Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuning the Air Complete
At 9:54pm Pacific Time, December 16, 2011, after many anecdotes and many toasts, Tuning the Air was declared completed.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuning the Air #225 - The Final Performance
A Tuning the Air Journal
Tuning the Air #225
December 15, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
The Final Performance of Tuning the Air
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Tuning the Air #225
December 15, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
The Final Performance of Tuning the Air
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur (Gavin)Encore:
Little Red Truck (Germaine)
Prelude in B Minor (JS Bach)
Fugue in B Minor (JS Bach)
Tango Apasionato (Piazzolla)
Tico-Tico no Fubá (Abreu)
Gnossienne (Satie)
Vashon Ferry (Metcalf/Abuladze)
Chanson de Mardi Gras (Trad)
Circulation in A Minor (TTA)
Space Circus Part I (Corea)
five-five-FIVE (Zappa)
I Am The Walrus (Lennon/McCartney)
Slow Burn (Williams/Binder/et al)
Mad World (Orabal, arr Andrews)
Fallout (Gibson/Williams)
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Part II (Fripp)
Thrak (Fripp)Final Encore:
Spiral (Cmaj/min) (TTA)
Eye of the Needle (Fripp)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Final Extracurricular group workout (#14)
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Final Extracurricular group workout (#14)
The final (everything this week is “the final”) extracurricular group workout. Curt, Jaxie, Carl, Chris and Greg gathered at Curt’s place to work for a couple of hours on whatever seemed useful and relevant.
Chris and Greg were running a few minutes late, so Jaxie and Carl began by looking at the tempo and count-in for “Tico Tico”. Several runs through this as the rest of the team gathered, as well as later on during the break and just before the rehearsal came to an end.
Chris arrived. For a warmup I suggested cycling the diminished run from “Fallout”, with the metronome beginning at a rather benign tempo and notching it up until we reached performance tempo. Greg arrived and joined in at the tail end of the warmup. We then ran the entire piece, at tempo with the metronome.
Jaxie suggested “Slow Burn” next. A simple runthrough, with metronome, followed by a short discussion of some “feel” matters and how we can bring it together.
“Tango Apasionato” was up. Specifically, the final verse where Chris is improvising a counter-melody. We looped that verse for a while, giving Chris the opportunity to explore the possibilities. A full runthrough with metronome.
“Prelude and Fugue”, without metronome, not to mention without 4/9 of the players. Each piece presents its own set of challenges, and the missing players their own set of holes and gaps. It is a very useful exercise, though not necessarily a very fun one.
With the metronome: “Eye of the Needle”, “Mad World”, “I Am The Walrus” and “Larks’ Tongues”, and "Chanson de Mardi Gras" (with impromptu improvised percussion accompaniment).
We ended with several more runs through the Bach pieces, this time on our feet. A couple of segments were highlighted and worked for clarity.
Tomorrow, Performance Number 225; the final performance of Tuning the Air.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Final Extracurricular group workout (#14)
The final (everything this week is “the final”) extracurricular group workout. Curt, Jaxie, Carl, Chris and Greg gathered at Curt’s place to work for a couple of hours on whatever seemed useful and relevant.
Chris and Greg were running a few minutes late, so Jaxie and Carl began by looking at the tempo and count-in for “Tico Tico”. Several runs through this as the rest of the team gathered, as well as later on during the break and just before the rehearsal came to an end.
Chris arrived. For a warmup I suggested cycling the diminished run from “Fallout”, with the metronome beginning at a rather benign tempo and notching it up until we reached performance tempo. Greg arrived and joined in at the tail end of the warmup. We then ran the entire piece, at tempo with the metronome.
Jaxie suggested “Slow Burn” next. A simple runthrough, with metronome, followed by a short discussion of some “feel” matters and how we can bring it together.
“Tango Apasionato” was up. Specifically, the final verse where Chris is improvising a counter-melody. We looped that verse for a while, giving Chris the opportunity to explore the possibilities. A full runthrough with metronome.
“Prelude and Fugue”, without metronome, not to mention without 4/9 of the players. Each piece presents its own set of challenges, and the missing players their own set of holes and gaps. It is a very useful exercise, though not necessarily a very fun one.
