Anki:
Added a couple of 3rd string - 2nd string cards.
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 95 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 65 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 105 bpm rest & free.
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes -
80 bpm
Hard with l, m - decreased to 60 bpm. Still hard
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 62 bpm
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Played @ 80 bpm, focusing on measures 14 - 15.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Reviewed yesterday's.
Samba Caribe
Part B measures 9-12 reviewed. Last part has a run in 7/8th position with string crossings, etc. I can just memorize it, but it's better if I take this opportunity to learn/review the notes in those positions. Use the Reading Studies for Guitar book.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Anki:
A lot of reviews - didn't add new cards
Repertoire:
Pica Pica & Estrellita
Played back-to-back for Shane. Pica Pica - measures 14-15 were awful, too fast for me.
Went back and played with metronome at 80. Repeat tomorrow!
Samba Caribe
Reviewed - ready to learn the last 5 measures, I believe.
Gafieira Do Vidigal
Reviewed Part B
Thoughts
I played my tunes for Shane, and before he left, I played him a little bit of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". He gave me some good advice - even though this piece is out of my league, I should work on it ocassionally, so that it stays in my memory and so that I won't have to relearn it from scratch when my technique improves.....
A lot of reviews - didn't add new cards
Repertoire:
Pica Pica & Estrellita
Played back-to-back for Shane. Pica Pica - measures 14-15 were awful, too fast for me.
Went back and played with metronome at 80. Repeat tomorrow!
Samba Caribe
Reviewed - ready to learn the last 5 measures, I believe.
Gafieira Do Vidigal
Reviewed Part B
Thoughts
I played my tunes for Shane, and before he left, I played him a little bit of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". He gave me some good advice - even though this piece is out of my league, I should work on it ocassionally, so that it stays in my memory and so that I won't have to relearn it from scratch when my technique improves.....
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Anki:
A lot of reviews so didn't add new cards.
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 95 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 65 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 100 bpm rest & free. Fingers too cold for 105
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes -
As per what I re-discovered in Pumping Nylon 2 days ago (about limiting height of relaxed left-hand fingers above fretboard) - could do this well only @ max of 75 bpm rest and free (fee is harder).
Hard with l, m - decreased to 55 bpm. Still hard
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 62 bpm
Repertoire:
Pica Pica & Estrellita
Played back-to-back concert style in prep for tonight's open-mic.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Noticed a lot of subtle notes I missed in part C while listening casually to the tune in the train. Went back to Transcribe and noticed that I missed a lot of such notes in part B, as well. Namely, part B has IV in the bass, which makes for a funky, unusual vibe (the thing that adds a tribal element to this piece, I think).
Because of this 4th, I had to change the fingering for the double stops. Review and keep at it tomorrow.
Samba Caribe
Part B measure 9-12 reviewed/learned. Sounding good!
Gig Feedback:
Played at a jam session at Coyote's, a bar/pub not too far away from my pad. Got there at around 6:40 and signed up. A gentleman started the set. I was eating a burger when he started playing (around 7:20). The food definitely helped me relax, but I got nervous after I finished and he was still playing.
I was up after he finished. The audience (around 30 people total) was quite enthusiastic and welcoming. The sound guy and the audience reassured me that the sound was okay, but I couldn't hear myself well, despite a bunch of monitors. To me, I sounded quite muffled.
I did Klickstein's pre-tune routine, but I think I sped up the tempo on Pica-Pica. My body was feeling it, but I wasn't imagining the meaning of the music. Neither was I imaging ahead.
People seemed to have gotten a kick out of Pica-Pica. Estrellita to me sounded better when I started it. However, as if there was nothing else to mess up, my brain forgot measure 15 of part A (the tonic chord right before the V turnaround). I had to skip the measure. This chord couldn't be more obvious (though of course neither the rhythm nor the scale notes were as easy as a power chord). Knowing this, I started to panic a bit, but continued the piece. I ended well.
I still had some time, so decided to go for it and play Nothin on You. I played it cold, so forgot the lyrics here and there and the rhythm part wasn't in the pocket, either. But that's all okay. What I didn't like was the reverb - there was too much.
After I finished, I talked to a guy waiting to play after me, and he said that it sounded good. Go figure! :)
I thanked Jimmy (the sound engineer) when I was leaving and he said he really loved the nylon guitar sound and encouraged me to come next week. I said that I could only play the same pieces, but he said no worries. As I was walking out a guy named John shook my hand and thanked me for the performance.
"During the early phases of learning performance skills, it may take time at the onset of a show for you to compose yourself. No matter how rough things get, though, stay occupied with the moment. Do what's necessary to perform each phrase the best that you can, irrspective of how previous phrases turned out. And be optimistic. Budding performers often batter themselves with critical self-talk on stage, not realizing that self-ridicule blocks creativity. Keep up an accepting attitute as you play or sing. Whether things go well or not, each performance gives you information that adds to your expertise."
