In attendance: a full house with Victor McSurely, Dev Ray, Rick McCarthy, Alex Lahoski, Chris Paquette, Glenn Hughes, and Brad Hogg.
All in the circle at around 7:50 or so, with a circulation to set levels. This ended up going a little longer than "just setting levels", with a clear ending. With no specific agenda to address, Victor suggests simply running some repertoire, unless someone has a different request. With the only requests being repertoire, we jump right in. (Not the exact order.)
Growing Circle
Eye of the Needle
Third Relation
Where is the Nurse?
Bicycling to Afghanistan
Calliope
Prelude Circulation
Flying Home
Intergalactic Boogie Express
Blockhead (from the luau team)
Tweaking and reviewing parts as needed (some of these haven't been played for a while), with Afghanistan being revisited (it is beginning to move from a trio to an ensemble again) and Calliope getting some work after a couple of false starts. Blockhead gets some refining work on the polyrhythm section as well. Chris has managed to gain a new nickname: "Natch". A last call for repertoire requests, and a necessary break.
During the break, various discussions ensue, including further work on possible spaces for the weekly challenge. Also, differing practice regimens are presented, with a fair dollop of jocularity.
Back in the circle, Morning Has Broken is called, prompting a clarification of certain parts. Next, we run Opening, and decide to move again towards a three-person circulation in the bass, aiming for next week.
Next up, Victor runs through the English bell-ringing changes again, introducing the pattern to Dev and Glenn, and reintroducing it to the rest of the team. This moves into circulating with return and circulation +1. This begins with notes and moves to clapping for some time, before finishing with guitars. This signifies the end of the night at 10:30, with a bit of post-rehearsal gear talk.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
09-19-2010, GCNE Meeting, The Loft
In attendance: Victor McSurely, Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, Glenn Hughes, Alex Lahoski, Dev Ray.
After a brief sound check at 7:45, we begin the meeting proper with a moment of silence, followed by a direction of attention to breath. This attention is maintained as we move to a three-note circulation exercise, and further maintained as we work with the staccato-legato exercise we were given earlier in the week:
-1---------------------------------------
---2----1--------------------------------
-----3----2-----1------------------------
-------4----3-----2-----1-------------4--
--------------4-----3-----2---4-1---3----
----------------------4-----3-----2------
-----------------------4-----3-----2-----
---------------4-----3-----2---4-1---3---
-------4-----3-----2-----1-------------4-
-----3-----2-----1-----------------------
---2-----1-------------------------------
-1---------------------------------------
Following this finger pattern, one would play this with all notes staccato, and then with each successive finger legato:
1234
1234
1234
1234
After working with this for a bit, and moving to 3 and 4 as successfully legato, Victor calls Askesis. Once through. He then calls for Blockhead, which the luau team dutifully runs. Some persnickitiness in the polyrhythms prompts some clapping work with this section, with one last run sounding better than before. Before a break, Chris requests a rundown of Intergalactic Boogie Express.
During the break, with guitars off, we learn about Elan S.'s decision to take on a weekly performance challenge, and are asked to help in any way we might be able to, with respect to footwork and organization. Extending from this, the discussion of our own weekly challenge arises, and what may be done to facilitate that. Eventually, a rough game plan is established, and we are all in.
Back in the circle, we jump in with some circulation work. With a Cmaj arpeggio, we work with circulating with return (with 7 players, it'd be 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-6-5-4-3-2), with a definite pulse. There's an attempt to play this with ascending diatonic triads (Dmin would be next), but this gives way to circulating numbers in a six beat pulse (1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6). Once we have this established, we begin moving the pattern backwards. So, from here (italicized numbers are the place in the circle, and non-italicized is the count):
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-6-5-4-3-2
1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
we move to:
7-1-2-3-4-5-6-5-4-3-2-11-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
and then:
6-7-1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1-61-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
And so on. Once we have a definite pulse, we then move back to guitars and leave the pattern, simply working with circulation-with-return. After this, Victor calls the Prelude Circulation. Some frogginess, and we abandon the end, working directly with the pulse and counting of the circulation (5+3). This having been established, we play the Prelude once more, with a much better ending. A very musical free circulation, and we end the meeting at roughly 10:30 p.m.
After a brief sound check at 7:45, we begin the meeting proper with a moment of silence, followed by a direction of attention to breath. This attention is maintained as we move to a three-note circulation exercise, and further maintained as we work with the staccato-legato exercise we were given earlier in the week:
-1---------------------------------------
---2----1--------------------------------
-----3----2-----1------------------------
-------4----3-----2-----1-------------4--
--------------4-----3-----2---4-1---3----
----------------------4-----3-----2------
-----------------------4-----3-----2-----
---------------4-----3-----2---4-1---3---
-------4-----3-----2-----1-------------4-
-----3-----2-----1-----------------------
---2-----1-------------------------------
-1---------------------------------------
Following this finger pattern, one would play this with all notes staccato, and then with each successive finger legato:
1234
1234
1234
1234
After working with this for a bit, and moving to 3 and 4 as successfully legato, Victor calls Askesis. Once through. He then calls for Blockhead, which the luau team dutifully runs. Some persnickitiness in the polyrhythms prompts some clapping work with this section, with one last run sounding better than before. Before a break, Chris requests a rundown of Intergalactic Boogie Express.
