Week 4: "Samba Strings Showcase"

Andre Bernier well done. Not sure if it is intentional but the melody does sound a bit cut. I suspect it maybe your right hand accidentally cutting the melody when you place your fingers back on too soon. Thank you for sharing!

don Thanks Don for your comments. Effectively, at this point, everything sounds a bit mechanical partly because I am still using a metronome and I am still struggling a bit with the left hand finger changes. I also need to improve the right hand techniques. I just started on Tonebase the course '' 120 right hand studies'' with Joseph Palmer. I hope this will help resolve some of the right hand issues   

Ron Thanks Ron. This was effectively a challenge to maintain my practices with our 4 grand kids we were babysitting during that period. This is like adding a layer of stress when they are running around you when you practice 

Andre Bernier Well done, Andre. I really like the folk quality of the melody. Following up on Don's point, I would suggest that you try to let the melody notes ring all the way until the next note. This would involve not stopping each note  by placing your right hand finger too soon and/or lifting your left hand finger too soon. (you can plant your fingers ahead of playing them on strings that are not being used but don't plant on a string that is still sounding). Just focus on the first phrase to practice this. It might seem frustrating at first but once you get the feel of it it should transfer fairly easily to the rest of the piece. You are doing great and I like your approach to study thru TB' programs.

I am curious about the designation - Two Lullabies. I only heard one. Maybe the child fell asleep and Savio didn't need to include the second one.

Jack Stewart 

Thanks Jack for your comments and advice. I will definitely try your suggestion.

Well you are right. The book (see attached pdf) has 10 folk songs. Two of them are the Lullabies, the no.2 and no.3. This time I just learned the no.2. My plan is to learn the no.3 and eventually try all the other songs.

Andre Bernier This is really nice Andre! A sweet tune with some really cool harmonies. Great work. Glad you enjoyed your vacation. Did you go to Brazil? 

Steve Pederson Thanks Steve, All the folk songs of this book are great. I will certainly keep working on them.

I did not go to Brazil this time. Maybe next year if my grand-kids allow me .

Jack Stewart 

Hi Jack, I tried your suggestion. This is a little bit weird at the beginning and it did require reworking the left hand fingering but the results are great. This is not ready yet for recording but this was a great suggestion. 

Thanks a lot  

Blaise Laflamme 

Thanks Blaise. Yes, this is a nice repertoire of folk songs from a composer I did not know before this challenge. I will certainly draw a few more pieces from this book in future challenges.

Andre Bernier That's great to hear Andre.

And, it would be great to hear.

Calin Lupa very nice! It takes a lot of focus and stamina for this piece. Well done!

Calin Lupa Nice playing Calin at this high speed!!  Bravo!

I find that seeking some "relaxation" of the hand  while playing the softer repeat helps sustain this detailed arpeggio  cleaner at higher speeds.  Give it a try and see if it helps.

Calin Lupa Way to go for it and push yourself Calin! Great work!

Calin Lupa That is very good, Calin. This will probably require more time to get comfortable and relaxed at that speed. I use the first half of this etude as a daily warm up / exercise. I play it a 80 / quarter note on just the initial em chord and accent each finger separately (1st time accent only when the thumb plays, 2nd time only accent when the I finger plays, etc.) that helps develop independence and also gives more possibilities to shaping the articulations. I also have a score marked up by Mircea for practicing this etude (I haven't been able to identify what course or livestream this is from). I'll include his score here.

Calin Lupa Very well played at an impressive tempo!

Barney thank you, yes , in Carlevaro-nian I guess that should be Toque #1 + thumb flesh  for the repeat and Toque #2  + thumb nail for the first arpeggio?  

Dale Needles thank you for pointing to Carlevaro technique to eliminate squeaks , and to Alfredo Escande workshops. I watch them both and I am planning to try to adopt the left arm technique to reduce squeaks. I am trying it for this Etude too, however I'll need more time to rework/re-learn it in that way. 

I am just starting to get acquainted with Calevaro's teachings , and it is quite a change from the way I used to practice, but I am up for the challenge! :) 

Calin Lupa Great, Calin. You might want to check out the Carlevaro Discussion Forum on Tonebase, if you have not yet done so.  It is a good place to ask questions and hear what others' experiences have been with Carlevaro's School of Guitar.  

Dale Needles   I started reading through, great information there, thank you.