Week 2: From Barrios to Brouwer!
Greetings, everyone! We are thrilled to welcome you all to the Latin American Music Challenge! 
In this exciting journey, we'll be immersing ourselves in the richly diverse and vibrant world of Latin American music, a world that's deeply interconnected with our beloved instrument
This challenge presents an opportunity to not only enhance our skills but also to appreciate the cultural richness and musical complexity that Latin American melodies bring. From the passionate rhythms of salsa to the poignant strains of the tango, we'll explore it all!
Please remember, we have an extensive category in our library dedicated to Latin American Repertoire. This library is a treasure trove of courses designed to provide deep insights and technical knowledge about various aspects of Latin American music. Make sure to make the most of it!
We are excited to kick-start this musical journey and we hope you are too. Let's dive in!
https://app.tonebase.co/guitar/library/repertoire/latin-american
CHALLENGE TIMELINE
- Challenge Start: Kick-Off on June 24th
- Duration: June 24th - July 24th
- Watch Party: July 24th, 10 am PST
ACTIVITIES
- Choose Your Piece: Select a new piece of music to work on. Share your choice in the thread below and inspire your fellow musicians!
- Video Submission: Submit a video of your practice this week. Highlight your favorite passage from the piece that showcases the origin of this piece!
GET INVOLVED
Let’s kick things off with enthusiasm! Share your progress, encourage others, and explore new musical horizons together. Can’t wait to see what everyone chooses!
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Anido – Barcarola (July 6)
I might make this my final submission of this piece, as I am itching to move on (to what I am not yet sure).
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Jack Stewart How dare you accuse me of such trickery! My artistic integrity would never allow for such a thing! Obviously, it was all just one take using three different cameras all recording at the same time.
Okay, you caught me
. I was getting tired of trying to get through the whole piece without a major flub. I really don't know how some people can play without mistakes so consistently.
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Was multi-tasking for this recording. (I'm trying to integrate some new chickens into my backyard flock, and they need to be monitored during this phase. So, naturally, that means "practice time" to me!) So, I realize my ergonomic physical position is very less than ideal (look at the RH wrist!). But, because this community is so much fun to hang with, I pushed it out in this form. I think the playing, while far from ideal, is better than the last share--even though the body positioning is odd...
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Spare Machine This is great, Mark! I feel like we're sharing in a musical moment with you. There's something about playing outside that is very inspiring and freeing, and this video reminds me that I need to do it more. And your sound is remarkably good for being outside.
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Eric Phillips That means a lot. Thank you!
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Spare Machine Beautifully playeds with backing vocals from the chickens in the beginning
What could be more soothing than being outdoors in nature. Made me miss my village where I originally come from. As of now I'm kinda stuck in a flat in a noisy city.
Btw, I have watched many YouTube videos of people playing classical guitar outdoors with studio quality sound. Obviously, they must be using good equipment and high recording skills. I'd like to record like them in future.
Thanks for sharing.
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Spare Machine Very nice and beautifully played with feeling.
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Spare Machine That was really nice, Mark. It has a very intimate feel being so soft and outside.
However, I am somewhat disappointed your chickens didn't accompany you.
Perhaps a little less knees in your next video.
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Spare Machine I agree with Eric, This is a great moment of music that you shared with us
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Here is a simple early piece by Abel Carlevaro written for his students in the early 1960s entitled "Canción para un niño indio."
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Dale Needles Wow! I would never have believed that was Carlevaro! That was very nice and a decided departure from your usual Carlevaro repertoire. I'm looking forward to your next posting.
Have you decided about the TB Guitar Festival?
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. It is a lovely little piece, and while Carlevaro is best known for his modern use of dissonance, he wrote quite a few of these melodic gems. As far as the Tonebase Guitar Festival in LA, I think I will pass. It is just too close to my two-month long trip to Spain.
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Dale Needles 2 month trip to Spain!!! Wow! That sounds amazing.
Maybe you should consider the TB Festival in Dusseldorf (Oct. 13-18). You would get to meet Martin.
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Jack Stewart Is that happening, the TB Festival? I haven't seen any post about it apart from the survey.
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Blaise Laflamme They sent me an email about it - because I'm so special!
here is the link (- if it is allowed to be posted).
https://www.tonebase.co/guitar/los-angeles#quickview
I was surprised they decided to go ahead, but it is 3 months away. At first I didn't think I would go but decided it would be a great opportunity to meet some of the staff and instructors and a good incentive to clean up a workable repertoire (like that's going to happen!)
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Jack Stewart thanks Jack, possible it went right into the spams... the Düsseldorf one looks interesting!
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Blaise Laflamme I would love to go to the Dusseldorf Festival but I have already used up my international quota for the year. Maybe next year it they do it again (and if my wife lets me
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Jack Stewart and we're just a bit more than half of the year
... I'm tempted but it doesn't give me much time to think about it if I want to take advantage of the discount... and also it says «limited to the first 15 signups»! 
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Blaise Laflamme They also mention that they will give a full refund if you decide not to go. You can also change your sign up status ( passive to active or vice Aversa).
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Jack Stewart a few great options they propose with minimal risks... my main concern is to travel my guitar with minimal risks from Canada to Germany!
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Blaise Laflamme I have flown four times on SW and they let me put it in the overhead bin, I just have to sign up with early check In to assure I'm at the front of boarding. A lot (or at least some) airlines allow carryon for instruments. You just have to research which ones. TB might be able to arrange a rental - though probably not nearly as good as yours. Also, if you have a flight worthy case (Visenut or similar) it is probably safe from what I have read, the storage area is typically climate controlled.
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Dale Needles beautiful unexpected work by Carlevaro delivered with great playing and dynamics.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks, it is one of those melodic gems that Carlevaro wrote in his early years, usually for his students.
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Brouwer Tres Apuntes I Very rough draft
I am reviving this from a previous challenge, the last Latin American Challenge, in fact. It has come back better than I thought it would, Even though this is a very rough draft, I have it pretty well under my fingers. There is still a lot of work on phrasing , dynamics and rhythm - that is very challenging for me.
I am not sure why my recording is so tinny. Even the dogs' toenails are pretty harsh in this recording. I guess I should really invest in a DAW. I have hesitated because that is a new trick and I am an old dog.
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Jack Stewart Great playing, Jack! For an old dog, your fingers sure do move well. And I’m such an old dog that I really have no idea what a DAW is. (It’s something you buy? Is it a piece of electronic equipment, or is it software?)
BTW, Martin already posted the Week 3 thread for this challenge.
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Jack Stewart great work on this one, do you plan to play all three? As for the sound, according to the green light reflecting on your guitar it seems to turn red here and there so it's possible your recording level is a bit too high. A DAW will let you edit and enhance the sound for sure, but initial sound recording is your best bet.
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