Showing posts with label Tuning the Air. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tuning the Air. Show all posts
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)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Extracurricular group workout 12
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 12
A quintet this afternoon: Chris, Mary Beth, Carl, Jaxie and Curt.
We began with “five-five-FIVE”. For me, this is one that needs regular rehearsal, as I am still working on my command of the part. We ramped up from a modest tempo, eventually getting up to our blazing target 198bpm. Interestingly, we found some of the interim tempos more difficult than the faster target.
As it is the opener on Thursday, Jaxie suggested we run “Slow Burn”. With missing parts, this was particularly challenging, especially the cascade arpeggios in the middle. We returned to that middle part several times to clear up some details.
“Connecticut Yankee” was up next. Tempo has been an issue with this one; we generally play it on the slow side. We ran it a number of times, also ramping up the metronome. After a number of passes, we determined that the target tempo we set some time ago is a bit too frantic, and so notched that back a bit. As I bring this in, it will be up to me to do some personal practice with the metronome, to ensure that I introduce the bass line at the right tempo.
A 5/9 version of the Bach “B Minor Prelude”. Always interesting and entertaining to rehearse circulated pieces with parts missing – in this case, almost half of the parts missing. We have sufficient command of the piece now that even these loping renditions are doable, coherent and even musical. We joked that we should perform it like this some day.
Ended with some detail work on “Larks’ Tongues”, looking at the parts the Tony had added when he was performing with us. These parts fall to Carl. Tony had showed them to him, in a rush at the end of our last rehearsal together, so we needed to do some reconstruction. We even tried to get Tony on skype, but he was unavailable. In the end we worked it out. A number of passes through the affected sections was necessary to get it right.
Chris had to leave. The remaining 4 of us ran a 4/9 version of the B Minor Fugue. Carl and Jaxie carry the heaviest load on this piece, and wanted as many opportunities to play through it as possible. For Mary Beth and myself, it is all about counting, to ensure that we make our entrances at the right place. We are going to meet again on Friday to continue this. Saturday’s rehearsal will be focused on this piece for the entire group.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 12
A quintet this afternoon: Chris, Mary Beth, Carl, Jaxie and Curt.
We began with “five-five-FIVE”. For me, this is one that needs regular rehearsal, as I am still working on my command of the part. We ramped up from a modest tempo, eventually getting up to our blazing target 198bpm. Interestingly, we found some of the interim tempos more difficult than the faster target.
As it is the opener on Thursday, Jaxie suggested we run “Slow Burn”. With missing parts, this was particularly challenging, especially the cascade arpeggios in the middle. We returned to that middle part several times to clear up some details.
“Connecticut Yankee” was up next. Tempo has been an issue with this one; we generally play it on the slow side. We ran it a number of times, also ramping up the metronome. After a number of passes, we determined that the target tempo we set some time ago is a bit too frantic, and so notched that back a bit. As I bring this in, it will be up to me to do some personal practice with the metronome, to ensure that I introduce the bass line at the right tempo.
A 5/9 version of the Bach “B Minor Prelude”. Always interesting and entertaining to rehearse circulated pieces with parts missing – in this case, almost half of the parts missing. We have sufficient command of the piece now that even these loping renditions are doable, coherent and even musical. We joked that we should perform it like this some day.
Ended with some detail work on “Larks’ Tongues”, looking at the parts the Tony had added when he was performing with us. These parts fall to Carl. Tony had showed them to him, in a rush at the end of our last rehearsal together, so we needed to do some reconstruction. We even tried to get Tony on skype, but he was unavailable. In the end we worked it out. A number of passes through the affected sections was necessary to get it right.
Chris had to leave. The remaining 4 of us ran a 4/9 version of the B Minor Fugue. Carl and Jaxie carry the heaviest load on this piece, and wanted as many opportunities to play through it as possible. For Mary Beth and myself, it is all about counting, to ensure that we make our entrances at the right place. We are going to meet again on Friday to continue this. Saturday’s rehearsal will be focused on this piece for the entire group.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Monday November 28, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Back from the Thanksgiving break, with all hands on deck. Travis a little under the weather. The rest of us also a little slow getting back up to speed.
