I need to smoothe out my shoulder to bass transition August 1, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals, Posture.3 comments
As Mike said, my shoulder shouldn’t just jump down when I go thumb. Instead, my shoulder should gradually move towards the bass neck. He worked on this by just going back and forth in the transition zone.
I’d like to add that whenever I try to do this, my shoulder hits the neck in a low place. I don’t know how to fix this at the moment. I like the height of the bass, so . . . I don’t know.
I need to improve my high position vibrato July 16, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals, Posture.1 comment so far
I have a feeling that improving my posture will help with this because my vibrato is off because my hand is in an aqward position to do it–it’s almost in line with the strings. I have to focus on bringing my entire posture downwards . . . damn, how? I just figured out that I was leaning too far, now too little?
Focus July 12, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Focus, Goals.1 comment so far
As I remember Mr. Hurst advising me, practicing smarter is better. I need to be on it when I practice. I’ve found that having a blindfold on helps very much.
I need to practice earlier July 12, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals.add a comment
Lately, I’ve been practicing after 6:00pm. Starting earlier will probably be better. Today, I had no choice since I got home so late, but I need to work on it when I can.
The concept of space July 11, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals.1 comment so far
After listening to Uncle Tony about the Japanese-Taiko concept of space, I want to incoporate it into my playing. I have to remember that rests are just as important as notes and that not playing is just as important as playing.
I quote Uncle Tony:
The Japanese concept is called mah ( I not sure of spelling because I have
seen it spelled ma too). Japanese think that space is very
important. Have you every notice a Japanese flower arrangement or
garden. Very sparse by western standards. Westerners like to fill up
everything and make it big and complicated.And if you think about space in terms of physics it makes sense too. In
actuality, space and time are the same thing. Think about it – the
distance between stars are measured in light years, a measurement of time.So when it comes to notes or beats, the Japanese also consider the space or
amount of time in between notes – when nothing happens – to be just as
important as the notes or beats themselves. The space or nothingness seems
to emphasize the notes or beats when played. I have also found out that it
is much more difficult to play a song that is very slow or has a lot of
space between notes because when a note is played, that note is really
emphasized. Also, when playing in a group, it is more difficult to play
together when the notes are few and far between. Think about it – a
mistake is much more noticeable during a very slow piece compared to a fast
piece.In taiko we also talk about the physical space around you and it’s link to
the space between notes. When your are busy hitting a lot of beats really
fast there is little space between notes and you take up very little
physical space. You can only lift up your sticks a little bit before you
have to hit the next beat. However, when you have a lot of space in
between beats, you have time to lift up your sticks higher and take up more
physical space. The more space between between beats the more time you
have to take up more physical space. Then taiko becomes visual as well as
auditory. And yes, it is more difficult. It is also why listening to
taiko on a CD doesn’t do it justice. You gotta see it too.Also, in traditional Japanese music (not the westernized pop music that is
heard today) there is no set tempo. The timing changes constantly. No set
foot stomping 1, 2, 3, 4. Very different feel to it.We don’t play taiko like that. It would be very difficult to do something
like that with a group. Just imagine a tempo that sped up and slowed down
randomly throughout the whole song.I think giving importance to the space in between beats will help your
playing. It will make you more aware of what is going on when you are not
playing.
Kreutzer no. 5 July 10, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals.2 comments
My goal is to get K5 up to 160 bpm by the end of this summer. I originally had the goal at 140 bpm, but I’ve already accomplished it. I’m currently at 145 bpm.
Nanny pre-etude no.1, C major July 10, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals.1 comment so far
There’s no definite goal, I just want to get them as fast as possible.
Current tempos:
1. 90 bpm, 70 bpm
2. 60 bpm
Dragonetti Concerto July 10, 2006
Posted by 06kahao in Goals.3 comments
My rep goal for the summer is to learn the entire Dragonetti Concerto. Plus, I want to re-learn the first movement with G-string usage. I haven’t looked at the third movement yet.