During the break, with guitars off, we learn about Elan S.'s decision to take on a weekly performance challenge, and are asked to help in any way we might be able to, with respect to footwork and organization. Extending from this, the discussion of our own weekly challenge arises, and what may be done to facilitate that. Eventually, a rough game plan is established, and we are all in.
Back in the circle, we jump in with some circulation work. With a Cmaj arpeggio, we work with circulating with return (with 7 players, it'd be 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-6-5-4-3-2), with a definite pulse. There's an attempt to play this with ascending diatonic triads (Dmin would be next), but this gives way to circulating numbers in a six beat pulse (1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6). Once we have this established, we begin moving the pattern backwards. So, from here (italicized numbers are the place in the circle, and non-italicized is the count):
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-6-5-4-3-2
1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
we move to:
7-1-2-3-4-5-6-5-4-3-2-11-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
and then:
6-7-1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1-61-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4-5-6
And so on. Once we have a definite pulse, we then move back to guitars and leave the pattern, simply working with circulation-with-return. After this, Victor calls the Prelude Circulation. Some frogginess, and we abandon the end, working directly with the pulse and counting of the circulation (5+3). This having been established, we play the Prelude once more, with a much better ending. A very musical free circulation, and we end the meeting at roughly 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
GCNE Performance at All Asia Bar, 08-31-2010
Circulation/Tuning the Space
Growing Circle
Askesis
Where is the Nurse?
Flying Home
Morning Has Broken
Eye of the Needle
Blockhead
Asturias
In attendance: Alex Lahoski, Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, and Glenn Hughes.
Scheduled for a 9:15 downbeat, but more of a 9:25 start, with finishing at easily 10 minutes to the hour. Numerous technical difficulties for this gig led to an abbreviated setlist. The set seemed to be well-received, regardless, and we had a very enthusiastic and happy audient thank us afterward.
Growing Circle
Askesis
Where is the Nurse?
Flying Home
Morning Has Broken
Eye of the Needle
Blockhead
Asturias
In attendance: Alex Lahoski, Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, and Glenn Hughes.
Scheduled for a 9:15 downbeat, but more of a 9:25 start, with finishing at easily 10 minutes to the hour. Numerous technical difficulties for this gig led to an abbreviated setlist. The set seemed to be well-received, regardless, and we had a very enthusiastic and happy audient thank us afterward.
GCNE Meeting, 08-29-2010, The Loft
Generally anecodotal in nature, as no notes were taken during the meeting tonight, and a lot of material was covered.
In attendance: Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, Glenn Hughes, Alex Lahoski, Victor McSurely.
All except Victor arriving at the space within about 10 minutes or so of each other, we head up to the top floor at about 7:35 and set the space. In the circle at roughly 7:50 pm, and beginning with some circulation, moving towards faster speeds. Moving to running the setlist for the gig on Tuesday (a last-minute booking), we start work with Growing Circle, twice (once for attention to dynamics). Askesis next; as we are running this, Victor walks into the space. We eventually find ourselves working for some time with a click track on the middle parts of the piece, following direction from Victor.
From here, we end up running other parts of the setlist, including Blockhead, Where is the Nurse, and Morning Has Broken, with a real eye towards having these pieces ready for the gig. During a break, strawberry and pumpkin oat bars are consumed. Eye of the Needle and Asturias close out the night.
In attendance: Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, Glenn Hughes, Alex Lahoski, Victor McSurely.
All except Victor arriving at the space within about 10 minutes or so of each other, we head up to the top floor at about 7:35 and set the space. In the circle at roughly 7:50 pm, and beginning with some circulation, moving towards faster speeds. Moving to running the setlist for the gig on Tuesday (a last-minute booking), we start work with Growing Circle, twice (once for attention to dynamics). Askesis next; as we are running this, Victor walks into the space. We eventually find ourselves working for some time with a click track on the middle parts of the piece, following direction from Victor.
From here, we end up running other parts of the setlist, including Blockhead, Where is the Nurse, and Morning Has Broken, with a real eye towards having these pieces ready for the gig. During a break, strawberry and pumpkin oat bars are consumed. Eye of the Needle and Asturias close out the night.
Monday, August 23, 2010
GCNE Meeting, 08-22-2010, Victor's House/Studio
In attendance: Victor McSurely, Rick McCarthy, Alex Lahoski, Brad Hogg, Chris Paquette.
