Group 1
Improve your tremolo!
Tremolo is one of the defining techniques for classical guitar! Although not used very often in the repertoire, some of the most iconic pieces employ it to create a beautiful singing melody above an accompaniment pattern.
Fellow Participants in Group 1:
Eric Phillips
Blaise Laflamme
peter hancock
Nora Torres-Nagel
joosje
Emma
Rachel Holmes
Bill Young
Carlos Calderon
Brett Gilbert
Robert
Some tonebase productions to get you started
- 8 Steps To A Perfect Tremolo Course by Stephanie Jones
- Scott Tennant - On Tremolo
- Scott Tennant - Recuerdos de la Alhambra
- Thomas Viloteau - On Tremolo
- Artyom Dervoed - Tremolo
How to get the most out of this course
- Start by watching the introduction video and practice the exercises given in the video.
- Write a post with your experiences with tremolo.
- At the same time, start practicing the first eight bars of "Recuerdos de la Alhambra". If you are new to the piece, begin with a chord reduction as presented in Scott's workbook on Recuerdos.
- Share two videos per week and help your course partners through feedback on their submissions!
Zoom Check-In: Friday, May 20th at 8 pm CET (11 am PT)
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Third practice day after Martins most appreciated advice. It does feel more natural now, though it sounds lousy. I didn’t work on tone quality. I will now do that, and reconsider the nail shape. And rework the other assignments.
I recorded the whole fragment, because I’m not consistent and with the repetitions you will notice variations in the width and speed of attack and bounce . But that’s very detailed . I am more positive than yesterday, although the word ‘frustrating’ was not meant literally. I’m not easily frustrated….
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joosje the sound is beautiful, I can not judge the relaxation… how difficult is this! Let’s wait the opinion of the teacher :)
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joosje Hey Joosje, this looks like a significant development! As you were saying, with all of our micro-observations, we should never forget that we are aiming for the most natural movement of the hand! It looks like you close your hand from the knucklebones and relax quickly to bounce back into the starting position! I think you add back a little moment of touch now to gain security and round your tone, although it already sounds great!
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Martin thank you for the feed back. And for the zoom session. That was a nice one.
You mentioned in the post a significant development, that’s what it feels like to me, but I must go quietly and not force myself too much into speed. We’re speaking of adopting a new hand position and I have still to adjust the angle of the guitar. Also I have a new support, which is really awesome! (Sagework magnetic) but altogether a lot of things to get used to.
So far, it feels very natural, I feel I have more control and stronger tone. Planting is not a problem, but I wasn’t aware it was part of this assignment. I’ll continue this week and try some of the variations. Maybe post 2 updates. I’ll try to be there tomorrow., but Saturday evening is my family evening.
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Here is my video
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Here is my second
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peter hancock Well survived my first video I give it a D-. I did have some audio problems but they fixed now. So now this video 2. Sounds better. Long way to go. I suffer from performance dyskinesia (that's my diagnosis). I am enjoying this because I hardly ever play for others. Even my dog leaves the room. your criticism is welcomed.
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peter hancock if you use the link or add video button and paste your link there instead of right into the content box then your video will be displayed in your post.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks will do
Peter
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Today day 4 of training my tremolo. I have been strugggling with what Martin told me about having good contact with the string in the attack without making it staccato . And then I realised that it didn’t have to work on the timing but just be aware of the contact, and this being aware solved the problem I think. Tomorrow I will make a video and see what you think about it
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Emma Awesome, I am looking forward to it! Don't forget today's Zoom Check-In at 11 am PT!
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Martin we have to be in a zoom this evening at 8PM (Europe ???).....maybe I will do it with headfones while eating ???? it is planned to play together?
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Nora Torres-Nagel Yes, we will do a Zoom Meeting at 8 pm CET, 11 am PT! A very casual get-together for some Q&A and maybe some additional exercises and advice!
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Martin OK I see how, but I want to be there...
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peter hancock very good Peter! you are on the way....but maybe to quick? all of us, me too, are doing these exercises quicker than it should be....
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Nora Torres-Nagel Thanks I have to be aware of the speed. I should use my metronome more.
My flingers just take off like roaches' running from the light. truly Thanks.
Peter
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I have been very busy and late to join the tremolo practice. I finally finished watching the suggested Tonebase tremolo productions by Stephanie Jones, Scott Tennant, Thomas Viloteau, Artyom Dervoed late last night. Now it's time to work on the assignments.
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Bill Young Awesome, excited to see how you implement all these great voices on tremolo!
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peter hancock This my third video much better??
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peter hancock Awesome job, Peter! Thank you for submitting! Allow yourself a slower tempo and find a metronome marking that you can follow and in which your fingers can relax! Right now, it seems you are rushing behind the metronome. Furthermore, since you play without nails, your hand and fingertips need extra care to find that sweet spot! More in the video!
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peter hancock specially the first exercise has improved I think, it is more even...but I do not see the relax of the fingers, this angle is much better than the other. Even slower? let's see what Martin thinks...
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Martin Thanks
Martin will incorporate all your suggestion's. see you about an hour your analysis
very valuable. My nails are a problem. I am a retired surgeon. We could not have long nail
because that would put holes in our gloves an contaminate the surgical field. Just have not got use to having them. Working on that..
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2nd update for Week 1.
Practicing everyday trying to get the correct technique but still have to concentrate on every stroke and hoping it will eventually become automatic.
Tempo was too fast in the video, but I always play too fast when recording. I need to take a break for a few days but will come back fresh on Sunday to see everyone's updates and start practicing for week 2!