The first hour focused on the B Minor Fugue. The closer we get, the farther away it seems. Some very challenging elements to this arrangement, not the least of which is long tacits that require diligent counting if there is any hope for entrances in the right places. No room for even a moment of lapsed attention. On the upside, we are able to hold it together well enough that we can each finally hear our own parts in the context of the whole piece, and that helps us to identify musical cues that are necessary. Moving from playing parts to playing music. It is not in the set for this week, but Saturday’s rehearsal will be entirely dedicated to this piece, so a debut on the 8th is definitely in the realm of possibility; and given that there are only two more opportunities to perform it, perhaps even in the realm of probability.
Short break and then on to this week’s set. Chris has stirred things up a bit. No new repertoire for this week, but changing up the order. He read through the set, and then we ran it. We played as many pieces as time would allow – very necessary since we are a little rusty from the holiday – and tested all of the transitions, even on the pieces we didn’t play. Reviewed the zithers for the spiral circulation; Tony was in the performance team for the last couple of shows, so we needed to revert to the arrangement we used before that. The new opening segment seems to be very strong. One on-the-fly change to the second segment presented itself, and is a clear improvement.
A short discussion of practicalities for the final three shows, focusing on the anticipation of increased audiences. Invitations have gone out to everyone who has ever been part of the Tuning the Air company to be our guests for the final show.
Monday November 28, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Back from the Thanksgiving break, with all hands on deck. Travis a little under the weather. The rest of us also a little slow getting back up to speed.
The first hour focused on the B Minor Fugue. The closer we get, the farther away it seems. Some very challenging elements to this arrangement, not the least of which is long tacits that require diligent counting if there is any hope for entrances in the right places. No room for even a moment of lapsed attention. On the upside, we are able to hold it together well enough that we can each finally hear our own parts in the context of the whole piece, and that helps us to identify musical cues that are necessary. Moving from playing parts to playing music. It is not in the set for this week, but Saturday’s rehearsal will be entirely dedicated to this piece, so a debut on the 8th is definitely in the realm of possibility; and given that there are only two more opportunities to perform it, perhaps even in the realm of probability.
Short break and then on to this week’s set. Chris has stirred things up a bit. No new repertoire for this week, but changing up the order. He read through the set, and then we ran it. We played as many pieces as time would allow – very necessary since we are a little rusty from the holiday – and tested all of the transitions, even on the pieces we didn’t play. Reviewed the zithers for the spiral circulation; Tony was in the performance team for the last couple of shows, so we needed to revert to the arrangement we used before that. The new opening segment seems to be very strong. One on-the-fly change to the second segment presented itself, and is a clear improvement.
A short discussion of practicalities for the final three shows, focusing on the anticipation of increased audiences. Invitations have gone out to everyone who has ever been part of the Tuning the Air company to be our guests for the final show.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuning the Air #222
A Tuning the Air Journal
Thursday November 17, 2011 – Tuning the Air #222
Tuning the Air #222
November 17, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Thursday November 17, 2011 – Tuning the Air #222
Tuning the Air #222
November 17, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King ArthurEncore:
Little Red Truck
Circulation in A Minor
Space Circus Part I
B Minor Prelude
Tango Apasionato
Tico-Tico no Fubá
Vashon Ferry
Chanson de Mardi Gras
I Will
five-five-FIVE
Gnossienne
I Am The Walrus
Slow Burn
Mad World
Fallout
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Part II
Twinkles (Cmaj)Second Encore:
Spiral Zithers/Criss-Cross Circulation (Cmin)
Eye of the Needle
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Extracurricular group workout 11
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 11
Seven on hand this afternoon: Curt, Greg, Chris, Mary Beth, Carl, Jaxie, and Tony.
“five-five-Five” is on the setlist for tomorrow’s show, so this was our opportunity to get it up to speed, as it were. “Speed”, in this case is still about 85% or our eventual target tempo, but still fast enough to achieve escape velocity. We began by running it at about 80% of that, listening and exploring the relationships between the parts, and identifying points of timing, picking technique and phrasing that need to be clearly articulated as we take the tempo up. We worked up to the target working tempo, with and without the metronome. When an area of concern appeared, we slowed it back down and focused on that until we had cleared it up, and then pushed ahead.
