READ ME FIRST: Rules & FAQ for the Composing Etudes Community Challenge

Alright, everyone! Welcome to the Composing Etudes Community Composition Challenge! 

Three Weeks of another wonderful writing process! 

The What:

• We will discuss the pedagogical possibilities of writing etudes
• We will look at real examples from the guitar repertoire for ideas on how to focus on a single technique while still injecting our own creativity into the music
• You choose how much time you will invest and how many sketches you write
• A watch party featuring your submissions will take part at the end (date below!)

The When:

1.    October 11: Week 1 - Composing Etudes: Kickoff

2.    October 20: Week 2 - Composing Etudes: Feedback

3.    October 27: Week 3 - Composing Etudes: Watch Party

• Challenge start: Monday October 11th
• Watch party: Wednesday October 27th (also Mircea's birthday!)

The How:

1. First we will study examples and come up with some prompts based on YOUR suggestions for technical areas you'd like to improve. You can post your ideas in the Week 1 "Kickoff" thread (<- click)

2. Next, post your sketches for me to review before week 2 (October 20) in the Week 2 "Feedback" thread (<- click)

3. Finally, submit whatever you'd like to be featured in the Week 3 "Watch Party" thread (<- click) 

If you are comfortable with it, add a video or audio of yourself performing it whenever you make a post or for your watch party submission. This is optional, but it will allow others to hear your music played by a real instrument rather than MIDI. 

I encourage you to post updates at least 1-2 times per week.

The Why:

• Because we want to challenge ourselves to write more
• Because we want to provide more material for guitar repertoire and exercises
• Because we get to share our progress with others (whether video or just text)
• Because new music is wonderful
• Because we want to meet our fellow tonebase community members

The Fun Part:

• At the end of our practice challenge, we will be hosting another Watch Party on tonebase LIVE! This will feature user submissions, community awards and shoutouts!
• This is planned for October 27th at 11 am Pacific (2 pm Eastern, 7 pm London, 8 pm CET)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I join the challenge if I wasn't there on October 11?

Yes! 

Do I have to go through all exercises?

Absolutely not. You are free to go as far as you wish!

I have a question, who do I ask?

Feel free to use this thread to ask any questions you might have about this challenge! If you would prefer to ask something in a more confidential setting, please use my email: [email protected]

Can I do more than one set of exercise per week?

Absolutely! As always, this challenge is for you - do with it what you wish. 

↓ Reply with other questions below ↓