READ ME FIRST: Rules & FAQ for the Playing Transcriptions Challenge 
Alright, everyone! Hello and welcome to the Playing Transcriptions Challenge 
Together, we will take a step outside the comfort zone of guitar composers and explore pieces that have been transcribed for the classical guitar!
I'll look forward to some wonderful interpretations of music by Granados, Albeniz, Bach, Scarlatti, maybe even Schubert, Beethoven and Chopin? Who knows, our community has an infinite capacity of digging out the most beautiful music and share it in our forums! 
Some Tutorials to get you started!
Ana Vidjovic - Asturias by Albeniz
Sanel Redzic - BWV 1007
Celil Refik Kaya - Cataluna by Albeniz
Petrit Ceku - Lob der Tränen by Schubert
Zoran Dukic - Invierno Porteno by Piazzolla
Some Transcriptions by Tarrega and Mertz of Pieces by Schumann, Schubert, Beethoven and Chopin
The What:
- We are going to explore music outside the comfort zone of guitar compositions!
- We will discover how great guitar composers have transcribed music by the most influential composers of their time.
- The aim is to practice them every day and post progress updates!
- You choose how much time you will invest , but you commit to practicing them regularly.
- A watch party featuring your submissions will take part at the end (date below!)
The When:
- Jan 3rd: Kick-Off for the Playing Transcriptions Challenge with Manny!
- Jan 5th: Albéniz: Capricho Catalán with Manny
- Jan 7th: Dominic (our Piano Live host!!!) on Music by Granados and Albeniz
- Jan 26th: Watch Party for the Playing Transcriptions Challenge!
- Challenge start: Monday, January 3rd
- Watch party: Jan 26th
The How:
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First you will explore the vast repertoire that has been transcribed for the classical guitar and decide, which pieces you would like to work on for the challenge!
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After some Practicing, you go to the dedicated Weekly Updates Thread and post your progress in there!
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If you are comfortable with it, add a video or audio of yourself performing it. This is optional, but it will allow you to share your progress with others!
I encourage you to post updates twice a week. No daily update expectation in this challenge! If you want to post daily though, feel free!
After you post an update:
- When you feel ready, move on to the next piece!
- There is no limit on long you can spend on each piece! Do whatever feels comfortable, as long as you keep practicing one of them every day.
The Why:
- Because we want to challenge ourselves to practice every day
- Because learning together is more fun than learning alone
- Because we get to share our progress with others (whether video or just text)
- Because discovering great pieces is always inspiring!
- Because we want to meet our fellow tonebase community members
The Fun Part:
- At the end of our practice challenge, we will be hosting another Watch Party on tonebase LIVE! This will feature user submissions, community awards and shoutouts!
- This is planned for January 26th at 11 am Pacific (2 pm Eastern, 7 pm London, 8 pm CET)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I join the challenge if I wasn't there on January 3rd?
Yes! Just make sure you keep practicing every day and updating us at least twice a week.
Do I have to go through more than one piece?
Absolutely not. You are free to go as far as you wish!
I have a question, who do I ask?
Feel free to use this thread to ask any questions you might have about this challenge! If you would prefer to ask something in a more confidential setting, please use my email: [email protected]
Can I do more than one piece per week?
Absolutely! As always, this challenge is for you - do with it what you wish. As long as you 1) practice every day; 2) keep track of your progress; 3) share your progress with others - you are fully participating! Of course I won't be mad if this is too easy for you ;)
↓ Reply with other questions below ↓
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How do I post a video? I record with an iPhone 11 Pro.
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Marilyn Blodget Hi Marilyn! I'd recommend to upload your video to Youtube or Vimeo and share it via the "Add Video" button!
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Hi Martin. This may be a philosophical question but what is the difference between a transcription and an arrangement? Is there a fine line between how close a transcription is to the original piece and how far away an arrangement is from the original and are we allowed to include arrangements in this challenge. Looking forward to getting started (I have actually:-)). Thanks Derek
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Derek to be honest, I use these words interchangeably, although I think the technical difference is that a transcription is a true-to-the-music adaption for another instrument, while an arrangement takes more musical liberties. I don't think there is a definition of how far you're allowed to strive away from the source, that would be rather academic
The more music we hear the better, feel free to include arrangements as well
This is an arrangement of the Pocahontas soundtrack Colors of the wind I made a while back for my guitar duo:
While this would be a transcription of Sevilla by Albeniz:
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Martin Thanks Martin - I thought that would be the case but just wanted to confirm. I have a whole load of pieces that I would like to do for this - just need to try to prioritise them and get down to some serious (fun) work!
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Derek fantastic!
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Martin this is a great challenge! Are we sticking to classical pieces or any transcriptions by guitarist for guitar? There are loads of Final Fantasy pieces transcribe for guitar that I love to try and in fact the first piece of music that Im planning to learn in the new year is a transcription of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
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don Hey Don! Feel free to play and whatever transcription or arrangement you'd like
Btw, I was addicted to Final Fantasy 8 when it first came out! -
Martin awesome! This will be really fun challenge! Ya Final Fantasy 8 was great as well. In fact majority of Final Fantasy are great! And they have such beautiful music as well!
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Another great challenge! So many possibilities…. This will be fun.
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Just to check I'm guessing this challenge is for transcriptions and not arrangements, is it not?
Happy New Year!
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Roni Glaser Hi Roni, feel free to share arrangements as well if you like!
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Martin Great! I may well do that then :D
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
