Group 2
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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here's my video of the exercise thanks
Vilio
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Vilio Celli you're off to a great start Vilio! It looks like you may need to focus on alternating your fingers in your right hand. That was especially difficult for me. My mind kept wanting to do something different than my fingers!
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Vilio Celli Great dear Vilio! Thank you for upload this video! After you get familiar with the scale, you could put more focus on the right hand fingerings, to keep them alternate. Right hand is very stable and relaxed, great! Left hand could put the thumb lower on the back of the neck, to allow more room for the fingers.
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Vilio Celli I just noticed that both TY and I commented on your right-hand fingering, but in the video it looks like you are left-handed and picking with your left hand. Then again, the video may be backwards as well.
In any case, you get the point, it's the picking hand we're referring to. 
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Steve Pederson
yes I’m a lefty lol thanks for the input
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TY Zhang thanks for great advice my thumb wants to stay around the neck for some reason lol
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Here is my example of exercise 1. I have been increasing the speed in the metronome since getting the right fingering. Currently I have reached 105 bpm with the metronome.
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Raul Guzman Vidal excellent job Raul! Have you also tried it by leading with the m finger?
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Raul Guzman Vidal Hi dear Raul! Next step is to maximize the right hand power and volume as much as possible, and relax for a brief moment between every notes. Left hand is perfect now, and right hand looks very relaxed and stable!
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TY Zhang Thank you for the recommendations!
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Steve Pederson Thank you! Not there yet, but will be working on it during the weekend.
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Here is my latest...
Man, I just can't wrap my head around the ascending scale when leading with the m finger. I have 30+ years of playing where my mind is saying, "It's not supposed to be done that way".
One thing I found that helped was to focus on where the i finger was. Even though it is on the "and" I treated it like it was the downbeat and leading the way.
I can play the rest of the scale a bit faster, but this entire take is eighth notes at 80 bpm. This is the first time I played it accurately at this tempo, so it's a good thing I had the camera rolling!
In this example I lead with the m finger for the first time through the scale. I figured it did no good to get 3/4 the way through the exercise only to flub up at the end!
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Steve Pederson I love that I can see the power are coming from the 3rd joints on the right hand! So much control and comfort!
The right hand you could try to see if you can let the right hand wrist move less when shifting up and down strings. And left hand fingertips be closer to the strings when they leave the notes. Great Great!!!!
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TY Zhang thanks for the feedback! I did notice my right wrist moving a lot, and that didn't seem like a good thing. I guess I will have to stretch the fingers out a bit more.
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Here are the next two assignment videos including the scores!
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Martin TY Zhang here is the second exercise starting with the I finger. This time it was easier to learn this exercise than the first one. I am able to get to 90 bpm playing in triplets.
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Raul Guzman Vidal Hi Dear Raul! Great playing with steady and relaxed hands! Especially the right hand seems so efficient with the movements! Next I suggest you increase the power and make every stroke even deeper and firmer to build up muscle strength and volume! Everything is great!
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TY Zhang Thank you for the insight! I really enjoyed practicing the exercises and observing my improvement day to day. I will continue practicing the exercises with the altered rhythm you recommended.
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Raul Guzman Vidal Thank you for sharing dear Raul!!
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Cross String by 3rds, Exercise 1
Speed has always been a challenge for me. I'm excited to improve. No metronome, as my metronome and video camera are both in my phone.
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Marilyn Blodget Hi Marilyn, your sound and tone is so so so beautiful, warm and full! Great left hand! Right hand is very clean and firm!! Suggest explore less Index finger movement when the finger is going out in the preparation, lifting the 3rd joint and relax the 2nd and first joint on the fingertip!
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Here is the link to the recording of the Zoom Check-in: https://youtu.be/JI1hNbdz6to
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Dear all, I apologize for being behind schedule. Very busy and traveling.
I post an overview of my practice sessions at exercise #1. The first at 80 bpm, with im , mi, am. Second video im at 120 bpm, third video: at 100 with mi and dotted rhythms.
my own observations: 1) starting with m feels more natural. 2) Playing with a on bass strings feels uneasy. 3) I think it’s better at this stage not to speed up too fast.
I’ll wait for TY’s feed back before posting ex #2 and 3.
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joosje Dear Joosje, 1st video: right hand and left are so relaxed, you didn’t waste any excessive power on movements! I can feel the inner energy you have directed towards the fingertips and that is amazing! A and M is so well played as well!
2nd video, just amazing, everything felt right, and just speed up gradually everything will be great!
3rd video, the dotted rhythm are very sharp and great! Cannot say enough GREAT!
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TY Zhang thank you! I will continue with this, speeding up gradually, as well as work on the new exercises. It’s fun!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
