STUDY GROUP - WEEK 2

Week TWO - Exercise 3.2 "Left Hand Walking"
IMPROVEMENTS SINCE LAST WEEK:
-I increased tempo (Week 1 was around 100bpm, here it's around 145, a big jump)
- I played with more authority in my RH (last week felt a little timid/shy)
WHAT I WANT TO WORK ON:
- Bring the tempo back a little
- Play w/ both hands more in sync with each other (while descending toward bass strings, it sounded like one hand was trying to keep up with the other
- Add some kind of articulation (staccato?), dynamics, or dotted rhythms

* NOTABLE CHALLENGE: There's a part where we switch from using just P (for bass strings) to using i, m. That was a mistake-prone area, so I spot-practiced that little switch, just RH

STUDY GROUP - WEEK 1

I'm interrupting my own recording challenge with a submission to the private Facebook group critique. The exercise I've chosen is just a basic chromatic scale with all free stroke, p on bass strings, i and m on treble strings. It's so nice to discuss guitar in a group setting!

Here's what I wrote about it:

An additional note: try to look happier when playing!!!!

Recording Challenge 1b - Alternating Accents Again

This time I started on the fifth string - for this challenge, I'll keep it this way.

Improvements

- Here I think my performance is better overall... 

- The accents are more distinct

- Video is shorter, but more intentional... less tries, more to-the-point

- Improved rebound in RH fingers

Upcoming Activity...

2019 CGC Winter Challenge

Next week I'll participate in this! It'll serve as part of my New Year's goal to be involved in some kind of classical guitar community. It's through a private Facebook group, but it's still very motivating.

Recording Challenge 1 - Alternating Accents

It would be interesting to give this one a second try... see if I can do it even better tomorrow.

Objectives are:
- Getting a sense of accomplishment through completing a very simple, specific task. I must understand that recording isn't such an intimidating chore -- meeting these bite-size goals helps me feel good about myself
- Practice for performance
- Self-critique

Quick Critique:
- Strive for economy of motion in LH! Especially with 4th finger
- RH seems a little unsure of itself. Double check the play-and-release idea... practice without LH.
Looks like RH could be taller, but that could be the angle of the camera. Double check.
- Dynamics could use a little more distinction

Recording Challenge 2019

1) Choose a one-octave scale, and stick with it for at least a week
2) Each day pick one variation to apply to the scale, learn to play it as confidently/expertly as possible
3) Record it and post to the blog

Variation Ideas:
-Rhythmic Variations (dotted, etc.)
- Accented groups of 2 or 3
- Articulations: Staccato, tasto/ponticello
- Dynamics: crescendo, decrescendo
- Tremolando (groups of 2, 3 etc. per note)
- Add vibrato!! Quick, slow

When Learning a New Piece...

1) Learn a little about the composer
2) What era?
3) Title translation if needed... what does it mean? (Lagrima = tear)
4) Harmonic Analysis (key signature, form, phrases, cadences
5) Listen to pro performances of the piece
6) Set personal goals for the piece