WEEK 1: Exploring Sor's Music!

Andre Bernier Well done, Andre! I concur with what others have said here: a BIG improvement is evident in the second takes; and there seems to be something not quite right about the position of your right hand and the manner in which you pluck the strings, To me, it looks as though your hand is not sufficiently relaxed, which is never a good thing. Part of the problem, I suspect, is the angle at which you are holding the guitar. Ideally, the face of the guitar should be perpendicular to the floor (or very nearly so). I have the impression (it's a little difficult to tell from the video) that you are allowing the guitar to 'lean' back towards the chest. Remember that when the guitar is in proper position, the front of it (including the fingerboard) should be hidden from view when one is sitting erect. It is necessary to lean forward a little to see the frets, which (if you watch seasoned players) is done only occasionally. Hope this helps!

Andre Bernier I am hoping to join this challenge.  I have been working on the Tonebase lesson on Sor Op 60 No 9 for awhile now.  Been hesitant to post it since I mess it up badly whenever I try recording it even though I am playing well below tempo.

Jim King I hope you do post this, Jim - op.60/9 is a lovely little study. I certainly wouldn't worry about playing it at tempo - especially Sanel Redzic's tempo, which is pretty brisk! Btw, have you looked at the study which immediately precedes this in opus 60 (ie. no.8)? It's essentially the same piece, but in a slightly different - and easier - form: the movement is in quarter notes rather than eighths. Sor presumably viewed the one as preparatory to the other. Here's the score, in case you don't have it:

https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/d/da/IMSLP836891-PMLP93616-Sor_F-Intro_25_Et_Op60.pdf

David Krupka Thank you for posting the scores for Sor Op. 60.  Since starting to play No 9, I have come to understand that No. 8 uses the same chords as No. 9, but was written in an easier to play fashion than No. 9.  I'm planning to play No. 8 sometime today.

As for posting a video of my playing No. 9, just want to clarify that my hesitancy is not due to my tempo but rather how badly I mess up the playing of the piece when recording even though I am at a slow tempo.  However, I am encouraged by today's practice of No. 9 which will encourage me to try a video recording soon.

Jim King I do understand your hesitancy, Jim. I think in general if you're having difficulty getting through a piece at a particular tempo, you need to slow it down to the point that you can comfortably manage it. I find it helpful to use a metronome for this. Once you establish your 'baseline' tempo, increase it bit by bit until you get to your target tempo, whatever that might be. This can be a rather tiresome procedure that typically involves a number independent practice sessions, but I find it works, at least in cases where speed is the main difficulty. I happen to think, btw, that if something is played well (i.e. cleanly and with musical expression) then it doesn't much matter what the tempo is. (Having said that, I would not want to claim that expression is unrelated to tempo - occasionally we do need to play quickly.)

Marilyn Blodget 

Thanks Marilyn for your comments. Playing with nails is new for me. The index nail is still short and do not pluck the strings all the time. However the index and major nails are now long enough and working fine. I still have a lot to learn by playing with nails and caring for them.  So far I am very happy with the tone I can generate. The only tool i am currently using is a nail sanding block i got from my wife . I will shortly order more effective tools including the micro mesh sanding cloths you are recommending.

I know I am using a lot of repeating fingers and I am working hard trying to improve this aspect of my playing. I am making some progress keeping in mind that these 2 studies were learned before and that I did not take the time to change the fingering. I will add that to my working list 

Anyway, thanks again, your comments are always helpful

Jack Stewart  Thanks Jack

Rick Lord  Thanks rick for your support .

David Krupka  Thanks David for your comments. You are right about everything - right hand - guitar position. I still need to see the frets most of the time and my old back has a tendency to find its way to rest on my seat back. The right hand is slowly getting there but often resisting the change  This is all work in progress 

Jim King  I also hope you will post something. This does not have to be perfect. This is just sharing your practice, learning from it, getting support and hints at improving your playing.