Trying New Things
Recently, Jim, Hank and I had another session where tried another couple of exercises to see where we could go with them. I think they ran the exercises at half speed to make it easy for me to adjust. Basically we ran six permutation of four fingers with the left hand in 7th pos. 1-2-3-4, 1-2-4-3, 1-3-2-4, 1-3-4-2, 1-4-2-3, 1-4-3-2 first on one string and then switching lines every set to give the right hand some exercise as well.
I have noticed that my crosspicking is improving. I also notice that I have been able to do some of the other exercises I wrote much better, although I am rewriting them to include the pinky as I have always neglected it in just about everything I do. I mean for chords I would use it, but I have never really been disciplined in sticking to one place when doing lead or runs so this has been an education in using my ring and pinky fingers to do work.
Overall, I like it.
We also began working out parts for Eye of the Needle. That was a lot of fun and it was interesting to feel the difference between what I usually hear and what the music says. There was one bar in particular where Jim and I swore a note was not carried over an extra 1/8 and sure enough when we played by the book it was right.
I also am getting past the performance aspect of playing and just playing. I noticed this in the last circulation we did, where I was struggling to find the notes until I let go of that insecurity and just started playing the notes. It was a fun session.
They let me borrow Aspiration to practice, although I have always felt this piece feels a lot like Eno’s “Julie with…” lead played much faster… so I have never liked it as much as Invocation or Eye.
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© 2006 Jacob Gorny