peter Coombe (GDAE tuning). First recording of a brand new piece – I did think about layering it with a few more instruments but at the moment I like it stripped back to just the two tenor guitar parts.



  • Morning Light

    Morning Light is an instrumental for high G ukulele.

  • Waiting (Twiddling Thumbs)

    Waiting (Twiddling Thumbs) is an instrumental study for high G ukulele.

    Notation

  • Droplets

    Droplets is an instrumental tune for high G ukulele.

    Notation

  • Banjo Hornpipe

    A tune by me without a proper name at the moment on tenor banjo with fretless nylon banjo and acoustic bass accompaniment. A few wrong notes but maybe if I ever record it again I’ll get them right. It’s a three two tune which were often called hornpipes (or triple hornpipes to distinguish them from other hornpipes in 4 or 2).