Weekly Warm Up No. 40
So, I’m curious, did you design your summer?
It’s ok if you haven’t, couldn’t, or won’t. I don’t think anyone should be required to do anything right now except keep going (and btw: no one has the answer for the pandemic blahs).
I have been designing my summer and one of the things I’m doing is practicing outside in my backyard every morning. Me, coffee, guitar, napping puppy, and a metronome. Not going to lie–it’s been pretty wonderful (just logged my 6th consecutive day of outside guitar practice).
Did you ever notice how most folks, when they make New Years resolutions, go totally bonkers with crazy expectations and then quit 4-6 weeks later?Yeah, I’m doing the opposite with my summer. I’m designing a summer that is not about increasing productivity, doing more, booking more, etc. This summer I’m saying no to most things (so if you call me, I’m probably not picking up the phone). I’m talking to fewer people (not that I was talking to that many during the past 15 months), and I’m getting outside as much as possible. I’m also scheduling time to read, listen to recordings, and make things…..Austin Kleon talks about this brilliantly: Your output depends on your input.
Lastly, one of the big things I’m thinking about is how concerts will be as we come back together. Do you expect/want it to be the same as before?
For me, this is a chance to ask:
- What is the purpose of a concert?
- Why do we come together?
- How can we reimagine this form of gathering?
- Could we try something new?
And still, that’s not why we’re here. It’s time for the WWU!
This week we’re working on arpeggios, slurs, and our synchronization drill at three different tempos (yes, you read that correctly)!
Tempo:
Quarter Note set @ 80, 100, 120 BPM.
Right Hand Arpeggios:
(Based on the A Major Pattern Outlined Here)
- Pima
- Pami
- Pimi
- Pmim
- Pmam
- Pama
Left Hand Slurs
- Ascending Single String: 121 232 343 (triplets)
- Descending Single String: 434 323 212 (triplets)
Synchronization Drills: Single String
- 1010 | 1234
- 2020 | 1234
- 3030 | 1234
- 4040 | 1234
Be sure to signup for my mailing list to join me for the Weekly Warm Up every Monday at 8:30 am (EDT).
Questions? You can reach me here:
