Week 4: Serenade Showcase
GREETINGS, ESTEEMED TONEBUDDIES!
Are you ready to embark on a musical journey through the enchanting realm of Villa-Lobos and his South-American roots? With the new release of Douglas Lora's Preludes this Friday and the whole Suite Populare Bresilienne with Fabio Zanon in the making, we are thrilled to present the revamped "Villa-Lobos Voyage Extravaganza," an extraordinary experience celebrating the works of Villa-Lobos and composers influenced by his heritage. Over the next four weeks, dive into captivating compositions, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds and rhythms.
WHEN 
- Challenge Start: Official Kick-Off on July 30th
- Challenge Duration: July 30th - August 30th
- Watch Party of Selected Submissions: September 9th
HOW TO BEGIN 
Select a Piece:
- Choose a mesmerizing piece from Villa-Lobos or a composer connected to his South-American heritage. Options include soulful Villa-Lobos compositions, rhythmic Brazilian-inspired works, or pieces by other artists inspired by South-American musical traditions.
- Choose a mesmerizing piece from Villa-Lobos or a composer connected to his South-American heritage. Options include soulful Villa-Lobos compositions, rhythmic Brazilian-inspired works, or pieces by other artists inspired by South-American musical traditions.
Practice and Share:
- Commit to regular practice and share your progress with the community. Aim for daily practice and upload at least two videos per week to showcase your musical voyage. This keeps you motivated and allows you to share your artistic journey with our tonebase family.
- Commit to regular practice and share your progress with the community. Aim for daily practice and upload at least two videos per week to showcase your musical voyage. This keeps you motivated and allows you to share your artistic journey with our tonebase family.
Submit Your Performance:
- Share your favorite performance or recording that captures the spirit of the "Villa-Lobos Voyage Challenge." Your submission will inspire others and create a vibrant collection of potential pieces for fellow members to explore.
- Share your favorite performance or recording that captures the spirit of the "Villa-Lobos Voyage Challenge." Your submission will inspire others and create a vibrant collection of potential pieces for fellow members to explore.
The heart of this challenge lies in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Villa-Lobos and his musical influences. So, pick a piece that intrigues you and embrace this journey with enthusiasm and curiosity. Together, let's celebrate the captivating sounds of Villa-Lobos and his Brazilian roots. Get ready to practice, learn, and immerse yourself in the Villa-Lobos Voyage Challenge! 
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VL Etude #5 sneaking in one last attempt
I think this my best to date. I hade a couple of slips but I think they are, for the most pat, pretty subtle. I like this tempo better and my bass to obstinate is much better.
I hope all is well with Martin and family. We haven't heard from him in a while, though he certainly deserves a break and some rest (like that is going to happen).
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Jack Stewart Bravo, Jack. The best for sure.
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale. There are certainly refinements to be done, but I am pretty happy with this version.
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Jack Stewart I agree this is your best version. Excellent. Bravo!!
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Barney Thanks Barney
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HVL Prelude #1. Posting my latest practice video as well.
This piece offers countless interpretative possibilities. I am experimenting here with different phrasing, vibrato, rubato and accelerando, diminuendo and crescendo, timbre changes for the repeats on part B, ponticello vs tasto, and trying to accentuate the melody line in chords. Need to improve on shifts and squeaks.
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Calin Lupa This is great , Calin. It is really impressive how you are exploring the different parameters of techniques and phrasings to arrive at your interpretation. It is really paying off. Great job and beautiful playing.
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Calin Lupa Bravo, Calin!! All of the interpretive tools you are using results in beautiful music making. This was a wonderful performance, which I enjoyed very much.
btw, which guitar support (Guitarlift is abandoned?) are you using these days? The camera is too high, so I cannot see it.
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Jack Stewart , Barney Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments :) .
Barney, I am back to the old fashioned foot stool. I find out that if I wear loose pants that don't constrict at all my waist and stomach when I sit with the leg up on the stool and slightly lean over the guitar , I am quite comfortable using it , lol. Plus non-slip cloths also help to keep guitar in place. I use https://www.stringsbymail.com/rc-strings-nsc25-non-slip-cloth-10-x20-25008.html -
Calin Lupa I understand about the footstool and the non-slip cloths. In the past I've always used the footstool, as it seems the best for position and stability. However, my main concern is the stress and possible injury to the low back. There have been many top guitarists ( for example ,Christopher Parkening) who have seriously hurt their back from long-term use of the footstool. So please be careful, Calin!
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Barney yes I will, thanks for the reminder. If I'll feel that my back is giving me any signs of discomfort I'll go back to using the Guitarlift, my second favorite. Are you using Guitarlift now ? How is it working for you?
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Calin Lupa Yes, I'm using the Guitarlift now. If I find the exact spot for the suction cups, they stick pretty well, and the guitar is stable and in good position. Agree that not as good as footstool, but safer for our backs.
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Calin Lupa Bravo.
But your development wit this piece also showcases that one month is two short for many of us
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