"Easy Pieces" Mini Challenge
HELLO TONEBUDDIES! 
We're excited to bring you a fresh mini challenge that aligns with our upcoming live stream featuring the renowned guitarist Stanley Yates! As he deciphers the notion of "easy" guitar pieces, we thought it'd be fun for our tonebuddies to join in on the exploration and challenge their own musical growth! 
THE CHALLENGE:
We invite you to record and upload a video of yourself performing a piece that you consider to be "easy" on the guitar. Discover the hidden depth within the simplicity and share how you're engaging with the piece in new and profound ways.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Record a video of yourself performing your chosen "easy" piece. Upload your video to your preferred platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, etc.). Share the link to your video in the comments section below. Don't forget to include a brief description about your chosen piece and what insights you've gained from revisiting it.
Bonus Points: Share a link to a performance of your chosen piece by a renowned guitarist!
INTERACT AND ENGAGE:
This is a great chance to engage with your fellow tonebuddies! Show your support by leaving comments, offering constructive feedback, and expressing appreciation for their performances. Let's inspire each other to delve deeper into the music we thought we knew.
REWARD:
There isn't a physical prize, but the reward lies in your personal growth, the feedback you'll receive, and the connections you'll forge with other guitar enthusiasts. Who knows? You may even strike a chord with someone new!
NEED INSPIRATION?
If you're unsure about which piece to pick, don't worry! Tune into the upcoming livestream with Stanley Yates. His insights into the hidden depth within "easy" pieces will surely spark your imagination.
READY, SET, RE-DISCOVER!
We're eager to see your fresh interpretations of familiar tunes and hear about your new insights. Let's join together to explore the uncharted depths of the "easy" pieces we thought we knew!
HAPPY PRACTICING, TONEBUDDIES! 
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Sor op. 6.8
I continue to work on how to bring out the contrapuntal qualities of this etude. This version has some interesting ideas, the articulations in the bass in some segments and trying to bring out the middle voice with dynamics. Unfortunately the playing is a bit rough and I was never able to resolve that, even after many recordings. Oh well, (sigh). I wanted to try to post something for this mini challenge.
I am also including a bit featuring my wife presenting my birthday present during one of my many attempts.
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Jack Stewart Happy Birthday!
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale.
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Jack Stewart Happy Birthday Jack! Like Eric, it really put a smile to my stressful day at work, so thank you!
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Jack Stewart Happy Birthday Jack! I think you should feature your wife more often, or she should surprise you more like this... thank you for sharing this lovely moment.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks, Blaise. I agree, she should surprise me more like this - with gifts.
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Francesco Molino – Andante movement of Sonata No 1 (Op 6)
After playing my first Molino piece last week, I tried digging into his music a bit more. This is one I found that I really enjoy. It’s pretty simple, and has lots of opportunity to add musicality.
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Eric Phillips This is very nice, Eric and beautifully played. It seems surprising that Molino is so neglected. I have seen his works in compilations but I don't think I have come across any YT recordings are commercial recordings of his works. I will look into it now. Thanks for the introduction.
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. Marek Cupak plays a lot of Molino on a romantic guitar. I also found an amazing book of Molino's guitar works, with background and in-depth analysis of every piece by Cupak. It was free on a website, but I have attached it if you're interested. It's pretty incredible.
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Eric Phillips Thanks for the download Eric I will look into it.
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Sor Etude #8 op. 6
This will be my final submission for this mini Challenge. I think this is much better. I believe the articulations are more controlled and the middle voices are clearer where I intended.
I should mention that my nails have returned and seem to holding up. I am applying 2 layers of silk wrap over the tips of each nail for extra support. we will see if they last.
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Jack Stewart You played this classic Estudio very well. Great job bringing out the middle voice.
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale. It still needs refinement but I feel I am getting closer to what I want.
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Jack Stewart Well done. However, a lot of students would hesitate to call this one "easy". There is a lot going on.
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Napoléon Coste Andantino Op 51 No 4
I stumbled across this today and really liked it.
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Eric Phillips hi Eric, thank you very much for continuing this topic; it’s been a source of pieces for me, a novice, to pursue, but with a higher level of musical targets in mind, especially hearing your great renditions.
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David Thanks, David. Maybe we can keep this mini-challenge going for a nice long time!
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Eric Phillips yes please!
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An easy piece by Roque Carbajo I recorded yesterday when luthier François Laramée has drop by my house with two guitars to try...
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Blaise Laflamme So beautiful, Blaise! If I give you my address, will he drop by my house?
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Blaise Laflamme wonderful piece and performance! A little off topic, but since luthiers and guitar testing was mentioned, I am seeking advice on whether I should consider a 7/8 guitar or similar since I struggle with reaches in the lower positions. Do you know where I might go on ToneBase to ask for some discussion on this topic and perhaps some recommendations for a smaller guitar?
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Eric Phillips thanks Eric... who knows
... this was an interesting session recording on both cedar and spruce top 2023 new guitars! -
David Thanks David, you can definitely post your question under the «General Discussion» thread here to start a conversation about this topic. IMHO you have to try a few of different size by yourself and see how comfortable you are to get a base idea about the dimension, the sound, the lower and higher positions, etc.
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Blaise Laflamme Beautiful! Two great sounding guitars. Congrats to luthier. While I like the sound of both, my preference from recording would be the Spruce top. I really like that clear and crisp spruce tone.
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale, I agree with you I also prefer the Spruce top, while many years ago my preference would have probably been the Cedar one!
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Blaise Laflamme they are both beautiful sounding guitars. I prefer the cedar just a bit more.
Great playing!
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