Mirabilis News

No Masterclasses
The calendar originally had scheduled master classes for this week, but I’ve decided that instead we will focus on getting started your pieces for the Christmas Ensemble Recital. (We’ll save our master classes for the Spring Session.)

So at your regular lessons this week we will also look at the music for the recital in addition to your usual solo work .

Ensemble Rehearsal

Our Christmas recital features the members of the studio playing music written and arranged for guitar ensemble. For beginners, this gives an opportunity to perform in a more relaxed environment where you can rely on the support of the players around you. It also allows all students to perform more advanced music since the group is contributing to the overall sound.

So we will look forward to our first Ensemble Rehearsal Week, which will be Oct. 26-30. We will work in groups, similar to our master classes but with some extra groups for beginners and adults. I will set up the schedule and send it out as soon as I have everything arranged.

Rehearsal weeks are also good opportunities for make-up lessons for those who have one, so let me know as we get closer.

Tip of the Month–Play at the Fret

It seems that every so often certain technical issues seem to come up in many lessons. This month I’ve been noticing the issue of Left Hand finger placement.

Remember that the easiest way to get a good sound from the left hand is to place it near the fret. When playing single notes, like with a scale or a melody in the Hal Leonard method book, it is fairly simple to remember to place your finger right next to the fret. It requires less pressure and it produces and solid and full sound.

Playing more that one note, like with a chord, can be more complicated. Sometimes the reach is a little wide and other times the wrist has to be turned a bit. But even if you can’t place all of the fingers perfectly, it’s still be to work toward that as a goal.

You’ll see an instant change in your playing if you do this regularly and long-term you’ll just have good, clean technique!

SEPTEMBER
Sep. 7 (Mon)  LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Sep. 8 – 11 Regular Lessons
Sep. 14 – 18 Regular Lessons
Sep. 21 – 25 Regular Lessons
Sep. 28 – Oct. 2 Regular Lessons

OCTOBER
Oct. 5 – 9 Regular Lessons
Oct. 12 – 15 Regular Lessons
Oct. 19 – 23 Regular Lessons
Oct. 26 – 30 ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL WEEK

NOVEMBER
Nov. 2 -6 Regular Lessons
Nov. 9 – 13 Regular Lessons
Nov. 16 – 20  Regular Lessons
Nov. 23 (Mon) Regular Lessons
Nov. 24 – 27 (Tues-Fri) THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 Regular Lessons

DECEMBER
Dec. 7 – 11 ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL WEEK
Dec. 12 (Sat.) Final Rehearsal
Dec. 13 (Sun.) STUDIO RECITAL