WEEK TWO: The Musical Voyage!
Welcome to the Main Thread for the second week of the Sergio Assad Community Challenge!
- Make sure you've read the guidelines before replying (← click)
- Watch the Kick-Off-Livestream on July 16th to get an overview!
- Download the scores for Assad's Etudes here (← click)
If you want to describe your process (optional), feel free to use the following template.
- Things you found easy:
- Things you found difficult:
- (Optional): a video of you performing the etude!
- (Optional:) questions
↓ Reply below with your assignments and questions! ↓
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I decided to practice Sketch V some more and record it again. I'm not sure this is too much better though.
One thing that is a little better is my sound. Instead of using my iPhone 7 for this, I used my laptop with a USB plugin microphone.
It's a small step up! 
I'm sure those gifted in the art of recording guitar are rolling their eyes right now! 
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Eric Phillips No rolling eyes here, haha, good job as always!
I think it shows a little bit more temperament in the b-part, which I really enjoy! I think, it can take even more articulation in the melody, right now I have the feeling that sometimes you jump a little bit up and down between the different voices! Maybe try a version with a very soft bass line just to make you even more aware what is going on in the different voices? And articulating the syncopation like I demonstrated in the agitato part of Sketch 2 might serve well here, too! This is of course nitpicking on a very high level, I just try to push you even more!
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Martin Thank you so much, Martin, for this great input! Recently, Emmanuel Sowicz also told me that I need to articulate melody lines better, and keep accompaniment softer. It's so tempting with these contrapuntal lines to try to bring them all out, but that just obscures the melody. I will definitely work on this and record it again. (Besides, that allows me to put off working on Sketch VI, which I'm finding a bit tedious!
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Eric Phillips Sounds beautiful to me!
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Eric Phillips oh yes nice sound and sketch improvement!
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Steve Pederson Thank you, Steve.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks Blaise.
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Eric Phillips Nice improvement, Eric! I hear it flowing better
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Sketch VI Day 1 Measures 1-49.
What was easy: Well the ostinato so far is just two open strings, so I guess that's kind of easy. That said, I played it too loudly.
What was difficult: Right now it does not sound musical at all. It has more the feel of a technical exercise. The m-a alternation is not completely comfortable. I find myself wanting to get the i finger in on the ostinato, and I have to resist it.
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Eric Phillips Another great first contact session that you are sharing with us! Thank you!
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Eric Phillips great first take at that piece... I'm eager to dig in! I understand this is harder to find some «landmarks» in that style of writing but I'm sure you'll find a way to connect.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks. I'm not there yet.
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Eric Phillips Well done Eric - great first run through. This sketch definitely sounds more challenging than the earlier ones. Look forward to measures 50 .....
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Ron Thanks Ron. Definitely more challenging. The speed indicated in the score is just beyond me right now.
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Hi Martin , in sketch 2, I follow your advise about achieving better finger alteration by playing chords. And this time I also follow you in the other point, which is to not play apoyando anymore :) Here is my take 2 of sketch 2 :) Many thanks for your helpful video personallized for me :)
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Khiem Nguyen Good work, Khiem! Martin's advice is always so helpful.
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Eric Phillips thank you Eric. I agree with you about Martin's advice :)
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Khiem Nguyen Great job, your right hand seems to be much more secure and stable, keep up the good work!
Last thing to work on before you try to get it a little bit up to speed is to keep those hanging notes a little longer! I like to get all the technical difficulties out of the way before speeding up a piece!
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Martin Hi Martin, thank you very much for showing me my remaining issue. It is very good to see your illustration of problem above, it is easy for me to understand where it is ^_^ I will practice to resolve it and will upload again. Have a nice day! ^_^
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Khiem Nguyen Awesome, excited for that!
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Martin it is harder than I think Martin. While I am paying attention to hold the notes to its full duration, then I forget to alternate right hand fingers - in other words, I repeat my "a" finger on 6th then 4th string, or 6th then 5th string. I owe you and myself this homework. ^_^ I will practice more next days and will update you hopefully soon ^_^
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Khiem Nguyen thanks for sharing your progress, you're not that far from playing at that tempo, and I hear it that way.
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Khiem Nguyen Well done Khiem - great progress!
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Blaise Laflamme and Ron thank you a lot! I will keep on the hard-working :)
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Khiem Nguyen great! Martin's advice really helps. Keep the good work!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