All arrive at Victor's place at the same time, shortly after 8 pm. Taking a few minutes to organize, we circle up as Victor tends to domestic matters, and warm up with some very basic 2nd primary work. Eventually, Victor comes down to the studio, and we begin the meeting with a long moment of silence, followed by a free circulation.
After this, Victor presents the night's work, which is circulation patterns using English change ringing patterns. The concept is as follows: the pattern begins with one single pass around the circle. Each person has their note, and it does not change. (For our work, we're utilizing a descending Cmaj pentatonic scale.) Once it has circulated once, the pattern starts over again, but skips the first person and moves directly to the second. It then moves to the first, and then to the third, and continues to the end of the circle. For the next pass, the first person is again skipped, moving directly to the second. This time, however, the second passes to the third, who passes to the first. The first then passes to the fourth, and continuing normally around the circle. The pattern continues to do this through the rest of the circle. So, in a five-person circulation,
1 2 3 4 5
2 1 3 4 5
2 3 1 4 5
2 3 4 1 5
2 3 4 5 1
At this point, the pattern shifts one person. The last circulation could be seen as the first circulation in position 2, and fittingly, the pattern lays out as such:
2 3 4 5 1
3 2 4 5 1
3 4 2 5 1
3 4 5 2 1
3 4 5 1 2
The pattern then progresses through the rest of the circle , and ties seamlessly into the beginning again.
This takes a few times to really sort out, as we are learning the pattern as we play it. After about 25 minutes of playing, we make it through the full pattern one and a half times. The next couple of attempts don't make it around the full circle, prompting Victor into a discussion with regards to our work with the tetrad last week.
Following this, we take another few stabs at the pattern, and eventually succeed with two passes, occasionally shifting the pole positions. We eventually end the night with a solid pass through three full cycles (ending in the middle of the fourth). A moment of silence to mark the end of the meeting proper at about 10:10, followed by gig scheduling talk afterwards.
All arrive at Victor's place at the same time, shortly after 8 pm. Taking a few minutes to organize, we circle up as Victor tends to domestic matters, and warm up with some very basic 2nd primary work. Eventually, Victor comes down to the studio, and we begin the meeting with a long moment of silence, followed by a free circulation.
After this, Victor presents the night's work, which is circulation patterns using English change ringing patterns. The concept is as follows: the pattern begins with one single pass around the circle. Each person has their note, and it does not change. (For our work, we're utilizing a descending Cmaj pentatonic scale.) Once it has circulated once, the pattern starts over again, but skips the first person and moves directly to the second. It then moves to the first, and then to the third, and continues to the end of the circle. For the next pass, the first person is again skipped, moving directly to the second. This time, however, the second passes to the third, who passes to the first. The first then passes to the fourth, and continuing normally around the circle. The pattern continues to do this through the rest of the circle. So, in a five-person circulation,
1 2 3 4 5
2 1 3 4 5
2 3 1 4 5
2 3 4 1 5
2 3 4 5 1
At this point, the pattern shifts one person. The last circulation could be seen as the first circulation in position 2, and fittingly, the pattern lays out as such:
2 3 4 5 1
3 2 4 5 1
3 4 2 5 1
3 4 5 2 1
3 4 5 1 2
The pattern then progresses through the rest of the circle , and ties seamlessly into the beginning again.
This takes a few times to really sort out, as we are learning the pattern as we play it. After about 25 minutes of playing, we make it through the full pattern one and a half times. The next couple of attempts don't make it around the full circle, prompting Victor into a discussion with regards to our work with the tetrad last week.
Following this, we take another few stabs at the pattern, and eventually succeed with two passes, occasionally shifting the pole positions. We eventually end the night with a solid pass through three full cycles (ending in the middle of the fourth). A moment of silence to mark the end of the meeting proper at about 10:10, followed by gig scheduling talk afterwards.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
GCNE Meeting, 08-15-2010, The Loft
In attendance: Rick McCarthy, Chris Paquette, Brad Hogg, Alex Lahoski, Victor McSurely.
All except Victor arriving around 7:30 or so, and up to the loft. We begin to prepare the PA for rehearsal, but Alex suggests that we remain unplugged for the initial part of the meeting--this ends up being the case for the entire night.
The meeting begins with a circulation. After the last note fades out, Alex mentions that our circulation abilities have been on his mind this week; though this happened to be a good one, this is not the general rule, and so one of his intents for the night is to work on this tonight. First, though, he calls Blockhead--as we are running this down, Victor walks into the space. Taking a seat, he waits until we finish, and then asks us to run the set from the luau.