With the metronome: “Eye of the Needle”, “Mad World”, “I Am The Walrus” and “Larks’ Tongues”, and "Chanson de Mardi Gras" (with impromptu improvised percussion accompaniment).
We ended with several more runs through the Bach pieces, this time on our feet. A couple of segments were highlighted and worked for clarity.
Tomorrow, Performance Number 225; the final performance of Tuning the Air.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Final Performance Team Rehearsal (with an asterisk)
A Tuning the Air Journal
Monday December 12, 2011 – Final Performance Team Rehearsal (with an asterisk)
The asterisk is that this was technically the final “full team” rehearsal. The full performance team, including Igor, Joel, Darlene, and Bill, together in rehearsal for the last time. There remains one more Wednesday afternoon extracurricular workout for those available.
We ran the Prelude and Fugue first, cold. Just to see how we were.
Then, following on from the detail work we did with Bill on Saturday, we simply walked through the set. With every piece we identified the various things that we wanted to pay attention to, and with those in mind played through the piece, in many cases with the metronome. Except to test an idea that Bill had for “Slow Burn”, we really didn’t “work” anything. We simply acknowledged the challenges and aims for each piece, played it, and if necessary made observations afterward.
Everything is very solid. On Wednesday afternoon some of us have the extracurricular rehearsal to hammer out any details we would like to touch on, but essentially, it is personal practice, and on to Thursday.
Monday December 12, 2011 – Final Performance Team Rehearsal (with an asterisk)
The asterisk is that this was technically the final “full team” rehearsal. The full performance team, including Igor, Joel, Darlene, and Bill, together in rehearsal for the last time. There remains one more Wednesday afternoon extracurricular workout for those available.
We ran the Prelude and Fugue first, cold. Just to see how we were.
Then, following on from the detail work we did with Bill on Saturday, we simply walked through the set. With every piece we identified the various things that we wanted to pay attention to, and with those in mind played through the piece, in many cases with the metronome. Except to test an idea that Bill had for “Slow Burn”, we really didn’t “work” anything. We simply acknowledged the challenges and aims for each piece, played it, and if necessary made observations afterward.
Everything is very solid. On Wednesday afternoon some of us have the extracurricular rehearsal to hammer out any details we would like to touch on, but essentially, it is personal practice, and on to Thursday.
Happy Birthday Tuning the Air
December 12, 2011
Happy Birthday Tuning the Air
Seven years ago today, up on the third floor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard, a weekend workshop was wrapping up. The finale was a feast for about 25 people. Jaxie, Bob, Travis, Taylor and I were among those taking part, and from time to time the workshop director would call upon us to play some music. We would get our guitars, go out in the hallway to strategize what our set would be - 2 or 3 pieces. We entered, took our place up near the head of the table, and performed.
The third and final time we were called upon, we chose for our final selection “Eye of the Needle”, which is also known as “Guitar Craft Theme III”, and is within the repertoire of anyone who has been involved with Guitar Craft for a period of time. We entered, and performed our first selection. When it came time for “Eye of the Needle”, we spread out and surrounded the audience – to the extent that 5 players can “surround” a banquet table set up for 25 diners. The effect was immediate and profound. Of course, the composition has that quality and effect for anyone who can enter in to it, but there was something in this presentation that seemed to bring the music to life in a very particular way. Collecting ourselves outside of the room after the performance, we had the clear sense that something momentous had just occurred.
At the table, and so in the audience that night were, among others: Frank Sheldon, Jan Jarvis, Hugh Elliot, George Bennett and Michael Fredrick.
This Thursday night, what was set in motion that night reaches its completion.
Happy Birthday Tuning the Air
Seven years ago today, up on the third floor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard, a weekend workshop was wrapping up. The finale was a feast for about 25 people. Jaxie, Bob, Travis, Taylor and I were among those taking part, and from time to time the workshop director would call upon us to play some music. We would get our guitars, go out in the hallway to strategize what our set would be - 2 or 3 pieces. We entered, took our place up near the head of the table, and performed.
