27/01/09

Play, play, play.

The strings need changing, something to see to in the next few days.

Progress: I can record now, but the input is so quiet. What happened? I have 2 short phrases in the pocket, to record later...

26/01/09

No guitar, intentionally.

25/01/09

Break.

24/01/09

Good focused time with guitar. Play.

I'm unable to record today, so will tackle today's phrase next time possible.

23/01/09

No guitar today, some peace for the neighbours.

22/01/09

I didn't feel like practicing today - tired after the night shift, but it was worth it!

Writing & recording 2 bars of 4 phrase went very smoothly and developed further. It looks like a new piece was emerging...

2 bars of 4: http://www.4shared.com/file/82082611/e56876c6/2009-01-22_-_WR.html

21/01/09

The focus is still on play. Go through some pieces: Allegro, 9 dias, G courrante.

Then extend the knowledge of E maj pentatonic in a playful way.

Also record a little piece of music - 2 bars of 4. I haven't noticed the distortion was on (can't hear it while recording) Maybe better it was on. Here's the sound of distorted Ovation: http://www.4shared.com/file/81820041/a190b6eb/2009-01-21_-_WR.html

20/01/09

Play. Apart from this not much to report, really.

19/01/09

No guitar today.

18/01/09

Practice after the night shift.

Turn the metronome off after few minutes.

Play!

W&R exercise.

45 minutes is enough.

17th January 2009

Day off.

16th January 2009

Play.

Writing & recording exercise. I compiled all 9 recordings from the week into one file. It can be streamed at this site:

http://www.4shared.com/file/80976441/2639168a/Compilation_WR__8-16_January_.html

Time with the instrument, such a clear indication of where i am. Spend the rest of the hour practicing Aspiration.

15th January 2009

I don't feel very well today and the practice is directed towards getting out of this.

Feel unwell, but not too unwell to drop it ...

A penultimate W&R recording of this week:

http://www.4shared.com/file/80800549/7537a4e6/2009-01-15_-_WR.html

14th January 2009

I haven't noticed anything tonight.

Here's today's Writing & Recording exercise file (2 bars of 4):

http://www.4shared.com/file/80673540/96740ecc/2009-01-14_-_WR.html

What was that about being able to play in sleep?

13th January 2009

Various AAD material including working on the new piece. Unable to play the last bar where the hand shifts over 5th fret position. Notice that it's because my attention was limited to the first position. Once this was noticed and attention expanded to all the fret board something clicked.

Also play 8 bars of 4 with counting.

And here's today's W&R recording:

http://www.4shared.com/file/80532431/645871a1/2009-01-13_-_WR.html

The spectrum of possible notes extended. I.e. F sharp was used.

12th January 2009

Various AAD material.

Here's today's W&R exercise recording. Only 3 notes played twice (2 bars of 4), but the most difficult phrase to discharge so far.

http://www.4shared.com/file/80401817/285e49e9/2009-01-12_-_WR.html

11th January 2009

AAD Material:

Repertoire:

Learn next two bars (3&4) of the new piece and practice it slowly with a clock. One note per second.

First get the sense of the downbeat notes (bass) and play only every 1st note in the series of 4.

Then add second note in the series of 4.

etc. until complete part.

The same for one note every half a second.

And then the pace that feels 'natural' for this piece.

Writing & Recording:

Pay special attention to the process of setting up the gear.

Also check out the picking to maintain the alternate approach when playing 'pull-offs' (two downstrokes in a row).

And here's a link: http://www.4shared.com/file/80121838/a0daf429/2009-01-11_-_WR.html

10th January 2009

Tune in.

AAD material: Variation on the First Primary, Developing Variations (DV) and Writing & Recording Exercise (W&R).

Three takes of the latter, choose the first one.

Here's the link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/80057562/69b72a48/2009-01-10_-_WR.html

Nothing can be hidden in the acoustic recording!

At the end of the week I'm going to compile all these little W&R recordings together into one file and present it here.

9th January 2009

Begin. Where I am at this point, and can i accept it impartially without judgement?

The focus is on relaxing the tensed front of the body. Release the breath.

2ND PRIMARY.

-------

DEVELOPING VARIATIONS.

WRITING & RECORDING EXERCISE:

2 bars of 4:

http://www.4shared.com/file/79868001/1f07a10b/2009-01-09_-_WR.html

8th January 2009 [Relaxation]

About to begin, this makes me wonder when does the practice begin? When the through 'I'm about to begin' appears, or when reaching for the guitar, or playing the first note ? Are these the only options? It seems that the element of preparation is important.

Sit down with the guitar and observe unnecessary tensions in the body and let them on the out-breath. Left upper arm & belly stand out most.

AAD material:

The Variation on the First Primary.

Metronome - 80 BPM
Half notes, quarter notes, ..., 16th notes

8 note figure on two strings.

When practicing 8th notes add the count of 4 bars of 3 and it's a good challenge, it's a struggle to establish it.

Finally 16th notes - that's when the left get tensed - aha!

Developing Variations.

Metronome is off, but the clock ticks away loudly, so follow its 60BPM time. Play a short 4 note phrase which requires a stretch. Notice the tension in the back of the left hand in the triangular area (side of the wrist - the thumb knuckle & the first finger knuckle) Pause to relax it.

Writing & Recording Exercise.

One of my declared AAD aims was to make a good use of the learning opportunities the course provides.

2 bars of 4. It can be streamed and listened to here: http://www.4shared.com/file/79867479/1f70774/2009-01-08_-_WR.html

At the moment the best available way to share these is uploading them on the free file storage site (which means a lot of ads) and putting links to them here.