Monthly Open Circle

A Tuning the Air Journal

Saturday March 6, 2010 – Monthly Open Circle

Arrived at Fremont Abbey about 9:45. The risers from the café were set up as a stage in the Great Hall. It was not in our way, but for those of us who had been in charge of tearing down and resetting the stage when we were performing downstairs it was a bit of a flashback. And they are heavy. I an only assme that someone had to take them outside and around to the front door in order to get them upstairs. Not envying that task.

We began with 14 in the circle, plus myself and Frank. One player was a returnee who had been to last month’s circle, and the rest were the usual suspects. For these monthly circles, Frank’s work is generally support, working around the circle as we address the various exercises and challenges, rather than doing an in-depth AT class. And since everyone there had experience, there was no need for even an introductory talk. So we dove in. Three conducted chords to herald the beginning, and then “when ready, begin.” From there to some basic circulating exercises, which I was regarding as warmup to some bidirectional circulation work I had in mind.

About 20 minutes into the circle, I noticed someone come to the door. I let him in. It was one of the newcomers on the attendance list, running rather late. We wrapped up the particular exercise we were working on, and invited him in. Now 15 in the circle. This required a certain recalibration, and the rest of the first hour was focused on getting the newcomer into the flow with basic circulation techniques.

A short break, and some much needed tuning, and we were back for the second hour. A little more basic circulating, and we launched into the bidirectional circulation exercise I had in mind. This one involved assigned notes spelling out one octave of a C Harmonic Minor scale played from G to G and back down, in the low register, moving counter clockwise, and a two note ostinato line in the high register moving clockwise. We began with simply counting and then counting and playing each part, and eventually counting and playing both parts simultaneously. With 15 in the circle this meant that the person initiating would play both of their notes simultaneously, and that on the other side of the circle there were a pair of folks at the crossover point. Tricky business, but a skill that is needed for the reemerged Bach Invention project.

After the circle, a short Seattle Circle board of director’s meeting at my place to consider a community outreach/educational initiative.