The third and final time we were called upon, we chose for our final selection “Eye of the Needle”, which is also known as “Guitar Craft Theme III”, and is within the repertoire of anyone who has been involved with Guitar Craft for a period of time. We entered, and performed our first selection. When it came time for “Eye of the Needle”, we spread out and surrounded the audience – to the extent that 5 players can “surround” a banquet table set up for 25 diners. The effect was immediate and profound. Of course, the composition has that quality and effect for anyone who can enter in to it, but there was something in this presentation that seemed to bring the music to life in a very particular way. Collecting ourselves outside of the room after the performance, we had the clear sense that something momentous had just occurred.
At the table, and so in the audience that night were, among others: Frank Sheldon, Jan Jarvis, Hugh Elliot, George Bennett and Michael Fredrick.
This Thursday night, what was set in motion that night reaches its completion.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Saturday December 10, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Our final Saturday rehearsal at Fremont Abbey. Everything this week is the “final this” or the “final that”.
Bill joined us, and offered notes from last Thursday’s performance. We walked through the set, identifying issues and working out details.
Quote of the day: “Occupy the up beat.”
Saturday December 10, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Our final Saturday rehearsal at Fremont Abbey. Everything this week is the “final this” or the “final that”.
Bill joined us, and offered notes from last Thursday’s performance. We walked through the set, identifying issues and working out details.
Quote of the day: “Occupy the up beat.”
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuning the Air #224
A Tuning the Air Journal
Thursday December 8, 2011 – Tuning the Air #224
Tuning the Air #224
December 8, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Thursday December 8, 2011 – Tuning the Air #224
Tuning the Air #224
December 8, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur (Gavin)Encore:
Little Red Truck (Germaine)
Prelude in B Minor (JS Bach)
Fugue in B Minor (JS Bach)
Tango Apasionato (Piazzolla)
Tico-Tico no Fubá (Abreu)
Gnossienne (Satie)
Vashon Ferry (Metcalf/Abuladze)
Chanson de Mardi Gras (Trad)
Circulation in A Minor (TTA)
Space Circus Part I (Corea)
five-five-FIVE (Zappa)
I Am The Walrus (Lennon/McCartney)
Slow Burn (Williams/Binder/et al)
Mad World (Orabal, arr Andrews)
Fallout (Gibson/Williams)
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Part II (Fripp)
Eye of the Needle (Fripp)
Spiral (Cmaj/min) (TTA)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Extracurricular group workout 13
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, December 6, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 13
A rolling quartet assembled this afternoon. Curt, Jaxie, Carl and Mary Beth began. For a bit of fun, we ran the Bach Prelude with only 4/5 of the circulated parts. These little excursions are amusing at the very least, but always educational to be sure. From there we went directly on to the Fugue, which will be debuted on Thursday. Jaxie and Carl have the most extensive parts, and we took the opportunity to run their parts as many times as possible. For Mary Beth and me it was largely a matter of counting, in order to make our entrances at the right times. Identifying some problem areas, we focused on these and then expanded the selections until we were back to running the entire piece. We ended the first hour with several passes using Garage Band to fill in the missing parts.
Carl had to depart for a job, and as he was leaving Greg arrived.
Jax, Curt and MB needed a break from Bach, so we looked at a number of other pieces from the setlist, largely working with the metronome, identifying areas of concern and addressing them. “Connecticut Yankee”, “Slow Burn”, “Fallout” and “Tango Apasionato”. We were considering a run through “Walrus”, but realized that time was running short. Greg needed at least a couple of runs through the Fugue, so we moved to that. Some final discussion of fingering options for some particularly dodgy passages, and then we called it a day.
Tomorrow, by hook of crook, it gets performed.
Wednesday, December 6, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 13
A rolling quartet assembled this afternoon. Curt, Jaxie, Carl and Mary Beth began. For a bit of fun, we ran the Bach Prelude with only 4/5 of the circulated parts. These little excursions are amusing at the very least, but always educational to be sure. From there we went directly on to the Fugue, which will be debuted on Thursday. Jaxie and Carl have the most extensive parts, and we took the opportunity to run their parts as many times as possible. For Mary Beth and me it was largely a matter of counting, in order to make our entrances at the right times. Identifying some problem areas, we focused on these and then expanded the selections until we were back to running the entire piece. We ended the first hour with several passes using Garage Band to fill in the missing parts.
Carl had to depart for a job, and as he was leaving Greg arrived.
