Group 3
Assignments:
- Watch the first of three video and practice the exercise "Cross String by Thirds"
- When you're feeling comfortable, share a recording or ask a question!
All About String Crossings with TY!
If you conquer the cross-string training, you can play any scales or passages in music with ease, power, and confidence. This training course aims to provide exercises to enhance our right-hand rest-stroke cross-string abilities with details on how to practice and both hands' fingerings. We will have three assignments plus one bonus exercise for those who are finished early!
About TY
The highlight of TY Zhang’s international career was the Grand Prize of the 2017 Guitar Foundation of American International Concert Artist Competition (GFA-ICAC), known as the most prestigious guitar contest in the world. TY become the first Chinese to be honored with this prize. His win was followed by a tour with over 50 concerts in the U.S., including his Carnegie Hall debut. In 2018, TY released his solo album with Naxos company as the Laureate Series · Guitar Recital. It was praised as: “one of the most talented young players… I’m struck by the extraordinary levels of mastery, comfort and relative ease.” - Classical Guitar Magazine.
- Sign-Up: now until November 11th
- Course Period: November 14th - 25th
- Class Size: 4 Groups á 10 Participants
- Optional check-In via Zoom: November 19th, 11 am PST
Link to the Zoom Check-In: https://usc.zoom.us/j/9596313032
Passcode: tonebase
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There is too much echo in the recording which makes it very difficult to hear Ty's instruction. Is it possible to reduce the reverb and repost the video?
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Vincent Tam The room was too echoey, sorry about the audio dear Vincent!
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Having trouble in figuring out your left hand fingering. Can not see which finger is on which string/fret
Please help.
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peter hancock Hi dear Peter, the score is posted by dear Martin below!
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Having trouble in figuring out your left hand fingering. Can not see which finger is on which string/fret
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Hi everyone, looking forward for the workshop.
Cross string is one of the area I definitely need to improve.
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Can we get a score of the notes to play?
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Hi everybody, here's the score from TY, I just received it :)
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Dear friends, I've posted the link and the passcode into the thread:
Link to the Zoom Check-In: https://usc.zoom.us/j/9596313032
Passcode: tonebase
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Here are the next two assignment videos including the scores!
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Hi all, I'm Phil. Hope you're all progressing.......finding this harder than I expected and now another two! As an introduction, I got a job in US a couple of years ago (family still at home in UK). So thought this would be good chance to put some effort into classical guitar playing. Joined tonebase around a year ago but not had time to make good use of it - have had much less free time than I expected. Although I have started doing some duets with a colleague from work. Duets are quite a challenge for someone with less than perfect rhythm so a good learning exercise - I would recommend. First time doing something like this and hopefully a start in making good use of all that's available.
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Philip Rutter Hi dear Philip! Thank you for sharing your experiences! I agree with that duets are great for learning guitar together and for perfecting the rhythm! Enjoy and have fun with guitar!
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Here is my video of practicing the fist exercise, still work in progress. https://youtube.com/shorts/IbBLwsB7lbU
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Calin Lupa Hi Dear Calvin!! Right hand movements are very efficient and pleasant to look at! If you want more perfection, try to feel the fingertips “arriving home” and sitting into a “couch” after you rested the finger on the following string. Meaning to rest the finger right after plucking them into the lower string in the rest stroke playing! M and A fingers are also very well executed!
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TY Zhang thank you for the feedback, you are too kind. I am practicing the next two exercises and I find them challenging and indeed very helpful for feeling comfortable with the cross string combinations. I am also working to internalize the feeling you describe, of “arriving home” and sitting into a “couch”, which I interpret as not rushing or bouncing on the rest string, but sitting on it, an interesting visualization, thank you for the tip .
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peter hancock Hi Dear Peter! Try to press left hand more on the fingertip with the ring finger and also press towards the right end of every fret, so the notes will be clean with no buzzing. Right hand you could draw back the arm a little bit, so the finger is more extended and plucking the strings with a little more angle, so they are more easily be rested on the lower string while doing the rest stroke! Let me know if these are confusing! it is hard to explain well! Thank you dear Peter!
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TY Zhang Again thanks I will concentrate on your suggestions
PeterTY Zhang
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peter hancock This one is much better, the left hand fingers are pressing more on the end of frets and right hand middle finger seems to be more firmly rested on the lower strings after rest strokes!
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Here is the link to the recording of the Zoom Check-in: https://youtu.be/JI1hNbdz6to
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martin Thanks Martin!
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Sorry I missed the check in
Peter
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Hi general question for Ty. I have been playing for some time now on and off. At one time I was told not to brace my hand (right ) with my pinky like Willie Nelson. So I do not brace my hand on the guitar. I have noticed that your exercises require to rest the thumb on the 6 or 5th strings which I did not do out of habit. I have since noticed other players do rest their thumb. Could you direct or tell me the correct time to rest the thumb while playing?.
Peter
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peter hancock Hi Dear Peter! Yes, in general, we try to keep little finger off the soundboard, and instead, to use the thumb to hold the bass string to keep the hand steady. We keep the thumb on 5th of 6th strings whenever it is not playing and just rest gently on the bass, to counter the weight of the ima fingers’ plucking power o the opposite direction! Thank you!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