Gerald Klickstein, The Musician's Way, pg. 187
A lot of reviews so didn't add new cards.
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 95 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 65 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 100 bpm rest & free. Fingers too cold for 105
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes -
As per what I re-discovered in Pumping Nylon 2 days ago (about limiting height of relaxed left-hand fingers above fretboard) - could do this well only @ max of 75 bpm rest and free (fee is harder).
Hard with l, m - decreased to 55 bpm. Still hard
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 62 bpm
Repertoire:
Pica Pica & Estrellita
Played back-to-back concert style in prep for tonight's open-mic.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Noticed a lot of subtle notes I missed in part C while listening casually to the tune in the train. Went back to Transcribe and noticed that I missed a lot of such notes in part B, as well. Namely, part B has IV in the bass, which makes for a funky, unusual vibe (the thing that adds a tribal element to this piece, I think).
Because of this 4th, I had to change the fingering for the double stops. Review and keep at it tomorrow.
Samba Caribe
Part B measure 9-12 reviewed/learned. Sounding good!
Gig Feedback:
Played at a jam session at Coyote's, a bar/pub not too far away from my pad. Got there at around 6:40 and signed up. A gentleman started the set. I was eating a burger when he started playing (around 7:20). The food definitely helped me relax, but I got nervous after I finished and he was still playing.
I was up after he finished. The audience (around 30 people total) was quite enthusiastic and welcoming. The sound guy and the audience reassured me that the sound was okay, but I couldn't hear myself well, despite a bunch of monitors. To me, I sounded quite muffled.
I did Klickstein's pre-tune routine, but I think I sped up the tempo on Pica-Pica. My body was feeling it, but I wasn't imagining the meaning of the music. Neither was I imaging ahead.
People seemed to have gotten a kick out of Pica-Pica. Estrellita to me sounded better when I started it. However, as if there was nothing else to mess up, my brain forgot measure 15 of part A (the tonic chord right before the V turnaround). I had to skip the measure. This chord couldn't be more obvious (though of course neither the rhythm nor the scale notes were as easy as a power chord). Knowing this, I started to panic a bit, but continued the piece. I ended well.
I still had some time, so decided to go for it and play Nothin on You. I played it cold, so forgot the lyrics here and there and the rhythm part wasn't in the pocket, either. But that's all okay. What I didn't like was the reverb - there was too much.
After I finished, I talked to a guy waiting to play after me, and he said that it sounded good. Go figure! :)
I thanked Jimmy (the sound engineer) when I was leaving and he said he really loved the nylon guitar sound and encouraged me to come next week. I said that I could only play the same pieces, but he said no worries. As I was walking out a guy named John shook my hand and thanked me for the performance.
"During the early phases of learning performance skills, it may take time at the onset of a show for you to compose yourself. No matter how rough things get, though, stay occupied with the moment. Do what's necessary to perform each phrase the best that you can, irrspective of how previous phrases turned out. And be optimistic. Budding performers often batter themselves with critical self-talk on stage, not realizing that self-ridicule blocks creativity. Keep up an accepting attitute as you play or sing. Whether things go well or not, each performance gives you information that adds to your expertise."
Gerald Klickstein, The Musician's Way, pg. 187
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thoughts:
Lately I've been thinking that despite working through Pumping Nylon's speed exercises, my speed hasn't increased as much as I want it to. Then again, maybe just I'm just rushing.
I was rereading a bit of Pumping Nylon. One of the first things Tennant talks about is the distance between the left-hand fingers and the string when the fingers are off the string. I practiced this years ago, but indeed this may be something that is hindering progress.
I played the synchronization exercise on one string and paid attention to the height at which I keep the fingers. Generally good, but I noticed that the pinky tends to wander to around an inch from the string at times. I noticed that as I increased the speed, I became more nervous and the fingers actually tended to venture further away from the string (achieving exactly the opposite of the intended effect). Need to keep working on this.
Also, mentally reviewed my repertoire while riding the Max. Very useful to refresh ocassionally. Also, goes to show that one can practice music anywhere - it just takes brainpower.
Anki:
Reviewed and added 1st string - 2nd string cards.
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 90 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 100 bpm rest & free. Fingers too cold for 105
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder). Tried increasing to 98, but too many mistakes
Hard with l, m - decreased to 55 bpm. Still hard
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Sped up to 90 bpm on metronome.
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Want to get the part that I've learned down perfectly - the sliding double stops are deceptively hard.
In transcribing this piece, it's becoming evident that I learn better when I learn from the music than from the notes. When I learn from the music (by transcribing), I anticipate the music automatically, whereas I think about the musical structure of the next bar when I play a piece I learned from notes....
