Group 4
Assignments:
- Watch the first of three video and practice the exercise "Cross String by Thirds"
- When you're feeling comfortable, share a recording or ask a question!
All About String Crossings with TY!
If you conquer the cross-string training, you can play any scales or passages in music with ease, power, and confidence. This training course aims to provide exercises to enhance our right-hand rest-stroke cross-string abilities with details on how to practice and both hands' fingerings. We will have three assignments plus one bonus exercise for those who are finished early!
About TY
The highlight of TY Zhang’s international career was the Grand Prize of the 2017 Guitar Foundation of American International Concert Artist Competition (GFA-ICAC), known as the most prestigious guitar contest in the world. TY become the first Chinese to be honored with this prize. His win was followed by a tour with over 50 concerts in the U.S., including his Carnegie Hall debut. In 2018, TY released his solo album with Naxos company as the Laureate Series · Guitar Recital. It was praised as: “one of the most talented young players… I’m struck by the extraordinary levels of mastery, comfort and relative ease.” - Classical Guitar Magazine.
- Sign-Up: now until November 11th
- Course Period: November 14th - 25th
- Class Size: 4 Groups á 10 Participants
- Optional check-In via Zoom: November 19th, 11 am PST
Link to the Zoom Check-In: https://usc.zoom.us/j/9596313032
Passcode: tonebase
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TY Zhang Here is my current status on the last few exercises. It requires much more practice to memorize the sequences to avoid the silly mistakes, and gain speed. The 2-week challenge is coming to an end, so even though this really isn't ready, I still wanted to submit and receive your comments/suggestions. Thanks!!
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Robert Thanks Robert! I agree with your comments about required "thinking" and focus. These movements need to be "automatic" (with less thinking), especially at higher speeds, to avoid mind wandering (like I had in some spots here, haha). Don't feel alone about your example of "after the rest stroke"...I have that same problem at times and Pepe Romero uses it routinely (It's like "economy" picking on electric guitar). I look forward to watching your video.
P.S. Robert, I do not see the sync issue when playing back my recording. I only had time to do one take and forgot to turn off my Humidifier which make a shhhhhh noise. The humidity here now is too low for instrument safety, so I needed to hang a temporary plastic sheet in the doorway to hold in the humidified air. Generally, I would turn it off just before I record. Lots of life distractions these days.
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Barney Thanks for the reply, Barney. This "economy" picking seems to be a habitual thing for me during decades of playing.
For the sake of the exercise's goal I want to get rid of that, but this really needs active use of brain for me. At least at the moment. As you said, the goal should be a kind of automatism for that, a fluid playing of the fingers and using of them as a tool for creating nice music (not tempo for the sake of tempo alone; although it is always impressive to be able to play a very fast scale - which I am not, and furthermore the left hand is important then, too... Aaaah, it is lifelong learning - and that is what I like... and to see/feel/hear improvement).Regarding the sync issue: haha, it is gone now, even on my screen. I played the embedded video around 5 times, always with your music while your fingers show no playing. That was so funny. I guess, it was a network problem then, server- oder client-side.
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Barney Hi Dear Barney, when I opened this video I was like: “can I use this as demonstration videos for these exercises?!” They are so great!! To the next steps, I think I would try play dotted rhythms with these, use five to ten speeds, 1:2, one beat two notes, play three times per speed, plain, short long, and long short. Once you hit a speed where you can no longer keep the dotted rhythm, switch to playing plain rhythm only. And stop at the highest speed where you can still maintain control and quality, and play two slower speeds to cool down the muscles! Everything is fantastic and well! Thank you and congratulations dear Barney! Thank you!
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TY Zhang Thank you TY!! I will continue with your suggestions, and thank you again for all your great guidance and support.
Best regards,
Barney
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Barney Best wishes Barney! Thank you!
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Barney Wow. That's impressive Barney. Your right hand looks like it came straight out of the method books. And your tone is excellent, IMHO.
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Leon Thanks Leon!
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Thank you dear Friends across the world! Thank you for loving music and being involved in these two weeks of studying together and sharing with each other! I had a great time with you all especially in the zoom session last weekend! Thank you to dear Martin for designing all of these courses and manages the site for all of us! Wishing you have a wonderful and lovely holiday and see you next time!!
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Hi all,
a bit late, I know... I had some trouble with arms/shoulders (not due to playing but that hindered me from practicing, playing, recording).
However, here is my quick recording of the exercises with 3 and with 4 notes.
Greetings to all, and happy practicing and playing.