We moved on to several runs through “Tango Apasionato”, looking a details of phrasing and tempo.
Just before the break, Jaxie and I ran through the newly rearranged “I Will” several times. Some discussion among the group about matters of phrasing, and a general consensus that the changes are a definite improvement.
Greg departed, and we reconvened with a runthrough of “I Am The Walrus” with metronome. Tony has been improving through the outro, but Jaxie saw a part that he could take on, which doubles Bob’s part, and we worked a bit on that.
On a lark, we took a shot at the first half of the B Minor Fugue. Jaxie and Carl hold down the largest parts of this section, and had spent part of the morning rehearsing it together, so they were well warmed up. With the staggered entrances, simply keeping track of long tacits may in the end be the biggest challenge of this piece. With a little help from Tony counting bars, this came off remarkably well, even with 3 parts missing.
Tony requested a runthrough of “Fallout”, as he is still working at mastering the melody, and its rather idiosyncratic timing. We went through the entire piece once, and then looped the main section a few additional times so that he could get some time in on that melody in context.
One more “five-five-FIVE” and we called it a day.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 11
Seven on hand this afternoon: Curt, Greg, Chris, Mary Beth, Carl, Jaxie, and Tony.
“five-five-Five” is on the setlist for tomorrow’s show, so this was our opportunity to get it up to speed, as it were. “Speed”, in this case is still about 85% or our eventual target tempo, but still fast enough to achieve escape velocity. We began by running it at about 80% of that, listening and exploring the relationships between the parts, and identifying points of timing, picking technique and phrasing that need to be clearly articulated as we take the tempo up. We worked up to the target working tempo, with and without the metronome. When an area of concern appeared, we slowed it back down and focused on that until we had cleared it up, and then pushed ahead.
We moved on to several runs through “Tango Apasionato”, looking a details of phrasing and tempo.
Just before the break, Jaxie and I ran through the newly rearranged “I Will” several times. Some discussion among the group about matters of phrasing, and a general consensus that the changes are a definite improvement.
Greg departed, and we reconvened with a runthrough of “I Am The Walrus” with metronome. Tony has been improving through the outro, but Jaxie saw a part that he could take on, which doubles Bob’s part, and we worked a bit on that.
On a lark, we took a shot at the first half of the B Minor Fugue. Jaxie and Carl hold down the largest parts of this section, and had spent part of the morning rehearsing it together, so they were well warmed up. With the staggered entrances, simply keeping track of long tacits may in the end be the biggest challenge of this piece. With a little help from Tony counting bars, this came off remarkably well, even with 3 parts missing.
Tony requested a runthrough of “Fallout”, as he is still working at mastering the melody, and its rather idiosyncratic timing. We went through the entire piece once, and then looped the main section a few additional times so that he could get some time in on that melody in context.
One more “five-five-FIVE” and we called it a day.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Monday November 14, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Full team on board, including Tony and Darlene.
The first hour was entirely dedicated to the B Minor Fugue from Book One of the Well-Tempered Clavier. This is different from anything we have ever played in this project, and since it involves staggered entrances of statements, playing it from anywhere but the beginning is a bit of a chore, with people grabbing for their scores to be sure about what bar we are talking about. The overall feel of this part of the rehearsal was an odd combination of feeling helpless in front of the challenge, and the growing sense that in spite of everything, it is really possible. We never achieved a flawless runthrough, but several were good enough that the potential of the piece was clearly evident. We did once through the Prelude and then into the Fugue in order to get a taste of how that will flow.
A break that included cupcakes (courtesy of Tony) in celebration of Mary Beth and Taylor’s second wedding anniversary. A number of us reminiscing about the endlessly modulating rendition of “Brasil” that we played at the wedding, as the guests moved from the ceremony to the bar and their dinner tables. One of their wedding gifts was a box of 3 bottles of champaign, each tagged to be consumed at 1-year intervals on November 14. We popped open the one marked 2011. Fortunately, with so many of us present, this meant only a sip for everyone, and the rest of the rehearsal was not too adversely affected.
For the balance of rehearsal, we looked at assorted details. Work on the middle section of “Slow Burn”, which continues to be blissful when it works, but a little labored when it doesn’t. Discovered several little changes that make the transitions to and from this section much stronger, and discovered a bit of attitude that enlivens the section itself.