Samba Caribe
Part B measure 9 - 10. Good vibe.
Lately I've been thinking that despite working through Pumping Nylon's speed exercises, my speed hasn't increased as much as I want it to. Then again, maybe just I'm just rushing.
I was rereading a bit of Pumping Nylon. One of the first things Tennant talks about is the distance between the left-hand fingers and the string when the fingers are off the string. I practiced this years ago, but indeed this may be something that is hindering progress.
I played the synchronization exercise on one string and paid attention to the height at which I keep the fingers. Generally good, but I noticed that the pinky tends to wander to around an inch from the string at times. I noticed that as I increased the speed, I became more nervous and the fingers actually tended to venture further away from the string (achieving exactly the opposite of the intended effect). Need to keep working on this.
Also, mentally reviewed my repertoire while riding the Max. Very useful to refresh ocassionally. Also, goes to show that one can practice music anywhere - it just takes brainpower.
Anki:
Reviewed and added 1st string - 2nd string cards.
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 90 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 100 bpm rest & free. Fingers too cold for 105
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder). Tried increasing to 98, but too many mistakes
Hard with l, m - decreased to 55 bpm. Still hard
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Sped up to 90 bpm on metronome.
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Want to get the part that I've learned down perfectly - the sliding double stops are deceptively hard.
In transcribing this piece, it's becoming evident that I learn better when I learn from the music than from the notes. When I learn from the music (by transcribing), I anticipate the music automatically, whereas I think about the musical structure of the next bar when I play a piece I learned from notes....
Samba Caribe
Part B measure 9 - 10. Good vibe.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Chopped skin off of thumbprint area of thumb yesterday while cutting veggies. Doesn't really affect playing, but it still keeps bleeding ocassionally, so will have to go light on the playing it looks like.....
Anki:
Reviewed cards
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Reviewed at 90
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Played yesterday's material, didn't add.
Samba Caribe
In part B, need to make sure that bass line is articulate as heck. This is what makes the samba danceable.
Anki:
Reviewed cards
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Reviewed at 90
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Played yesterday's material, didn't add.
Samba Caribe
In part B, need to make sure that bass line is articulate as heck. This is what makes the samba danceable.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Anki:
Reviewed and added remaining 2nd string - 1st string cards
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 85 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 105 bpm rest & free
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder)
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm - free only
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Sped up to 90 bpm on metronome.
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Played yesterday's material, didn't add.
Samba Caribe
Got the part I learned yesterday down, although position jump from measure 6 to 7 of part B is hard.
Reviewed and added remaining 2nd string - 1st string cards
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 85 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 105 bpm rest & free
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder)
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm - free only
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Sped up to 90 bpm on metronome.
Estrellita
Played once through.
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Played yesterday's material, didn't add.
Samba Caribe
Got the part I learned yesterday down, although position jump from measure 6 to 7 of part B is hard.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Anki:
Reviewed and added 2nd string - 1st string
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm. Shifted to 4th position from 5th - getting back the finger flexibility slowly
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 85 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 105 bpm rest & free
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free - very hard for some reason (!!???)
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder)
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm - rest stroke only
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Played @ 85bpm on silent - occassionally checking metronome. Isolating parts where I speed up.
Estrellita
Good feel, fun to play. But no imaging - I wonder if that's a danger.....
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Practiced part B @ 75 bpm. Learned up to Part B measure 4.
Samba Caribe
Totally forgot the 1 bar I learned yesterday - should have reviewed it earlier in the day.
Reviewed and added 2nd string - 1st string
Warm-up/Technique:
Finger-stretching exercise @ 100 bpm. Shifted to 4th position from 5th - getting back the finger flexibility slowly
String Walking exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 37) with i,m eight @ 85 bpm
String Walking exercise with m, l with eight notes @ 60 bpm
Right-Hand Velocity (pg. 63) with sixteenth notes @ 105 bpm rest & free
l, m @ 75 bpm rest & free - very hard for some reason (!!???)
Synchronization Exercise (Pumping Nylon pg. 65) with i,m sixteenth notes - @ 95 bpm rest and free (fee is harder)
p. 67 Exercise - Putting it all together @ 65 bpm
Thumb Exercise (pg. 41) @ 65 bpm - rest stroke only
Repertoire:
Pica Pica
Played @ 85bpm on silent - occassionally checking metronome. Isolating parts where I speed up.
Estrellita
Good feel, fun to play. But no imaging - I wonder if that's a danger.....
Na Gafieira Do Vidigal
Practiced part B @ 75 bpm. Learned up to Part B measure 4.
Samba Caribe
Totally forgot the 1 bar I learned yesterday - should have reviewed it earlier in the day.
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