WEEK ONE Updates: Main Thread - Awakening Tárrega's Spirit
Hello and welcome to the WEEK ONE Main Thread for this challenge! 
Alright my friends - this is the thread where we'll all be posting our daily updates.
Make sure you've read the rules before replying (<- click)
Twice a week between Mai 31st and June 21st, I hope to be reading your daily updates in this very thread right here!
Download the music here! (← click)
Please use the following format when commenting (feel free to copy & paste!):
- One thing you found easy:
- One thing you found difficult:
- (Optional): a video of you performing it!
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Hey guys,
Only had time to do one take of this Capricho Arabe, so please excuse my mistakes, and hope you enjoy it! I had an problem with the mordent in the major section--during the Bar at III, which was sloppy and needs to be fixed. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
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Debbie Thank you Debbie! This is not the first time I've ever played this piece. ( So don't be too impressed Ha Ha). It was many many years ago, so this week was revisiting it. It certainly has some challenging parts to make it sound decent, but it's fun to play these great standards.
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Barney thanks Barney, I know I need more time for this piece. I will keep going.
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Barney wow... what a performance... thanks for sharing this moment.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks Blaise!!
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Barney nice warm sound, Barney!
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Khiem Nguyen Thank you Khiem!!
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Martin my score has the same fingerings as you (and Ana
) but I still found it helpful to see you play it. The stretch here is very demanding for the left hand. And I like the touch of damping the 4th string in m. 26. Thanks Martin!
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Here is an update of me playing the wonderful but challenging measure 41 of Maria. After some wonderful tips from Martin (see video above) I am now able to play it much better. I did change my fingering, but I am mostly concentrating on lifting my wrist and moving it intentionally and fluidly toward the destination in the glissando. I can now play the measure accurately and repeatedly at a slow tempo. I'm still working on bringing it up the speed and then incorporating it into the rest of the piece. I'm very happy, though, with this progress. This is a measure of music that had almost gotten me depressed because I wondered if I could ever do it. Now with Martin's help, I feel like it is an obstacle that I will overcome, which feels great! Thank you, Martin!
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Eric Phillips Eric I find this very interesting. I am working on a version published by Trinity College of London for their grade 6 music exams (2016 - 2019). In bar 41 the first note is an F (there are only 3 leger lines below it!) That's why I was finding it easy - couldn't figure out why you were finding it harder than me. I wonder how many pupils have gone into the exam playing it incorrectly- or maybe even playing it correctly and being marked down for playing a wrong note! I'm so glad you posted this so I could spot the error in my score. It just show how even publishers you think you can trust can make mistakes.
You're playing it very well by the way.
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Derek Thanks so much, Derek. I wonder if it was intentionally simplified to make it more playable at that level. If so, I have no problem doing that as long as the publisher makes you aware of what was done. Maybe it was just a mistake though.
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Eric Phillips hi Eric. I did wonder wonder that. Anyway, I'm glad I found out - although if the slide to the A is too hard I may play the F and point out the error in your version :-)
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Eric Phillips Bravo!!
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Eric Phillips Amazing progress, I'm happy that I could be of any help!!! Bravo!
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Eric Phillips bravo Eric, you are so patient. I hate playing on these positions and avoid the pieces having them
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Eric Phillips That sounds really good, Eric. Such a happy delightful piece to get to work on!
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Gokce Turkmendag Me too, but I figured that’s why they call it a challenge, so I’m giving it my best. Why don’t classical guitars have cutaways!?
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Debbie Thank you, Debbie!
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Thank you Eric! You are progressing great on Maria. It's a beautiful piece, and I have it on my list to work on as well. These very melodic Tarrega pieces may seem easy at first sight, but they all have challenges for the player to perform well.
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Dear community members,
it is wonderful to see and hear how great you all are playing during that challenge! Congartulations! I am looking forward to the progress with your and Martins help. Unfortunately I had almost no time this week, but now I at least managed to record Lagrima and Adelita. These pieces seem to be common ground for the most, but not for me ;-) ...
I think it isn´t easy at all to play these pieces with a good sound and feeling, but I work on it, I promise!
All the best,
Thomas
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Thomas Those were both great, Thomas! I particularly enjoyed Adelita. It’s like you were savoring each note. Very emotional and connected. Well done!
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Thomas I agree with Eric Phillips , these were great! You are further along on Adelita than I am.
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Thomas Bravo!!!
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Thomas Thomas - These are really well played. I like how you play both of them
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Eric Phillips Many thanks Eric! I am glad you like them and I also enjoy your videos very much. It is impressing how consequent you practice and take part in this challenge
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matt Very kind of you, Matt. Let´s work on it for a little more time and I am looking forward to your next version!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