Talked through the middle set, which features small group pieces. Chris had a slight reordering that will keep things moving a bit. A final “in or out” decision made about “I Will” came out “in”. The trio discussed one clear change in the arrangement, and will look for an opportunity to rehearse before Thursday. “five-five-FIVE” is in the set for Thursday. We touched on it briefly, and made plans to make it the focus of Wednesday afternoon’s extracurricular rehearsal.
Monday November 14, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
Full team on board, including Tony and Darlene.
The first hour was entirely dedicated to the B Minor Fugue from Book One of the Well-Tempered Clavier. This is different from anything we have ever played in this project, and since it involves staggered entrances of statements, playing it from anywhere but the beginning is a bit of a chore, with people grabbing for their scores to be sure about what bar we are talking about. The overall feel of this part of the rehearsal was an odd combination of feeling helpless in front of the challenge, and the growing sense that in spite of everything, it is really possible. We never achieved a flawless runthrough, but several were good enough that the potential of the piece was clearly evident. We did once through the Prelude and then into the Fugue in order to get a taste of how that will flow.
A break that included cupcakes (courtesy of Tony) in celebration of Mary Beth and Taylor’s second wedding anniversary. A number of us reminiscing about the endlessly modulating rendition of “Brasil” that we played at the wedding, as the guests moved from the ceremony to the bar and their dinner tables. One of their wedding gifts was a box of 3 bottles of champaign, each tagged to be consumed at 1-year intervals on November 14. We popped open the one marked 2011. Fortunately, with so many of us present, this meant only a sip for everyone, and the rest of the rehearsal was not too adversely affected.
For the balance of rehearsal, we looked at assorted details. Work on the middle section of “Slow Burn”, which continues to be blissful when it works, but a little labored when it doesn’t. Discovered several little changes that make the transitions to and from this section much stronger, and discovered a bit of attitude that enlivens the section itself.
Talked through the middle set, which features small group pieces. Chris had a slight reordering that will keep things moving a bit. A final “in or out” decision made about “I Will” came out “in”. The trio discussed one clear change in the arrangement, and will look for an opportunity to rehearse before Thursday. “five-five-FIVE” is in the set for Thursday. We touched on it briefly, and made plans to make it the focus of Wednesday afternoon’s extracurricular rehearsal.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Performance Team Rehearsal
A Tuning the Air Journal
Saturday November 12, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
B Minor Fugue day. This is a major undertaking. In some ways, a little silly in light of the fact that there are only 4 more shows. But we are not interested in cruising into home plate, so we are turning up the heat. This was a hard session of piecing together a very complex composition. There is a very clear and followable logic to Bob’s arrangement, but it will take a while for us to be able to discharge the parts accurately enough to really follow the arrangement, so for now it mostly involves a lot of counting. Tony, who does not have a part in this arrangement, became the designated measure counter, which was very useful. It is going to take a while, but “a while” is something we don’t really have, so we need to push. Agreed to have the first half memorized and playable for Monday night’s rehearsal.
Primarily work on matters of detail on several pieces that Bill had observations on. Specifically “Slow Burn”, “Tango Apasionato” and “I Will”. We managed a lot of detail work on the first two, clearing up the areas that were weak; largely matters of tempo and feel, rather than execution of parts. This is a time-consuming process, but in the end a very fruitful one.
We needed to move on to “five-five-FIVE”, so there was not time to properly look into “I Will”. Bill took a few minutes to articulate his observations, which included more than one bitter pill. Without decision, we agreed to come back to this on Monday.
“five-five-FIVE” was next. It is a twisty little beast. Chris is determined to have this up and running for Thursday’s show. A bit of dissention about picking approaches and tempo, but by the end the piece had a shape. More of this on Monday, and setting Wednesday’s afternoon rehearsal aside to dig in as deeply as possible.
Saturday November 12, 2011 – Performance Team Rehearsal
B Minor Fugue day. This is a major undertaking. In some ways, a little silly in light of the fact that there are only 4 more shows. But we are not interested in cruising into home plate, so we are turning up the heat. This was a hard session of piecing together a very complex composition. There is a very clear and followable logic to Bob’s arrangement, but it will take a while for us to be able to discharge the parts accurately enough to really follow the arrangement, so for now it mostly involves a lot of counting. Tony, who does not have a part in this arrangement, became the designated measure counter, which was very useful. It is going to take a while, but “a while” is something we don’t really have, so we need to push. Agreed to have the first half memorized and playable for Monday night’s rehearsal.
