What are you working on?
While Martin is on his family leave, several community members have expressed a desire to have a community-driven challenge as a way of connecting and sharing our musical journeys again. And so, with the authority vested in me by absolutely no one, I hereby initiate the "What are you working on?" Challenge!
So, let us all know what you're working on, and feel free to post some videos (or just sound tracks) so we can hear your progress and support one another.
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Recently, I have been working on the Suite no. 1 from John Powell. This is a piece with 6 parts. This recording is for the first part called Prelude.
I am also working on Part 2 (Waltz) and will likely post a first video later this week. Finally I also hope to get ready to record the '' Andantino Mosso -OP.1 Part 4 No. 3 from Giuliani'' next weekend.
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Andre Bernier Very nice, Andre! I am not familiar with the piece or composer. Is it from a method book?
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Eric Phillips
Thanks Eric. This piece was presented by Alexandra Whittingham and she was giving away the score and tabs.
For sure her playing is much better than mine
Here are the links:
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Andre Bernier Thanks so much for sharing that - I really loved it! (I especially like the last one, Song without Words). Simple music is so often the best, since it really highlights the incredible beauty of the sound of our instrument. It reminds me of how my favorite meals tend to be simple dishes, made with great ingredients and attention to detail.
Alright, you're inspiring me to want to play this! Thanks for sharing the score.
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Eric Phillips
I am very happy that you love the piece and took the time to have a look at it.
If you let me; I would have a few questions:
1- In the Prelude section:
I felt that section was too short. I decided to repeat the bars 12-17. Would you have any other suggestions?
2- In the Waltz section
In the bars 23-26, He is using the B string to fill the off beat instead of the G string. This certainly changes the mood and introduces a change but it feels a bit weird. Do you think it would make sense to keep using the G string?
Thanks
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Andre Bernier Hi Andre. I'll respond to your questions, but keep in mind that I am not at home right now (I'm at work) and I have no guitar in hand.
1 - The prelude is very short. As a "stand alone" piece, lengthening it with a repeat (or even several repeats) makes sense. If I were playing the whole suite, however, I like the idea of keeping it short, almost like a "warm up" for the listener. That said, adding repeats even if playing the whole suite would be fine also. If I did use repeats, I'd probably put a repeat sign at the beginning of measure 8 and the end of measure 15.
2 - I rather like the section where the repeated note (called a pedal point) changes to B. it makes the texture sound thinner since it's the fifth of the chord and not the third, and I like that. If you want to keep it the G string, though, the note G goes fine with the harmony. I don't think this is the kind of piece where the composer would feel like you are taking too much freedom by playing a G there.
Hope that is helpful!
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Eric Phillips
Thanks Eric
This is indeed very helpful. -
Andre Bernier Well played Andre - thank you for sharing this and the links
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Andre Bernier Hey I am grateful for your submission. I have a couple of students who need new repertoire, and this little suite really does it for them. Thanks!
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Andre Bernier Beautiful tone and phrasing, Andre. Your progress on guitar is an inspiration.
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Jack Stewart Thanks a lot Jack.
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Andre Bernier good job! So peaceful and comforting!
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thanks, my goal is to play the 6 parts together this year... Lot of works
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J.K. Mertz – Originelle Ungarische Vaterlands-Bluthen Op 1
For about a month now, I have been working on this entire opus. It is made up of five short pieces, but when you look at the score, it is clear that Mertz intended them to be played all together, in order.
This is my first recording of the whole thing, straight through. I did it all in one take, so lots of mistakes. I do have it mostly memorized, but I thought I’d use the score for a bit more security here. I struggle the most with the two fast movements, numbers 3 and 5 (no surprise there).
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Eric Phillips Great job Eric - quite an undertaking to play all 5 at once! I haven't heard these pieces before although I'm familiar with other works by Mertz. Thank you for sharing
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Eric Phillips Bravo Eric, great performance,
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Eric Phillips Masterful performance, Eric. And at 9:35' this is a major accomplishment. Very impressive work!
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. Still needs a lot more work. We'll see if I can get it to a "performance" level.
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Eric Phillips the miore is sweet!
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Eric Phillips as always a joy to listen to you!
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thank you, Stefanie. Which one is a miore? I have never heard that word.
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Eric Phillips the second section, adagio;-)
and...the begin of the third section is really not so easy and you do it very good!
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I work on Prelude 1 by Villa-Lobos again....on an other level as before, but still a lot to work on that...
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Thank you Eric for your initiative(is that word correct?)
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Das ist richtig
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
