Kitharologus - New Discoveries

For the last three weeks I have been able to complete Kitharologus Level 2 five days out of the week on average, alternating the two sets ("day one" and "day two.") My hands (and my focus) previously had become fatigued with the Level 2 material, however, that is not a problem now. I consider that a huge step forward.

As for some new discoveries/observations:
- I'm starting to think #14 is actually asking for us to hammer-on our index finger in a full barre for each "stroke"
- My left hand's flexibility is improving greatly, I'm guessing because of Level 2's focus on extension of both hands. I can observe this improvement when working through the chromatic octaves and some previous repertoire where my 4th finger had trouble reaching either of the first two strings while 3 is playing on string 6.
- I am finding new preferences with how high I set my footstool. My awareness seems to be opening up

Kitharologus - New Discoveries

Discoveries for RH:
-Allowing just a little give in the smallest joint (closest to fingertip). Lee F. Ryan describes the RH fingers as needing to have firmness and flexibility at the same time, similar to the branch of a healthy tree. They can bend a little, but they maintain their curved shape/strength. I am learning how to relax the RH in new ways by lessening the rigidity of the fingers, though keeping enough firmness to avoid buckling. Exercise 21 (arpeggios while using rest stroke for i, m, and a) helped me become especially aware of this technique. I am able to extend the RH and play the notes required without bouncing the hand around and trying to reach for string 1. I have a new understanding/attitude for Exercise 8 (simultaneous finger-thumb articulation) with this new awareness.

- I think I finally understand what it feels like to articulate from the hand joint/largest knuckle, as Iznaola instructs in many of the Kith exercises. To me, it's a similar feeling to what a dynamically relaxed hammer-on feels like in the LH. It's a very light feeling, yet produces a powerful result. 

Discoveries for LH:
- To practice "relaxing in the spaces between the notes," as described in the NCG book. I seem to be constantly rediscovering this concept, particularly with #16 since it has been easy to lose sight of when working hard to get the notes to sound right. However it's an unmistakeable feeling of release in the LH, like a wash of warmth or cool. 

The Kitharologus exercises continue to transform into "new exercises" each week as I gain a better understanding of each level of awareness. Sometimes a shape or stretch will just feel better because I've made a slight adjustment to posture, and that's a big discovery in itself. Or, I'll have more clarity in a certain area because I've taken the time to assess what's mechanically or musically going on.