Primarily work on matters of detail on several pieces that Bill had observations on. Specifically “Slow Burn”, “Tango Apasionato” and “I Will”. We managed a lot of detail work on the first two, clearing up the areas that were weak; largely matters of tempo and feel, rather than execution of parts. This is a time-consuming process, but in the end a very fruitful one.
We needed to move on to “five-five-FIVE”, so there was not time to properly look into “I Will”. Bill took a few minutes to articulate his observations, which included more than one bitter pill. Without decision, we agreed to come back to this on Monday.
“five-five-FIVE” was next. It is a twisty little beast. Chris is determined to have this up and running for Thursday’s show. A bit of dissention about picking approaches and tempo, but by the end the piece had a shape. More of this on Monday, and setting Wednesday’s afternoon rehearsal aside to dig in as deeply as possible.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuning the Air #221
A Tuning the Air Journal
Thursday November 10, 2011 – Tuning the Air #221
Tuning the Air #221
November 10, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
Thursday November 10, 2011 – Tuning the Air #221
Tuning the Air #221
November 10, 2011
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle WA
Tuning the Space – Joel Palmer
The set:
A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King ArthurEncore:
Little Red Truck
Circulation in A Minor
Space Circus Part I
B Minor Prelude
Tango Apasionato
Tico Tico
I Will
Vashon Ferry
Chanson de Mardi Gras
Gnossienne
I Am The Walrus
Slow Burn
Mad World
Fallout
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Part II
Twinkles (Cmaj)
Spiral Zithers/Criss-Cross Circulation (Cmin)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Extracurricular group workout 10
A Tuning the Air Journal
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 10
Chris called in sick, so today it was a sextet: Curt, Jaxie, Mary Beth, Carl, Greg, and Tony. We primarily worked on pieces that Tony will be playing, giving him a little extra work on details.
We began with “Mad World”, focusing on the timing of the hocketed melody. I was paying particular attention to this, to make sure the score I put together for the Contemporary Guitar Ensemble is accurate.
Next up, “Tango Apasionato”. This is new to all of us, so we took the time to run it several times, looking at details of phrasing, dynamics, feel, fingering, and timing.
On to “Fallout”. Tony has taken on the wiggly melody part, so we gave him some space to work with Jaxie on matters of timing and phrasing. I got a bit of a calisthenic workout in the bargain, which was actually much needed.
We pulled out a quintet version of the B Minor Prelude which somehow managed to be remarkably coherent, although I suppose I’ve been playing the piece long enough that I am getting better at filling in the missing bits.
Tony fully Tonyized “Larks’ Tongues”. It is going to be a bit of fun while he is here (2 performances!)
We ran “Walrus” once, with available players and the metronome.
One final “Tango” and we called it a day.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – Extracurricular group workout 10
Chris called in sick, so today it was a sextet: Curt, Jaxie, Mary Beth, Carl, Greg, and Tony. We primarily worked on pieces that Tony will be playing, giving him a little extra work on details.
We began with “Mad World”, focusing on the timing of the hocketed melody. I was paying particular attention to this, to make sure the score I put together for the Contemporary Guitar Ensemble is accurate.
Next up, “Tango Apasionato”. This is new to all of us, so we took the time to run it several times, looking at details of phrasing, dynamics, feel, fingering, and timing.
On to “Fallout”. Tony has taken on the wiggly melody part, so we gave him some space to work with Jaxie on matters of timing and phrasing. I got a bit of a calisthenic workout in the bargain, which was actually much needed.
We pulled out a quintet version of the B Minor Prelude which somehow managed to be remarkably coherent, although I suppose I’ve been playing the piece long enough that I am getting better at filling in the missing bits.
Tony fully Tonyized “Larks’ Tongues”. It is going to be a bit of fun while he is here (2 performances!)
We ran “Walrus” once, with available players and the metronome.
One final “Tango” and we called it a day.
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