Interestingly, the set seems to go a bit better tonight than at the luau. Afterwards, this seems to be the consensus among the players, when prompted by Victor. Guitars come off for a bit, as we recapitulate. Alex notes that, for him, the biggest group issue seemed to be circulating in time. Brad and Rick both commented on needing to "be the guy" (Rick's words) to be able to play the part, especially in a smaller group. Chris's point of view, shared by the rest, was that it had been a "satisfying and honourable performance", with "a supportive audience that was also distracting". Some additional discussion, and Victor notes that there are some things he'd like to work on with regards to our comments.
Guitars back on, and Victor chooses to try out some things in circulation. A lot of working with attention to breath.
After this, guitars back off, and an in-depth discussion of the pentad, as well as how the tetrad, and how they relate to each other and to the circle.
To finish the night, Victor puts on the recording of the Improv ORG performance, to give us a chance to hear the work that was done that night. At 10:20 pm, a moment to acknowledge the end of the meeting, and we take our leave for the night.
All except Victor arriving around 7:30 or so, and up to the loft. We begin to prepare the PA for rehearsal, but Alex suggests that we remain unplugged for the initial part of the meeting--this ends up being the case for the entire night.
The meeting begins with a circulation. After the last note fades out, Alex mentions that our circulation abilities have been on his mind this week; though this happened to be a good one, this is not the general rule, and so one of his intents for the night is to work on this tonight. First, though, he calls Blockhead--as we are running this down, Victor walks into the space. Taking a seat, he waits until we finish, and then asks us to run the set from the luau.
Interestingly, the set seems to go a bit better tonight than at the luau. Afterwards, this seems to be the consensus among the players, when prompted by Victor. Guitars come off for a bit, as we recapitulate. Alex notes that, for him, the biggest group issue seemed to be circulating in time. Brad and Rick both commented on needing to "be the guy" (Rick's words) to be able to play the part, especially in a smaller group. Chris's point of view, shared by the rest, was that it had been a "satisfying and honourable performance", with "a supportive audience that was also distracting". Some additional discussion, and Victor notes that there are some things he'd like to work on with regards to our comments.
Guitars back on, and Victor chooses to try out some things in circulation. A lot of working with attention to breath.
After this, guitars back off, and an in-depth discussion of the pentad, as well as how the tetrad, and how they relate to each other and to the circle.
To finish the night, Victor puts on the recording of the Improv ORG performance, to give us a chance to hear the work that was done that night. At 10:20 pm, a moment to acknowledge the end of the meeting, and we take our leave for the night.
Monday, August 9, 2010
GCNE Meeting, 08-08-2010, The Loft
In attendance: Brad Hogg, Chris Paquette, and Alex Lahoski.
Beginning the meeting at about 8 pm, we start with some circulation to check levels. With no key announced, this moves gently from Cmaj to A Hijaz (a Phrygian scale with a major 3rd and major 7th). We then warm up with some basic 2nd Primary work--first the initial exercise, and then moving to displacement of different harmony notes, working with this for about 10 minutes or so. Chris then offers a counting exercise in 6/4, derived from the bassline of a song by Gentle Giant.
This eventually prompts Alex to move to working with the polyrhythms in Blockhead, and counting while playing them. We first mainly work with the "Paul" part (which is the quarter-note-pulse-with-a-bump part), then move to Bert's 3-against-4-in-15 part, and finally to Hideyo's 5/8 part. After working with all of these for a bit, we then begin looking at the other parts of the song, and each learning all the parts. At 9:25, we take a break, just in time for Brad to take a call from Dev.
Back in the circle, a few minutes later, Alex brings us back to the fifth mode of D Harmonic Minor, teaching a figure that is played almost entirely on the 3rd string. This turns out to be parts of the CG composition "Trapiche". Work on this takes us up to 10 p.m., and a moment of silence to acknowledge the end of the meeting.
Beginning the meeting at about 8 pm, we start with some circulation to check levels. With no key announced, this moves gently from Cmaj to A Hijaz (a Phrygian scale with a major 3rd and major 7th). We then warm up with some basic 2nd Primary work--first the initial exercise, and then moving to displacement of different harmony notes, working with this for about 10 minutes or so. Chris then offers a counting exercise in 6/4, derived from the bassline of a song by Gentle Giant.
This eventually prompts Alex to move to working with the polyrhythms in Blockhead, and counting while playing them. We first mainly work with the "Paul" part (which is the quarter-note-pulse-with-a-bump part), then move to Bert's 3-against-4-in-15 part, and finally to Hideyo's 5/8 part. After working with all of these for a bit, we then begin looking at the other parts of the song, and each learning all the parts. At 9:25, we take a break, just in time for Brad to take a call from Dev.
Back in the circle, a few minutes later, Alex brings us back to the fifth mode of D Harmonic Minor, teaching a figure that is played almost entirely on the 3rd string. This turns out to be parts of the CG composition "Trapiche". Work on this takes us up to 10 p.m., and a moment of silence to acknowledge the end of the meeting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)