Jax, Curt and MB needed a break from Bach, so we looked at a number of other pieces from the setlist, largely working with the metronome, identifying areas of concern and addressing them. “Connecticut Yankee”, “Slow Burn”, “Fallout” and “Tango Apasionato”. We were considering a run through “Walrus”, but realized that time was running short. Greg needed at least a couple of runs through the Fugue, so we moved to that. Some final discussion of fingering options for some particularly dodgy passages, and then we called it a day.
Tomorrow, by hook of crook, it gets performed.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Monday December 5, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
All hands on deck for our penultimate Monday night rehearsal.
The Bach Fugue was the order of the evening. We spent the first 30 minutes focused on the piece. It is in the set. We could easily have spent the entire rehearsal on it, but we do have a gig on Thursday. Chris outlined the revamped setlist for this week, and it was decided that we would run whatever piece anyone felt needed attention, and in between each piece we would run the Fugue. This worked pretty well. We worked on “I Am The Walrus”, “Slow Burn”, “Tango Apasionato”, “Mad World”, “Tico Tico”, “Eye of the Needle” and “Thrak”. In between each, we ran the Fugue, for better or worse, occasionally appending the Prelude.
During the break, Jaxie provided, hot from the oven, butterscotch bread pudding, from the recipe that was such a hit at the Raft Island retreat. A winner once again.
Monday December 5, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
All hands on deck for our penultimate Monday night rehearsal.
The Bach Fugue was the order of the evening. We spent the first 30 minutes focused on the piece. It is in the set. We could easily have spent the entire rehearsal on it, but we do have a gig on Thursday. Chris outlined the revamped setlist for this week, and it was decided that we would run whatever piece anyone felt needed attention, and in between each piece we would run the Fugue. This worked pretty well. We worked on “I Am The Walrus”, “Slow Burn”, “Tango Apasionato”, “Mad World”, “Tico Tico”, “Eye of the Needle” and “Thrak”. In between each, we ran the Fugue, for better or worse, occasionally appending the Prelude.
During the break, Jaxie provided, hot from the oven, butterscotch bread pudding, from the recipe that was such a hit at the Raft Island retreat. A winner once again.
Extra Extracurricular group workout
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, December 5, 2011 – Extra Extracurricular group workout
Jaxie, Carl, Greg and Curt got together for 90 minutes to drill through the B Minor Fugue. Very useful. Personally, I feel that I have developed a relationship with this piece beyond the (daunting) task of simply playing the right notes at the right time. This makes it all feel possible to me, which is a good thing since I have no doubt that it will be in the setlist this Thursday.
Wednesday, December 5, 2011 – Extra Extracurricular group workout
Jaxie, Carl, Greg and Curt got together for 90 minutes to drill through the B Minor Fugue. Very useful. Personally, I feel that I have developed a relationship with this piece beyond the (daunting) task of simply playing the right notes at the right time. This makes it all feel possible to me, which is a good thing since I have no doubt that it will be in the setlist this Thursday.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Saturday December 3, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 869, from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1
…for 3 hours.
I suspect there are lot of guitarists taking afternoon naps.
Saturday December 3, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 869, from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1
…for 3 hours.
I suspect there are lot of guitarists taking afternoon naps.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuning the Air #223
A Tuning the Air Journal
Thursday December 1, 2011 – Tuning the Air #223
Tuning the Air #223
December 1, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Thursday December 1, 2011 – Tuning the Air #223
Tuning the Air #223
December 1, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Tuning the Air in F Major (TTA)Encore:
Slow Burn (Binder/Williams/et al)
Little Red Truck (Germain)
A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur (Gavin)
B Minor Prelude (JS Bach)
Tango Apasionato (Piazzolla)
Tico-Tico no Fubá (Abreu)
Gnossienne (Satie)
Vashon Ferry (Metcalf/Abuladze)
Chanson de Mardi Gras (Trad)
Circulation in A Minor (TTA)
Space Circus Part I (Corea)
five-five-FIVE (Zappa)
I Will (Lennon/McCartney)
I Am The Walrus (Lennon/McCartney)
Mad World (Orabal, arr Andrews)
Fallout (Gibson/Williams)
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Part II (Fripp)
Eye of the Needle (Fripp)
Spiral (Cmaj/min) (TTA)
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